Rundgren, our Guitar Hero
Todd Rundgren is currently on tour in the states, wow-ing his fans with a blistering guitar-oriented live set that includes all 13 songs from his yet-to-be released album titled Arena. It’s certainly a treat for concert goers to be able to experience a whole new set of songs BEFORE they’re even officially released. It’s simply a testament to how much faith Todd has for his concert-going fans. Most live acts touring the country usually stick to the tried and true in terms of setlists and won’t dare play more than a handful of unfamiliar tunes in their shows. But Todd-fans are a different breed and expect a little more from their Hero. And on this tour, Todd simply delivers! The new songs off of Arena translate well on stage with soaring guitar leads and heart-pounding rhythms. Highlights include “Strike” with its fist-pumping chorus, the bluesy slow rocker “Weakness” and “Afraid” which features a tasty David Gilmour-like guitar solo.
listen to an excerpt of a live version of “Afraid”
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after finishing the U.S. leg, Rundgren will take a two month break which will give his record label, HiFi Records, a chance to catch up and get the Arena CD out into the stores. and then in November, Rundgren will head back out on the road and unleash his “guitar-rock extravaganza” onto his European fans.
here are the dates for Rundgren’s European leg of the tour:
Thu 11/06/08 Manchester, UK Academy 2
Fri 11/07/08 Edinburgh, UK The Picture House
Sat 11/15/08 Eindhoven, Netherlands TROMP International Music Festival
Sun 11/16/08 Harmonie Bonn, Germany
Tue 11/18/08 Rolling Stone Milan, Italy
Thu 11/20/08 Trabendo Paris, France
Sat 11/22/08 Waterfront Norwich, UK
Sun 11/23/08 London, UK The Forum Tickets Ticketmaster UK
for detailed information on Rundgren’s UK dates, be sure to check out Noble PR’s Todd Rundgren page.
and for the latest info on Todd Rundgren, head on over to Todd’s official myspace page.
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Saw Todd on tour a few days ago. The songs on the new album verge on AC/DC meets ZZ Top and Hendrix. Very fucking cool. I’m a big Utopia fan, but this new rock combo Todd’s got at the moment is unbelievably exciting. It’s about time, Todd. What took you so long to ROCK? Love it.
Is that a recent photo? He looks good.
I think Todd got a bad rap back in the day. He was wildly famous with a niche following, but mainstream radio never did seem to catch on to him. He was never one of my top 10 faves, but I enjoyed a lot of his early work. Then it was like he disappeared off the radar for a while.
I’ll check out the album.
I’ve got tickets to see Todd tomorrow night in Woodstock, NY at the Bearsville Theatre…his old stomping grounds in the 70s. The theatre holds 250, max.
I am beside myself!!! This is going to be amazing!
Just a few words to the Eindhoven gig (Sat 11/15/08). It’s a kinda different than the other gigs!!!! He will be the opening act for a contest of classical ensembles and will perform together with the NY-ensemble Ethel. The gig will be – I guess – a bit like the Joe Jackson meets Todd and Ethel gigs which took place in 2005. See http://trconnection.com/tour/t2005eur
For info on the Eindhoven gig: http://www.trompinternational.nl/en/news.aspx?news=218
But anyway: let’s have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!