Multi-platinum alternative rock band THE VERVE PIPE–recognized worldwide for their radio hits “Photograph,” “Hero,” “Never Let You Down,” and their massive 1997 #1 single “The Freshmen“ as well as the song “Colorful” as featured in the movie Rock Star–have announced headlining tour dates for early 2018. Depending on the venue, the Michigan-based group, which formed in 1992, will perform three different types of shows during this tour: a full electric rock show, a pared down acoustic/electric show of their hit songs and fan favorites, or an acoustic reimagining of their platinum-selling major label debut album Villains.
Kicking off Thursday, January 11 in Homer, NY (near Syracuse), the 12-date runwill stop at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ for the Light of Day Foundationbenefit show on January 12 before reaching City Winery in New York City on Saturday, January 13. From there, THE VERVE PIPE–known for their spectacular live performances–heads to Boston, MA, Fairfield, CT, Ardmore, PA, Vienna, VA, Columbus, OH, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Tampa, FL and St. Augustine, FL before wrapping Saturday, February 10 in the band’s hometown of Grand Rapids, MI. See below for the list of upcoming tour dates.
Earlier this year (February 2017), THE VERVE PIPE—Brian Vander Ark (vocals, guitar), Lou Musa (lead guitar), Randy Sly (keyboards, backing vocals), Joel Ferguson (bass, backing vocals), Sam Briggs (drums, percussion), Channing Lee(backing vocals), Craig Griffith (harmonica, backing vocals)–released their latest studio album, Parachute, along with their first-ever live album, Villains – Live & Acoustic (recorded at The Ark in Ann Arbor, MI). With a new lineup and a renewed energy and focus, lead singer/principal songwriter/co-founder Brian Vander Ark and the band continue to deliver original music that is distinguished by innovative arrangements, soul-searching lyrics and layered vocals.
West Michigan music blog Local Spins praised Parachute saying, “It’s not just the lyrical power of ‘If I Could Make You Feel’ and ‘The Favorite Son’ on the band’s newest studio outing, ‘Parachute,’ but the nearly flawless delivery, arrangements and production of this New Millennium take on alt-rock. ‘If I Could Make You Feel’ in particular is a poignant epic with mature themes, filled with dynamic, prog-rock-enhanced swells and breathtaking vocals. Meanwhile, the Beatle-sque ‘The Fine Line’ oozes the sort of clever writing and harmonies that must have inspired all manner of fun and experimentation in the studio” (John Sinkevics, 3/31/17).
Of a recent live show in Ann Arbor, MI, Arts at Michigan writer Angela Lin noted, “The Verve Pipe’s performance was one of the best concerts I’ve seen, hands down. In an age where much of the top hits are auto-tuned and live concerts expose artists for their true skills, it was definitely a heartwarming treat to hear The Verve Pipe sound exactly like they do on their records-if not better, as the power and passion radiated off the stage in a way no CD could ever justly capture” (12/3/17).
In addition to recording rock albums, THE VERVE PIPE expanded their repertoire in 2009 to include writing and recording A Family Album, their critically acclaimed introduction to the world of children’s music, as well as their 2013 follow-up family oriented release, Are We There Yet?. THE VERVE PIPE perform both rock and kids shows throughout North America, including notable appearances at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Lincoln Center, Hangout Music Festival, SummerStage in Central Park and many more.
Catch THE VERVE PIPE in the following cities:
|
DATE
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CITY | VENUE |
| Thu 1/11 | Homer, NY | Center for the Arts |
| Fri 1/12 | Asbury Park, NJ | Light of Day Foundation @ The Stone Pony |
| Sat 1/13 | New York, NY | City Winery |
| Sun 1/14 | Boston, MA | City Winery |
| Wed 1/17 | Fairfield, CT | Fairfield Theatre – StageOne |
| Thu 1/18 | Ardmore, PA | Ardmore Music Hall |
| Fri 1/19 | Vienna, VA | The Barns at Wolf Trap |
| Sat 1/20 | Columbus, OH | Hollywood Casino |
| Thu 2/1 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Abdo New River Room at Broward Center |
| Sat 2/3 | Tampa, FL | The Attic |
| Sun 2/4 | St. Augustine, FL | The Original Café Eleven |
| Sat 2/10 | Grand Rapids, MI | 20 Monroe Live |
Photo Credit: Derek Ketchum
For more information on THE VERVE PIPE, visit:
