Five concerts for 2015: Garth Brooks, Avett Brothers, Fleetwood Mac top the list
Even though 2015 is here, Wichita still doesn’t know all the concert tours that will visit this year. The news tends to trickle out, and the listings available so far go only through May, with one Foo Fighting exception. But what we do know already is not too shabby. The year will bring a wide range of music to all of the area’s music venues, including Intrust Bank Arena, the Cotillion, the Orpheum, Hartman Arena, the Kansas Star Casino and Salina’s Stiefel Theatre. Here are five that I’m looking forward to:
▪ Garth Brooks: A few weeks ago, the legendary singer confirmed during on-air interviews with two local radio stations that he will bring his tour supporting “Man Against the Machine,” his first studio album with new material in 13 years, to Wichita. Intrust Bank Arena officials couldn’t confirm he would perform there, though it seems the most likely venue. Rumors suggest that Brooks would play several shows in Wichita, just like he has in other cities. And that would make sense considering he sold out five nights of shows when he played at the Kansas Coliseum in 1997 – and considering how much Wichita has demonstrated its love for country music. If it’s true, 2015 will be a year country fans will be talking about for a long time.
Details: Venue, date and ticket info to be announced.
▪ Fleetwood Mac: Wichita landed a spot on the second leg of this legendary band’s tour, which is on the road with a lineup that includes stars Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Christine McVie, who rejoined the band for the tour following a 16-year absence. In other cities, the multi-Grammy winners and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees have been playing their greatest hits, and Wichita audiences likely will hear “Rhiannon,” “Everywhere,” “Dreams,” “Landslide,” “Go Your Own Way” and more.
Details: 8 p.m. March 31, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman. $49.50-$179.50, 1-855-755-7328 or www.selectaseat.com.
▪ The Avett Brothers: The last time the Avett Brothers were in Wichita, it was 2012, and they sold out the Orpheum Theatre, a 1,281-seat venue. Just two years later, the act is returning to Wichita to play a much larger venue: Intrust Bank Arena. The concert is significant because it marks one of the few times an indie act has performed at the downtown venue since it opened five years ago. Avett Brothers, an indie folk band from North Carolina, is lead by brothers Scott and Seth Avett and rose to fame with its 2009 album “I and Love and You.” No doubt the band will perform its hit, “Salina,” which begins with the lyrics: “Salina, I’m as nowhere as I can be. Could you add some somewhere to me? Ah Kansas I’m kneeling, ah Kansas please.”
Details: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26, Intrust Bank Arena. $34.50-$44.50, 1-855-755-7328 or www.selectaseat.com.
▪ Foo Fighters: Another big coup for the Intrust Bank Arena this year was securing this show, a rare rock ’n’ roll event at the venue. It’s an even bigger score considering that the band is stopping in only 12 arenas on the 29-city tour next year, and Wichita’s is one of them. The band, formed by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl after lead singer Kurt Cobain’s death, is best known for hits such as “Everlong” and “Learn to Fly.” The group is touring to support its new album, “Sonic Highways.”
Details: 7 p.m. Sept. 30, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman. $35-$75, 1-855-755-7328 or www.selectaseat.com
▪ Sarah McLachlan: A more intimate can’t-miss concert will happen in March at Salina’s Stiefel Theatre, which has a reputation for bringing top-notch acts to the region. Grammy-winning songbird Sarah McLachlan, recognizable for soulful hits including “Building a Mystery” and “Angel,” will perform at the 1,280-seat venue.
Details: 8 p.m. March 4, Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe, Salina. $99, $119, www.ticketmaster.com or 1-785-827-1998.
This story was originally published December 30, 2014 at 11:48 PM with the headline "Five concerts for 2015: Garth Brooks, Avett Brothers, Fleetwood Mac top the list."