Greta Van Fleet Plots Massive Tour

From my inbox - for all the big Gret Van Fleet fans. I know there are a lot of you who read daily. Let me know if you're planning on catching one of these shows. Most tickets go on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. eastern. 

NEW YORK, NY (October 10, 2018) -- Greta Van Fleet, one of the most buzzed-about new rock bands today, announces the “March of the Peaceful Army” World Tour and initial headline dates for 2019.  These dates are in support of the band’s debut album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army,  that is due out October 19 (Lava/Republic Records).  As part of the itinerary, the band will visit Australia for the first time playing concerts in four cities beginning in Sydney on January 29.  The band then heads to Europe and the UK in February and March for 12 dates, followed by four weeks of North American shows from early May to early June.  All confirmed dates and ticket on-sale details are below.
 
Music fans were first introduced to Greta Van Fleet Josh Kiszka/vocals, Jake Kiszka/guitars, Sam Kiszka/bass & keys, and Danny Wagner/drums - in March 2017 with the release of the band's debut single "Highway Tune" that held the #1 position on U.S. Rock Radio Charts for five consecutive weeks and on Canada's Active Rock Radio Charts for nine straight weeks.  Twenty-seventeen went on to be a wild ride of sold-out concerts in North America and Europe, glowing press, accolades from a slew of fellow artists from Elton John to Nikki Sixx to Justin Bieber, millions of YouTube video plays and Spotify streams, two #1 EPs, a Gold record in Canada, and most importantly, the genesis of an extraordinary connection with their fans.
 
With more dates to be announced, follows are the confirmed dates for Greta Van Fleet’s “March Of The Peaceful Army” 2019 World Tour:

JANUARY

29  Enmore Theatre, Sydney, Australia  
 
FEBRUARY
  3   Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane, Australia   
  5   Forum Theatre, Melbourne, Australia   
  8   Logan Campbell Centre, Auckland, New Zealand  
22   Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain   
24   Alcatraz, Milan, Italy    
25   Zenith, Munich, Germany    
27   AFAS Live, Amsterdam, Netherlands    
28   Lotto Arena, Antwerp, Belgium    

MARCH

 3    Zenith, Paris, France   
 5    Newcastle 02 Academy, Newcastle, UK    
 7    02 Academy, Glasgow, UK    
 8    02 Academy Leeds, Leeds, UK    
10   Rock City, Nottingham, UK    
11   Montford Hall, Liverpool, UK    
13   Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland    
 
MAY

 7    Bayfront Park Amphitheatre, Miami, FL  
 9    Daily’s Place Amphitheatre, Jacksonville, FL   
10   Orlando Amphitheater at Central Florida Fairgrounds, Orlando, FL   
12   Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA   
13   Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA   
15   Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre, Charlotte, NC   
16   Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC   
18   The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park, NJ   
21   MECU Pavilion, Baltimore, MD   
22   The Dome, Rochester, NY   
25   Forest Hills Stadium, Queens, NY   
28   Echo Beach, Toronto, ON  CANADA   
 
JUNE

 2    Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica, Cleveland, OH   
 4    Breese Stevens Field, Madison, WI   

Comments

[Gallogs]

Massive? Talk about a misleading headline Allyson. A massive tour in my book is A LOT more than 29 shows. To top it off, more than half are out of the US. In fact , they are playing in ONLY 12 cities in the US. Massive!? I think not.

[Bob]

I imagine they still have a lot more US dates to announce as they're not going any further West than Wisconsin so far. Either way, if they do make it down my way, no, I will not be going. I wish them success, but I don't much care for their music. If I want to hear Led zeppelin, I'll listen to Led zeppelin.

[SparkyDR99]

This band is the musical equivalent to a Hollywood reboot in a genre that doesn't get enough attention. We don't need another version of Friday The 13th, but it's not the worst thing in the world if a new horror movie opens on 4,000 screens. Not for me, but it is what it is.

[texjay]

Musical version of Cut and Paste....

[Him]

If they play Physical Graffiti from start to finish, I am a first day buyer for the VIP section!

29 dates isn't exactly a small tour, Gallogs. And I suspect Bob is right that they will add more dates.

In the word's of another clone-band (that is also touring, sans original singer/creative force): "Do you like it?" It's okay. Nothing wrong with imitation. Just own it. Better yet, spin it a little bit more into something that is truly yours. And stop acting so smug. You come off as a bit entitled . . . oh wait, they are. So I guess they just need time to grow up. Perhaps this is their "MMMBop" phase.

[GNR]

Here we go again - clone band, copy cats, led zeppelin, etc, etc... As they say, proof is in the pudding. Sampling of a couple EPs, which went #1, and lasting songs that stay at #1 that are catchy compared to whatever else tops the charts these days.

To judge a Greta show without actually setting foot in one and just thinking or knowing what it is going to be like ? What is this Clint Eastwood and get off my lawn ? No. Its rock n roll.

[Him]

Hilarious, GNR. You can judge a band on a host of factors: live, in the studio, image, sales, etc. And you can focus on one, or on several. It strikes me that several of the comments, mine included, echoed your thoughts, if perhaps with a touch more snark and a 'live and let listen' attitude (meaning: you like it, fine; you don't, cool too).

I truly didn't see anyone commenting on their live show _at all_, which might be the most amazing thing in the world. I wouldn't know. I haven't sampled that form of Greta Van Pudding (to borrow your phrase). But I stand by my suggestions . . . even if they will never hear them.

You like Greta on wax and in person, GNR? That is awesome. Truly. You don't hear the similarities to other bands? Fair enough. That is subjective. You glad they are doing well? That is not an issue either. I wish them well . . . even if I am not a big fan and (again) think they need to branch out a wee bit (I didn't see the recent songs as a significant step in broadening their sound . . . but I am no George Martin).

And thanks, GNR, for getting me a-thinking. Nothing wrong with a vigorous discussion!

[Metalboy!]

Geezus! What’s with all the hate? You would think we were at a Trump Rally!

Look, did I laugh the first time I heard the Zeppelin cops in the new songs?, yes ... Did I smirk at the similarity of the imagery of their latest video and “Houses Of The Holy” and “IV” inner album cover and inner sleeve art work as well as scenes from “The Song Remains The Same”. (Regardless, it looks frickin’ cool as h*ll, dudes!)

Did I roll on the floor when New York Dolls thief and former lead guitarist of The Sex Pistols, Steve Jones asked the band in their interview on his radio show, “Jonesey’s Juke Box”, if they consider Led Zeppelin an influence and they all answered in unison a resounding, “No!”

Does that stop me from absolutely loving this band? H*ll no!

This band is nothing short of phenomenal! 3 brothers and their neighbor, in their mid to late teens when they started and in their early twenties now, are incredible performers and songwriters, tight as can be and selling out and blowing the roof off every venue they play!

And the new album isn’t even out yet!

Why all the hype? ... the proof is in your pudding, as you say, boyz! Check out their live sets on YouTube or their performances on SNL and “ The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon”.

Indeed the singer gets a little nasally at times but he also shrieks on key even better than Lenny Wolf and even does Plant better than Plant at times.

Just ask Robert Plant who said recently about the lead singer, “I think there’s a job for him if he wants it.”, meaning he could fill his slot in Zeppelin. Those striking homages to “The Greatest Rock & Roll Band Of All Time” combined with plenty of fresh and original vintage sounding songwriting, authentic musical ideas and riffage going on that, IMHO, really make Greta Van Fleet a true listening pleasure.

Hmmm ... Just like AXL/DC, Greta Van Zeppelin has a nice ring to it and will also leave a nice ring in your ears if you happen to catch them on this rightfully dubbed “Massive Tour”. I for one will at least catch them in Orlsndo at the soccer stadium which seats 80,000.

Not that I’m one to measure success in number of seats or downloads sold, they will sell out every venue they play on this tour. That sounds pretty massive to me.

[GNR]

Him - I agree with getting the thinking wheels turning. What I don't get is hate when it comes to similarities to a band. A ton of Glam bands sound exactly like each other. Who cares that they sound like a band from 40 years ago ? It's like copying Eddie Vedder's singing style, or AC/DC 3 Chord Rock, etc.. none of this is patented but do you have what it takes to make your own way. I can't help but feel its the older crowd that just bags on things because it was better in their day. And I'm guilty of such things (movie remakes, food copycats, etc..).

There is ALOT of craptacular music out there nowadays. Music that will not stand the test of time. But I'm rooting for the boys from Michigan to keep bringing tunes that yes, may remind me of a great band from my past, but in no way can come up with new music to take me into the future. Rock N Roll is not dead. Feel good that a RnR band can still launch massive tours vs. mainstream, pop country (which is basically 80s metal catered to the women of nowadays), hip slop,etc..

[Gallogs]

I think I stirred a hornets nest! Hopefully they do add more dates. Anyway, my 2 cents, I think they are a great (very) young band. Musically they cannot be denied if you like rock. I can understand people's issue with the vocals. He sounds really good to me most of the time. I like that they have a unique style of dress for a new band. Except for the singers sandals, gotta get rid of those young man if you want to rock. Before you judge them, check out the multitude of live clips on you tube. The kids have talent, period. That seems to be lacking these days in young rock bands.

[Him]

Hey GNR, thanks for that thoughtful follow-up. I can totally see your point. I don't hate em. I enjoy em. Just don't like em as much as others. But more power to them as they hopefully grow into something even more interesting (at least, to me).

Not to stir the pot one more time (I really wasn't trying to do that the first or second time either), but did any of you see this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=DIFydn5LG_8

I thought it was cool. And, no, I am not being snarky this time (sometimes, it is hard to tell!). One of the better mash-ups I have heard, likely owing to the similarities (again, no snark).

[Gallogs]

Hey HIM,
Good mashup. You can't deny the similarities. It's mostly the singer's voice. His voice is his voice, what is he supposed to do? I just watched a video of them at Austin City Limits. They owned that crowd. The guitarist is very good.

[Bob]

Gallogs, while I understand your question about the singer is largely rhetorical, the dude is from Michigan, yet he affects a British accent to sound like Plant, then claims that Zeppelin isn't an influence. He can do something about that. Honestly, I think I'd be much more a fan of them if they were just honest about their influences. I don't like it when people are disingenuous with me in person, so why should I tolerate it from people who want me to spend money on their music? Again, I do wish them success, but I am under no obligation to like their music.

[Him]

Bob and Gallogs, thanks to both of you. Like I said to GNR, I wish this band no ill will and actually think some of their stuff is fine . . . just like I liked Kingdom Come back in the day.

Gallogs, I bet they owned it. In fact, I know so. Why? You sent me in that direction. Crowd was loving it. No harm in that. But Bob is right. The singer affects a sound . . . yet they act as if he (and they) don't, or at least suggest as much. When Plant notices, wouldn't you think they would? And that is where I, and I suspect others, get a bit prickly about the whole matter.

The guitarist says: “I think that we’ve become more conscious of it, because I don’t think before we ever really realized, in a lot of senses, the similarities or the commonalities that we share with that group.” Put aside the idea of calling Zep 'that group' and ponder that for a minute.

He goes on to say: “But I think that we’ve become more conscious of the similarities, because it’s been said, and I think we’ve taken some time to go back and almost identify with it. ‘Oh, it’s interesting, because there is a lot of those commonalities.’ Even if it exactly wasn’t an overwhelming influence of ours, it still was influential and we can certainly see it. But overall, it doesn’t really affect the writing of our music.” That sounds like needless waffling to me.

Own it, boys. Celebrate it. Don't be coy. That was all I was really trying to get across earlier. And I found the same sort of thing to be taxing when Kingdom Come had their moment. Why was Wolf trying to deny what was obvious? Thing is, at least at this point, I like KC more than I like GvF. But that is just me.

And let me add another bit of nuance: I actually liked KC when Wolf just went off and did his own thing, while still keeping shades of what made them popular (I am thinking here of _Hands of Time_). When it came out I went, "Wait? What? Oh, cool." I saw it as a next stage in the development of the sound Wolf was going for. I hope there is something like that with GvF.

And if not? Well, I don't think they will have a long career, or a career equal to the enthusiasm they generate with their fans at this point in time. Why? Well, cross reference KC. It became all about Wolf and it wasn't KC anymore. So GvF has a tall order to fill: keep with the references to past greats, keep generating enthusiasm, but also do something that is truly yours as you move along . . . all while being 'conscious' of the fact that you were channeling the greats even if you didn't realize it (which I don't think is true).