Nate, Author at TicketNetwork Blog

Widespread Panic Still Going Strong

September 6, 2016 by Nate

Widespread Panic is back! One of the most well-known Southern rock jam bands has an upcoming fall tour, and it will be a big hit with all fans of the genre. Like many of their contemporary bands, Widespread Panic uses almost every instrument imaginable to make a very unique sound for their fans. The band combines elements of southern rock, jazz, blues and psychedelic rock for an awesome sound.

Another element that fans of Widespread Panic enjoy is that their extensive library of songs leads to the band never playing the same show twice. Widespread Panic keeps track of their set lists from previous shows on their tour and makes a point of keeping every show fresh.

John Bell has been an original member of Widespread Panic dating all the way back to 1981, and has poured his heart and soul in to every track that Widespread Panic has released. Bell met fellow founder Michael Houser at the University of Georgia while they were both aspiring guitarists. The two started jamming together in their dorms at college, and took to the stage at various open mic nights in the area. The two enjoyed over a decade of success together along with fellow band mates until 2002.

Houser was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that year while the band was still touring. His failing health forced him to leave the tour, and he died a month later. The band continues to make new music, tour the country, and live through Houser’s dream of making great music that all fans could enjoy. The current band consists of John Bell (guitar, vocals), JoJo Hermann (keyboards, vocals), Dave Schools (bassist, vocals), Domingo Ortiz (percussion), Jimmy Herring (guitar) and Duane Trucks (drums).

With a discography stretching almost 30 years and encompassing 12 studio albums, there are countless classics that Widespread Panic is bound to perform live. Here are our top picks that all fans can’t wait to hear live during the extensive Widespread Panic 2016 fall tour.

“Chilly Water” – Space Wrangler, 1988

A song from their debut album, “Chilly Water,” is definitely a fan favorite for loyal fans of Widespread Panic. The essence of jam band music is perfectly illustrated in this song by a solid intro with the drums, a lengthy guitar solo towards the middle and a consistently smooth bass line which are all staples of this track. Bell also sings this song like he’s playing it live for the first time again, and fans are appreciative of the fact that music can still sounds passionate decades later. The song finishes with a dueling drum solo, and it is not a matter of if Widespread Panic plays this song, but when.

“All Time Low” – ‘Til The Medicine Takes, 1999

One of the most underrated aspects of a jam band is the fact that they are not stuck in a box of a certain genre of music. A jam band can adapt to the times, and create music that the fans and culture want to hear at that current time. While maintaining it’s folk and blues sound, Widespread Panic adds an element of late 90s grunge in “All Time Low,” and more than fifteen years later it is still a fan favorite. This is definitely one of the songs that Widespread Panic performs in which all of the guitarists like to show off. The intro of the song has deeper sounding riffs which transform into higher notes later on in the song during solo performances. “All Time Low” is another must-play song at all Widespread Panic concerts.

“Porch Song” – Space Wrangler, 1988

This track is a timeless classic for Widespread Panic. “Porch Song,” also a track off of their debut studio album, Space Wrangler, is an extremely easy song to listen to. Along with his opening guitar riffs, Bell’s vocals go together nicely with the rhythm the song produces. The higher pitched keyboard towards the middle and end of the song also bring a smooth organ sound to the song. The band has also been playing this song live for almost 30 years so they know the notes like the back of their hand, adding to its greatness.

Widespread Panic is still one of the hottest tickets when it comes to jam bands going on tour. View the Widespread Panic upcoming tour schedule and find Widespread Panic tickets right here at TicketNetwork.

College Football Kickoff: Everything is Bigger in Texas

September 2, 2016 by Nate

Fans across the nation have been counting down the days until college football is back in their life. Not only is college football back, but it’s back with a bang! Nationally ranked teams with championship aspirations have tough tests during Week 1 of the season, and the kickoff of the first big game is highly anticipated.

College students showing their school pride, alumni reliving the glory days and the next generation of fans are all excited to have the Saturday tailgate back in their lives, but the party gets started on the field in Texas during the opening weekend of college football. There are championship implications for games going down in Houston, Arlington and Austin. Historic programs and Heisman hopefuls are just the beginning of the story.

No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 15 Houston Cougars – 9/3, 12:00 PM, NRG Stadium in Houston, TX

As a member of the four-team College Football Playoff last season, the Oklahoma Sooners expect to be in the same position this season. First things first, they must take care of the upstart Houston Cougars in enemy territory. NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans, will host this game and it should be an old-fashioned Western shootout. Baker Mayfield is the dual threat quarterback of the Sooners, and his name has been in every Heisman conversation in the preseason. Mayfield possesses a power running game and he has a cannon for an arm, but teams will look to test that arm this season as he lost his best target, Sterling Shepherd, to the NFL.

As for Houston, they will have the home crowd and Greg Ward, Jr. on their side. The Cougars quarterback took the AAC by storm last season scoring 38 touchdowns while Houston averaged over 40 points a game. His skills were on display when Houston shocked the college football world by upsetting Florida State in the Peach Bowl last season. Whichever defense can turn the opposing quarterback in to a one-dimensional player will have the best shot in this one.

No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 20 USC Trojans – 9/3, 8:00 PM, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX

When it comes to college football powerhouse programs, few schools can rival Alabama or USC. The storied universities will square off in Arlington at AT&T Stadium, a fitting venue to host college football royalty.

USC is a decade removed from having one of the most dominating college football teams in recent memory when Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and LenDale White helped the Trojans storm their way to a 2004 National Championship. The program is still recovering from the turmoil the high profile athletes left in their wake, but expectations remain heading in to every season. Quarterback Max Browne will need to be ready for the spotlight as the hybrid athlete (an understatement if you watch video below) that is Adoree’ Jackson and reliable receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster will need to carry the load for the Trojans to gain traction this season.

Odds are this won’t be the game USC figures it all out, they will put up a fight, but the new dynasty that seems to have solidified its place in college football history is the Alabama Crimson Tide. On defense, Reuben Foster (linebacker), Tim Williams (linebacker) and Jonathan Allen (defensive line) could all be first-round draft picks next season. They swarm running backs and terrorize quarterbacks on a weekly basis, and will be hungry to make a statement in the first week of the season.

USC has a shot, it’s a small one, but if big plays can be made against Alabama’s defense sometimes they go in to shock. Alabama has a middle of the road offense as well, but no one has a better defense or special teams in the country so I can see Alabama easily pulling away late in the game.

No. 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Texas Longhorns – 9/4, 7:30 PM, Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX

On Sunday, the wild rollercoaster that Week 1 of the college football season will be comes to an end when the Texas Longhorns host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Both programs are used to unparalleled success but it has been a struggle of late. Texas had success for decades culminating in a National Championship in 2005 with Vince Young at quarterback. Since 2010, the program has not met expectations, but with every new year Texas fans are still passionate about football and want to see their team succeed again. The talent is there for Texas, but with QB Jerrod Heard moving to wide receiver this season it seems Texas has more questions than answers at the moment.

As for Notre Dame, spending the money to get coveted head coach, Brian Kelly, has seemed to pay off. Notre Dame returned to the national stage in 2013 by going undefeated in the regular season, but realized how far it still had to go when it was embarrassed by Alabama, 42-14. Notre Dame is also in the news for all the wrong reasons at the moment as six of their players were arrested for numerous charges including possession of marijuana and resisting arrest. Kelly will have a tough task at hand as he juggles championship aspirations with controlling his locker room.

This is the distraction that Texas needed to have a chance but Notre Dame has too much talent to let this game slip away so early on in the season. The game will be closer than last year’s contest in which Notre Dame cruised to a 38-3 win, but Malik Zaire is a premiere pocket passer and should help Notre Dame prevail.

While all these contests have yet to be decided, one thing is for sure: all college football fans will be ready to see their favorite teams take the field! TicketNetwork has a wide selection of college football tickets for the upcoming season, find them all right here!

The Party Doesn’t Stop at Electric Zoo

August 31, 2016 by Nate

Electric Zoo: Wild Island Festival has become one of the biggest electronic dance music festivals in the country, and the party coming up on Labor Day weekend should be one of the biggest Randall’s Island Park has ever seen. EDM is one of the fastest growing genres in the world due to its up tempo beats and positive vibes that the music offers to its listeners.

The beautiful Randall’s Island Park hosts this 3-day event, and it seems to be gaining popularity everywhere. The 9-mile stretch of this beautiful park is located in between Queens and Manhattan right on the East River, making it one of the most scenic festivals to go to. With the amazing music, unique views and numerous food vendors, there is nowhere else you’d want tot be on Labor Day Weekend in the city.

There are five stages at Electric Zoo (Main Stage, Hilltop Arena, Riverside, Sunday School Grove and Treehouse), and they’ll have a plethora of talent hitting each one of them on all three days.

With so much talent in one place and five stages to choose from we’ll try to pick the acts that everyone needs to see as well as some up-and-coming acts that deserve some attention too.

The Chainsmokers – Main Stage, Sept. 4th

Definitely in the running for breakout band of 2016, The Chainsmokers will be on the top of everyone’s list to see live at Electric Zoo. The DJ duo of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall has taken the EDM scene by storm and their two certified platinum hits, “Roses” and “Don’t Let Me Down,” were major hits on the radio and in the club. The duo has a straight up approach to their music and their lyrics, and want to encourage all of their fans to be themselves and embrace who they are. Their shows are must-see and their “real” approach to music has seen them go from relative unknowns to one of the biggest names in the game. Check out the video below and be sure to catch The Chainsmokers live at Electric Zoo, you won’t regret it!

Juicy J – Hilltop Arena (Buygore Stage), Sept. 4th

Definitely did a double-take when I saw this name on the lineup, but with a motto like, “We trippy mane,” Juicy J will fit right in at Electric Zoo. Usually the life of the party, Juicy J has performed at numerous EDM festivals but this will be his first appearance Electric Zoo. His set should be at a much slower pace than the rest of his stage mates, but the switch-up should be a welcome one. There’s also a great chance Juicy J will recruit a number of different DJ’s that will help him perform songs such as “She Knows” and “23,” two of his songs that have been remixed in the past. This has a chance to be one of the wildest sets at Electric Zoo, make sure you’re there to witness it.

Steve Aoki – Riverside (Dim Mak 20th Anniversary Stage), Sept. 3rd

If you’re interested a show you’ll probably never forget, then Steve Aoki at Electric Zoo is probably at the top of the list. One of the pioneers of the EDM scene, Aoki has been producing electric house music for 20 years now. The stage will be dedicated to his label, Dim Mak Records, which opened in 1996, and has led to the EDM genre gaining stability and eventually taking off. Aoki is popular in all genres of music as he has worked with artists such as Kanye West, All-American Rejects, Robin Thicke and Snoop Dogg. Aoki will pull out all the stops for the 20th anniversary of his label, and this is a show that needs to be circled by every EDM fan.

Jackmaster – Sunday School Grove, Sept. 3rd

As the stages get smaller, the acts get a little more obscure, but that doesn’t mean they’re not loaded with talent. Jack Revill, who will perform by the stage name Jackmaster, is one of those lesser known talents. Jackmaster has been an EDM DJ for almost a decade, but has yet to breakout in the US. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, he had numerous residencies at popular nightclubs in Europe. In 2010, he won the award for “Breakthrough DJ” at the Best Of British Awards. He followed that up with winning “Best DJ” at the same award show in 2014. He should kill it at Electric Zoo, and will catch most of the fans there by surprise with his spin skills.

Agent Orange – Treehouse, Sept. 3rd

Agent Orange, a true veteran of the EDM scene, deserves a real fan’s attention at Electric Zoo this weekend. Agent Orange is an NYC native, and has been grinding and touring the world for two decades. The New York DJ has graced the stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, and Zoo Project in Ibiza. Known more for his production skills and business savvy as the label owner of Gotham Grooves, Agent Orange still brings it every time he hits the stage as a DJ. He has worked industry giants like 50 Cent, and to music connoisseurs his skills have not gone unnoticed. If you’re looking for an EDM history lesson at Electric Zoo, check out Agent Orange, a DJ that paved the way for the many of the headliners taking the stage this weekend.

Electric Zoo: Wild Island Festival will be one of the best ways to spend your Labor Day weekend. With so many talented musicians descending on Randall’s Island Park you can pick any of the five stages and still have an incredible time. Electric Zoo: Wild Island Festival tickets for the 3-day weekend pass are available right here at TicketNetwork!

September Look Ahead: The Main Events

August 30, 2016 by Nate

Bruce Springsteen 2016 Fall Tour – Begins September 1st

The boss is back. Bruce Springsteen’s North American Tour kicks off September 1^st and his live performances never disappoint. See Bruce Springsteen perform all the hits live such as “Born in the USA” and “Glory Days,” at some of the best venues in the country. His style, lyrics, and of course the E-Street Band have made him one of the best performers for decades. Bruce Springsteen seems to get better with age, and his show is must-see. Find Bruce Springsteen tickets right here at TicketNetwork.

Electric Zoo – September 2nd-4th

Need a ticket to Electric Zoo, the biggest party in New York City on Labor Day Weekend? Look no further than TicketNetwork. The lineup is filled with the top DJs in the game right now as well a few of the best indie/experimental groups in 2016. Bassnectar, Carnage, Tiesto and The Chainsmokers will all take the stage at Electric Zoo. The three day festival goes down at Randall’s Island Park, and you won’t want to miss it!

College Football Kick-Off – September 3rd-4th

Fans across the country have been counting down the days until the college football season kicks off again. The 2016-2017 season starts off with legendary programs looking for an early statement win. The dynasty that is the Alabama Crimson Tide takes on the USC Trojans at the Cowboys Classic Kickoff. In the Advocare Texas Kickoff, the Oklahoma Sooners, another big name in college football will take on the Houston Cougars, a team looking to launch itself into the upper echelon of college football after an impressive 13-1 season last year. The weekend comes to a close on Sunday when two of the most historic football programs in country square off for bragging rights. The University of Texas Longhorns take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Austin, TX, and the duel should be a classic. Although this might be one of the best weekends for college football, it’s not the only one. Find all your college football tickets right here at TicketNetwork.

The Lion King Residency at the San Diego Civic Theatre – Begins September 7th

One of the best musicals in the country heads west for a residency at the San Diego Civic Theatre for three weeks. A true musical that whole family can enjoy, The Lion King is a great show to catch on the weekend or while on vacation. Sing along to all the classics like, “Circle of Life,” and “Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” The residency starts on the 7th, but the famous show can still be seen at various venues across the country. Find The Lion King tickets right here at TicketNetwork.

NFL Season Kick-Off, Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers – September 8th

What better way to kick the NFL season off than with a Super Bowl rematch. The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers take the field Thursday, September 8^th to kick off the 2016-17 season. The Broncos were victorious in the Super Bowl, but Peyton Manning’s retirement has put a lot of stress on the Bronco’s offense. Reigning MVP Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers will look to spoil the party as the Bronco’s and their fans will be celebrating the Super Bowl win. Once football fever starts up again TicketNetwork has tickets for every fan’s favorite team. Look through our selection of NFL tickets and support your squad during the 2016-17 NFL season.

Maná 2016 Fall Tour – Begins September 9th

This Mexican pop band is must-see on their tour this upcoming fall. The most influential Latin American band of all-time has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and have been rocking the stage since the early 90s. Maná has an incredible stage presence as a group, and their lively shows combine elements of Latin pop, reggae, ska and rock to entertain fans. This tour will be a fun one, as Maná travels through Texas, California, Arizona and Nevada. The passion in their music is hard to ignore, and if you attend this show you will be humming the whole way home. Maná tickets for their upcoming tour can be found right here at TicketNetwork.

George Strait Performances – September 9th-10th

The country legend George Strait hits the stage in Las Vegas with Kacey Musgraves for two shows in mid-September. These exclusive shows are going down at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV and should be a great weekend for fans of the “King of Country.” Strait has tallied 44 number one singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, a record for a country musician, with classics such as “If I Know Me,” “Carried Away” and “I Just Want To Dance with You.” His impact has stretched across decades, and seeing him live should be on every country music fan’s To Do list. Find George Strait tickets right here at TicketNetwork, everybody loves The King!

World Cup of Hockey – Begins September 17th

Relatively new to the scene, the World Cup of Hockey is quickly gaining popularity across the world. USA, Canada and Sweden figure to be the favorites heading in to the competition which is being hosted in Toronto, Ontario. Some of the big preliminary stage matches include a face-off between Russia and Sweden to get the tournament underway while rivals USA and Canada square off later in the week. World Cup of Hockey tickets are available at TicketNetwork, get yours today!

Mac Miller 2016 Fall Tour – Begins September 18th

Mac Miller is ready for another North American tour! The Pittsburgh native took some time off from the rap game to get his personal life in order, but is back in the lab and recording solid music once again. The tour will promote his new album, Divine Feminine, and he should be giving the crowd a sample of his new music as well as the classic tracks that initially made him a noteworthy name in the rap game. He has recently released two singles, “Dang!” and “We,” and fans have been loving the mellow beats and smooth raps that Mac Miller has been producing of late. Find Mac Miller tickets for his upcoming tour at TicketNetwork!

Magnificent Coloring Day hosted by Chance The Rapper – September 24th

Chance The Rapper is changing the music industry in more ways than one. The Chicago native released a free album on Apple Music back in May, is continuously giving back to the Chicago community he grew up in, and is now combining the two with his Coloring Book Music Festival going down September 24^th. Chance has recruited legends from all different genres of music such as Skrillex, John Legend, Lil Wayne and Alicia Keys. See these incredible acts perform live at U.S. Cellular Field along with Chance the Rapper and other special guests. Magnificent Coloring Day tickets are available for purchase at TicketNetwork.

Hamilton Residency at The PrivateBank Theatre – Begins September 27th

Hamilton, the most popular Broadway show in recent memory, will relocate to the Windy City for a residency starting Sept. 27. Javier Muñoz, previously the backup for Lin-Manuel Miranda, has stepped into the spotlight and the show has not skipped a beat. He plays the role of Hamilton very well, and the infusion of hip-hop and history is still the biggest musical in the country. Hamilton heads to Chicago to The PrivateBank Theatre and should be a big hit with the crowds in the Windy City. Find your Hamilton tickets now!

Ryder Cup Golf Tournament – Begins September 30th

Still have that Olympic fever?! The United States Ryder Cup team will need that support as they look to take down Europe in the 41^st edition of the Ryder Cup. Europe has dominated the rivalry as of late, but home field advantage should give the United States the lift it needs. Headlined by the best the game has to offer, Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy will look to lead their respective teams to victory. This four-day match play event is an intense format where anything is possible. Taking place at the beautiful Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, MN, this classic event is perfect for fans of golf and the United States. It is an experience unlike any other golf tournament with passionate fans at every hole, and Ryder Cup tickets are available at TicketNetwork.

Austin City Limits Festival – Begins September 30th

The Austin City Limits Music Festival is celebrating its 15^th anniversary in style. With one of the best lineups in recent years, Week One of the ACL Music Festival has a star performer for fans of every genre. Radiohead, Mumford & Sons, Kendrick Lamar, Major Lazer and even Willie Nelson will be taking the stage in Austin. ACL Music Festival includes 8 stages, over 130 bands, amazing food from local vendors and restaurants and even an art market for fans to pick up a souvenir from the festival. With the complete experience covered, this festival is can’t miss! Find Austin City Limits Festival tickets at TicketNetwork today, options include tickets to Weekend 1 and Weekend 2 as well as multi-day and single day passes.

2016 US Open: The Top Spot is Up for Grabs

August 27, 2016 by Nate

The US Open Tennis Championship, the final Grand Slam event of the tennis season, always seems to have history on the line. Whether it be a player trying to win their first Grand Slam, a player trying to win back-to-back titles or even a player trying to cap off their dominant year, there are numerous storylines that make it must-see tennis.

2016 has been a great year for tennis. Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have dominated the headlines, but there are numerous other players and storylines that have garnered attention as well. The two best tennis players on the planet are among the favorites once again, but a slew of other competitors are playing their best tennis at the right time, and will make this a very interesting US Open.

Andy Murray – 3-time Major Champion, 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist

It’s not Andy Murray’s fault that Novak Djokovic’s form has dipped lately. He has stepped in perfectly, winning Wimbledon and Olympic gold, and is the firm favorite now heading in to the US Open. Novak Djokovic will still maintain the number one seed, but Murray has been dominant of late. Confidence is a key component when it comes to Andy Murray’s game, and he’ll have plenty of it during the US Open. Murray also has a chance at history to be the first player ever to play in all the Grand Slam Finals in a single year while winning Gold in the Olympics. With a chance at history, Andy Murray will have laser focus and look to complete this epic feat.

Juan Martin Del Potro – 2009 US Open Champion, 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist

He’s baaaack. Juan Martin Del Potro has had an up and down career thus far, but when he’s healthy there is no debating he is one of the best. Back in 2009, the 20-year-old Argentine took down Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the same major tournament on his way to a US Open victory. Del Potro was ready to take over the tennis world, but a series of serious injuries derailed him. He took down Novak Djokovic in the first round of the Olympics, beat Rafael Nadal in the semifinals and gave Andy Murray all he could handle, but came up short and won the silver. If Del Potro brings his A-game, he can make a great run in this tournament and recapture his title.

Marin Cilic – 2014 US Open Champion, 2016 Western & Southern Open

In the surprise of the weekend, Marin Cilic was able to upset Andy Murray in the Western & Southern Open Final in straight sets. Cilic is a powerful tennis player and even that might be an understatement. He has the experience to be a dark horse in this tournament after winning it 2014 as the 14th seed. His serve was unbeatable that week, and he defeated Roger Federer in the semifinals on his way to winning the title. In similar fashion at the Western & Southern Open, he overpowered Murray to claim his 15th title as a professional. It is very likely Murray wasn’t going all out ahead of a big major, and now Cilic will not sneak up on anyone in the draw now that they have been reminded of his talent. However, even when you know that power serve is coming it can still be impossible to stop.

Angelique Kerber – 2016 Australian Open Champion

Kerber should come in to the final major of the year with the most motivation. Besides Serena Williams she has been the best women’s tennis player in 2016, and could have put a stamp on the year by winning gold in Rio. Monica Puig took care of that, so Kerber is aiming for revenge and respect at the US Open. She is trying to reach her third major final of the year and earn her second major title so a win here would certainly vault her in to the discussion of Player of the Year. Serena has been preventing all women tennis players from dethroning her over the past couple years, but Kerber has the best shot in 2016.

Monica Puig – 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist

Monica Puig was relatively unknown in the tennis world about a month ago. That all changed when she took over the Women’s Olympic Singles Tournament in Rio, cruising to a gold medal. The list of names she beat on the way include Angelique Kerber, Garbiñe Muguruza and Petra Kvitová, all potential Hall-of-Famers in women’s tennis. The accomplishment truly shocked the world as Puig has never advanced past the fourth round of a major tournament, but that trend looks like it will change. She is confident, powerful and finally trusts her game against the top players in women’s tennis.

Karolína Plísková – 2016 Western & Southern Open Champion

There is a good chance Pliskova caught fire for a week in Cincinnati, and benefited from the grueling schedule that the top players in the world just endured, but her run to the 2016 Western & Southern Open title was too impressive to ignore. She defeated Garbiñe Muguruza (2016 French Open Champion) and Angelique Kerber (2016 Australian Open Champion) in impressive fashion to capture the biggest win of her career. Plísková will be a name to look out for when the draws come out, as she could score an early upset that could set her up for a deep run in the US Open.

With so much at stake for so many different players, this US Open should be one the best in recent memory. Between rivals fighting for supremacy and stars ready for their chance to shine the 2016 US Open is up for the grabs. Find your US Open tickets today right here at TicketNetwork.