Freedy Johnston Tour Dates and Upcoming Concerts
Welcome to the official artist page for Freedy Johnston – your premier destination for
the latest concert tickets, tour announcements, and exclusive shows near you. Dive into
the music, explore the artist’s reviews and photos, and never miss another concert
moment. Stay updated, stay connected, and be the first to grab tickets for an
unforgettable musical experience.
On tour
Yes
Followers
14,797
Category
Adult Alternative, Americana, Pop Rock, Singer-songwriter Alt Country
About Freedy Johnston
Freedy Johnston is one of those rare singer-songwriters who counts critics among his biggest fans — and whose heroes consider him a peer. Not bad for a self-proclaimed “geek in glasses who never left his room.”
On September 9th, Forty Below Records will release Johnston’s 11th album, Back on the Road to You. It’s a record steeped in wit, humor, pathos, love, and friendship drenched with memorable, infectious melodies. Johnston recorded the album in Los Angeles with producer Eric Corne after setting up house in nearby Joshua Tree. The new surroundings seem to have imbued the album’s mood and instrumentation with echoes of The Byrds, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young. Joining Johnston in the studio were Aimee Mann, Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles, and long time collaborator, Susan Cowsill, along with an all-star roots music band, including Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams), Dusty Wakeman (Jim Lauderdale), Dave Raven (Shelby Lynn) and Sasha Smith (Priscilla Ahn).
In 1994 Rolling Stone named Johnston the ‘Songwriter of the Year’, describing him as “A master storyteller, (who) sketches out full-blown tragedies in a few taut poetic lines.” Adding, “He joins that elite cadre of songwriters—Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Elvis Costello—whose brilliant pop compositions turn magical with the addition of a defiantly idiosyncratic singing voice.”
Lead-off single, “There Goes a Brooklyn Girl'' is a case in point. Jangly hook-laden guitars tug at a heart beat drum pattern, propelled by intermittent finger snaps. Along with Johnston’s uncanny lyrical charm and sweet sentimental harmonies it evokes the image of “a never-ending love story. She's the hip girl in the office who lives with her musician boyfriend out in Williamsburg. He tends bar until 4. It can't last. But at least a song comes out of it,” Johnston quips.
Aimee Mann joins Johnston on the angelic Darlin’, a song about undying love, and the ghosts of the night, enhanced by Doug Pettibone’s lilting pedal steel guitar. It wouldn’t sound out of place in a Gram and Emmy-Lou set. (Freedy?)
“Tryin’ To Move On” is a raucous road trip song about reinvention via misadventure. While “Madeline’s Eye” - a song only Johnston or maybe Harry Nilsson could have written - is a charming futuristic satire where the machines even take over our hearts. “At the altar you'll be asked “have you read the manual thoroughly?” Johnston jokes.
Elsewhere the album veers from the Crazy Horse laced “Power of Love” (featuring Susan Cowsill) to the lush orchestration of “Somewhere Love” and “Trick of the Light”, further reinforcing the overarching themes of the album.
Freedy Johnston has taken an unpredictable path throughout his 30-year career. It’s a true underdog story. He has a wicked gift for turning a melodic phrase with equal parts ‘heart on his sleeve’ troubadour and weaver of mysteries. The Kansas native released his first two records with widely respected indie label Bar/None. Can You Fly made many ‘best of the year’ lists, including, The New York Times, Billboard, and Spin Magazine, to name a few. Robert Crisgau for The Village Voice called it “a perfect album,” and Playboy declared it “the best album by a new male singer-songwriter in at least a decade.” Can You Fly was also cited in music critic Tom Moon’s book, 1,000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die.
All the critical acclaim helped Johnston land a four-album major-label deal with Elektra Records. Butch Vig was brought onboard to produce 1994’s This Perfect World. The album opened with the hit “Bad Reputation” and included other standouts such as the title track and “Evie’s Tears.” It garnered more critical acclaim for Johnston, who recorded three additional records for Elektra, 1997’s Never Home (produced by Danny Kortchmar), 1999’s Blue Days Black Nights (produced by T-Bone Burnett), and 2001’s Right Between the Promises (produced by Cameron Greider).
Freedy has contributed music to films such as The Farrelly Brothers cult classic Kingpin as well as Heavy, Things To Do in Denver When You’re Dead and Kicking and Screaming. A series of albums followed his Elektra output, 2006’s Live at McCabes Guitar Shop as well as 2010’s Rain on the City. In 2015 the self-funded, Neon Repairman was released to critical raves from Stereogum, Paste, The New York Times and Magnet.
Back on the Road to You is a return to grace for this gifted songwriter. It embodies the sound of an American original reminding us that he is still considered one of the best songwriters of his generation.
Follow on Bandsintown
Genres
Adult Alternative, Americana, Pop Rock, Singer-songwriter Alt Country
Photos
Freedy Johnston Tour Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Freedy Johnston
Concerts & Tour Date Information
Is Freedy Johnston on tour?
Yes, Freedy Johnston is currently on tour. If you’re interested in attending an upcoming
Freedy Johnston concert, make sure to grab your tickets in advance. The Freedy Johnston tour
is scheduled for 4 dates across 3 cities. Get
information on all upcoming tour dates and tickets for 2024-2025 with Hypebot.
How many upcoming tour dates is Freedy Johnston scheduled to play?
Freedy Johnston is scheduled to play 4 shows between 2024-2025. Buy
concert tickets to a nearby show through Hypebot.
When does the Freedy Johnston tour start?
Freedy Johnston’s tour starts Dec 20, 2024 and ends on Feb 28, 2025.
They will play 3 cities; their most recent concert was held in
St Paul at The Fitzgerald Theater and their next upcoming concert
will be in Madison at The Bur Oak.
What venues is Freedy Johnston performing at?
As part of the Freedy Johnston tour, Freedy Johnston is scheduled to play across the following
venues and cities:
2024 Tour Dates:
Dec 20 - St Paul,
MN @ The Fitzgerald Theater
Dec 21 - St Paul,
MN @ The Fitzgerald Theater
2025 Tour Dates:
Feb 27 - Berwyn,
IL @ Fitzgerald's
Feb 28 - Madison,
WI @ The Bur Oak