Joe Bonamassa Tickets

Joe Bonamassa

Simply the best , a great show in a great Auditorium where there's not a bad seat in the house. Being from the Rochester area Joe's parents were there also to enjoy it. He surrounds himself with very talented performers who add to his presence. There were 4 of us who came in from Buffalo, had dinner in a nearby restaurant, not 10 minutes away and surprised my girlfriend with a evening she'll never forget.

Joes technically good but there are some issues...

Joe is a pretty technically accomplished blues player, lightning fast and obviously lots of years of playing under his belt. It's hard to complain about someone that dazzles you with their technical guitar skills but I'm going to do it. I've been around the jam scenes for years and a couple things stand out about Joes' approach to music in general. The first and most obvious thing is his lack of ability to listen to others and jam along with them. During Joes entire performance there was never a point where more than one musician improvised at the same time. Even the most basic jazz bands are capable of this. Each musician was given a solo spot, or a few, to highlight their skills, but during that solo spot the rest of the band was doing rote work, pre-defined progressions that were established before the show. The bass player must be the most bored musician in the world, very very standard bass lines and never the slightest improvisation, he was steady and good at hos "job", but it was a job. Second: he is too self-absorbed. Rather than have an ensemble of great musicians all contributing it's obvious Joe runs the whole show and dictates everything, he's not a band guy, he's a solo guy who hires great musicians to do exactly what he says, this leads me to believe he may have a personality issue and can only deal with hired musicians. Third: The material. You can only take the blues so far, I'm sorry but this "I'm a blues purist" crap was a problem Clapton beat to death, there is life beyind the blues and obsessive blues purists like Joe are simply missing the boat. It doesn't matter if this was the only concert I've ever attended where I did not know one single tune (it was), because it's all 12 bar blues spiced up a few different ways. Nothing wrong with good format but Joe has enough talen to branch out, he's way too afraid. Foruth: The clothes. Sorry but wearing a suit doesn't give you class. I'm not saying Joe doesn;t have class, he does, but the suits puts me off. Clapton also beat that one to death int he 70s with his Pierre Cardin tie-less suits. I get that it's sort of a tradition and he's all about that, but I thinks suits (when your employer does not require them) are just a way of separating yourself from other people not wearing suits. Music, especially virtuoso guitar playing, should be used for tryin to reach people, not alienate them. Fifth: The crowd sat down for the entire show except when Joe made them get up by motioning, and it was short lived. I would have stood up the whole show if the rest of the crowd wasn't going to kill me for blocking thier view. The crowd was the oldest crowd ever, I'm 57 and more than tow thirds of the audience was older than me, and there were virtually no young people (under 30) there except for my 19 year old daughter (who loved Joe by the way). This is due to the presentation (the suit) and audience Joe seeks. He needs to get out and do some festivals like Bonaroo, I know he's done blues festivals, but he needs to get in touch with a younger crowd. Old people really don't get out much to see shows and that's simply not where it's at. Summary: he's so good at what he does you have to see him, but he's got some barriers he needs to overcome and he needs to join the jam music world not conquer it with shredding intended to wow novice listeners. Very little "tasty" stuff in Joes material, almost all high-power shredding as if he is still trying to prove something, he needs to settle into a groove.

Joe at the Casino Ballroom

We went, we saw, and we were conquered...again! I don't know if he can get any better at this point...!!

Outstanding!!!!

I only learned of Joe's existence a few months ago. As soon as I seen that he was playing at the Auditorium in Rochester, I purchased 2 tickets. Seeing his incredible performance was just what the doctor ordered. I would definitely see him again...and again...and again. Venue was spectacular!

Bonomassa rocked the house

Best concert I have seen in ages. I did not want it to end!

Joe Bonamassa was all top end talent at its best

Joe played the Auditorium like he owned it. Custom Tweed Twins across the drum riser front filled the hall with great huge full guitar. Mike Rhodes and Anton Fig had a steady and flawless foundation behind the best living Blues player there is. Reese Wynans had the keys to match, along with horn section of Lee Thornburg and Paulie Cerra. The two Ausie girls covering backgrounds were both great vocalists. The coordinated unison shuffle moves and grooves fit perfect with the music like two lava lamps. I never got to see Smokin Joe years back at local clubs but his show was nothing short of awesome.

Just ok

While we love Joe B, the cost for the tickets were just too high. The music was too loud for the venue. Sad to say we will not be going again.

joe go

A little disappointed ! Last time he came,he had a whole different band. They played real good tunes that we knew. Just glad we only paid the small amount to see him this time.

Amazing guitar playing

Joe never disappoints. His vocals are great but his guitar playing is amazing.

Classic Joe

Joe played an all electric show with many new songs. As always his guitar playing was great. I wish he would play more of what I consider his greatest songs, Dustbowl for example. I have also missed Django/Mountain Time which I feel is one of the greatest pieces he does. We have been to several of his shows over the past 3 years and he has not played that. Do not know if there is a reason for this. Still a great show overall.