I am the Opening Band
Yep, it’s true, I’ll be opening for They Might Be Giants for a few east coast shows in March. Apparently all you have to do is cover one of their albums in its entirety at one of your own shows, and then they ask you to open for them. Very excited about it. I think I’ll probably start with “Opening Band” and end with “The Captain’s Wife’s Lament.”
NOTE: None of these are the family shows they’re doing, they always do those without an opening act.
Birmingham, AL – The WorkPlay Theater
Thursday March 4 at 7 PM
Opening for They Might Be Giants
Tickets: bit.ly/tmbg-birmingham
Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
Friday March 5 at 8:30 PM
Opening for They Might Be Giants
Tickets: bit.ly/tmbgatlanta
Nashville, TN – Exit/In
Sunday March 7 at 8 PM
Opening for They Might Be Giants
Tickets: bit.ly/tmbgnashflood
Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
Tuesday March 9 at 9 PM
Opening for They Might Be Giants
Tickets: bit.ly/tmbg-asheville
Charlotte, NC – The Visulite Theater
Wednesday March 10 at 9 PM
Opening for They Might Be Giants
Tickets: bit.ly/tmbg-charlotte
Richmond, VA – The National
Thursday March 11 at 8 PM
Opening for They Might Be Giants
Tickets: bit.ly/tmbg-richmond
And then, back to your regularly scheduled JoCo programming…
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:13 am
Congratulations! Am I right to think that you won’t be at SXSW this year? It’s not on your show schedule, but I sense a significant and resonant gap just where SXSW should go in mid-March.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:17 am
You’re right Amanda, I got so much going on around then that I can’t justify a trip to Austin, much as I would like to. Especially when said trip would mostly be about drinking Margaritas with internet people, a great deal of fun, but technically not WORK.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:17 am
Wonders aloud if Peter Sagal had anything to do with this…
What awesome news!
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:19 am
I hate it when I’m right. However, I very much enjoy it when other people are wrong, so it balances out.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:20 am
Nooooooo! I have tickets for TMBG on March 13 in Pittsburgh. Extend! Extend!
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:23 am
AAAGGGHHH! I’ll be in Germany when you play Atlanta.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:25 am
Oh this is TOO awesome. Congrats! Wish I could be there.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:34 am
Atlanta loves you, we’ve proved it. Thanks for coming back so soon!
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:44 am
So how long is your opening? 2-3 songs? I’m not a huge TMBG fan, but if you’re playing a long opener, it’d be worth it.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:52 am
You know who would love this set-up? Seattle. And especially me.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:52 am
1. My two favourite bands in one place! Why can’t you come to Chicago?! Having to pick between you and Them in October practically tore my heart in two!
2. You have to blog/tweet about the experience FURIOUSLY. Ok? ;p
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:04 am
@Perry: I don’t know yet how long my set will be, but my guess is pretty short compared to a show where I’m headlining. Say a handful of songs.
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:07 am
Tell TMBG about what an awesome crowd we were in Orlando and get them to do a show with you down here!
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:10 am
wouldn’t one more day of opening for TMBG just make the tour for you? Say on 3.13 in Pittsburgh? 6 is such an even number. Make it 7. odd. prime. lucky. the list goes on.
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:12 am
YES!! Asheville! Thank you.
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:19 am
This is a perfect match.
Also, TMBG’s old opening act this year was pretty weak. They weren’t bad, just weren’t a great fit.
I suspect the switch to JoCo as an opener will decrease the incidence of watch glancing by 95%.
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:40 am
Saw this last night on TMBG’s facebook post. How exciting! Hopefully (for me) it will get extended at some point to a show in the DC area.
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:46 am
Ah! I just noticed the Richmond TMBG show is the night before the Birchmere (DC area) JoCoPaSto show! Could you bring the John’s along?
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:49 am
@Gina: I think they’re busy.
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:58 am
JoCo + TMBG = 2xAwesome! Why no NYC?
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Nice going man! I would love to go to see that, but the problem would be getting there. Do an Irish tour already!
Good luck with the shows!
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:30 pm
grrr….the first time in forever u play in nashville, and im under the age limit >:( i WILL get in..oh yes, i will
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Does this mean that if someone covers your entire Thing A Week catalog on stage, they get to open for you?
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Hey congrats, man.. that’s quite a coup.
Good luck with the shows; I’m sure you’ll do great!
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
WAAHOOO!!! Been waiting for a show this good for years.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:59 pm
YES!!! Just bought tix for Atlanta. It’s a five hour drive, but the Friday night scheduling is just easier than Asheville or Charlotte, either of which would be closer. See you there, dude! We’re totally excited!
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
“I think I’ll probably start with “Opening Band” and end with “The Captain’s Wife’s Lament.””
You. Must. Follow. Through.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Opening Band + Captain’s Wife’s Lament…well, that’s a half-hour right there.
Welcome to our world,
P&S
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:42 pm
@Paul and Storm ARRRRRR
@JoCo seriously awesome! They must have heard about Flood and been flattered.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Well, I guess Richmond is close enough. Figuring out logistics to go…
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
HOLY CRAP!
I think you are about to make the jump from “Internet Famous” to “Actually Famous.” At least among anyone whose opinions about music actually matter : )
Let’s hope you will always manage to avoid “American Idol Famous.”
Congratulations!
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:06 pm
NOOOOOOOO! I’m missing your Seattle show by one week, and then I’ll be in Seattle while you’re doing multiple shows in NC (I’m in Durham)
Just not fair.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Unbelievably awesome! Can’t wait to see you in Richmond!
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:13 pm
i would so be there… but i’m going to be giving birth sometime in early-mid march and apparently i’m not supposed to travel. stupid baby…
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:26 pm
They couldn’t have chosen better. Well played, sir!
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Nooo! Damnit. Waited for so long for bands I like to come near Nashville, finally a dream team comes, and I’m not in the country for it!
Do it again in the Fall? Please?
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:57 pm
And Seattle. You forgot to say you’re doing this in Seattle too. I will FedEx John Linnell eyeball-shaped chocolates until this happens in Seattle.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:42 pm
JOANING on Paul and Storm! lulz!
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:50 pm
We’ve got tickets for the Houston show this weekend, but I’m tempted. Really, really, really tempted.
I could buy tickets, the Spouse and I fly into a city, we drive to the show, hit the hotel and then fly home the next day.
Stupid expensive? Yeah, probably.
So totally worth it that it strengthens the fabric of reality? OH, HELL YEAH.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:13 pm
JoCo and TMBG. (*There’s* a good chance for SOFC…) That would be a show to see! Loved you at OhayoCon! Hope to see you again when you’re back in the area!
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:46 am
Holy crap! You’re in atlanta not just twice in a year, but twice in a little over a month? It’s like getting two Christmases!
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:23 am
Please say you’re going to be the opening act for their “family” shows too? I got tickets for the family show in Atlanta while I was at your show a couple weeks ago… and I KNOW my wife isn’t going to let me buy tickets to BOTH TMBG shows. I’m not sure how many other TMBG kid fans would love to see you, but I’ve got three who would be thrilled to see you do Mr Fancy Pants, Re: Your Brains, & Tom Cruise Crazy (and others).
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:12 am
I couldn’t stop myself from buying tickets to the Richmond show, even though I live in Philadelphia and I’m working that day. There’s no way I can get there. And yet somehow I’ve got to get there. This will be AWESOME.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:49 am
@Charles – sorry, they don’t have an opening act at their family shows. These are just the ones at night for the grownups.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:16 pm
YES! I’ve waited for that Nashville appearance and it finally appears – huzzah! Now how about making that opening act go for about, say two hours?? John squared are big boys they can hit the stage late…
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Well, it’s about time you played Nashville! I was already planning on seeing TMBG at the Exit/In, anyway…this just makes it that much better!
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@Jennifer & @Rick
We were planning JC solo shows in Nashville and Raleigh before this came our way….it won’t be long….
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Any undergarment preferences?
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Sweet! I’ve been waiting for you to come to Charlotte! Next time, come by for a full set too
And please make sure you are stocked up on t-shirts. I drove down for your Atlanta show and had to come home empty handed.
February 4th, 2010 at 4:14 am
Well done Jonothan! so pleased for you.
Also, I’m so utturly depressed I live in England right now. The Coulton and TMBG in one night – that would be awesome. I keep telling my wife that ‘this year’ I’m getting a ticket to America purely to go and see TMBG, with you opening I very well may have to have the most expensive but fun weekend of my life!
February 4th, 2010 at 4:14 am
…and I’m sorry for miss-spelling your name!
February 4th, 2010 at 11:40 am
I had heard about TMBG coming to Asheville and was interested, but hadn’t made up my mind.
Upon seeing this announcement, myself and three friends had tickets mere hours later. Can’t wait for the show!
February 4th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Man, I think I’m even more excited about this than you are. Really, you and TMBG are my favorite musical performers on the face of the earth, and to see you both coming together like this just makes me feel like screaming my lungs out from the top of some high mountain and then climbing back down to buy tickets to every single performance. Unfortunately though, I have neither the money nor the upper-body strength required to do either, so I’ll just have to see if I can sneak out of the house for your Georgia show. Best 7 1/2 hour secret road trip EVER.
February 5th, 2010 at 1:29 am
my favorite and my favorite solo performer in one show… WOW… I’ll have to drive an hour to the nearest location, but I’ll be there
February 5th, 2010 at 3:53 am
I wonder if Jonathan Coulton could open for Weird Al. That would be another awesome concert to go to.
February 5th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
JoCo & TMBG…talk about a winning combination right there! It almost makes the seven hour drive to Atlanta seem worth it, since I couldn’t make the Orlando show. ‘Grats on getting the gig, though. Good times for all!
February 5th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Fantastic! I’ll be there in Charlotte. I’ll be the one yelling for “Dick van Patten’s Hobo Chili For Dogs.” Make you a bit of money from the royalties, since your set’s so short. Cha-ching.
You know those 2 people in Carrboro, NC who’ve been requesting you on Eventful for 3 years? Yeah, that’s me and my girlfriend. She says hi.
February 5th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I’m not really a TMBG fan (though I like some of their covers), but I wish I could be there to throw panties at you.
February 5th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Asheville. Awesome! This is gonna be such a great show. Finally gonna get to see TMBG and senor Coulton. I’ve got a friend that’ll flip out cuz the show is on her birthday. Don’t you just love surprises.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:07 am
Austin loves Coultran! Please return soon.
February 6th, 2010 at 2:51 am
You, sir, have become quite the rock star! I remember the first JoCo show I went to at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, VA. There were maybe 30 of us there. I’m really happy to see you succeed so mightily.
ps – Any chance that the Johns might want to take you on a west coast tour with them?
February 6th, 2010 at 4:10 am
I feel proud to have been at the Flood concert. >.>b
February 6th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Is it at all weird that my friend and I are thinking about flying from Los Angeles to Charlotte, NC just to see this?
February 6th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
What’s weird about it? Makes perfect sense to me. Go for it.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Awesome! Me and my friends are gonna try to make it to the Charlotte show!!
February 8th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Got my tix for Richmond – now I don’t feel so bad about not hitting the Birchmere this year (two hours drive each way to the venue is a lot less convenient than 20 minutes).
My kids are mad at me though – they’re younger than the posted age for the show at the National. Oh well, JoCo and TMBG just became date night.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
NO SXSW? duuuuude. I am going this year! all my dreams are crushed. i would have assisted you in times of great need!
February 8th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
@Meaghan – That is a complete and utter drag. But it’s probably for the best. It’s time for you young people to make your own internet anyway, perhaps while we over-35s are looking the other way. But when you go remember, drinking margaritas at lunch is WORK…
February 8th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
nice work if you can get it.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:49 am
“Not to put too finer point on it, say i’m the only bee in your bonet”
Wow, this is going to be great!
AirHammer
February 12th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I am so excited to see this show. I got to see you and P&S do Flood last time you were in Chicago, and I’ll be flying to Nashville so I can see this one. I’ll be bringing JoCo first-timers with me! Bring your A+game, JoCo.
February 13th, 2010 at 10:01 am
All of my stars have aligned! My favorites musicians in one place!
Jonathan… John… John…
I have such great luck at TMBG shows.
I just saw TMBG with my kids at the Queens Science Center in NY. I got to meet John before the show in the Science Center. Before that I saw TMBG at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC. After the show we went next door for some ice cream and the band members (sans John and John) came in and sat with us eating ice cream.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Jonathan do NY! New York needs you! We get too serious here, we need your sense of humor to cut through our tough city exteriors!
February 13th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
A request! Was at your January show in Atlanta, and have tix for the March show with TMBG on March 5th. Any chance of hearing ‘Bozo’s Lament’ or ‘Todd the T-1000′? Please?
February 15th, 2010 at 1:27 am
So… those will be the shows of Three Jo(h)ns? One might call the event… Three Jo(h)n Night?
February 16th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Right on, JoCo! Now, when will they be opening for YOU?
February 17th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Dang do I wish I lived out East. To see both JoCo and TMBG…that would be the best night ever.
February 28th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Is the Nashville show sold out already? I JUST found out about this. Help me Mr Coulton.. You’re my only hope.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:38 am
Unfortunately, I’ll be at work when you play in Richmond. I really would have liked to go, Johnathan Coulton and TMBG is probably a dream I once had.
Can you call my boss and demand that I get the day off?
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Correction, Jon. I just got the day off of work so I could drive 3 hours just to see you with tmbg. Really looking forward to it. Any chance you’d want to get a coffee with me & my friends after the show?
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:34 pm
@Mitch – there’s rarely time for hanging out after a show, I have too much work to do at the end of the night. But I’ll be out to sign things after the show.
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Yeah, understood. I just always ask now because I once went to see Kari Byron, and shortly thereafter she went to get a drink with the organizers — close friends of mine.
But the tickets have been purchased. Looking forward to the show!
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Should elaborate — I didn’t stay after Kari spoke, and missed on the opportunity.
March 7th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
I am so bummed I could just cry! What amazing nights those shows will be! I miss living in a big city (no, Boise is not big, despite what the locals might think) that musicians actually want to play in! I’ve not had the opportunity to see you live, but I’m sure you’ll show up within 8-10 hour driving distance eventually.
March 8th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Just got my tickets for the Charlotte Show!! I will be great to finally see you live. Are you signing things after you open or after the entire show?
March 9th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
My wife and I went to the Birmingham show on the 4th and really enjoyed it. We’ve seen TMBG before and she was on the fence about whether to go with me to see them again until we found out that you were opening for them. She really likes Millionaire Girlfriend and was happy to hear it live.
March 9th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Wait, if JoCo opened for the March 5 show in Atlanta, and Puppet Homestar performed, then in one show, on one night, we got TMBG, Homestar, AND JoCo?
…I’m going to try and pick up the shattered pieces of my mind right now…
March 11th, 2010 at 11:20 am
The show on the 5th in ATL was great! Up where I was (up in the balcony balcony), I think only about 1/4 of the people had ever heard of you. However everyone loved the set. a group of people behind us said “That was the best opening act I’ve ever seen and a TMBG show!” amidst the giggling and laughter brought on by Re: Your Brains.
BTW, I’m the guy that got seated next to you at the sushi bar before the show
Yes I was surprised to see you when I looked up after sitting down. 