Sat 8/31 @ 7:30PM
Sun 9/1 @ 8PM
Northeast Ohio has always had one of Todd Rundgren’s most passionate and persistent fan bases. There was a stat bandied around in the ’70s when he was at his popularity peak that a quarter of his record sales were in this region.
And that loyal crew here can OD on his music this weekend at two very different shows.
Saturday night, he’ll be appearing with the Akron Symphony and the Akron Youth Orchestra at the Akron Civic Theatre. He’ll be bringing some of his own musicians to augment the performance: background vocalists Mary Lou Arnold and Michelle Rundgren, bassist Kasim Sulton, guitarist Jesse Gress, guitarist/keyboardist John Ferenzik, and drummer Prairie Prince.
Known since virtually the beginning of his career as an experimentalist always eager to try something new, Rundgren has only recently dipped his toe into performing with orchestras. He performed with the Duch Metropole Orchestra in Amsterdam in 2011 and 2012, and then last year for the first time in the U.S. with Illinois’ Rockford Symphony Orchestra. This is his third such U.S. appearance, using the charts created for the Amsterdam performances.
Rundgren’s most recent Amsterdam performance featured 20 songs, including such early hits as ‘Hello It’s Me,” “I Saw the Light,” and “We Gotta Get You a Woman,” plus more recent songs like “Mammon,” ‘Mary & the Holy Ghost,” and “Fascist Christ.”
Fans are urged to come in semi-formal attire, although it’s not required. But it’s a chance to take you fanciest duds out for a spin.
Tickets are $25-$75.
The following night, Rundgren and his band will take the stage at the Kent Stage to perform an evening of his “greatest hits.” Tickets are $36-$56.
2 Responses to “Two-Night Todd Rundgren Feast in Akron and Kent”
Jim Utopia
Can’t wait to get to Ohio and see these two diverse shows in the same weekend!
Michele Carson
Todd Rundgren is an Individualist His style is never stale! Always something/anything! New to enjoy. The message of his latest production “Global” is such a needed message to the world with great songs that make you want to move. That’s just what this world needs to do. When he plays with a symphony, as I have had the pleasure to experience his last time at the Civic. Is so beautiful & moving is a must see. Both shows are different yet equally enjoying! Come on down.