Upcoming Blues Traveler dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Blues Traveler seats, matched to the room
The best Blues Traveler seat is centered and close enough to watch John Popper work the harmonica, and in most theaters that means the front of the orchestra (the main floor) or the front rows of the first balcony. The band plays theaters, amphitheaters, clubs, casinos and fairs rather than arenas, so the venue on your ticket shapes the choice more than anything else. A jam-leaning band (one that stretches songs out with improvised solos) also rewards a seat with good sound, which usually sits near the center of the room.
Theaters and casinos
- Front and center orchestra: the closest look at Popper and guitarist Chan Kinchla trading solos.
- Front of the first balcony: often a smarter purchase than the rear orchestra. You see over the standing crowd, and the sound tends to be well balanced up there.
- Rear orchestra under an overhang: the weakest seats in many older theaters, with a lower ceiling and a muffled mix.
- Casino showrooms: pick reserved seats near the center aisle to avoid steep side angles.
Sheds, clubs and the Red Rocks benches
- Amphitheater reserved seats, front half: the best sound and a clear view of the stage.
- Amphitheater lawn or GA: usually the least expensive and the most social spot, but farther away and open to the weather.
- Clubs: standing near the soundboard (the mixing desk, typically at the back center of the floor) gives the best blend of sound and sightline.
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre: the seating is rows of wooden benches climbing a hillside, and the layout varies by event, so check whether your date is reserved or general admission. Middle rows near center balance the stage and the sound; the top rows trade closeness for the view over the rocks. The venue lists accessible seating in Row 1 and Row 70, and every row is exposed to sun, wind and rain.
No two nights alike
Blues Traveler came up in the jam scene, and the set changes from show to show. Songs open up into extended solos, run into each other through segues and pick up harmonica passages much longer than the album cuts. The band sells recordings of individual shows through nugs.net, which tells you its audience collects concerts the way jam fans do.
You will hear "Run-Around" and "Hook," but they share the night with deep cuts and covers. The crowd spans generations: people who first heard the band on 1990s radio stand next to tapers and regulars who follow the tour.
The band, its lineup and its records
Blues Traveler formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987 and blends blues rock, folk rock and Southern rock. The 1994 album Four sold over six million copies worldwide. "Run-Around" reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the 1996 Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
Today the band is Popper on vocals and harmonica, Chan Kinchla on guitar, Brendan Hill on drums, Tad Kinchla on bass and Ben Wilson on keyboards. Founding bassist Bobby Sheehan died in New Orleans in August 1999; Chan's brother Tad took over the bass, and Wilson came aboard in 2000. Recent albums include Traveler's Blues (2021), a set of blues material, and Traveler's Soul (October 2023), built on R&B and soul covers.
Television helped too. David Letterman named Blues Traveler his favorite band, and it appeared on The Late Show more often than any other musical guest. In 1995 the band stepped in for Prince on the Saturday Night Live season premiere.
H.O.R.D.E. and Independence Day in Colorado
- H.O.R.D.E., starting in 1992: the band created this traveling summer festival as an alternative to bills like Lollapalooza, giving jam and roots acts a package tour of their own.
- Red Rocks on the Fourth: since 1994 the band has headlined Red Rocks Amphitheatre outside Denver every July 4, missing only 1999 and 2020. It is the group's signature annual show.
- Year-round touring: outside that date, the band works steadily through theaters, sheds, casinos and fairs. Current shows appear in the listings on this page.
Early buys and late buys
- Buy the Fourth early. The holiday, the setting and the tradition make the July 4 Red Rocks show the toughest Blues Traveler ticket, and many fans plan travel around it.
- Small rooms go first. Clubs and historic theaters hold fewer people, so their weekend shows sell ahead of shed dates.
- Shared bills raise interest. A pairing with another 1990s act brings in two fan bases.
- Weeknights can wait. Midweek amphitheater and fair dates usually have seats near show day, and resale listings may soften.
Every Reserved Seat order is backed by a 100% guarantee. The band posts dates on its tour page, and Red Rocks' FAQ covers venue rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is the lawn a good choice for Blues Traveler at an amphitheater?
It suits a relaxed, social night and costs less, but reserved seats in the front half give better sound and a clearer view of the band.
How often has Blues Traveler played Red Rocks on July 4?
Every year since 1994 except 1999 and 2020. Check the listings on this page for the current year's show.
What happened to Blues Traveler's original bassist?
Bobby Sheehan died in New Orleans in August 1999. Tad Kinchla, brother of guitarist Chan Kinchla, took over on bass.
Does Blues Traveler play the same set every night?
No. The band changes the set nightly and stretches songs with improvised solos, so fans often collect individual shows.
What did Blues Traveler win a Grammy for?
Run-Around won the 1996 Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.