Chalk up another nominee for the most eclectic lineup of 2009. Following in the footsteps of Sunfest and Beale Street, Birmingham, Alabama’s City Stages has returned with a ’09 bill that basically combines the 80s with the 00s, with some jazz sprinkled in for good measures.
Jane’s Addiction, Styx, and REO Speedwagon head the three-day festival currently scheduled for Father’s Day weekend (June 19-21) in downtown Birmingham. Other acts of note include The Doobie Brothers, Young Jeezy, The Neville Brothers, The Whigs, Guster, and Ryan Bingham.
All in all, the 2009 lineup looks something like this:
38 Special, Alabama Blues Machine, Charlie Wilson, Corey Smith, Courtney Jaye, The Doobie Brothers, En Vogue, Erin McCarley, Guster, The Herb Trotman Band, James Otto, Jane’s Addiction, Joe Giattina Orchestra, Johnny Lang, Indigo Girls, The Latin Rhythms Band, Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames, Lil Malcolm and the House Rockers, Matt Kearney, Needtobreathe, The Neville Brothers, Patton James and the Synchromatics, REO Speedwagon, Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-stars, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Styx, The Whigs, Young Jeezy
According to City Stages director Denise Koch (via Birmingham News), a second round of performers is likely to be revealed in May. However, don’t expect anything major. City Stages reportedly enters 2009 some $400,000 in debt, resulting in a trim of the overall budget and an elimination of one stages. Per Koch:
“Last year, we paid a lot of money for acts that didn’t sell tickets…This year, we’ve tried to listen to the community and what they want. Some people felt left out last year because we didn’t have classic rock. If classic rock is what people want to hear, that’s what we’re going to do.”
Ironically, ticket prices for City Stages ’09 will in fact be lower than last year. Advanced weekend passes, which go on sale Monday via Ticketmaster.com, will be $5 cheaper. Day passes, VIP packages, and children’s admission will also be available.
