Grammy Award-winning blues rocker Jonny Lang is showing his soul to the world in his 2013 world tour. A few days ago, Jonny brought his raw brand of blues to The Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA and rocked out for another packed house. From the moment he walked on stage, Lang captivated the crowd with his smooth hooks and shredding solos. Jonny is touring in support of his latest album, Fight For My Soul, which came out last month. The disc debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Albums Chart, #2 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart, and #50 on the Billboard Top 200. Lang’s presence in blues and rock ‘n’ roll has been felt steadily since 1997, and with his new album and tour, his impact is as strong as ever.
As Lang walked out onto the stage that night at The Keswick, is was not the first time he
had done so that day. Earlier in the afternoon, Lang graced the stage at World Cafe Live in center city Philadelphia for a brief but special 6-song performance. The free concert, part of World Cafe Live’s Free at Noon concert series, was packed. After showcasing two songs from his new album and closing with is signature hit, “Lie To Me”, Lang was off to the nearby Keswick for round two. That evening, Jonny set the tone for his second show with “Dont Stop (For Anything)” off his Grammy Award-winning fourth LP, Turn Around. From there, he treated fans to a wide variety of work, including covers of Stevie Wonder’s “Living for The City” and Muddy Waters’ “40 Days and 40 Nights”. After his set, Jonny returned to the stage for a 3-track encore that included the Muddy Waters cover, a special solo acoustic version of “Breakin’ Me”, and an acoustic-turned-electric version of his trademark smash, “Lie To Me”. Lang’s performance was filled with passion, grit, and soul. He pours all he has into every verse, riff, and note. Whether it be rock, metal, or blues, Jonny is certainly one of the best guitar players I’ve ever seen play live.
Jonny Lang burst onto the blues scene in 1997 with his breakout debut album, Lie To Me. After signing with A&M Records in 1996, Lang released the album to much critical acclaim and fan appreciation at just 16 years old. The disc landed and #44 on the Billboard Top 200. Lang wasted no time in putting out his sophomore effort, 1998’s Wander This World. The album is arguably the best in Lang’s catalog, earning him his first Grammy Award nomination. Debuting at #28 on the Billboard Top 200, the album garnered Lang much praise for producing such a mature sound at such a young age. That same year, Lang made a cameo (along with many other notable musicians) in the film Blues Brothers 2000, starring Dan Aykroyd and John Goodman. In 1999, Lang was invited to play at The White House for an audience that included former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.
In 2003, Lang returned to the studio for his third album, Long Time Coming, which debuted at #17 on the Billboard Top
200. In 2006, Lang released the gospel-influenced Turn Around, which debuted at #35 on the Billboard Top 200 and #1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart. The album won Lang his first Grammy Award for Best Rock/Rap Gospel Album. Lang released his first live album in 2009, and in September 2013, he released his first new studio LP in seven years, Fight For My Soul. The album is a triumphant return to form for Lang, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Blues Albums Chart, #2 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart, and #50 on the Billboard Top 200. Jonny is in the midst of a world tour in support of the record. He has been trekking across Europe for the past few weeks, but is returning home for a second U.S. run this week. Jonny Lang has five studio albums that have charted in the Top 50 on the Billboard Top 200 and throughout his career, he has toured with the likes of Sting, Jeff Beck, Blues Traveler, Buddy Guy, Aerosmith, B.B. King, and The Rolling Stones. by Matt Bishop (Photography by Matt Bishop)
Jonny Lang – 2013 Fight For My Soul World Tour
Oct. 15 – Ancienne Belgique (Brussels, Belgium)
Oct. 16 – Rockpalast Crossroads Festival (Bonn, Germany)
Oct. 18 – House of Blues Houston (Houston, TX)
Oct. 19 – Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival (New Orleans, LA)
Oct. 20 – House of Blues Dallas (Dallas, TX)
Oct. 22 – Ogden Theatre (Denver, CO)
Oct. 25 – Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ)
Oct. 26 – Saban Theatre (Beverly Hills, CA)
Nov. 5 – Northern Lights Theatre at Potawatomi Casino (Milwaukee, WI)
Nov. 8 – House of Blues Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Nov. 9 – State Theatre (Kalamazoo, MI)
Nov. 10 – The Palace Theatre (Greensburg, PA)
Nov. 14 – NYCB Theatre at Westbury (Westbury, NY)
Nov. 15 – Park Theatre (Cranston, RI)
Nov. 16 – The Capitol Theatre (Port Chester, NY)
Nov. 19 – Ruth Eckerd Hall w/ Buddy Guy (Clearwater, FL)
Nov. 20 – Kravis Center w/ Buddy Guy (West Palm Beach, FL)
Nov. 21 – Knight Concert Hall w/ Buddy Guy (Miami, FL)
Nov. 23 – House of Blues Orlando (Orlando, FL)
Nov. 24 – Center Stage Theatre (Atlanta, GA)
Jan. 8 – The Rialto Theatre (Tuscon, AZ)
Jan. 10 – Belly Up (Solana Beach, CA)
Jan. 12 – Uptown Theatre (Napa, CA)
Jan. 21 – Crest Theatre (Sacramento, CA)
Feb. 4 – Tennessee Theatre (Knoxville, TN)
Feb. 5 – Von Braun Center Concert Hall (Huntsville, AL)
Feb. 7 – North Charleston Performing Arts Center (Charleston, SC)
Feb. 8 – Township Auditorium (Columbia, SC)
Feb 9. – Schermerhorn Symphony Center (Nashville, TN)
Feb. 12 – Florida Theatre (Jacksonville, FL)
Apr. 25 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire (London, UK)
Apr. 28 – L’Olympia (Paris, France)