Jimmy Buffett concerts are known for the laid back themes, super friendly and fun loving fans. It is also impossible to mention a Jimmy Buffett concert without thinking of bright colored clothes and refreshing tropical cocktails.
At 70 years old, Jimmy Buffett is still rocking fans with his live shows; in fact, his shows still sell out many a time attracting more than 20,000 spectators. His current tour dubbed “I Don’t Know” has run from May 2016 and is expected to stretch well into 2017.
Getting to Know Jimmy Buffett
Born James William Buffett on December the 25th, 1946, he is one of the best-known musicians in the U.S.A with a devoted fan base popularly known as “Parrotheads.” He is known to sing music which is a fusion of country, rock, pop music and rock with elements of coastal and tropical music culture. Some experts simply refer to it as a “gulf and western” sound.
Buffets musical career started in Nashville in the late 1960’s singing politically charged folk songs. However, his first albums failed to stir up any hype with his very first album “Down to Earth” selling 324 copies only.
In 1971, Buffett joined his friend, fellow country musician Jerry Jeff Walker on a trip to the Key West. He soon moved to the Key West where he started developing the carefree beach persona for which he is well known.
Jimmy Buffett was destined for better things, and after releasing albums in 1973, 1974 and 1976, he finally made a breakthrough with the 1977 platinum album “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.” One of the singles from the album “Margaritaville” was a big hit and remains one of his most popular songs.
In 1985 he got more success with a compilation titled “Songs, You Know by Heart” which went on to sell 2 million copies. More success would come with the 1992 album “Boats Beaches Bars & Ballads” which also went platinum. It is often said that in the 80’s, concerts brought more income for Buffett than his albums at the time could.
It was during this time that Jimmy Buffett developed a reputation as a prolific performer. Perhaps one party that played a huge role in this success is the Coral Reefer Band which Jimmy Buffett would travel with while on tour starting from 1975. The band is still in existence even today, and it still travels with Buffett.
Despite his lengthy spell in the American music industry, Buffett continues to release hit songs. In 2003 for example, in collaboration with Alan Jackson, he released “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere” which not only topped country charts but also won the Country Music Association award for Vocal Event of the Year in 2003.
In 2007, Buffett got nominated for the same award for his collaboration with Alan Jackson and George Strait “Hey Good Lookin.” His latest album is a Christmas Album titled “ Tis the Season” released in October 2016. By December 2016, the album had sold a total of 56,500 copies in the United States.
Jimmy Buffett is also an author of 3 books “Tales from Margaritaville” “Where is Joe Merchant” and “A Pirate Looks at Fifty” all of which were ranked number 1 on the New York Times best seller list for fiction and nonfiction (“A Pirate Looks at Fifty”).
Additionally, he is an entrepreneur and has various ventures including a Margaritaville Business Empire comprised of a Café, stores, beers and other alcoholic beverages such as Margaritaville Tequila, casino resorts, and even a video game.
Past 2017 “I Don’t Know” Tour Events
Jimmy Buffett has already performed at numerous locations in 2017 traveling thousands of miles in the process. The 2017 phase of the tour started on 28th March at the Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach in California. A string of shows followed this first 2017 event:
- MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 1st, 2017.
- Byron Bay Bluesfest 2017 on April 14th, 2017
- State Opera House all the way in Wellington, New Zealand on April 18th, 2017.
- Theatre Royal, in Christchurch also in New Zealand on April 21st, 2017
- Volvo Car Stadium in Charleston, USA ON May 11th, 2017
- Amway Center, Orlando, the USA on May 13th, 2017
- Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach in Florida, the USA on May 16th, 2017
- Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre in Virginia Beach, the USA on May 18th, 2017
- Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, the USA on May 20th, 2017
- MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa in Florida, the USA on June 3rd, 2017.
- Amphitheatre at the Wharf in Orange Beach, USA ON June 6th, 2017.
- Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Texas, the USA on June 8th, 2017
- Toyota Stadium, Frisco in Texas USA on June 10th 2017
- Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Maryland Heights, the USA on July 6th, 2017
- Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati in Ohio USA on July 8th, 2017. This event was also a landmark performance for Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band as it markets the 50th performance at the Riverbend Music Center.
Jimmy Buffett has performed numerous songs while on this tour. A few of some of the hits he has strung out include;
- It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere
- Knee Deep
- Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
- Son of a Son of a Sailor
- Grape Fruit-Juicy Fruit
- Blowing Conch Shells
- The Tiki Bar is Open
Upcoming Jimmy Buffett Events
Luckily for those who missed out on any of the previous events in his 2016/2017 tour, Jimmy Buffett still has a considerable number of events slotted in for the rest of 2017.
(Source: Margaritaville)
The shows are in the following chronological order;
1. DTE Energy Music Theatre (July 11th, 2017)
Located in Clarkston, Michigan, this is one of the most attended amphitheaters in the United States. It will play host to Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band with the show starting at 8 pm. Tickets for the event are going for between $75 and $145.
2. Wrigley Field (July 15th, 2017)
This is the home of the baseball franchise Chicago Cubs. Fans will get a chance of seeing Jimmy Buffett, his band The Coral Reefer Band and special guests, Huey Lewis & The News live on stage. The show is expected to start at 7 PM, and tickets are going for between $94.50 and $136 per person.
3. Budweiser Stage (August 11th, 2017)
This is a location in Toronto in Canada. According to the organizers, this is a rain or shine event as it will take place indoors. The doors close at 6 PM while the show itself starts at 8 PM. Ticket prices range between $50.75 and $164.75 per person.
4. Northwell Health at Jones Beach (August 15th, 2017)
The location of the arena is Wantagh, New York. Purely a Jimmy Buffett affair, the event is expected to draw a diverse fan base. Even ticket prices reflect diversity with the cheapest going for $70 and the most expensive ticket going for a stunning $1,154 per person.
5. BB&T Pavilion (August 17th, 2017)
Another exclusive Jimmy Buffett affair, this event is slotted to take place in New Jersey at a location opened in 1995 and with a total seat capacity (indoor and outdoor) of 25,000 seats. The show is expected to kick off at 8 PM. Ticket prices are going for between $36 and $473 for the best seats per person.
6. Xfinity Centre
Nowhere has Jimmy Buffett performed more in his long career than Xfinity Centre. Some estimate he has performed there more than 50 times. This time, he takes to the stage with his Coral Reefer Band from 8 PM. Attending this event won’t come easy though with the cheapest ticket selling for $99.39 and tickets for the best seats selling for up to $1241 per person.
7. La Cigale (September 21st, 22nd & 23rd 2017)
Jimmy Buffett’s tour also takes him to Paris, France where he has three back to back concerts organized for late September.
8. Pepsi Live Rogers Arena (October 13th, 2017)
Jimmy Buffett takes a short break then heads back to Vancouver, Canada for a performance in this indoor arena. Tickets for this Buffett only show go for CA$ 80.50 per person with tickets for the best seats selling at up to $659. The show begins at 8 PM.
9. Mathew Knight Arena (October 15th, 2017)
This arena in Eugene, Oregon is the home of the University of Oregon Ducks basketball teams. It has a capacity of 12, 364 seats. The show here also starts at 8 PM. Tickets are selling for between $36 and $136.
10. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (October 19th, 2017)
Located in San Francisco, California, this area has a capability of holding more than six thousand people. It is also an old arena with a history dating back to 1915. All the tickets for the show are reserved seats. The cheapest ticket sells for $42 while premium tickets for premium sitting arrangements cost up to $152. The show starts at 8 PM and also features The Coral Reefers Band.
11. Mattress Firm Amphitheatre (October 21st, 2017)
Previously known as Sleep Train Amphitheatre, it is one of the largest arenas in San Diego with a seating capacity of 20,500 people. The most affordable tickets sell at $36 while premium tickets reserved for the best seats in the house sell for up to $781. The concert starts at 8 PM.
12. Waikiki Shell (November 4th, 2017)
This is the last concert in the “I Don’t Know” tour. Considering the influence that Hawaiian and Tropical music cultures have influenced Jimmy Buffett’s music, it is more than fitting to have the last concert on tour held in Hawaii.
Waikiki Shell was built in 1956 and has a seating capacity of 2,500 people with an additional capacity of 6,000 people in the lawn area. General admission tickets to the lawn area with no chairs cost $39.50. At such affordable prices, this concert is likely to sell out well in advance.
What to Wear When Attending a Jimmy Buffett Concert
Over the years, Jimmy Buffett has built an impressive base of loyal fans who call themselves “Parrotheads.” If one has never attended a Jimmy Buffett concert, it is rather difficult to understand exactly what to expect in the singer’s shows. However, one thing is assured; these concerts are feel good parties from start to finish.
According to Buffett enthusiasts, the most important theme to keep in mind when choosing or creating an outfit for the concert is a tropical theme. As a matter of fact, most fans of Jimmy Buffett will come out donning bright colors, hula skirts, and tropical Hawaiian shirts. Other common accessories found in Jimmy Buffett shows include different shapes and colors of heavily customized hats among other off the wall types of headgear.
Women should dress with a tropical theme in mind. This may include hula skirts, colorful leis and bright colored sundresses and even parrot themed jewelry among other possible accessories.
Outfits for the men are quite similar to those for the women. Indeed some men put on hula skirts and seashell bras over their t-shirts and shorts. Some men may, however, stick to more conservative options such as putting on Hawaiian shirts and swimming trunks. Hats are also a big accessory among fans of Jimmy Buffett. Popular hat designs include parrot hats, cheeseburger hats, and even shark hats among others.
Nonetheless, most Parrotheads insist that attendees of Buffett’s shows avoid wearing new Hawaiian shirts. Secondly, experienced Parrotheads also recommend attending the concert while dressed in a brawny pair of sandals.
Anyone attending a Jimmy Buffett concert should remember that in these concerts, modesty is highly valued. Bad shorts and worn out Hawaiian shirts are a common sight.
Other Tips for Those Planning on Attending a Jimmy Buffett Event
In many Jimmy Buffett concerts, attendees often start partying a few hours before the actual show. These pre-parties normally take place in the parking of venues, and they are commonly known as tailgating parties. There are a couple of things every Parrothead including aspiring Parrotheads must bring to the party to get the best out of the concert experience.
1. First and foremost, one should keep in mind that he/she is attending a Buffett concert and singing along is particularly important. For new fans, listening to some of his popular hits is advisable. For older fans, there is nothing as good as an old school Jimmy Buffett CD blasting out his timeless hits while waiting to see the man live.
2. Buffett tailgate parties also feature lots of alcoholic beverages. However, a majority of Parrotheads are in consensus that ideal alcoholic drinks are margaritas, hurricanes, beer and other tropical drinks. According to experts, the more Hawaiian the drink is, the better.
3. On the same line, it is worth noting that jumping and dancing to Jimmy Buffett’s music is bound to generate a lot of heat. Having a cooler and some ice is, therefore, a wise idea.
4. With all the drinking that takes place at these concerts, it is important to maintain some equilibrium by eating right. The obvious choice for devote Parrotheads is a cheeseburger in paradise.
For the necessary ingredients needed to make this Buffett special, attendees should make sure to listen to “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” In fact, it is probably a good idea to carry a grill and some coal too.
5. Lastly, despite the odd name, Parrotheads are sociable and fun loving people. Sharing of food and drinks is a well-established habit among the staunchest Buffett fans.