G. Love Throws a Block Party

Philly rock/funk/hip-hop/jam icon channels his inner “superhero.”

By Fred Mills

Fifteen years, ten albums, three chords, one guitar, and the truth: you know the drill. To that end, the mighty G. Love his combo Special Sauce are set to drop their new album Superhero Brother, which arrives June 24 courtesy Jack Johnson’s Brushfire label (home to everyone from Rogue Wave to Matt Costa to Johnson himself). G will be hitting all the outdoor venues starting August 1 (included will be stops at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits festival, plus a pair of Cali gigs with the Black Crowes). Opening acts are John Butler Trio and Tristan Prettyman and a fine time is guaranteed for all.

Special word to all you local street musicians: don’t be shy when G. Love comes to town. Last December when yours truly caught him at the annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam in Asheville, he’d apparently spotted a local fiddle player busking on the streets the afternoon of the show and wound up bringing him onstage during his set at the Jam. So anything can happen.

Here’s what G himself has to say about the upcoming tour on his official website:

“Yo yo yo! It is with great pleasure that I’m able to announce that Tristan Prettyman has been confirmed on our summer tour. The lineup is sick! G. Love and Special Sauce, John Butler Trio and Tristan Prettyman. This is The Block Party. Tickets are going quick so make sure you get ‘em before they’re gone.

”I’m very excited about the music on this tour. John Butler is an excellent guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is already one of the biggest rockstars in Australia and he is blowing up quick over here as well. JBT are a top notch band that plays inspired roots rock and roll every night. To put it short…they go off. Tristan rounds out the bill nicely. With her beautiful voice and excellent backing band, TP is sure to lull the audience into a sweet trance. We will also get the chance to play our song “Beautiful” as a duet everynight which is sure to be a highlight. 

”The Special Sauce is bound and proud to deliver this amazing summer tour to a theater near you. Let us know now what songs you want to hear and we will try to work them in the set. We are getting ready to drop our 10th record on you, “Superhero Brother” on June, 26th so make sure you get on it! Can’t wait to play for you all this summer! Peace, Love and Happiness- G”

G. Love & Special Sauce Tour Dates:

Aug 1               Council Bluffs, IA              Harrah’s Stir Cove
Aug 2               Madison, WI                     Madison Roots Festival
Aug 3               Chicago, IL                         Lollapalooza Music Festival
Aug 6               Indianapolis, IN                 Egyptian Room
Aug 7               Columbus, OH                   Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
Aug 8               Detroit, MI                          Freedom Hill Amphitheatre
Aug 13             New York, NY                    Roseland Ballroom
Aug 14             Boston, MA                        Bank of America Pavilion
Aug 15             Vienna, VA                          Wolftrap Filene Center
Aug 16             Philadelphia, PA                  Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
Aug 17             Baltimore, MD                    Pier Six Concert Pavilion
Aug 20             Myrtle Beach, SC               House of Blues
Aug 21             Cary, NC                         Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Aug 22             Atlanta, GA                         Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Aug 23             Pompano Beach, FL             Pompano Beach Amphitheatre
Aug 24             Saint Augustine, FL              Saint Augustine Amphitheatre
Aug 26             Fayetteville, AR                    Arkansas Music Pavilion
Aug 28             Flagstaff, AZ                         Pine Mountain Amphitheatre
Aug 29             Las Vegas, NV                      The Joint
Aug 30             Reno, NV                             Hawkins Amphitheatre
Aug 31             San Francisco, CA                Fort Mason Park
Sept 3               Vancouver, BC                     Malkin Bowl
Sept 5               Jacksonville, OR                   Britt Pavilion
Sept 6               Portland, OR                        Edgefield
Sept 7               Seattle, WA                           Marymoor Amphitheatre
Sept 11             Salt Lake City, UT                 Red Butte Garden
Sept 12             Morrison, CO                        Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Sept 14             Telluride, CO                        Blues and Brews Festival
Sept 17             Los Angeles, CA                    Greek Theatre (with Black Crowes)
Sept 19             Santa Barbara, CA                   SB Bowl (with Black Crowes)
Sept 26             Austin, TX                               Austin City Limits Music Festival