Live ! On Stage: Jonathan Richman
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CRITIC'S PICK:
Sat., March 21
Jonathan Richman, Terminal West - Richman's entire 50-plus year career can be summarized in one word; quirky. From the early '70s Velvet's-inspired proto-punk of the Modern Lovers, to albums sung in Spanish, and others where he leans into country and innocent folk/pop, there's no telling what you'll get. And that's just the way he wants it. Still, the show will probably feature at least a few songs from his recent release Only Frozen Sky Anyway, (2025), such as the reggae-cha-cha version of "David & Goliath," a twisted revision for the Bee Gees' "Night Fever," and the ironic, truthfully titled soul of "But We May Try Weird Stuff." Add a few Modern Lovers oldies and the offbeat funk of "I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar," a 1992 fluke hit due more to its title than anything else. As usual, it's just Richman and his longtime drummer delivering the oddball goods in their sparse glory. - Hal Horowitz
From the venue:
“Richman is one of America’s most unique and dynamic songwriters…” – Nashville Scene “Richman didn’t need much else besides a beat to work his magic.” – New York Daily News
“Buy tickets early. Buy tickets often. This is just good general life advice, but even more so when you’re talking about Jonathan Richman. Don’t get denied at the door, don’t leave things up to chance: You will regret it.” – Nashville Scene
“Rhymes worthy of Ogden Nash.” – The New York Times
“Richman has spent decades removing barriers between himself and his audience, cultivating an intimacy that is almost extinct in modern music.”- Nashville Scene
“As of a few years ago, I was going to just play theaters, cabarets and such, but we ended up by mistake at the Zebulon in Los Angeles and had such a fine time that those kind of shows have to happen too. So, you might see us nowadays in theaters, cabaret-style places, or the right club or bar. The theaters have the best sound, usually, and under-21s can get in, but in the clubs people can dance and get close in to ya, like we like. We’ll keep trying things.”
Live ! On Stage: Jonathan Richman | 03/21/2026 9:00 PM