The Stray Cats are getting back in the swing of things.
Brian Setzer’s long-running rockabilly group just announced they’re hitting the road for the first time since 2019.
They’ll be joined by special guest The Midnight Cowgirls at all shows.
Near the end of their brief 15-concert jaunt, the “Rock This Town” trio will play back-to-back-to-back gigs at Lewiston, NY’s Artpark Outdoor Amphitheater on Tuesday, Aug. 13, New York City’s The Rooftop at Pier 17 on Thursday, Aug. 15 and Atlantic City’s Ovation Hall on Friday, Aug. 16.
“With just a string bass, a guitar and a drum, we have always had less instruments and gear, but more rumble, more twang, more shake and more bang than anyone else,” double bassist Lee Rocker shared in a press release.
“Now’s the right time to bring it back.”
And if you want to see Setzer, Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom bring it back, tickets can be scooped up for most shows as of today.
Although inventory isn’t available on Ticketmaster until Friday, March 29, fans who want to ensure they have tickets ahead of time can purchase on sites like Vivid Seats before tickets are officially on sale.
Vivid Seats is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.
They have a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and will be delivered before the event.
Stray Cats tickets 2024
A complete calendar including all tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found here.
Stray Cats set list
It’s been a long five years since Setzer, Rocker and Phantom took the stage together.
While we can’t predict what they’ll juke, jive and wail to this time around, here’s a look at what they performed at their last show back in 2019, courtesy of Set List FM:
01.) “Cat Fight (Over a Dog Like Me)”
02.) “Runaway Boys”
03.) “Double Talkin’ Baby” (Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps cover)
04.) “Three Time’s a Charm”
05.) “Stray Cat Strut”
06.) “Mean Pickin’ Mama”
07.) “Gene and Eddie”
08.) “Cry Baby”
09.) “I Won’t Stand in Your Way”
10.) “Cannonball Rag” (Merle Travis cover)
11.) “Misirlou” ([traditional] cover)
12.) “When Nothing’s Going Right”
13.) “(She’s) Sexy + 17”
14.) “Bring It Back Again”
15.) “My One Desire” (Dorsey Burnette cover) (at the show, it was called a Ricky Nelson song)
16.) “Blast Off”
17.) “Lust n Love”
18.) “Fishnet Stockings”
19.) “Rock This Town”
Encore:
20.) “Rock It Off”
21.) “Built for Speed”
22.) “Rumble in Brighton”
Stray Cats new music
The rockabilly vets’ most recent record of original music hit shelves in 2019.
“40,” celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary, is a welcome return to the band’s classic sound.
Comprised of 12 tracks with titles like “Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me),” “Rock It Off” and “I’ve Got Love If You Want It,” the threesome pick right up where they left off.
There are no major surprises on the audience but that’s not why fans listen to Stray Cats — they do rockabilly and they do it damn well.
That being said, “I’ll Be Looking Out For You” is a surefire barnburning firecracker of a tune.
And “Desperado” is a dusty Link Wray/Dick Dale-esque surf rock instrumental you’ll want to play on repeat for weeks.
If you want to hear for yourself, check out “40” here.
The Midnight Cowgirls
Of course, Stray Cats’ opening act is a three-piece outfit.
Midnight Cowgirls, made up of singer Kandle Osborne, bassist Jennie Vee Phantom and drummer Leah Bluestein (along with self-described shapeshifter noisemaker Rex Elle) are old school country through and through.
We recommend checking out their Instagram reels here for a sample of their throwback look and sound.
Huge groups on tour in 2024
While no group is quite like Stray Cats, here are five of their contemporaries on the road these next few months that you won’t want to miss live.
Who else is rockin’ this year? Check out our list of the 50 biggest concert tours in 2024 here to find out.