John Mellencamp is downsizing and Sufjan Stevens is upgrading, and both rock stars will be at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis in the fall.
Mellencamp will perform Nov. 22-23 as part of his No Better Than This Tour. He'll offer three segments: acoustic, small-combo rockabilly and a full band. The opening "act" will be the documentary "It's About You," made during the 2009 Mellencamp tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, while Mellecamp was recording "No Better Than This" in historic spots including Memphis' Sun Studio and a San Antonio hotel room where bluesman Robert Johnson recorded. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Indie-rock hero Stevens, who played at the 400 Bar last fall, is set for Oct. 16 at the Orpheum. Working with a band, he promises fully realized versions of many of the new songs he introduced last fall as selections from his eight albums. Tickets, priced at $35, will go on sale at noon Saturday.
JON BREAM
