Credit: John Honoré/Peter PardiniAs Chicago prepares to kick off its 2018 tour itinerary next month, the band has revealed that it will be playing one of its classic albums in its entirety at each concert during the trek. The first set of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers’ 2018 shows will feature a performance of 1970’s Chicago II, which includes the enduring hits “25 or 6 to 4,” “Make Me Smile” and “Colour My World.”
After an intermission, Chicago will play what it jokingly describes to as the “world’s longest encore,” which will be packed with hits from throughout the group’s long career. The planned shows are expected to be the longest ever played by the band.
Chicago II peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200, and has sold more than 2 million copies in the U.S.
As previously reported, the band has undergone a number of recent lineup changes, with longtime drummer Tris Imbolden departing and being replaced by Chicago percussionist Walfredo Reyes Jr., and singer/bassist Jeff Coffey also exiting the band. To handle Coffey’s roles, Chicago has brought in Neil Donell as the band’s high-tenor vocalist, and Brett Simons on bass. In addition, Reyes’ brother Danny will take over as the group’s percussionist.
Chicago’s 2018 tour schedule gets underway with a Las Vegas residency at The Venetian Theatre that begins February 7. The band currently has shows lined up through a May 23 gig in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Here are all of the band’s upcoming tour dates:
2/7, 9-10 — Las Vegas, NV, The Venetian Theatre
2/11 — Santa Barbara, CA, Arlington Theater
2/14, 16-17 — Las Vegas, NV, The Venetian Theatre
2/18 — Thousand Oaks, CA, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
2/21, 23-24 — Las Vegas, NV, The Venetian Theatre
3/9 — Dubuque, IA, Five Flags Center
3/11 — Columbia, MO, Jesse Auditorium
3/13 — Park City, KS, Hartman Arena
3/14 — Tulsa, OK, Paradise Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort
3/16 — Baton Rouge, LA, River Center Performing Arts Theater
3/17 — Thackerville, OK, Winstar Casino
3/18 — Amarillo, TX, Amarillo Civic Center
3/20 — Colorado Springs, CO, Pikes Peak Center
3/25 — Tucson, AZ, Tucson Music Hall
3/27 — Albuquerque, NM, Kiva Auditorium
3/28 — El Paso, TX, Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center
3/30 — San Antonio, TX, Majestic Theatre
3/31 — Sugar Land, TX, Smart Financial Centre
5/8 — Huntsville, AL, Von Braun Center
5/9 — Mobile, AL, Saenger Theatre Mobile
5/11 — New Orleans, LA, Saenger Theatre New Orleans
5/12 — Alexandria, LA, Rapides Parish Coliseum
5/13 — North Little Rock, AR, Verizon Arena
5/15 — Memphis, TN, Orpheum Theatre
5/16 — Chattanooga, TN, Tivoli Theatre
5/18 — Tallahassee, FL, Donald L. Tucker County Civic Center
5/19 — Savannah, GA, Johnny Mercer Theater
5/20 — Asheville, NC, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
5/22 — Charleston, WV, Charleston Municipal Auditorium
5/23 — Knoxville, TN, The Tennessee Theater
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