John Mellencamp Reviews

Josie from New York, New York

INTERESTING UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

John Mellencamp rocked the Beacon Theater! Was strange to start with the B&W old movies but once i read that the tour was sponsored by TCM makes more sense! He definitely channels the James Dean vibe throughout the show and the fact that the last movie clip was Streetcar Named Desire - explains the whole New Orleans style backdrop too. I liked his stories and patter throughout and unlike other concerts of old rockers, he embraces his fans’ loving and singing his old classics. The crowd was up on their feet for all the oldies and it was a great show all around!

Erica from RI

TRUE ROCK AND ROLL LEGEND

Surprised by all the 1-star reviews. Saw him in Providence and while there may have been some things about this show that missed the mark, overall it was a great celebration of true rock and roll and American life. JCM was one of the groundbreakers who brought us to the modern era of rock with these classics and his music embodies the best of life in the USA. Definitely could have done without the movie intro but if you're not into that, just plan to come at 8:30. It could have been much shorter but it was an interesting insight into the inspiration for some of his music. Maybe he read the reviews and toned it down but he didn't sound like an angry old man at this show - some of his stories were a little rambling, "let me tell you a story grandkids" kind of interludes but they were entertaining. With light-hearted references to his smoking and cussing (both of which he did plenty of onstage) he shared some of his life experience and didn't get too specific with any criticism of the state of the country altho his story about a homeless girl was a bit of a buzzkill. The cigarettes have taken a toll on his voice but he still sounds awesome and rocks hard. Not sure what's going on with the jumpsuit - I felt like I should ask him to check my brakes - he's in great shape for his age but should think about some jeans or something. But overall he's still a rock star and his music will always bring me back to good times and as he put it, this show created a music community, I was one of the youngest ones there (fortysomething) but you wouldn't know that we all were at different stages of our lives when we first fell in love with these songs. Really glad I got to see him. Great show.

Steve from Omaha, Nebraska

NOT BAD FOR A OLD GUY.

John was better then I expected due to reviews from his previous concerts. We could have done without the opening movie scenes but no opening act so I guess it was a time filler. I thought his voice got better as the night went on and he played all the songs You would want to hear. John didn't talk very much. The only exception was a story about his grandmother and it was very entertaining. I went with my daughter and we both enjoyed the show.

Chris from Ottawa, Ontario

OK PERFORMANCE

Having seen Mellancamp before, I knew what I was in for. The 20 Minute Into movie had Graffiti on the screen (Not sure if it was intentional or not, but it was distracting.) The band was solid, but John Mellancamp's vocal range has seen better days. Noticeably absent from the Setlist were ROCK in The USA, Hand To Hold On To and the classic Hurts so good. Most of the attendees were over 50 and it felt a bit like going to your high school reunion to play listen to some John Mellancamp's songs around a campfire. Mellancamp is entertaining but his acoustic Sing along of Jack and Diane was lame and his banter with the Ottawa audience was a bit weak. Light show was poor, but the Sound in the arena was acceptably good.

J White from Spokane, Washington

JOHN MELLENCAMP CONCERT SPOKANE

John sounded great! Too bad he didn't play more of his top hits that the crowd who paid would have loved to hear. His story telling of how he reached his potential and his song lyrics was not in line of his policical stance of today . I I enjoyed seeing him, but I probably will not attend another concert of his again.

John Smith from Albuquerque

BIG LET DOWN!

My wife and I saw John Cougar in Albuquerque on April 30th, 2019. We are both 57 and we enjoyed listening to his music during HS and college. Cougar and Segar were bucket lists for us as far as seeing old rockers. We saw Segar a few months ago and he was very good. (No political views, just songs) Cougar played at the Kiva Auditorium, which is inside the Convention Center. The concert was sold out, and it appeared that most people were our age or above 50 yoa for the most part. We felt that it was very hot inside the Kiva, therefore, we were a bit uncomfortable. The show started at 8:00pm. From 8:00 to 8:30pm, we all had to sit through an intro about his life. The audio was low and it was hard to hear over the late arrivals. Not my thing watching an intro for 30 minutes. I want to hear the songs. We came to rock and hear the hits. He did not start with any hits. The first 30 minutes was non energetic and in that 30 minutes he played only "Small Town" At some point, either at the beginning or between songs, Cougar talks about fans who can be drunk and loud and there is no place for it because he wants everyone to hear the music and not hear the loud drunk fan. I would agree with him on that but I questioned it because if you are playing your music instead of talking about Black Lives Matter and other views, you would not hear that loud drunk fan. He also went into a story telling mode. He talked about his dear friend who had been rocking with him for 45 years. He talked about his friend being arrested in ABQ in the 80's. Cougar said that his friend was beat up by two females who he shared a cell with. Not true! Males and females can not share a cell. Again, not enough music and too much talking. He did not play Hurts So Good, Rockin in the USA and I need a Lover. He could have played all these songs instead of telling stories and stating his political views. These songs are part of the reason he can still tour at the age of 67. Old rockers like us want to hear those songs, not story telling, 30 minute into's and political views. Overall, I will not go see him again. We were so looking forward to seeing his concert. Big fans of his back in the 70's and 80's. A big Let Down!

DON from Chicago, Illinois

MELLENCAMP AT CHICAGO THEATER

I'll never understand why older artists don't want to play the classics we are there to hear! I enjoy hearing new music, but John doesn't have any new music. He has weird little "story" songs, mostly political. And absolutely not what anyone wants to hear. Sadly too much of that - and not nearly enough classic Mellencamp.

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