John Mellencamp

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Myrna Suarez

John Mellencamp smoking.

John Mellencamp

These days, John Mellencamp is barely recognizable as the Johnny Cougar who released “I Need A Lover” in 1978 and went on to massive success in the 1980s with his smart and catchy brand of heartland rock. Mellencamp’s voice is now more gruff, his newer songs more dour, and last year the Minneapolis Star Tribune called his show “part concert, part theater, part stand-up comedy, part social commentary, part self-help lecture and part confessional.” Go back and listen to old songs like “Check It Out,” “Hot Dogs and Hamburgers,” “The Face of the Nation,” “Pink Houses” and “Now More Than Ever,” and you’ll realize how relevant his words remain.

media release Fresh off the heels of his sold-out “Live and In Person 2023” North American tour, John Mellencamp confirms its continuation with “Live and In Person 2024.” Mellencamp will perform for one night only in 27 new cities.

Presented by longtime promoter AEG Presents, the tour will begin in Rochester, NY on March 8 and conclude in Savannah, GA on April 23. Mellencamp will also perform in Newark, NJ, Hartford, CT, Birmingham, AL, Green Bay, WI, Washington, D.C. and more.

The new dates celebrate Mellencamp’s most recent album, Orpheus Descending, released to widespread critical acclaim this June on Republic Records.

He will continue to perform songs from the new LP, Orpheus Descending, during his live set. The Chicago Tribune says “Awash in death, ‘Hey God’ functioned as a plea for deliverance from senseless gun violence. Preceded by a story about his encounter with a 20-something homeless woman, the solo acoustic ‘The Eyes of Portland’ took aim at the empty “thoughts and prayers” condolences offered as a solution to major tragedies and dilemmas.”

Orpheus Descending, produced by Mellencamp and recorded at his own Belmont Mall Studio, marks Mellencamp’s twenty fifth studio album. One of his most personal records to date, standout tracks “Hey God” and “The Eyes of Portland” focus on social issues Mellencamp continues to passionately advocate for.

Mellencamp is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a recipient of the John Steinbeck Award, ASCAP Foundation’s Champion Award, The Woody Guthrie Award and Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and more recently, the Founders Award, the top honor assigned by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Last year, he released a deluxe edition reissue of his beloved seminal album, Scarecrow, which features a massive collection of bonus tracks, rarities and more never previously shared before. Listen HERE. His critically acclaimed studio LP, Strictly A One-Eyed Jack, was released early last year to praise from The New York Times, NPR Music, Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and more.

Mellencamp has continued to focus on another facet of his artistic expression: painting. Last year, he released a self-curated book of his work, John Mellencamp: Paintings and Assemblages, which is out now on Rizzoli New York.

Presented in partnership with AEG Presents.