Q&A: The Vegabonds!

We’re just a few weeks away from the much-anticipated return of The Vegabonds and the first Live! at the OuterEdge show of the season! (Purchase tickets here.) As the excitement builds and the countdown to November 16 continues, we caught up with lead vocalist/songwriter Danny Allen of Nashville about the band coming back to play in Appleton.

Q: Your band has been here the last few summers for Miles 5, 6 and 7. What is it about Appleton that keeps you coming back for more shows?

A: We were hooked on Appleton and Mile of Music from our first show, which was on the bus at Mile 5. We didn’t know what to expect. We played 5 sets that first year, and each one had a bigger and better response. We could tell Appleton loves original music.

Q: As Appleton carves out a niche for original music, what has your experience been like playing here with that focus?

A: The focus on original music is what makes Mile of Music so special. It’s exciting for us, because the sets are all around 45-50 minutes, which means we are able to play a different setlist each time we take the stage. We have released 5 records, so we like to pull out songs from all the albums and give folks a unique experience at each show.

Q: We hear from a lot of artists that Mile of Music has been a means for discovering and connecting with other musicians. Has that been the case for The Vegabonds?

A: That has definitely been the case for us. We call it band camp, because we get to catch up with a lot of our favorite bands we listen to, and tour with throughout the year.

Q: How would you describe the fan base and overall vibe when you perform in Appleton?

A: Incredible! The fan base comes out and really supports us and makes us feel at home. Everyone I encounter at the festival is in a great mood, and the weather is fantastic for a summer fest!

Q: Now that the band has played in Appleton a few times, are there any favorite spots you like to check out while in town?

A: We spend a lot of time bouncing around to different shows when we’re not playing our own sets. We found some of our favorite spots that first year like Spats, Fox River House, D2 Sports Pub, Gibson Music Hall, Emmett’s and Mill Creek, and we like to pop back in and say hello when we’re in town.

Don’t miss your chance to see Danny and the band in action! As a special bonus, before we welcome The Vegabonds back to the stage for their self-described “new south rock,” Cool Waters Band – a Fox Valley favorite – will get the night started with some awesome original music.

Tickets are just $12 each ($15 the day of if still available) … purchase yours today and get ready to rock! NOTE: There are less than 100 tickets left for this show!