2021: BOC still on tour forever - again, pandemics permitting!! Sadly, many of the entries on this page concern cancelled/rescheduled gigs as a result of COVID, and that information is included purely for documentation purposes.
Don't forget, for the most up-to-date gig listings, check out the BOC website's "On Tour" page.
Have you got anything to contribute to this page? Reviews, missing gig support band/venue information, ticket stubs, posters, handbills etc etc - if so, let me .
I don't know of any gigs booked for January - in the current climate, I think it might be unlikely... but check here to see blueoystercult.com's current show list detailing BOC's current gig schedule for all the latest info...
I can only presume this gig was cancelled rather than postponed as I can see no rescheduled listings for it.
I can only presume this gig was cancelled rather than postponed as I can see no rescheduled listings for it.
The set list from Sea World 3/28/21:
This gig seems to have been cancelled rather than postponed.
Here's the setlist for last night's show from Oshkosh, WI - my first show since I saw Wilco in Madison last year.
As the show was beginning, someone shouted "Things are back to normal!" and a grand roar erupted from the crowd. It wasn't entirely accurate with fans socially distanced, masked, and dancing around in the empty aisles of a cavernous arena, but it sure as hell felt good to be back.
I was yelling for them to play various songs from the new album all night, but to no avail. If you're reading this and haven't bought The Symbol Remains... please go do that. It's an excellent record and return to form and these songs deserve a chance to be heard live.
BOC at the St. Augustine amphitheater with Mark Farner. Yes!! There are about 5,000 seats but only 1200 were sold for this show due to covid BS.
Mark Farner opened the show with a 90 minute show full of rock. I suspect BOC gave him some of their time. 75 years old and he sounded great. What a performance. Wow! Just wow! I've seen Grand Funk a couple of times without him and he destroys them. Too bad they can't do one last run together.
BOC came on around 9pm. Awesome set and a great performance. After 15 months of no BOC, I was ready to rock. I had tickets to see them in Wisconsin last month, but I got a cold a few days before and could not go. Great show from the Oyster boys. No rust and Eric sounded great! Three new numbers in the set, yes!!! Shooting Shark started a bit rough, other than that, flawless. Another great rock show from the Oyster boys. See you all in Everett, WA in July!
Setlist:
Set list by memory, hopefully I did not mess it up.
Setlist:
So our first live show since the country basically shut down, and it's BOC in our home state! The show was at a new outdoor amphitheater at a casino in Oak Grove, KY. They were the first headliner to play there.
Even though it was pretty much the last days of May, it was a cold, windy 56 with a misty rain most of the show. Danny looked very uncomfortable, with a towel wrapped around his neck and tucked into his heavy jacket. But they trudged on with a 15 song set.
The opener was Rock United, based in Nashville, the casino house band. They were pretty high energy, playing 70's classic rock - Deep Purple, Aerosmith, and The Guess Who. They did their job, getting the crown pumped for some rock 'n roll.
BOC hit the stage and opened with That Was Me. Great to hear this one live. They also played Box mid-set, and Tainted Blood during encore. Sound seemed perfect on Tainted Blood, I heard Buck's backing vocal part crystal clear.
Glad to see some new ones in the live set. Eric did mention the new album, plugging a bit. He wasn't too chatty, though, no intro stories or long intro into Zilla, most likely because of the cold, rainy weather.
They dropped Buck's noodle before Reaper, maybe to fit the three new ones, or for time since I guess this was technically a casino show. We weren't really sure we'd get an encore, they didn't even leave the stage, but didn't wave their normal goodbyes or anything either. Nice surprise to hear Dr. Music as the first song- we were discussing if that's EVER been played as an encore?
Weather aside, it was a great show. Good to see them back on the road again. And great to meet up with some fellow BOC hardcore fans before the show.
7:00 - 8:00 pm - Anthony Rosano & the Conqueroos
8:30 - 10:00 pm - BÖC (Buck, Eric, Richie, Danny, Jules):
Here are the approximate running times:
6:00 PM - Texas Clearwater Revival
7:45 PM - Blue Oyster Cult
9:30 PM - (Approx) Fireworks
Weatherford:
BOC were the openers for Grand Funk Railroad at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair. The fair was rescheduled from July of last year.
The sun made the start of the show blazing hot, but got better as it started to set.
This was the second show with Richie's new hairless look, definitely a change up. The crowd ate the three new songs up! Went over very well.
A pretty standard set other than that, but good, solid 90 minute show. So great to see the boys back on stage again.
And great to meet up with the Midwest BOC fanbase.
Setlist:
BOC 7-15-21 Linn Co. Fairgrounds, Albany, Oregon, USA
Setlist:
BOC back at the historic Everett theatre.
I received an email last month that said the dance floor would be closed and the show would have no opener. I immediately thought there would be more songs played than a normal show. Whooo! I was not wrong. 19!!
The band came on smoking from the first second of That was Me! When they skipped the red and the black I became a bit worried that the evening would be cut short, not so! Two hours of Metal!!! Yay! I was super happy to hear Workshop! I missed every show that was played at the last couple years.
What a show!! So much fun. Great audience, Wonderful staff = ROCK! Two hours of BOC Awesomeness!! Every tune was played flawlessly. Folks even started clapping along to Bucks noodle immediately. Get down Pacific Northwest!! This felt like an Emerald Queen show. Thanks for the rock guys!!
Next up: Ojai and Paso Robles next weekend.
Setlist:
BOC back at the Libbey Bowl in beautiful downtown Ojai, California. They were last here in this small town about 20 minutes north of Ventura in 2017. I believe that was the last time I saw Kasim Sulton perform with BOC. I have seen him twice with Rundgren since then.
First up in this nice little Amphitheatre located in the local park, was Fire Sets Fire. You may remember these guys opened in late 2019 in Ontario (Montclair) Ca. Once again they delivered a nice set of polished, punky metal pop. Nice guys. Rock.
The Oyster boys arrived onstage about 7 pm. What a show! Pure rock! There was a bit of a sound blip during Harvest Moon, Buck asked the fellas to start the second chorus again and they handled it without missing a beat. These folks were starved for some rock and the BOC men delivered.
All was normal until Last Days burned the place down. Security gave up trying to keep folks from crashing the barrier and dancing. All the way until they left the stage people were dancing and having a rock party. Whooo! Such a good time! Thanks guys!
Another night of pure BOC bliss!!
Setlist:
There was a grand plan in 2020 to go to 3 BÖC shows in a row in Southern/Central California with my pal Howard Wright. Well, COVID took care of that idea.
But the shows were re-booked for the same time frame in 2021, so it was a BÖC-peat!
First up was the Libbey Bowl in Ojai, CA. Howard and I ate dinner at a Japanese Burger place where we saw Danny walk out of and Buck was sitting in the window talking to fans when we left.
At the crossing light, Buck was behind us and we walked 2 blocks to the venue with him. A great start! Buck is such a classy guy.
Set List:
Band was fantastic, as always. Venue not real full, but it was a nice place to see a show. Bought a great Godzilla gig poster created by the opening band Fire Sets Fire.
Said hello to Richie after the show and I was wearing his Band Geek shirt. He took a picture of me and handed me a pick. Richie is another classy guy!
One show down!
BOC back at the Mid-state fair in El Paso de Robles, CA. My first time seeing them here. They booted us from the venue for the soundcheck but allowed us to stand in the entry way. Score! They ripped through Teen Archer, Dominance and Submission, Box in My Head and the Shooting Shark. All these would be in the set, YES!
The guys arrived on stage at 8pm to a very enthusiastic audience. The area in front of the stage was immediately packed. I would guess 1,500 people filled the venue, which is a patch of grass with fold up chairs and bleachers in the back.
What a rock show! The band were on fire and the crowd was all in. These folks came to rock! Great atmosphere and a stellar performance! Thanks guys!
Setlist:
Next up was the fair with a fantastic stage. We watched the 4 song sound check (Eric called out to us "mooks") and all 4 tunes ended up in the set. Quite a surprise!
Set List:
Teen Archer and Dominance... just incredible! I was able to get a Danny Miranda pick.
Two shows down!
Setlist:
Show #3 started off with Jefferson Starship. They were really excellent. Another fantastic stage. The venue was set up in the hills.
Said hello to Rudy Sarzo standing in line for a beverage.
Set List:
Howard and I stayed in the very front for the whole show.
Three shows in 3 days!
Eric, Buck, Richie, Danny & Jules... thank you for a great 3 nights!
This was the first gig at this venue that BOC have performed there since they were controversially banned from playing there - together with bands like Patti Smith and Jackson Browne (!!) - back in 1979 because they might attract an erm... undesirable crowd:
Some prominent artists are up in arms following a decision by the Burbank City Council banning a projected series of concerts at that city's Starlight Bowl which would have starred Todd Rundgren, Blue Oyster Cult, Jackson Browne, Roxy Music and Patti Smith.
The ban has been instituted, according to a council spokesman, because "one of the groups... in fact, two such groups, would draw, according to police reports, a homosexual audience. I really don't think that's what we want in this town. The others would draw a long list of anti-nuclear demonstrators, dopers... it's an incredible combination of horrors".
Patti Smith reacted angrily by stating: "It's hard to believe that in America the use of a public facility for a performance can be denied on the grounds of the personal prejudices of a few city councillors. Who will be the next to be banned and for what reason?".
I just attended the show at Jam at the Ridge in Le Roy, NY. Here is the setlist:
Setlist:
Here are the approximate running times:
4:30 PM - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
6:30 PM - Mark Farner's American Band
8:30 PM - Blue Oyster Cult
Setlist:
New tunes went over super well! Tainted Blood in particular was a fantastic time.
BOC was playing with rented instruments which sounded pretty awful (and of which Buck was making snide comments about the quality of all evening), but the sound was dialed in by Burnin' for You and there were no more hiccups.
Delta Airlines botched the transport of all our guitars from JFK Airport to Detroit, where the connecting flight to Madison WI originated. They went to Atlanta, arrived at 6pm then got to Madison at 10pm, just about the end of our show in Beaver Dam, an hour away. We recovered them in the morning when flying home.
To be fair, the aircraft involved was the smallest jets Delta flies, and no overhead room to speak of for normal carry on transport of luggage. When we do these fly dates, it's a bit of a dice roll that things work out the way they're supposed to.
Here's the setlist from the rooftop Food Assembly Hall show, which took place in Nashville, TN on August 27th, 2021:
BOC headlined the Bacon Festival in central Indiana Saturday. Support bands on the bill included The Grace Scott Band, Dane Clark Band, and The Woomblies Rock Orchestra. We only caught The Woomblies, but they were a high energy classic rock cover band, played tunes from Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Doors, The Stones, and The Beatles.
BOC took the stage to an enthusiastic crowd. They played a good set, with a particularly lengthy and solid Buck's Boogie. The three new tunes are sounding better and better live. All in all, a great show and great bacon inspired goodies to feast on!
Setlist:
Wow - get this line-up:
2:00 pm - Sheena Easton at Chevy Court
7:00 pm - Blue Oyster Cult at Chevy Court
This leaves me with a quandary: does this mean that Sheena Easton actually supported BOC???!!! Or does the large gap between the two times preclude that as a possibility...?
For now, I'll leave it that she did as the idea tickles my fancy...
Setlist:
Last night's set list at the Maryland State Fair show:
Setlist:
Set List
Just got out the show, new tracks from "The Symbol Remains" sounded great live. Nice surprise in the encore with 'Perfect Water'.
Setlist:
The venue website lists this as a "Private Event"... it might be worth checking with them before attending to find out just what that means...
NB: Their website now lists this as "Sold Out"... I wonder who was allowed to buy tickets...?
$300 for a table of 6, $600 for a table of 12, VIP casino pass holders get them first, and bought them all - according to the casino events manager.
Eric Bloom clarified matters on Facebook:
250 seats. This is the re-opening of the venue. Tix were offered to their VIPs first. They bought them all. End of story..
Fantastic concert and a large turn out!!
Setlist:
The set list in Akron tonight:
Fabulous concert. I haven't seen them since 1976 and I was not disappointed. They are still tight as ever. There were a few songs that I would've liked to seen included. But you can't have everything. They sounded as good as they did in 1976.
Setlist:
Setlist:
Eric, who was RIGHT HERE 1962-1967, told story after story of Bristol Lodge, Hobart, etc... Was REALLY fun being a New Yorker tonight!
I have zero clue why this gig is no longer happening - one day it was on the schedules, the next it wasn't, no reason given...
Therefore, I have no idea if it is "cancelled" or "postponed" to a future date...
Plano Setlist:
Haute Spot / Cedar Park, Tx Setlist:
Hilary York opened...
Leesburg Va 10/15/21 Setlist:
Packed house, 2 hour set, great sound (tho Buck had some minor gear problems)...
Their website gave the following information regarding the cancellation:
08/09/2021 - The City of Gretna, in collaboration with the Gretna Economic Development Association and the Gretna Heritage Festival have decided, after careful consideration of the public's safety, to cancel this year's Gretna Heritage Festival due to COVID concerns.
2021 was the year the Festival was returning to its "roots" and we look forward to carrying that theme forward and presenting the Festival again in 2022 on October 7, 8 and 9.
For further information, you may contact the City of Gretna at 504-363-1500 or the Gretna Economic Development Association at 504-361-7748.
Wildcatter - Katy TX Setlist:
BOC played a gig at Wildcatters saloon in Katy Tx Friday Oct 22 2021. Katy is just outside Houston Tx
Set list is 100 accurate:
Now the review: BOC never disappoints! And they were on their game tonight. I always like to meet other big time BOC fans at their shows.
If I had one complaint it would be this - They played 4 new songs off of The Symbol Remains, which is good, but do not extend the show much. That means they leave off some classics that a lot of fans want to hear like Hot Rails , ME262, the Red and the Black or a fan favorite Dominance and Submission. I know they have been playing them for years but old fans still want to hear some of them.
Anyway a great show all around. Keep it going guys!
BOC setlist, 23 October 2021, Hattiesburg, MS:
Decided early Saturday I would make the 1.5 hour drive and see this show. Got a single ticket about halfway back from the stage.
The venue - the Saenger Theater - was an old style theater that has been renovated and was a great place for a show.
Couple next to me were mega fans, have the new album, see the band frequently and seemed to have a blast.
Setlist:
Opening band was Magnolia Bayou. Kind of a Southern Rock type thing. Very good. Had some cds and merch whereas the Oysterboys had a tableful of 2XL t-shirts.
Paramount Theater Rutland, VT Setlist:
Setlist:
The Keswick required vax card, photo ID and masks to be worn inside and they had a strict no device policy posted on the doors, announced before the show and security was stopping people from taking pics and vids.
A security guy even told me to put my phone away when I was writing down the setlist on my phone and I had the screen brightness all the way down and the phone was in my lap!
Some thoughts on my first BOC show in 2 1/2 years:
- Eric's voice seems to have gotten BETTER. He sounded strong out of the gate, and didn't really falter all night. Perhaps the rest during the pandemic helped him. Very strong for an almost 77 year old man.
- Buck's tone during GAOL was killer. Man, did I miss hearing that live.
- Jules has improved SO much during his tenure in the band. He brings so much to the set, and makes you realize how good Albert was (is) when he laid down those tracks.
- We are so fortunate to have both Richie and Danny in the band at the same time. Richie is so versatile and pushes Buck to such high levels, while Danny just lays down such a monster groove.
- Mark, I agree with you about That Was Me. Early videos were not impressive, but the song just cooks live now. Effortless.
- The crowd LOVED ETI. Big time.
- Fantastic that we got Transmaniacon and COE in the same show. Buck flubbed T'con, and made a face realizing what he had done. Guess that one wasn't dusted off enough...
- The 3 new tunes right in a row (Blood, Box, and Train) went down well. Most of the crowd seemed familiar with the new album. Train True was especially fun live, with Phil Castellano playing harmonica to open the tune. One of my faves off TSR.
- I can still do without the 12 minute version of Last Days. Enough said.
- The Noodle was a lot of fun tonight. Buck is in such a zone these days.
- The Alchemist, for only the second time being played live, sounded strong. Love the dual guitars (very Maiden/Priest). This sounds good now; wait 'til it grows a couple weeks (like for the NJ show... :-) ).
Time for bed! Snuck only a few pics and no vids. Security was tight and busted people left and right with their phones out. Wanted to film The Alchemist but didn't want to ruin my first time watching it.
They seem to have sold a lot of shirts. Many in the crowd with them on and they ran out of XL. I bought the 2XL; I can always grow into it. ;-)
Oh, no opening band, and the boys played for two hours.
Setlist:
Setlist:
Last Night's Concert at Gila River Casino Chandler Arizona Set List:
BOC headlined.
After the third reschedule date for this show, we finally got BÖC at the Wild Horse Pass Casino in Chandler, Arizona on Friday, November 5th. (Early 2020 to Nov. 2020 to March 2021 to Nov 2021!)
Jefferson Starship opened and they played a full 1.5 hour set. They were excellent.
BÖC came out and with a fire in their collective eyes proceeded to rip the place down.
Setlist:
For Godzilla, Eric was announcing the song and waiting for the sounds effects roar, and nothing happened. Finally something came on which sounded like a guitar jam. Pretty funny and the band was joking about it.
Phil Castellano (Richie's brother) came out complete in engineer's hat and scarf and played a couple of harmonica notes at the start of Train True. Funny and awesome.
He snuck back out in the wings to add a couple more blasts during the song. I am guessing he also added the cowbell during Reaper.
I was sitting in the second row in front of Richie and Eric and after LDOM was complete, Richie came to stage front and reached through the first row and handed me his guitar pick. A really special moment! Thanks Richie! You rock in all ways!
I had a great time rocking with him throughout the show. Crowd was very enthusiastic and BÖC appreciated it. There was a curfew so the band only got in one encore.
Another stellar performance.
BÖC played the Rialto Theater in Tucson, Arizona on Saturday November 6th, 2021.
Joe Peña opened the show with a moving acoustic guitar and harmonica set.
BÖC hit the stage at 9PM like a juggernaut.
Setlist:
Dang, that was one helluva show. The crowd was raucous and the band was feeding off of it. Great change up of the setlist from the previous night.
Man, Train True rocks HEAVY in the live scene! Band crushed it starting out with Transmaniacon and did not let up one bit. Stellar playing all around from Buck, Eric, Richie, Danny and Jules... thanks guys!
And Astronomy? Wow... so happy to get that gift.
Thanks BÖC for a rocking birthday weekend for me.
I met 3 great people: Manny and Dorothy (happy birthday also Manny!) and Mike Torres, all from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Baby ice dog indeed!
A video of the Palace Theatre in Waterbury CT show can be found here:
Wow. Two weeks since the Keswick show I attended, and this band is still on fire. By all reports, the show the night before in Waterbury was stellar. I didn't make that one, but for those who saw both, there were enough changes in the set to make everyone happy.
The set clocked in about 2:05, and I can't say how locked in these guys are right now. And how can Eric's voice be improving at almost 77? A hiccup or two at the most, and at times, Buck sounded as if he was fighting a little cold, but all in all, just a tight, stellar show at a brand new venue in central New Jersey.
I'm exhausted and hope to write more tomorrow, but it was SO good to see ALMA (!), Alex, and Cosmo!
This was also my daughter's first BOC show, and she loved it.
Thank you to Uncle Phil Castellano for giving us a copy of the setlist and telling Richie to give Isabella a guitar pick in honor of her first show.
Richie was also kind enough to take a few pics with us after the show.
Here's the setlist. I'll also add that there was the Noodle before Reaper, obviously, and I swear they did Tainted Blood before Astronomy, but I could be wrong.
And let me add, Astronomy sounds BEAUTIFUL these days. Musically it's spot on, and is back in the set where it belongs.
Setlist:
No opening band.
I was at this show in Carteret,NJ. A new venue that had great sound.
BOC played a long set with a few surprises thrown in (Harvester of Eyes, Astronomy, Black Blade).
I was 2nd row in front of Buck. Took some pics as well...
Setlist for Des Plaines, IL (11/19/2021):
Some notes on the evening:
The Des Plaines Theatre is newly reopened after a series of renovations! That's great! The sound... wasn't so great. They need to add some soundproofing or finish the walls or something because as of now, the acoustics are pretty atrocious. I wouldn't see another show there, even though it's a really cool, historic venue.
BÖC is going all "Weird Al" Yankovic with all the costume changes! I'm just kidding, but I never thought I'd live to see Eric Bloom dressed in alchemist robes and Phil Castellano in a train conductor's hat!
The new material went over really well with the energized crowd, most of whom stood for the entire show (fuck yeah)! Nobody danced harder than my wife and I during Train True, though. What a killer song.
Speaking of new material, Astronomy was given a fresh coat of paint and a new key, presumably to allow Eric to sing it more easily (by the way, his voice is much better now than it was a decade ago. Awesome)! It was actually the first time I've ever seen Astronomy in nearly 15 years of seeing this band since I was a teenager, and it nearly brought me to tears. If anyone in the band is reading this, THANK YOU for bringing an all-time favorite back into the rotation, even if it's just for a few shows. Next up... Flaming Telepaths in Indiana or Louisville? Please?
Another surprise was Buck and Danny's mini tribute to Dusty Hill (ZZ Top) with a full band jam on La Grange mid Buck's Boogie... a clean segue into the jam and right back out into Buck's Boogie again after a couple minutes of soloing. Most people didn't seem to know what was going on, but I was fully locked in. Dusty's thunderous bass will be missed.
The opener was TD Clark. He wanked out the Star Spangled Banner on guitar while the MC guy (who talked for WAY TOO LONG) waved the American flag around before TD started his set. Kind of cringey. Those types of theatrics should really be reserved for Hendrix and other legendary-types. I'm surprised they didn't have starred-and-striped glitterati in thigh high boots and spandex parading around stage whirling sparklers in time to the music.
Anyway, enough ranting. Awesome show. Long set. Great stuff. We are so lucky to still be ON TOUR FOREVER!
I just got back from the Royal Grove. My memory's more than a little shaky, but just to get the ball rolling and say I contributed, Transmaniacon MC was first.
Next, in an order I do not remember, was Career of Evil, Box in my Head, Golden Age of Leather, That Was Me, Burning For You, ETI, Before the Kiss a Redcap, Then Came the Last Days of May, Godzilla, and Buck's Boogie. Last was Don't Fear the Reaper.
The encore was The Alchemist, then Tainted Blood, then Astronomy, and lastly Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll. I didn't realize helping your site was an option until I got back, so I apologize for the looseness of this list, but I hope at least some of what I have provided you is helpful.
Lincoln NE 11/20/21 Setlist:
First time I've seen them, since 1993, and I brought my 12 year old son with me, for his first concert. Great show, the guys sounded tight!!
BTW: There was no opener, just 2 hrs of uninterrupted BOC!!!
BOC Set list 12/2/21 Cincinnati, OH at The Ludlow Garage:
Fantastic show!!! BOC on tour Forever!
BTW: there was no opening band...
Setlist:
Never gets old.
Setlist from Louisville KY:
A video review of this show can be found here:
A review (of sorts) of this show can be found here:
Setlist:
I thought the show was pretty good. To me, the vocal harmonies on ETI really stood out, and it was cool to see some of the new tunes. I was happy to get "In Thee".
Tonight's set from Middletown:
Setlist for del Lago on December 17:
Las Vegas Show Setlist: