Thu, 03/28/2024 - 10:04 am

Keri Lupien

Tickets are going fast! Call The Waldo today. Courtesy of the venue

The Waldo is very excited to have 10,000 Maniacs at The Waldo for the first time ever, in their only Maine performance. 10,000 Maniacs, one of America’s most beloved independent bands with hits “These Are Days,” “Because The Night” and “Candy Everybody Wants,” returns to live performance after a 15-month hiatus with a stop at The Waldo on Friday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Celebrating their 40th anniversary, 10,000 Maniacs has a lot in common with Jamestown, New York, the city that spawned them back in 1981. Both are honest and hardworking, a step outside the mainstream, and both possess a bit of magic. “It’s a city of blue-collar poetry,” says keyboardist Dennis Drew. “And that’s what we’re about, real-life stories. We’re a family, we do real work and we keep moving forward.”

The band has covered plenty of ground in its 40 years, from cult-stardom to international stardom, to their current status as a cornerstone alternative band. But the sound and spirit of 10,000 Maniacs remains consistent. The live shows embrace their entire catalogue, and the lineup is still anchored by four of the six original members.

Drew, guitarist John Lombardo, and bassist Steven Gustafson co-founded the band in 1981. Drummer Jerome Augustyniak joined in 1982, solidifying the rhythm section. And the two “new” members have long been part of the family: Mary Ramsey toured and recorded with the Maniacs as a viola player and backup singer beginning in 1991 before stepping into the front woman’s role 27 years ago. And the new guy Jeff Erickson, the
lead guitarist for a mere 19 years, came in at the behest of his friend and mentor, the late Rob Buck.

A limited amount of General Admission tickets are available for $75 in advance and $80 the day of the event. If this show has not sold out, a limited number of tickets may be available at the box office starting at 6:30 p.m. when the doors open. Concessions will be available for purchase. All tickets are final sale and non-refundable.

To purchase tickets and for more information about The Waldo, parking and other upcoming events, please visit: thewaldotheatre.org.