Groundbreaking band to play first two albums, in entirety, at major outdoor Boise concert

When concertgoers go see bands that were popular ages ago, they look forward to hits — but grudgingly accept that new songs probably will creep onto the setlist.

Not this time, Boise.

Influential ’80s folk-punk group Violent Femmes is headed to the Idaho Botanical Garden’s Outlaw Field in Boise this summer. The show on Sunday, July 28, is slated to feature no fresh music. Nothing written in the 21st century.

OK, maybe if there’s an encore … .

But here’s the deal. Violent Femmes will kick off the party by playing their entire second album, “Hallowed Ground,” released in 1984.

Then there will be an intermission.

For the second set, the Femmes will tear through their entire self-titled, 1983 debut album. That’s the groundbreaking jangle-frenzy powered by fan favorites such as “Blister in the Sun,” “Kiss Off” and “Gone Daddy Gone.”

This concert promises to be packed with joyful crowd singing, tons of dancing — and exactly zero opening acts. It’s an evening with Violent Femmes. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. (So don’t be late.)

Tickets will become available to the general public at 10 a.m. Friday at Ticketmaster for $45. There also will be a presale for Garden members with $40 tickets. It starts at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

This story was originally published May 14, 2024 at 8:00 AM.

Michael Deeds

Idaho Statesman

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Michael Deeds is a long-serving entertainment reporter and opinion columnist at the Idaho Statesman, where he chronicles the Boise good life: restaurants, concerts, culture, cool stuff. He started as a summer intern after graduating from the University of Nebraska with a news-editorial journalism degree. Deeds’ prior Statesman roles have included sportswriter, music critic and features editor. His other writing has ranged from freelancing album reviews for The Washington Post to bragging about Boise in that inflight magazine you left on the plane.