Daniel Johnston Expands Final Tour to NYC and LA

Today, Daniel Johnston, the iconic songwriter, performer and visual artist, announced additional shows for his rare, final tour across North America this fall.

In the various shows, Johnston will be joined onstage by distinct backing bands he has influenced. In New York City, Johnston's band will consist of members of Beirut, Gang Gang Dance, Cibo Mato and more; and in Los Angeles he'll be joined by Mike Watt, Ben Lee, Maria Taylor, members of Silversun Pickups and more. Previously announced bands include Jeff Tweedy & Friends in Chicago; Built to Spill in Portland and Vancouver; The Preservation All-Stars (Preservation Hall Jazz Band) in New Orleans; The Districts and Modern Baseball in Philadelphia; and a special guest TBA in Boise.

Please see below for an itinerary of confirmed dates; more will be announced soon!

For each concert, Johnston has invited the band to create the set list, choosing songs from the total of 121 Johnston has released over the course of his career. The shows will begin with a screening the Sony Pictures Classics documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005), winner of the Documentary Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Johnston will also perform on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic on November 1, joined by a band consisting of Watt, Lee and Taylor, as well as Guy Blakeslee and Joey Waronker.

Tickets for the New York City and Los Angeles shows go on sale at 10am pacific/1pm eastern on Friday, August 18. Tickets for the other dates are currently on sale.

Daniel Johnston has spent the last 20 or so years exposing his heartrending tales of unrequited love, cosmic mishaps, and existential torment to an ever-growing, international cult audience. Initiates, including a healthy number of discerning musicians and critics, have hailed him as an American original in the style of bluesman Robert Johnson and country legend Hank Williams. A number of artists-among them Yo La Tengo, Eddie Vedder, Sparklehorse and more-have covered his songs. And he has collaborated with the likes of Jad Fair, the Butthole Surfers, Bongwater/Shimmydisc guru Kramer, and members of Sonic Youth. A hero of Tom Waits, Beck, Wilco, and the late Kurt Cobain, Johnston has recorded over 30 albums and has written over 500 songs. He was featured in the 2006 Whitney Biennial.

Daniel Johnston Final Tour, Additional Dates:

October 7
New York, NY
The Town Hall Theatre
Joined by members of Beirut, Gang Gang Dance, Cibo Mato and others

November 1
KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic
Joined by Mike Watt, Ben Lee, Maria Taylor, Guy Blakeslee and Joey Waronker

November 2
Los Angeles, CA
The Orpheum Theatre
Joined by Mike Watt, Ben Lee, Maria Taylor, members of Silversun Pickups and others

Daniel Johnston Final Tour, Previously Announced Dates:

September 28
New Orleans, LA
The Joy Theater
Joined by The Preservation All-Stars (Preservation Hall Jazz Band)

October 4
Philadelphia, PA
Tower Theater
Joined by The Districts and Modern Baseball

October 20
Chicago, IL
The Vic Theatre
Joined by Jeff Tweedy & Friends

November 7
Boise, IL
Egyptian Theatre
w/ Special Guest TBA

November 8
Portland, OR
Revolution Hall
Joined by Built to Spill and others

November 10
Vancouver, BC
Venue Nightclub
Joined by Built to Spill and others

Photo courtesy Jackie Lee Young