Singer-songwriter Citizen Cope will bring his mix of folk, hip-hop and blues to the Bama Theatre tonight for a 10 p.m. show.
“A concert by an artist of his professionalism and talent and popularity rarely comes through our city of Tuscaloosa,” said Jeremiah Jones, owner and operator of The Dixie and an organizer of the concert. “It’s also on a Monday night where there should be very little other activities to compete with. It’s not like a Friday. Like with Luke Bryan, a lot of people were distracted by tailgates, fraternity parties and stuff like that… Monday ought to be the perfect night to attend this concert and have it not conflict with the rest of your schedule.”
One reason they booked the date was for the sake of the customer, with doors opening at 8 p.m. and Citizen Cope on stage by 10, Jones said.
“He’ll put on a good show for an hour and a half or so,” Jones said. “This will make it so people can get up and go to school or work on Tuesday.”
Citizen Cope, whose given name is Clarence Greenwood, has been touring relentlessly in the 10 years since signing with his first major label. The Memphis, Tenn., native and Brooklyn, N.Y., resident has performed at well-known music festivals like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. He also performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in June.
His music can be found in a variety of places, from commercials for Acura to a trailer for the television show “Sons of Anarchy.” His music has also appeared many times in film and television, with the television show “Entourage” using his music multiple times and the film “Accepted” using his song “Let the Drummer Kick.”
“I first got into Citizen Cope through the songs he had in ‘Entourage,’” said Jimmy May, a sophomore majoring in business. “I absolutely love ‘Let the Drummer Kick.’ It’s for sure my favorite song by Citizen Cope. But I love everything he does, like ‘Son’s Gonna Rise’ and ‘Bullet and a Target.’ I can’t wait for the concert Monday night. It’s going to be sick-nasty.”
Cope has played acoustic shows and tours in the past, but this show will feature his full band. Jones said he anticipates the atmosphere for this show will be “very relaxed,” and compares it to the Ryan Adams show in April 2009.
“People are going to be listening, but people are not going to be jumping up and down,” Jones said. “It’ll be a very relaxed environment, which will be a great atmosphere for it.”
Tickets for the Citizen Cope show will range from $21.50 to $24.50 and can be purchased at frontgatetickets.com. The website for The Dixie, dixieonthestrip.com, has a link to purchase tickets as well. Tickets can also be bought at the Bama Theatre after 5 p.m. on the day of the show.
IF YOU GO What: Citizen Cope in concert Where: Bama Theatre When: 10 p.m. tonight Cost: $21.50 to $24.50
