Baroness Kicks Off Red and Blue Tour Celebrating Their Early Works

On May 7, Baroness officially launched their much-anticipated tour to honor their first two albums, the 2007’s Red Album and 2009’s Blue Record. Ahead of this nostalgic journey, frontman John Baizley shared insights during his appearance on Loudwire Nights with host Chuck Armstrong on April 29.

The Concept Behind the Red and Blue Tour

Reflecting on the decision to embark on this tour, Baizley expressed, “It became obvious that we could take this thing out and tour with it.” The band’s enthusiasm grew following two sold-out shows in Philadelphia, where they performed both albums in their entirety.

Baizley elaborated on the band’s vision for the tour, stating, “It was just a matter of figuring out exactly how we wanted to present it.” Initially, the idea was to target larger markets and make the shows spectacular events in cities like Chicago, L.A., New York, and Austin. However, the band ultimately opted for a more intimate approach.

“We decided to scale back production and venue size,” Baizley explained, aiming to recreate the personal atmosphere of their early performances. He noted, “It seemed like it would be kind of a cool thing to do in the spirit of those tours — to play in venues we may have played during that era.”

Nostalgia and Connection with Fans

As Baizley prepares to hit the road, he reflects on the unique connection they had with fans in those smaller venues. “The crowd was always a foot-and-a-half away from me, creating a deep personal connection that we had with our audience through those years,” he shared, highlighting the significance of this upcoming tour.

Influences and Musical Roots

How Black Sabbath Shaped Baizley’s Musical Journey

During the interview, Baizley also discussed his admiration for Black Sabbath, a band often compared to Baroness. Growing up in a rural community in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Baizley had limited access to live music. However, he found inspiration in the record collections of friends’ parents, particularly from a friend named Mike whose father taught him to play guitar.

“One of the first things he taught me was the riff from ‘Paranoid’,” Baizley recalled, emphasizing the importance of accessible music. He noted, “We were of the generation that had Nirvana and Pearl Jam and Soundgarden… Any of those bands that had just an ounce of heaviness… that was all coming from Sabbath.”

Baizley fondly reflected on the impact of Black Sabbath’s early albums, stating, “You could listen to the riff and, as a young musician, you could sort of figure it out.” This accessibility inspired him to pursue music, leading to a deep connection with riff-based guitar music.

The Legacy of Riffs in Music

“Sabbath taught me that you can write music that’s not inaccessible,” Baizley asserted. He emphasized the significance of connecting with music on a personal level, noting, “It’s hard to understate how important Sabbath is to riff-based guitar music.” The lessons learned from Sabbath and Nirvana cemented his path as a musician—one that continues to thrive with Baroness.

Future Plans for Baroness

What’s Next for the Band

• Baizley revealed that prior to planning the Red and Blue Tour, the band intended to focus on writing new material this year, stating, “It’s just a matter of now finding some time after this tour to get the next thing started.”
• He believes the tour will positively influence their songwriting, explaining, “Being very well versed in Red and Blue and then coming straight off tour and then writing something new is going to lend a little bit of flavor, a little bit of direction.”
• Baizley discussed the creative freedom experienced in producing their 2023 album, Stone, without a producer, noting, “Creating as a DIY band feels exhilarating and every failure has no one to blame but ourselves.”

Listen to the Full Interview

To catch more of John Baizley’s insights, listeners can tune into Loudwire Nights, which airs live every weeknight at 7 PM ET. The interview replay is also available online and on-demand.

Conclusion

Baroness’ Red and Blue Tour promises to be a heartfelt tribute to their beginnings, allowing fans to reconnect with the band’s early sound in an intimate setting. As they celebrate their past and prepare for the future, Baizley’s reflections on music and influence paint a vivid picture of the band’s journey and aspirations.

FAQs

When does the Red and Blue Tour start?

The tour kicks off on May 7.

What albums are being celebrated during the tour?

The tour celebrates Baroness’ first two albums: Red Album and Blue Record.

Will the tour feature larger venues or more intimate settings?

The band has chosen to focus on intimate venues to create a personal experience for fans.

What can fans expect from the band’s future music?

After the tour, the band plans to find time to start working on new material, influenced by their recent performances.