Jason Isbell to play Graceland in October
Jason Isbell is going to Graceland. The Grammy-winning Americana star has announced an Oct. 8 concert date for the Soundstage at Elvis Presley’s Memphis, part of the Graceland complex.
Isbell has been leading the charge for venues to guarantee that audiences be vaccinated or proven COVID-FREE before he performs. In recent weeks, Isbell has canceled shows at venues that would not honor those terms.
Isbell was — and, at least technically, still is — scheduled to play an Oct. 8 show at the Brandon, Mississippi Amphitheater. There’s been no official word on whether that concert has been canceled due to Isbell’s stance on vaccinations. However, it appears that tickets for the Brandon show can no longer be purchased. Meanwhile, the website for Graceland is already offering tickets for the Oct. 8 show in Memphis.
A notice for the concert listing for the Isbell Graceland show notes that “all fans will provide printed proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 48-hours prior to entering the venue, OR will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (at least two weeks after final dose) at the time of the event and provide proof of vaccination — either the original vaccination card or a printed copy of the vaccination card.”
The terms also apply to younger patrons. The statement further noted that “unvaccinated fans under 12 years of age will be required to take a COVID-19 diagnostic test within 48-hours before the event and will provide proof of negative result prior to entering the venue.”
Alabama native Isbell, a onetime University of Memphis student, launched his career as a member of roots rock band the Drive By Truckers, before going solo. He’s since earned considerable acclaim for a series of albums with his group the 400 Unit, including last year’s country and rock chart-topping LP, “Reunions.”
Tickets for Isbell’s Graceland show are $69.50 to $125.