Come celebrate Howe Gelb's 70th birthday!
He's reuniting the classic Danish lineup of Giant Sand from 2002–2012, yes, they're all flying in from Europe for this special show at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix!
2 PM afternoon matinee show
Plenty of seating available for everyone, so come on down. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Giant Sand with their classic European lineup!
Psyko Steve Presents
GIANT SAND
Howe Gelb's 70th birthday show
with special guests
October 18th, 2026 at The Rebel Lounge
Doors at 1:00PM | Show at 2:00PM | Ends at 3:30PM
Advance Price: $20 + fees
Day Of Show Price: $25 + fees
21+
HOWE GELB
Howe Gelb long has been saddled with such titles as ‘godfather of alt-country’ and ‘elder ambassador of desert rock’. When confronted with such accolades, he clears his throat, amused and a little embarrassed, and he ponders. His summer-sun squint turns into a twinkle when he finally asks his questioner, ‘What do you think of it?’.
In four decades he’s managed to mash elements of rock, country, blues, punk, garage, lo-fi, jazz, gospel, avant-garde noise and flamenco gypsy music. Guitar and piano are his weapons of tumult. He sings like a gruff angel, a town crier tapping you on the shoulder, reminding you that the world need not be seen in the conventional ways to which we revert when the world goes blurry.
He weaves impressionistic imagery into personal narrative and indulges listeners in expansive observations of the world. In his early years there had been comparisons to artists along the paradoxical lines of Neil Young, David Byrne, Bob Dylan and Captain Beefheart, comparisons that all fit clumsily. Nowadays, other artists get compared to Gelb.
He’s collected bands in Denmark, Spain and one with a full gospel choir attached in Canada, but they call his music Americana anyway. Howe just says he’s ‘from Earth’. In 1980, Gelb formed the post-punk band Giant Sandworms, with his close friend Rainer Ptacek; renowned blues-oriented slide guitarist and beloved Tucson icon. Rainer died from brain cancer in 1997, and you can’t talk long with Gelb without his name coming up. They went on to record together for years before his untimely demise.
Giant Sand emerged in 1983 and released that group’s debut album, ‘Valley of Rain’ in 1985. In the 25 years since, he has released an estimated 40 albums or so. He’s not sure of the exact amount. Since his first record release came about by handing his demo tape over ‘in a less then lucid state’ to a touring band’s manager passing through Tucson in the early 80s, so had Howe continued the tradition by accepting the demos and facilitating the first releases of Grandaddy and M. Ward along the way.
Support acts and show times are subject to change. All sales are final. We do not issue refunds.
The Rebel Lounge has partnered up with Tixel as our official fan-to-fan resale partner. Through Tixel, you can safely sell your ticket if you're no longer able to attend, or you can join the waitlist for sold out events to be notified if more tickets become available. Click here to learn more.
