Tractor 30th Anniversary Celebration!

This year marks a significant milestone for the iconic Tractor Tavern in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood as it proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary. Since its start in 1994, the Tractor Tavern has stood as a bastion of music that wasn’t featured as regularly in other venues around town and a cornerstone of Seattle’s vibrant live music scene.  The Tractor will be celebrating all year with a series of 30 concerts that spotlight what this club is best known for: intimate shows with music industry legends, raucous nights with up-and-comers, and the best in country, Americana, rock, soul, and anything else that fires on all cylinders.  Standout shows in the Tractor’s 30th anniversary line-up include 3 nights with Minnesota rockers The Jayhawks in March and alt-rockers Cracker will be a part of the celebration this summer.  

Established in 1994 by Dan Cowan, the Tractor Tavern has become a beloved institution, synonymous with unforgettable performances and a welcoming atmosphere that resonates with both musicians and patrons alike.  It has weathered a global pandemic, various economic fallouts, two tech booms, a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, and yet it keeps on trucking.

In its 30 year history the Tractor has been an important stepping stone for artists as they reach national prominence in the Americana scene and beyond.  

At a recent sold out show, rising Americana star Allison Russell shared a story from the stage that Tractor was the first venue to book her early band Po’ Boy in the States nearly 20 years ago.  That show came on the evening after her Grammy nominations were announced and she thanked the venue and staff for championing developing artists.  Likewise, Brandi Carlile shared in her bestselling memoir, “Broken Horses,” how excited she was to get her first show at the Tractor and how monumental that show was for cementing the collaboration with Tim & Phil- her longtime writing partners. Rising local star Dean Johnson who is becoming a sought-after touring artist across the county has played nearly 20 shows at the Tractor and was the first performer to take the stage when the venue reopened in 2021. His portrait hangs alongside Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash behind the iconic bar as a testament to the new and legendary voices that are championed in this space. 

As the Tractor Tavern embarks on its fourth decade, it invites music lovers, old and new, to join in the celebration of this momentous occasion. The venue will be hosting a series of special events, performances, and surprises throughout the year, honoring its storied past while embracing the exciting future that lies ahead.