Ragweed fans battle digital queues for Okla. reunion show

It was 10 a.m. sharp on Monday, and Cross Canadian Ragweed fans were ready, fingers twitching over keyboards, for the presale of the century. The 2025 reunion of “The Boys From Oklahoma” at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater had stirred something deep in their hearts — or at least in their Wi-Fi routers. But as they hit “refresh” with the fury of a thousand caffeinated fans, they were met with the dreaded words no concert-goer wants to see: “experiencing high traffic volume.”

The alert essentially translated to: “Hey, everyone wants these tickets, so hang tight while we try not to crash the entire internet.” Ticket hopefuls were gently reminded that if they dared to close their browser, they would be doomed to start the painful queuing process all over again.

Naturally, this sent a wave of anxiety through the digital masses.

In a twist that surely delighted Ragweed fans but bewildered Oklahoma State University Athletics enthusiasts, anyone trying to buy, oh I don’t know, sports tickets, was also roped into the chaos. You came for football seats, but congratulations, you’re now number 12,345 in line for Cross Canadian Ragweed tickets! Please come back later for your regularly scheduled programming.

By 11 a.m., OSU Athletics, in an admirable display of calm, posted an update on X (formerly Twitter, for those still keeping track of social media’s identity crisis), assuring everyone that tickets were indeed still available. “Stay in line!” they cheered, as if we were all standing outside in the cold instead of staring at spinning loading icons. “The process is slow, but hey, we promise it’s worth it!” Sure, because nothing says “once-in-a-lifetime concert” like waiting in virtual purgatory.

But as the clock ticked on, and fingers grew numb from refreshing, the inevitable happened: the presale sold out. Yes, the very thing we all feared. Cue the collective groan of 120,000 hopefuls who suddenly realized they’d just spent their morning in a digital waiting room for nothing. OSU Athletics quickly chimed in, delivering a consolation prize in the form of, “More to come!” — because apparently, hope is a renewable resource.

They promised the ticketless masses that future opportunities would soon arrive — and now, Ragweed is talking about adding another two nights. But if one thing’s for sure, it’s that the saga isn’t over yet. Hang tight, folks.

For those planning ahead, the public sale starts at 10 a.m. Friday, October 11, but, in case you missed it, the band is urging fans to “be kind.” Share the love, they say. Because if there’s one thing the internet is known for, it’s patience and kindness, right?

Meanwhile, Ragweed fans were warned via Facebook to steer clear of bootleg merch from those ever-elusive shady sellers. Don’t worry, the band promises to eventually restock their own online store — so hold off on buying that knock-off T-shirt with Cody Canada’s face looking just slightly “off.”

So why is this reunion so apocalyptic, you ask? Well, back in the ’90s, “The Boys From Oklahoma” put Stillwater on the map, took Red Dirt music nationwide, and then broke hearts when they split in 2010.

Koe Wetzel even released a song about missing Ragweed in 2019, perhaps spurring the chain of events leading up to the much-anticipated concert. Or, maybe not. But, clearly, there are a lot of folks who miss Ragweed, too. 



Naturally, the internet went into overdrive when the band announced they’d be back for a one-night-only show on April 12, 2025. Shockingly, 120,000 people decided that was worth a shot, and in true capitalist fashion, a second show was added for April 11.

Predictably, hotels and rentals around Stillwater disappeared faster than you can say “Turnpike Troubadours,” who, by the way, are co-headlining both shows. Joining the nostalgia fest will be The Great Divide (because we need all the Red Dirt reunion bands we can get) and some other Oklahoma icons like Jason Boland & The Stragglers and Stoney LaRue.

The concerts mark the first time Boone Pickens Stadium has hosted a show since its $286 million makeover in 2009 — because, clearly, nothing says “we’ve arrived” like Red Dirt music echoing through the hallowed halls of college football. And if you’re wondering, yes, the proceeds will go towards OSU’s NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) fund, because even in the land of reunions, there’s always room for a little football fundraising.