Thursday, May 17, 2012
By John Benson
Normally, a sum- mer concert preview begins with some sunny talk about surviving the winter snow and ice. This year, not so much. Still, there’s plenty to look forward to in the upcoming concert season. Here are a few acts — the good, bad and ugly — that caught our eye:
Blossom Music Center
1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com).
Drake with J. Cole, Waka Flocka Flame, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz and French Montana, 7 p.m. May 28, $35.75 to $95.75. The latest rapper du jour, Drake returns as a headliner on “The Club Paradise Tour,” which features the multi-platinum and Grammy Award-nominated recording artist supporting his latest album “Take Care.”
“Own the Night World Tour 2012” featuring Lady Antebellum with Darius Rucker and Thompson Square, 7 p.m. June 1, $25 to $49.75. Five years ago the Nashville trio made its debut as guest vocalists on Cleveland native Jim Brickman’s single “Never Alone.” Today the platinum act is supporting its latest effort “Own the Night,” which actually won a Grammy Award this year for Best Country Album.
The Dave Matthews Band with Blind Pilot, 7 p.m. June 3, $40.50 to $75. Last year The Dave Matthews Band (DMB) took the summer off and the world didn’t end. Now the band is back, with supposedly a new album due out soon.
Radiohead with Caribou, 7:30 p.m. June 11, $30 to $69.50. Despite the fact any live performance of Radiohead’s latest album “The King of Limbs” may be better suited for a jazz club than a large amphitheater, Thom Yorke and company are coming stateside this spring. Diehard fans will be happy to hear plenty of obscure B-sides and unreleased material.
The Beach Boys with Foster the People, 8 p.m. June 13, $25 to $95. For the first time in more than two decades, The Beach Boys lineup featuring Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks is touring for the band’s 50th anniversary tour. Yes, the band was highly influential five decades ago, but this tour sounds more like a money grab than a night of “Fun, Fun, Fun.”
Brad Paisley with The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery, 7:30 p.m. June 15, $28.50 to $64.25. Superstar Brad Paisley, Country Music Association’s reigning Entertainer of the Year, has announced his next massive undertaking “The Virtual Reality Tour 2012,” which is in support of his ninth studio album “This Is Country Music.”
Phish, 7 p.m. June 24, $45 to $60. Get your toasted cheese sandwich-love ready for another summer tour by Phish. The popular jam-band recently returned to its roots for audiophiles with a vinyl release of its 1989 effort “Junta.”
Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge, 7:30 p.m. June 29, $36 to $76. Rascal Flatts is getting back on the road in 2012 with its “Changed Tour” in support of its latest album, you guessed it, “Changed.” The country act, which got its start in Columbus, steered away from its pop ways for a more country sound on the new CD. Hence the top 5 hit “Banjo.”
Ted Nugent, Styx, REO Speedwagon, 7 p.m. June 30, $15 to $125. Presumably killing two birds with one stone, the Secret Service will be able to work and take their working girls to see this show featuring classic rock dinosaur carcasses. You better believe there will be plenty of haggling over money — audience included — after this uncomfortable trip down memory lane.
Vans Warped Tour, 11:30 a.m. July 11, $35. Does it matter who is on this year’s Vans Warped Tour? No, it doesn’t. All you need to know is the revolving door of punk and underground acts remains the best bang for your summer music buck. OK, New Found Glory, Taking Back Sunday and rising Cleveland rapper Machine Gun Kelly are on this bill.
“The Live in Overdrive Tour” featuring Toby Keith with Brantley Gilbert and Thomas Rhett, 7 p.m. July 13, $25 to $65. Some call Toby Keith’s music jingoistic, while others the enjoy the patriotism of this “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American).” Whatever your slant, the Oklahoma singer is back again touring his latest effort “Clancy’s Tavern.”
Nickelback, Bush, 7 p.m. July 18, $29.50 to $93.50. Love’em or hate’em, and plenty do hate them, Nickelback is back to show all the haters that their brand of bar band rock ’n’ roll is here to stay.
“Mayhem Festival” featuring Slipknot, Slayer, Motorhead, Anthrax and more, 1:30 p.m., July 25, $20.50 to $66.50. Slipknot is back this summer, while Motorhead hasn’t missed a beat for nearly 40 years. The good news is without “Ozzfest” as competition, the “Mayhem Festival” has emerged as the heavy metal bill.
Big Time Rush with Cody Simpson, 7 p.m. Aug. 1, $15 to $63.50. Big Time Rush – Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Carlos Pena Jr. and Logan Henderson – is hitting the road for a big, scream-fest summer tour to support the release of its second album “Elevate.”
Barry Manilow, 8 p.m. Aug. 2, $20 to $149.50. Writing the songs that make the whole world sing for more than 40 years, Barry Manilow, who has sold more than 80 million albums, scored 25 consecutive top 40 hits and toured for decades, is back on the road this year. The former bandleader is touring his latest effort “15 Minutes,” which is his first album of original material in a decade.
“Tour is a Four Letter Word” featuring Jason Mraz with Christina Perri, 7: 30 p.m. Sept. 5, $20 to $59.50. Jason Mraz’s current promotional photo has “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)” singer looking all serious and important. It reminds us of how Yanni would think of himself. To Mraz’s credit, he’s somehow managed to create a Grammy Award-winning career – a Cat Stevens disciple of sorts – out of meager white rapper beginnings.
Kiss, M ∂tley Cr ºe, 7 p.m. Sept. 12, $30 to $151. It’s being called “The Tour” and for hard rock fans the pairing of Kiss and M ∂tley Cr ºe will be something special. For others, it’ll be a stark reminder they’re living in the past hoping to rock and roll all night for one more walk on the wild side.
Journey with Pat Benatar and Loverboy, 7 p.m. Sept. 22, $21 to $141. What in the wild, wild world of 1981 is Journey doing spending the summer touring with Pat Benatar and Loverboy? Welcome to 2012, where Baby Boomer acts continue to generate big concert dollars reliving their hits every summer.
Cain Park, Superior at Lee, Cleveland Heights, (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com). The Outlaw Roadshow featuring the Counting Crows, Good Old War, Foreign Fields and Filligar, 7 p.m. June 18, $39.50 to $85
Fiona Apple, 8 p.m. July 6, $37.50 to $75.
Seal with Macy Gray, 8 p.m. July 21, $45 to $75.
“The Happy Together Tour 2012” featuring The Turtles, Flo & Eddie, The Monkees singer Micky Dolenz, The Grass Roots and The Buckinghams, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1, $35 to $65
Jackson Browne with Sara Watkins, 8 p.m. Aug. 15, $49.50 to $75.
Cleveland Browns Stadium
Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com).
“The Brothers of the Sun Tour” featuring Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw with Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and Jake Owen, 4:30 p.m. June 30, $39.50 to $250. Over the past decade the idea of the touring county music festival has become de rigueur. This leads us to the biggest 2012 outing, “The Brothers of the Sun Tour” teaming up Music City giants Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw for the first time in a decade. Let the tailgating cornhole begin.
CONSOL Energy Center
1001 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com).
Red Hot Chili Peppers, 7:30 p.m. May 30, $39 to $59. Fresh off the band’s recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Red Hot Chili Peppers take a victory lap with a tour in support of “I’m With You.” The act’s current set ranges from radio hits to old school tracks like “Freaky Styley” and unlikely covers by Neil Young (“Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere”) and Robert Johnson (“They’re Red Hot”).
Roger Waters: The Wall Live, 8 p.m. July 3, $55 to $199. Over 30 years after Pink Floyd first toured “The Wall” with a handful of dates, band visionary Roger Waters is bringing the legendary concept album to life for fans young and old.
“Heart & Soul Tour” featuring Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks, 7:30 p.m. July 28, $47.25 to $142.50. It’s hard to imagine an hour going by on any classic rock radio station without hearing the music of Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks. Now the two Rock Hall inductees are teaming up for another leg of their “Heart & Soul Tour.” The show includes each performing a set of their hits, while joining each other for a few choice duets.
American Idol Live!, 7 p.m. Aug. 14, $29 to $62.75. Considering American Idol is barely a few weeks away from announcing its latest winner, the popular reality show has announced another summer tour featuring top 10 finalists Colton Dixon, DeAndre Brackensick, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt, Heejun Han, Hollie Cavanagh, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips and Skylar Laine.
Barry Manilow, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, $9.49 to $123.74
Rush, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 11, $46 to $96. Last time we saw Rush they were playing their 1981 platinum-effort “Moving Pictures” in its entirety. Now the trio – Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart – is back supporting its 20th studio effort “Clockwork Angels.” Can we all agree the band belongs in the Rock Hall? If so, we also have to agree Rush is incredibly overrated. There, doesn’t that feel better?
First Niagara Pavilion
Route 18 At Route 22, Pittsburgh (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com).
Drake with J. Cole, Waka Flocka Flame, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz and French Montana, 7 p.m. May 26, $49.75 to $89.75
“Own the Night World Tour 2012” featuring Lady Antebellum with Darius Rucker and Thompson Square, 7 p.m. June 2, $25 to $55.40
Phish, 7 p.m. June 23, $39 to $54
Jimmy Buffett, 8 p.m. June 28, $36 to $136. After playing Northeast Ohio last summer, Jimmy Buffett returns to the region with a show at Pittsburgh’s First Niagara Pavilion. The Margaritaville singer, who is calling his latest outing the “Lounging at the Lagoon Tour,” expects to have a new live CD/DVD out this summer.
Vans Warped Tour, noon July 12, $35
The Dave Matthews Band, 7 p.m. June 13 and 14, $40.50 to $75
Zac Brown Band, 7 p.m. July 15, $22 to $55. Nashville’s platinum-selling Zac Brown Band is touring its 2010 monster release “You Get What You Give,” which included No. 1 hits “As She’s Walking Away,” “Colder Weather,” “Knee Deep” and “Keep Me in Mind.” The album’s latest single “No Hurry” was also a top 10 hit.
“Mayhem Festival” featuring Slipknot, Slayer, Motorhead, Anthrax and more, 1:30 p.m., July 28, $25.50 to $63.50
Chicago with The Doobie Brothers, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2, $22.50 to $95. For Gen Xers, Chicago will forever be tied to the pop radio hits of former lead singer Peter Cetera. For the rest of the world, the band is highly respected for its horn-friendly sound.
Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 4, $20 to $59.50. It’s a night of Steel City rap with last year’s breakthrough artist Wiz Khalifa joined by the presumed next big hip-hop act Mac Miller.
Big Time Rush with Cody Simpson, 7 p.m. Aug. 5, $20 to $69.50
Def Leppard, Poison, Lita Ford, 7 p.m. Aug. 14, $25 to $125. ‘80s hair metal groups have officially become classic rock bands, touring every summer on a package tour that slowly diminishes each act’s already tenuous existence. It’s hard to imagine anyone getting more excited about this bill than Lita Ford finding out she has a paying gig.
Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17, $28 to $54.25. Still supporting his 2010 album “My Kinda Party,” Jason Aldean is touring in support of the CD’s latest single “Fly Over States.” The track marks the country singer’s ninth consecutive Top 5 song.
Kiss, M ∂tley Cr ºe, 7 p.m. Sept. 2, $30 to $151
Heinz Field
100 Art Rooney Avenue Pittsburgh.
“The Brothers of the Sun Tour” featuring Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw with Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and Jake Owen, 4:30 p.m. June 30, $29 to $250
Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com).
Great American Rib Cook Off & Music Festival, $8 (general admission) or $26 to $36 (reserved). Memorial Day Weekend’s annual Great American Rib Cook Off & Music Festival features a musical lineup of The B-52’s (May 25), Todd Rundgren (May 26), Staind (May 27) and Michael Stanley and the Resonators (May 28).
Crosby, Stills & Nash, 7:30 p.m. June 10, $32.50 to $125. Crosby, Stills & Nash (sans Young) return to the road with a new tour. The band’s self-titled 1969 debut LP is listed as one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”
Dream Theater with Crimson Projekct, 7:30 p.m. June 21, $25 to $65. Prog rock fans rejoice as their favorite cult band Dream Theater tours its latest effort “A Dramatic Turn of Events.” Perhaps more importantly, opening band Crimson Projekct features legends Adrian Belew, Tony Levin and more performing King Crimson tunes.
Steve Miller Band, 8 p.m. June 26, $27.50 to $39.50. Taking the money and running decades later is the Steve Miller Band. The “Gangster of Love” act has sold over 30 million albums based on the success of hits such as “The Joker,” “Fly Like An Eagle,” “Abracadabra” and “Take The Money and Run.”
“The Unity Tour” featuring The Jacksons, 8 p.m. June 26, $35 to $89.50. Even though Michael Jackson is no longer around, The Jacksons – Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito Jackson – are hoping to remind its loyal audience about its ‘70s pop-funk sounds with a reunion tour taking place this summer. It’ll be interesting to see how the siblings treat such Michael-defined songs as No. 1 hits “ABC,” “I Found That Girl,” “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There.”
Death Cab For Cutie with City and Colour, 8 p.m. July 3, $30 to $39.50. Death Cab For Cutie is still touring its seventh album “Codes and Keys,” which came out last year. The alternative act scored hits with “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” single “Meet Me on the Equinox” and “The Tourist.”
James Taylor, 8 p.m. July 9, $45 to $85. Legendary folk singer James Taylor is spending the summer touring.
O.A.R. with Rebelution, 7 p.m. July 26, $33.50. Over the past decade O.A.R. has continually risen through the ranks of the jam-band scene. Today, the outfit that formed on the Ohio State University campus is touring its latest effort “King.”
Pitbull with DJ Havana Brown, 7:30 p.m. July 29, $45 to $79.50. Global sensation Pitbull is celebrating his No. 1 hit “Give Me Everything” with a summer tour. Look for the Miami hit-maker to keep up his streak with summer anthems “Dance Again” (with Jennifer Lopez) and “Get It Started” (with Shakira).
Florence + The Machine with The Walkmen, 8 p.m. July 30, sold out. All we’re saying is last summer Florence + The Machine toured sold-out stadiums with U2. This summer the alternative rock act, which is supporting its latest effort “Ceremonials,” is on its own headlining tour that is also selling out. Hmmm?
Jane’s Addiction with Mute Math, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6, $35 to $75. Perry Farrell is bringing his ‘90s relic act Jane’s Addiction back on the road this summer for the “Theatre of the Escapists Tour.” The current lineup consists of singer Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Dave Sitek (TV on the Radio).
311, Slightly Stoopid, 7 p.m. Aug. 12, $17 to $42.50. After spending 2011 touring with Sublime with Rome for their “Unity Tour,” rock’n’rap act 311 is teaming up with underground and reggae-influenced outfit Slightly Stoopid for a run of summer dates.
Dukes of September, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14, $37 to $75. Baby Boomers love nothing more than reminding themselves how great they were, decades ago. Exactly 20 years ago Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs and Donald Fagen tickled audiences with their “New York Rock and Soul Revue,” which was released as a concert album. Now the act is teaming up under the moniker of Dukes of September for a summer tour. Talk about “Pretzel Logic.”
Train with Mat Kearney, 7 p.m. Aug. 16, $35 to $75. The “Hey, Soul Sister” made an improbable comeback last year. Now the San Francisco band is readying the release of its new CD “California 37.” So far the reception from the album has been tepid but then again, this is a band that just a few years ago was considered dead.
Il Volo, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21, $39.50 to $79.50. Italian singing sensations Il Volo is celebrating its new CD/DVD release “Il Volo Takes Flight – Live From The Detroit Opera House” with a summer tour. The show includes Italian classics “O Sole Mio,” “Un Amore Cosi Grande” and the classic Charlie Chaplin song “Smile.”
PlayhouseSquare
1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland (Call 216-241-6000 or 866-546-1353, or visit www.PlayhouseSquare.org).
Nicki Minaj, 8 p.m. July 19, $39.75 to $99.75. Grammy Award-nominated artist Nicki Minaj brings her “Pink Friday Tour” through Ohio. The urban pop artist is supporting her second studio album “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” which debuted at No. 1 when it was released last month.
Point State Park
101 Commonwealth Place Pittsburgh (free).
The Wailers, 7:30 p.m. June 1
Kathleen Edwards, 7:30 p.m. June 2
Dawes, 7:30 p.m. June 5
Carolina Chocolate Drops, 7:30 p.m. June 8
“Bluegrass Day” featuring Del McCoury Band, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band and Greensky Bluegrass, 7:30 p.m. June 9
Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers Twenty, 7:30 p.m. June 10
Quicken Loans Arena
One Center Court, Cleveland (call 888-894-9424 or visit theQarena.com).
Red Hot Chili Peppers, 8 p.m. June 2, $38.50 to $58.50. Fresh off the band’s recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Red Hot Chili Peppers take a victory lap with a tour in support of “I’m With You.” The act’s current set ranges from radio hits to old school tracks like “Freaky Styley” and unlikely covers by Neil Young (“Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere”) and Robert Johnson (“They’re Red Hot”).
“The Global Warming Tour” featuring Aerosmith with Cheap Trick, 7:30 p.m. June 19, $39.50 to $149.50. The hard-rock Boston-based band celebrated its fortieth anniversary in 2010 and has hinted a new studio album could be in the works. Recently featured on “60 Minutes,” the band has had more train wrecks than Amtrak but still manages to get back on its feet, most often punctuated with a Steven Tyler back flip.
Neil Diamond, 8 p.m. July 1, $55 to $120. The 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee is touring in support of his new best-of set “The Very Best of Neil Diamond – The Original Studio Recordings.” Sure, it’s a greatest hits but when you have “Cherry, Cherry,” “Sweet Caroline,” “I’m A Believer,” and “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon” to your credit you can tour with impunity off your laurels.
Def Leppard, Poison, Lita Ford, 7 p.m. July 6, $49 to $149
“Heart & Soul Tour” featuring Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks, 7:30 p.m. July 20, $49.50 to $149.50
Van Halen with Ky-Mani Marley, 7:30 p.m. July 28, $29.50 to $125. Anyone who didn’t expect the new Van Halen album “A Different Kind of Truth” to be a train wreck is either lying or delusional. That said, the album works because of Eddie’s guitar jams and the lack of insidiously inane David Lee Roth lyrics.
Stage AE
400 North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh; Ticketmaster.
Avett Brothers, 7 p.m., May 20, $38
Joe Walsh, 6:30 p.m. June 2, $29 to $95
Korn, 6:30 p.m. June 19, $35
Modest Mouse, 6:30 p.m. June 22, $39
The Clarks, 6:30 p.m., June 23, $25
Death Cab for Cutie with Andrew Bird, 6:30 p.m., July 13, $38
O.A.R, with Rebelution, 6:30 p.m. July 27, $38
My Morning Jacket with Band of Horses, 6 p.m. Aug. 21, $38
Janes’ Addiction, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22, $42.50
Daryl Hall and John Oates, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5, $25 to $95
Covelli Centre
Front Street, Youngstown; Ticketmaster.
Earth, Wind and Fire, 7:30 p.m. June 10; $36 to $76