Santana. Courtesy RUBEN MARTÍN RCA Records
By Clare Haggerty with Timothy Chauner
Ask yourself: When was the last time you experienced music? Not listened to an artist through the radio, internet, satellite, iPod or antiquated CD in your car, home, or office, but been in front of the spectacle and excitement of a band in the flesh? Well, good news readers, summer 2015 is the season for you to do just that.
The artists crossing the nation this summer are timeless. There isn’t a single facet of contemporary entertainment that hasn’t been affected in some way, shape or form by the musicians touring this summer. If, to quote Tom Petty, “the waiting is the hardest part,” more good news folks: you don’t have to wait.
Some of the greatest rock musicians of all time will be touring throughout the spring months as well, including The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Santana, The Who, U2, Brian Wilson, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger, and the list goes on.
As German composer, Friedrich Nietzsche, said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” To say nothing of making you feel vibrant. So go for it…Experience the music this summer, read on to see what artists, venues, and dates will allow you to do just that.
8 Music Concerts to Check Out
The Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead announced three reunion concerts to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary. Three shows, all at Soldier Field in Chicago, are on July 3, 4, and 5. Phish frontman Trey Anastasio will replace the late Jerry Garcia. Director Martin Scorsese will be filming the three days concert series for a documentary.
However, if Deadheads didn’t snag their tickets right after they went on sale back in January, they’re probably out of luck. Scalped ticket prices have soared, some topping $15,000. In fact, the tickets to pay to park at the venue to listen to the music from the parking lot cost upwards of $200.
In this case, the early Deadhead got the worm. If you’re willing to shell out the big bucks to see the reunion concert, StubHub would probably be your best bet, and the listing for any available tickets can be found here: Grateful Dead Tickets.
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is continuing on his Never Ending Tour, and this leg of the tour, which begins on April 10 in Atlantic City and ends on May 9 in Tulsa, keeps Dylan on a packed schedule which is concentrated largely in the southeastern United States. Dylan’s work as a singer and songwriter spans more than 50 years. Classics that provided a backdrop for the changing generations from “Blowin’ in the Wind,” The Times They Are a-Changin,” and “Like a Rolling Stone.” He is one of SonyMusic‘s featured artists. To see if Dylan is coming to a venue near you, visit the Bob Dylan website.
Santana
If you appreciate a great guitar riff, you must like Santana. However, Santana will be busily traveling the world for much of the next six months. The U.S. leg of The Corazon Tour began in Miami on March 7 and continues until March 19 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
After a brief stint in Mexico, Santana returns to the United States to do eight shows at the House of Blues in Las Vegas in May. Santana will then be on the European leg of The Corazon Tour before returning to the United States again to finish The Corazon Tour in the northeastern and midatlantic part of the country, including a stop to headline the Peach Music Festival in Scranton, PA. If you’re wondering if Santana will be near you on his multi-continental tour, see a list of tour stops on the Santana website.
The Who
The Who has been one of the most successful rock bands for the last half century, and they are celebrating with a world tour entitled The Who Hits 50! For the North American leg of the tour, they will be visiting many of the biggest cities in the United States, beginning on April 15 in Tampa and wrapping up in Forest Hills, NY on May 30. If you’re wondering if The Who is touring near you, visit The Who website.
U2
U2, another one of the most popular rock bands of all time, is touring in 19 European and American cities as part of their iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE tour. The North American leg of their tour includes 3 Canadian cities (Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto) as well as 6 American cities (San Jose, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Boston, and New York). To see specific dates and buy tickets, visit the U2 website.
Photo credit: The Mann
Brian Wilson
Fans of The Beach Boys will be pleased to hear that the band’s singer and co-founder will be touring this summer as well. His tour begins in Saratoga, CA on June 18 and he travels eastward for the first part of the tour before heading back west and finishing up the tour in Seattle on July 12.
One of the east coast stops Wilson will be making is at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. As one of the most important outdoor music centers in the country, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts presents top artists in a world-class, entertainment destination in association with AEG Live. Signature concert experiences are surrounded by Philadelphia’s stunning nighttime skyline and include seats beneath the Mann’s magnificent shed offer the unique experience of having a picnic on a blanket, listening to music under the stars on its famous lawn.
To get your tickets to see Brian Wilson at the Mann, visit the Mann website
If you’re not in the Philly area and you’re eager to see if Wilson is coming to a venue near you, find out on the Brian Wilson website.
Photo credit: Nela Koenig
John Fogerty
John Fogerty, former frontman of Creedence Clearwater Revival, is doing ten shows this summer, largely in the eastern half of the United States, from May 2 through July 3.
In 1969, Fogerty wrote and produced three multi-platinum albums with Creedence Clearwater Revival including the classics “Proud Mary,” “Born on the Bayou,” “Bad Moon Rising,” and “Fortunate Son.”
His tour begins at the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, followed by stops in North Carolina, Georgia, Hawaii and other states. He will perform at such classic venues as Radio City Music Hall, Wolf Trap, Virginia as well as the Mann Center on June 27. To see if Fogerty is coming to a venue near you, visit the John Foggerty website
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac is touring the United States and Europe this spring. The U.S. part of their tour began on March 1 in Austin, TX, hitting Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Los Angeles and more with the last U.S. stop in North Little Rock, Arkansas on April 19th. Tickets for this concerts are going fast. Since the dates are just around the corner, get yours quickly at the Fleetwood Mac website.
If you’re looking for something to do this spring or summer, there is no better way to spend your time than listening to some great music. Get tickets to some of these amazing musicians before it’s too late.
