Summer has the unique ability to be dubbed “concert season.” When longer days, warmer temperatures, and summer vacations from school happen all at the same time, it makes for a great opportunity for musical acts to hit the road and for festivals to pop up all over. Summer 2015 will be no different than the past, so The Aquarian Weekly has put together some of the hottest upcoming shows for you to enjoy:
Crawfish Fest
For 26 years, Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest has brought the best of NOLA to New Jersey in a celebration of music and food from the region. The festival spans three days and takes place on campgrounds, prompting attendees to spend the night. Bands included on this year’s lineup are Marc Broussard, Sister Sparrow And The Dirty Birds, Raw Oyster Cult, Gas House Gorillas, and more. This year’s event takes place on the Sussex County Fair Grounds in Augusta, NJ from May 29 – May 31.
The Who and Joan Jett And The Blackhearts
Rock legends The Who and Joan Jett And The Blackhearts are joining forces on tour this summer. The English rock stars are bringing their touring lives to a close and supporting their album, The Who Hits 50! with a final world tour. Joan Jett And The Blackhearts will serve as the special guests rounding out the line up for classic rock fans. The Who Hits 50! North American tour makes a stop at Forest Hills Stadium in Forest Hills, NY on May 30.
The Machine
Top Pink Floyd tribute band, The Machine, will be in our area a few times this summer. The group continues to perform the music with the intention of keeping the music of Pink Floyd alive. Maintaining authenticity for fans worldwide, they go above and beyond by including theatrics and performance styles genuine. You can catch them at their shows at The Towne Crier in Beacon, NY on June 5, The Newton Theatre in Newton, NJ on July 11, and Ocean City Music Pier in Ocean City, NJ on July 13.
Cimorelli
Singing sisters Cimorelli are taking their act on the road and will be performing their music for fans. Their latest EPs, Made In America and Renegade, feature all-original listings. The six ladies found their success on YouTube and used the platform to enter the hearts of millions of viewers. They’re performing at iPlay America in Freehold, NJ on June 6, and at Highline Ballroom in New York on June 7.
Rob Zombie
The multi-talented Rob Zombie will complete his next musical feat this summer with a tour. After a musical break due to the focus on his new film, 31, fans anticipate his upcoming sixth studio recording, which Zombie previously teased but remains nameless to date. His most recent release is a live album called Spookshow International Live. He will stop in our area at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ on June 6.
Dayna Kurtz
New Jersey-raised singer-songwriter Dayna Kurtz is no novice in the world of music. She has released over 10 albums since 1997, most recently Rise And Fall, which was released in March. The singer and guitar player has worked with musical legends such as B.B. King and Elvis Costello. Dayna’s soulful voice is gripping; her musicianship speaks for itself. She will return home to perform at the Union Performing Arts Center (The Loft) in Rahway, NJ on June 6.
The Dave Matthews Band
The Dave Matthews Band continues with their annual tour this summer with three opportunities to see them this summer. Dave and the rest of the band are sure to play longtime favorites and recent tunes from their extensive repertoire. Having been together since 1991, the core group has undergone some rearranging; the current lineup has been together since 2008. See them at Nikon At Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY on June 9, at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on June 10, and at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ on June 26 and 27.
Sleeping With Sirens
Sleeping With Sirens have toured endlessly and successfully sold out many of their shows. This summer they are on the road again, promoting their latest work, Madness. This round of shows is collectively called the We Like It Quiet tour for its acoustic style. Touring with them are The Summer Set and Nick Santino. Catch their shows at The Studio At Webster Hall in New York on June 14 and at Underground Arts in Philadelphia on June 17.
Spoon
Spoon, a five-piece from Texas, will be visiting the metropolitan area for a show this summer. The group has been around since 1993 releasing eight albums, They Want My Soul being their most recent. The origins of the band begin with the meeting of Britt Daniel and Jim Eno, who were connected through their involvement with their band The Alien Beats. They’ll be at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn on June 16.
Slayer
California natives Slayer are bringing their music on the road this summer as second time headliner for the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, and they’re making their way to the East Coast. Catch them performing at various venues in our area; they’ll be at The Paramount in Huntington, NY on June 16 and 17, the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ on July 17, the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on July 21, and Nikon At Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY on July 26.
Bowling For Soup
Bowling For Soup are celebrating their 21st birthday with the Bowling For Soup Is Finally Legal tour. The band recently released Songs People Actually Liked, Volume 1, The First 10 Years 1994-2003, a compilation of some of their best songs rerecorded. The Dollyrots and Ivory Tribes are also coming along. Celebrate with them at Irving Plaza in New York on June 18 and at the Theatre Of Living Arts in Philadelphia on June 19.
Norah Jones
After some time off since the release of her latest album, Little Broken Hearts, in 2012, 2015 is proving to be a busy year for singer-songwriter Norah Jones. She will be having a performance at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ on June 20 as a part of their Gala Week. Then she and her band, Puss N Boots, will open for Neil Young at the Bethel Woods Center For The Arts in Bethel, NY on July 17, and at Nikon At Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY on July 21.
Art Garfunkel
Art Garfunkel, most notably of award-winning duo Simon & Garfunkel, continues to maintain active in the music scene even with 60 years of experience. Within this long history, Garfunkel has been able to do much on his own, including release many solo albums, work in film and stage productions, and even publish poetry. This summer he will be traveling around performing and you can see him at the Levoy Theater in Mellville, NJ on June 25, the State Theater in New Brunswick, NJ on June 26, and at the Bergen PAC in Englewood, NJ on June 27.
Imagine Dragons
Imagine Dragons have experienced substantial success, having some of their songs such as “Radioactive” and “Demons” becoming international hits. They’ve released two albums to date, most recent being Smoke + Mirrors that came out this past February. This summer the band will embark on the Smoke + Mirrors tour. They’ll be performing at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on June 27, the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on June 29, and the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 30.
Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies have returned with a new album, Silverball, set to release this June. To support it, they’ve released a single called “Say What You Want,” and they’ll go on tour this summer. They’re stopping at The Mann Center For The Performing Arts in Philadelphia on June 28, JBL Live At Pier 97 in Hudson River Park, NY on July 1, and the Mercer County Fairgrounds in West Windsor, NJ on July 2.
The Freedom Fest State Fair
The Freedom Fest State Fair will take place this year at Horse Park Of New Jersey in Allentown, NJ from July 8 through July 12. The fair continues to be a great venue for summer activities, including a horse fair, honey making, musical acts, fireworks displays and other attractions. Some of the performers include The Outlaws, The Artimus Pyle Band, Megan And Liz, Eagles tribute band Eaglemania, Fleetwood Mac tribute band Tusk, Rock Of Ages Band NJ, Human Wheels, and others.
Say Anything
Say Anything is an alternative rock group led by founding member Max Bemis. Within their 15 years, they’ve put out six studio albums and four EPs. Hebrews, their most recent record, was released last year in June. They’ll be performing in our area in July; tour dates include July 9 at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ, July 11 at the Best Buy Theater in New York, and on July 12 at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia.
Rise Against, Killswitch Engage, and letlive.
Rise Against, Killswitch Engage and letlive. are all going on tour together this summer. Rise Against’s most recent release, The Black Market, dropped last year. Killswitch Engage and letlive. both put out albums in 2013, Disarm The Descent and The Blackest Beautiful, respectively. They’ll be at Festival Pier At Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia on July 22, the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park on July 26, and Central Park Summerstage on July 28.
Shinedown
With over 10 years in the business, Shinedown’s musical history includes EP and album releases, band changes, and touring. Their latest EP, Acoustic Sessions, was released in two parts earlier this year. You can hear old favorites like “Second Chance” as well as recent tunes this summer. They’ll be at the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby, PA on July 23 and at the Beacon Theatre in New York on July 24.
The Smashing Pumpkins and Marilyn Manson
The Smashing Pumpkins and Marilyn Manson are two entities that undoubtedly work well together. Fans will be ecstatic to know that they will be going on tour together. The Smashing Pumpkins released Monuments To An Elegy, their latest recording, this past winter. Marilyn Manson’s latest work, The Pale Emperor, came out earlier this year. See them together at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on July 29, Nikon At Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY on July 31, and Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ on Aug. 2.
Rob Thomas
Singer-songwriter Rob Thomas will have a busy summer; he is promoting his third studio album as well as hitting the road on The Great Unknown 2015 tour with the Plain White T’s. The shows in our area are on July 31 and Aug. 1 at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, on Aug. 2 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, on Aug. 4 at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, PA, on Aug. 6 and 8 at the Beacon Theatre in NYC, and on Aug. 10 at the MAYO Performing Arts Center in Morristown, NJ.
Van Halen
Van Halen recently released their first live album featuring original singer David Lee Roth, Tokyo Dome Live In Concert, this March. To celebrate they will go on tour, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd will serve as the opening guest. Hear them live at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on Aug. 9, Nikon At Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY on Aug. 13, the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ on Aug. 27, and at the Bethel Woods Center For The Arts in Bethel, NY on Sept 6.
Alice In Chains
One of the greatest products of the grunge scene, Alice In Chains continue to make music and perform for audiences, persevering through the hardships the band has faced. Their latest studio album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, was released in May 2013. They continue touring and will stop in our area at Trump Taj Mahal (Mark G. Etess Arena) in Atlantic City, NJ on Aug. 15 and at MusikFest (Sands Steel Stage) in Bethlehem, PA on Aug. 16.
AC/DC
Renowned rock and roll band AC/DC have been making music for over 40 years and have seen immense success, which includes being one of the best selling bands to date. The group continues to make music and play live. Their most recent release was last year, Rock Or Bust, which is what they will be touring for this summer on the Rock Or Bust World Tour. They will stop at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Aug. 25.
Gregg Allman and The Doobie Brothers
Gregg Allman and The Doobie Brothers are joining forces this summer for a joint tour. Most recently, the Doobie Brothers put out Southbound, an album of their greatest hits that features some of country music’s biggest names. Join the rock veterans at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on Aug. 28, Nikon At Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY on Aug. 29, and at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City on Aug. 30.
