It's time to turn up your radio, roll down the windows and get ready for the summer 2006 concert season. However, the drive appears to be more of the down-memory-lane variety than cruising newly paved roads by up-and-coming bands.
One look at the list of names packing up the tour bus this summer and you'd swear it was 1996. Nine Inch Nails, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Sammy Hagar, Faith Hill & Tim McGraw, The Black Crowes, Counting Crows and Goo Goo Dolls are the most notable acts coming through Northeast Ohio.
And what would a summer concert season be without the Dave Matthews Band, which has become Gen X's Jimmy Buffet with obligatory sold-out summer outings. There are also plenty of country superstars -- Rascal Flats, Toby Keith and Kenny Chesney -- joining alt rock acts -- The Flaming Lips and Matisyahu -- and metal bands -- Avenged Sevenfold, Coheed & Cambria, Slayer, Staind and Shinedown -- scheduling Buckeye State dates. Speaking of hard rock, Ozzfest XI, with System of a Down and Ozzy Osbourne headlining, will once again skip Blossom Music Center, forcing fans to road trip into Columbus (July 21 at Germain Amphitheater) or Pittsburgh (July 18 at Post-Gazette Pavilion). Still, the summer concert calendar is as long as it is diverse. Take a look!
AGORA THEATRE
5001 Prospect Ave., Cleveland
(all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
ï Matisyahu, 8 p.m., June 15, $25
Hasidic rap beats out gangsta country and Christian death metal as the least likely genre to emerge in 2006 with this New York-based MC leading the way.
BLOSSOM
1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls
(all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
ï Styx with the Cleveland Contemporary Youth Orchestra, 6 p.m., May 25, $7.50 to $42.50 (Part of Blossom BBQ and Music Festival)
This arena rock legend hopes to present its "Mr. Roboto" catalog in new light by incorporating a regional orchestra.
ï Charlie Daniels Band with special guests Keith Anderson, Julie Roberts and Hot Apple Pie, 3 p.m., May 28, $7.50 to $30 (Part of Blossom BBQ and Music Festival)
This fiddlin' legend likes to tell a tale about the time the devil went down to Georgia.
ï New Cars/Blondie, 7:30 p.m., June 4, $20 to $75
No Ric Ocasek and the passing of Northeast Ohio native Ben Orr means these New Cars -- with Todd Rundgren handling vocal duties -- are hoping to get new mileage out of recycled hits. Co-headliner Blondie is along for the ride.
ï Loretta Lynn, 7 p.m., June 10, $29.75 to $64.75
Forever a "Coal Miners Daughter," Lynn remains a country music queen for the masses.
ï Bruce Springsteen, 7:30 p.m., June 16, $93.50
With a new folk covers album in stores, you get the sense The Boss is reliving his youth this summer for fans to enjoy.
ï Nine Inch Nails with Bauhaus and Peaches, 7 p.m., June 27, $15 to $65
"With Teeth" showing, Trent Reznor goes goth this summer with legends Bauhaus as opener.
ï Clint Black & Dwight Yoakam, June 24, (ticket on sale TBA)
Traditional country fans with alternative leanings will get a perfect slice of the Nashville pie from Black and Yoakam.
ï Tom Jones with Etta James, 7 p.m., July 12, $50 to $75
Sex symbol or not, Jones proves it's all in the hips with his classic "What's New Pussycat" swagger.
ï Poison & Cinderella, 7 p.m., July 19, $25 to $55
You can turn back the clock but trying to fit into acid wash jeans and medium-sized T-shirts is another story. Still, look what the cat dragged in...again.
ï Brooks & Dunn with special guests Sugarland, July 20, (ticket on sale TBA)
Dressed like late '80s Bon Jovi, this country rock duo sure can kick out the jams.
ï The Dave Matthews Band, 7 p.m., Aug. 2, $40 to $59.50
Like "Ants Marching," fans flock to see the Dave Matthews Band tour every summer, usually resulting in sellout shows.
ï Kuyahoga, 4 p.m., Aug. 3, $19.50 to $35
A warm-up date of sorts for the big three-day Lollapalooza event in Chicago, this special show features some of the biggest alternative rock names, including The Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie, Sonic Youth, The Hold Steady, She Wants Revenge, Secret Machines, Wolfmother and The Go! Team.
ï Toby Keith with Joe Nichols and Show Dogs, Aug. 11, (tickets on sale TBA)
The Texas singer brings his country music swagger back to Blossom for a night of rowdy red, white and blue singing and picking.
ï James Gang, Aug. 16, (tickets on sale TBA)
After years of promises, this seminal classic rock act rides again for a tour that includes a show somewhat near its old stomping grounds, Kent State University.
ï Steely Dan with Michael McDonald, Sept. 1, (tickets on sale TBA)
Classic rockers looking to relive, um, classic rock will have a hard time passing up a night of "Hey Nineteen" and the Motown-lovin' Michael McDonald.
CAIN PARK
Superior At Lee, Cleveland Heights
(all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
ï The Saw Doctors, 7:30 p.m., Aug. 4, $22.50 to $30
Arguably third on the Irish rock act list behind U2 and The Frames, The Saw Doctors deliver Celtic-flavored music with gusto.
ï Pure Prairie League with New Riders of the Purple Sage and Poco, 6 p.m., Aug. 13, $25 to $39.50
Country rock lives on with this night of '70s music.
ï The Beach Boys, 7 p.m., Aug. 17, $33.50 to $55
Still having fun, fun, fun 40 years later.
ï B.B. King, 7:30 p.m., Aug. 20, $36.50 to $62.50
Eighty, smeighty, B.B. King remains a blues legend worthy of an evening out.
HOUSE OF BLUES
308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
(all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
ï Gavin DeGraw with opener Rachael Yamagata, 7 p.m., May 27, $11
This popular adult alternative hero returns to Cleveland on a "Chariot" of hype and success.
ï Ben Kweller, 7:30 p.m., June 16, $22.50 ADV/$25 DOS
Indie rock fans really need to experience this underrated singer-songwriter.
ï Mike Doughty, 7:30 p.m., June 17, $22.50 ADV/$25 DOS
Erstwhile Soul Coughing member Mike Doughty keeping the beat in the new millennium.
ï Ministry/Revolting Cocks, 7 p.m., June 25, $30.50 ADV/$35 DOS
Industrial bellwether tours latest project "Rio Grande Blood" to diehard fans.
ï Les Claypool, 8 p.m., July 22, $22 ADV/$24 DOS
The eccentrically delightful former Primus bass player remains a popular option for discerning alt rock fans.
PLAIN DEALER PAVILION
2014 Sycamore, Cleveland
(all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
ï Michael Stanley and the Resonators with Jonah Koslen, 7 p.m., June 3, 22.50 to $37.50
Northeast Ohio's favorite son keeps the fire alive with his annual summertime show.
ï The Jagermeister Music Tour featuring Staind with Three Days Grace and Hurt, 7 p.m., June 7, 32.50 ADV/$35 DOS
The tour is sponsored by Jagermeister. What else is there to say?
ï Mushroomhead & Chimaira, 6 p.m., June 17, $25 ADV/$30 DOS
Northeast Ohio metal bands team up for co-headlining show to celebrate CMJ Music Fest.
ï The Allman Brothers Band, June 21, (tickets on sale TBA)
Ramblin' band remains definitive boogie jam act.
ï The Sounds of the Underground featuring As I Lay Dying, In Flames, Trivium, Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder and more, 1 p.m., July 8, 29.99 ADV/$35 DOS
No Ozzfest XI in Northeast Ohio means this heavy metal fest becomes the show to see in 2006.
ï Counting Crows & Goo Goo Dolls, July 11, (tickets on sale TBA)
Two '90s alt rock bands desperately trying to remain relevant while obviously living too much off their past.
ï Panic! at the Disco, 6:30 p.m., July 12, $18.50 ADV/$20 DOS
With an '80s influence and punk-mindset, this Las Vegas band has become MTV2 favorites overnight.
ï Fiona Apple, Aug. 10, (tickets on sale TBA)
The extraordinary singer tours her latest release, "Extraordinary Machine."
QUICKEN LOANS ARENA
One Center Court, Cleveland (formerly Gund Arena)
(all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
ï Pearl Jam with My Morning Jacket, 7:30 p.m., May 20, sold out
The last band standing out of the grunge invasion -- Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains -- releases its best album in over a decade.
ï Rascal Flatts with Gary Allan, 7:30 p.m., June 11, $44.50 to $51.75
"Here's to You" Rascal Flatts fans with another local date by this fun-loving band.
ï Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, 8 p.m., July 1, $57 and $87
The Soul II Soul Tour returns with Hill and McGraw letting audiences see what marital bliss is all about.
ï Kenny Chesney with Carrie Underwood and Dierks Bentley, 7:30 p.m., Aug. 24, $54.50 to $64.50
Nashville's superstar has the tunes and the chops to become the Garth Brooks of the new millennium.
ï Roger Waters, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 27, $57 to $77
Okay, so it's not the Pink Floyd reunion you were hoping for but the legendary bassist is performing "Dark Side of the Moon" in its entirety.
TOWER CITY AMPHITHEATRE
351 Canal Road, Cleveland
(all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
ï Avenged Sevenfold and Coheed & Cambria with 18 Visions, 7 p.m., May 13, $28.50 ADV/$30 DOS
Hard rock fans are salivating at this night of double-neck guitars and slash'n'burn riffs.
ï Blues Traveler (5/26), Spin Doctors (5/26), Southside Johnny (5/27) and Rick Springfield (5/28 ). General admission is $6 (includes entrance into Rib & Music Fest)
Nothing says ribs more than getting your fingers dirty with rock from yesteryear. Just pick your decade and have some fun.
ï Shinedown & Trapt with Evans Blue and Halestorm, 7 p.m., June 22, $22.50 ADV/$25 DOS
It's a rock radio love fest with post-grunge riffs flying all over the place.
ï O.A.R. & the Better Than Everfine Festival, 5:30 p.m., June 24, $30 ADV/$32.50 DOS
Columbus roots rock act O.A.R. brings its annual party back to the shores of the Cuyahoga with friends Virginia Coalition, Dropping Daylight, Jon McLaughlin, Matt Nathanson and Bedouin Soundclash joining in the fun.
ï Chicago with Huey Lewis & The News, 7:30 p.m., June 29, 25.75 to $73.25
The heart of rock'n'roll is still beating....in Cleveland. As for Chicago, you can't stop a great horn section.
ï Unholy Alliance tour featuring Slayer with Lamb of God, Children of Bodom and more, 5:30 p.m., June 30, $39.50 ADV/$42 DOS
Still atop its speed metal game 20 years later, Slayer remains under-appreciated in the metal scheme of things.
ï Sammy Hagar & The Wabos with Michael Anthony, 2 p.m., July 4, $15 to $55
It's a Van Halen mini-reunion with Michael Anthony joining Sammy Hagar for a mid-set hour-long jam on "Top of the World." If they don't play "Summer Nights," rioting will occur!
ï Big Head Todd and Toad the Wet Sprocket, July 18, (tickets on sale TBA)
Here are two bands that were once poised for greater success without the material to actually pull it off.
ï Black Crowes with Robert Randolph and Drive-By Truckers (July 28), (tickets on sale TBA)
Brothers Robinson is back with a vengeance on this blues guitar-heavy bill.
ï 311 with Pepper and The Wailers, Aug. 5, (tickets on sale TBA)
One time rap'n'rock act 311 has quietly become the alternative band of the new millennium.
ï The Vans Warped Tour with Motion City Soundtrack, Underoath, Senses Fail, From First to Last and Every Time I Die and more, noon, Aug. 11, $33.75
While other musical festivals have ebbed and flowed from year to year, this DIY punk-inspired bill remains the best with a reasonable ticket cost and an insane number of bands.
WOLSTEIN CENTER AT CSU
2000 Prospect Ave, Cleveland
(all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
ï American Idols Live, July 19, (tickets on sale TBA)
Still weeks away from announcing a winner the AI-V (that's American Idol V), the tour is already booked.
ï
John Benson will attend every single one of these concerts -- in spirit, that is. E-mail him at jbenson@funcoast.com.
