Summer is here and that means one thing is in season: summer concerts! The warm weather and weekends off can only mean outdoor concerts are ready to hit the scene. This summer, the line-up for shows is hard to believe; for there are many hot bands touring in the Philadelphia region. There are single band tours with special guest appearances as well as ones stocked with numerous bands ready to rock. Philly is ready for a memorable summer of great music. The Electric Factory in Philadelphia is stacked with show after show. Some of the bands coming include The Mars Volta, playing May 3, and Audioslave featuring Jonny Polonskey on April 29. Both shows are sold out, so keep checking around for possible tickets.
Other bands playing this summer with sold-out shows include Weezer, Ben Folds with Corn Mo, Nine Inch Nails and The Killers with Louis XIV. Keep a look out for special contests or give-aways on these shows. Modest Mouse is playing June 19, and Frankie J with Baby Bash and Natalie on June 2, and the good news is you can still purchase tickets to these shows. There are many more bands playing at The Electric Factory and you can check their dates on their Web site at www.electricfactory.com.
Now, on to the Theater of the Living Arts, otherwise known as the TLA. Featured bands playing at the TLA this summer include the All American Rejects with Action Action Number One Fan on April 28 with tickets still available. Mastodon on May 9 and Spoon on June 4 with are also available.
The Starting Line is playing on May 14; however, that show is currently sold out. There are many more bands to play the TLA this summer and if you log onto their Web site, you can get a full line-up. The Tweeter Center located in Camden, N.J., is a great hot spot for summer concerts because itʼs an outdoor venue. Featured artists to play at the Tweeter this summer include the great Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with the newly reunited Black Crowes on June 17.
Also playing are Judas Priest with Queensryche on June 18 and DaveMatthews Band with G Love and the Special Sauce, doing two shows July 5 and a sold-out show on the 6. Two other tours coming to the Tweeter are the Anger Management Tour 3 on August 6 with artists such as Eminem, 50 Cent, Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz, D-12, G-Unit, Obie Trice and Stat Quo, and the Vans Warped Tour 2005 with over 60 bands. That tour will be hitting the Tweeter on August 12, and tickets are still available.
Some of the bands playing the 2005 warped Tour include The All-American Rejects, Amber Pacific, Another Damn Disappointment, Armor For Sleep, Billy Idol, Boys Night Out, The Briefs, Midtown, My Chemical Romance and many more. To get the full line-up and which band is on which stage, check out www.warpedtour.com.
The Tower Theater is simply a great arena to go and see bands play. Itʼs conveniently located in Upper Darby, just outside of the city. The legendary Robert Plant, formerly of Led Zeppelin, is playing the Tower on June 21 and June 22, and tickets are still available for both shows. Bruce Springsteain will be there on May 17 and Kelly Clarkson on April 30. The Tower Theatre also brings other talents to the area, such as comedian Dave Attell on April 28. To obtain a full summer schedule of bands playing the Tower go to their Web site for more information.
Remember, if a show you are interested in seeing is sold out, always check e-Bay for tickets and keep checking in with the actual theater to see if they are selling any at a different date. Enjoy the summer and make sure you get out there and rock out to your favorite band.