Summer may be halfway through, but some of the biggest tours have yet to grace a local stage. Now that the cicadas are gone, there’s no excuse for missing the pinnacle of the summer concert season. Here is a preview of what’s coming up at the metro-area’s largest venues.
July 8
Lyle Lovett – Wolf Trap, Filene Center
This recent Grammy nominee has been tacking additional dates onto his previously announced 2004 tour. The country sensation will play with a scaled-back version of his usual big band. Tickets start at $41.
Hanson – Warner Theatre
Yes, this is for real. The trio is back, and a lot has changed since its
1997, bubble-gum hit “MMMBop.” After a lengthy hiatus, the brothers have chopped their locks, surged through their teenage years and recently released their second independent album entitled Underneath. Tickets start at $25.
July 9
Sting and Annie Lennox – Nissan Pavilion
After lengthy and somewhat parallel careers, the two new-wavers can bank off of longevity and a critically acclaimed recent release Their paths intersect on the Sacred Love Tour 2004. Tickets start at $35.00.
July 10-September 18
Live on Penn – Pennsylvania Avenue near 3rd Street N.W., adjacent to the National Gallery of Art
In an effort to make music more accessible to the public, this outdoor music festival features a variety of acts such as Galactic, Nappy Roots, They Might Be Giants, Fountains of Wayne, Arrested Development, Sister Hazel, Better Than Ezra, Bicycle Thieves, Pat McGee Band, Gavin DeGraw and more. Set near prominent downtown sites, this affordable, weekly concert series kicks off with emo-rockers Eve 6, and will continue throughout the summer, presenting a diverse assortment of local bands, up-and-rising artists and previously dormant ’90s acts. All shows $5, children under 12 free.
July 11, 14
Dave Matthews Band – Merriweather Post Pavilion & Nissan Pavilion (respectively)
With a reputation equivalent to that of a cult classic movie, Dave shows draw both his loyal entourage and newcomers who want to experience the legend first hand. Playing two large-venue dates in D.C. is nothing new to these guys. Concertgoers can expect the same passion and intensity from each enduring jam. Kick of your shoes and enjoy the tunes. Tickets start at $40.
July 17- September 4 –
McDonald’s Sessions – Merriweather Post
The fast-food giant has staked out this outdoor venue every Saturday to feature four different bands each night. With some dates still to be announced, consecutive headliners include Fuel, Evanescence, Bio Boi, Twista, Live, Cake and more. Tickets $10 in advance, $15 day of show (includes parking).
July 18
Ozzfest – Nissan Pavilion
Before his hit reality show on MTV, Ozzy Osbourne was known for unruly live performances. The eighth annual festival will feature fellow ragers Superjoint Ritual, Lamb of God, Dimmu Borgir, Every Time I Die, Judas Priest, Slayer, Zakk, Wylde’s Black Label Society, Slipknot, Hatebreed, Lacuna Coil, Bleeding Through, Otep God. Forbid and Atreyu. The tour that spares no one also spares few cities, hitting up 26 total from July through September. Tickets start at $45.75.
Jul 20
3 Doors Down and Nickelback – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Unafraid to expose their more sensitive sides in recent singles, these two bands have seen substantial radio play and money as a result. With openers Puddle of Mudd, the tour reunites three bands from earlier in their careers. Tickets start at $29.50.
Jul 21
Counting Crows – Merriweather Post Pavilion
After releasing the first Best of album and digging their claws deeper into the mainstream, the pop-folk luminaries have recently added a few U.S. dates to their European tour. Sticking to a combo that played at GW a little over two years ago, the Graham Colton band is set to open the show. Tickets start at $35.
July 24
Kiss and Poison – Nissan Pavilion
Despite using tons of grease paint and explosives, gallons of fake blood and smashing thousands of guitars during their career, it’s the music that really makes the show. Recently generating a best-selling autobiography and a good amount of controversy for sexual remarks made during an NPR interview, front man Gene Simmons heads out with his crew and glam-rockers Poison on the Rock the Nation World Tour 2004. Tickets start at $28.50.
July 30
311 and The Roots – Nissan Pavilion
Experiencing only modest commercial success, 311’s ambitious tour schedule is what has paid off. Having recently compiled a greatest-hits album, the hybrid band will play its second local show this summer with newfound partners-in-crime, hip-hop purists The Roots. Tickets start at $31.00.
August 2
Josh Groban – Nissan Pavilion
This rising star known for his ability to color operatic vocals with distinct pop sensibilities. The 22-year old baritone’s tour comes at a high point for the emerging pop-opera genre. Tickets start at $25.
August 6
The Cure’s Curiosa Festival 2004 – Merriweather Post Pavilion
After garnering international status for their graceful emergence from late-70s punk rock, The Cure’s most recent album is indeed a milestone, marking the first time the band has used a producer and the first record to simply bear the name, The Cure. To match the band’s trademark intensity, they’ve recruited Interpol, The Rapture, Mogwai, Muse and Auf der Maur for their 2004 tour. Tickets Start at $40.00.
August 8
Vans Warped Tour – Nissan Pavilion
America’s longest-running tour festival is a punk’s paradise, featuring more than 50 bands, bike and skate pros. This year’s line-up includes Alkaline Trio, Bad Religion, Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly, From Autumn to Ashes, New Found Glory, NOFX, Simple Plan, Sugarcult, Taking Back Sunday and D.C. locals Washington Social Club. Tickets start at $35.
Sarah McLachlan – Merriweather Post
In her first North American tour since 1999, the celestial vocalist has a tight tour schedule packed into three short months. Her most recent release comes after the birth of her first daughter and a five-year break from the business. Tickets start at $80.
August 10th
Projekt Revolution 2004 – Nissan Pavillion
Emerging from various genres, these high-profile artists embark on their third collaborative tour. This year’s line-up includes Linkin Park, Korn, Snoop Dogg and The Used. Tickets start at $ 39.50.
Barenaked Ladies and Alanis Morissette – Merriweather Post Pavilion
It seemed pretty inevitable that two successful Canadian acts that share a particular fondness for nudity would ultimately join forces. Posters for the much-hyped Au Natural Tour depict band members wearing the appropriate attire, but after BNL’s Peep Show tour and Alanis’ video for “Thank You,” (showing her completely in the buff all throughout) really, it’s nothing new. Tickets start at $25.
August 12, 13 & 14
Prince – MCI Center
Fans have been coming out of the woodwork, causing the pop-icon to play sell-out shows across the country and add a third D.C. date. The new Rock and Roll Hall of fame inductee will play a near-two hour show without an opening band. Tickets start at $49.50.
August 29
Acoustic Planet Tour – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, this year’s jam fest features Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Keller Williams and Yonder Mountain String Band, Sam Bush Band and Del McCoury Band. Tickets start at US $29.50.
Recently canceled
July 10
Britney Spears – Nissan Pavilion
August 12, 13
Lollapalooza – Merriweather Post Pavilion
