Summer concerts

The big shows to look forward to this summer:

5/28/06 HFStival @ Merriweather Post Pavilion with H.I.M., The Fixx, Joan Jett, Yellowcard, Coheed and Cambria, Dashboard Confessional, Counting Crows
5/28/06 Hometown Holidays @ Rockville with Blues Traveler
No matter what happens to WHFS (currently on broadcasting in Baltimore, but slated for a new channel on HD Radio), the HFStival continues to thrive, this year with its first (2 day) stop at Merriweather Post. Busy weekend for it (Memorial Day), as not only is there a free Blues Traveler show in Rockville, but we’ll be in Baltimore for Balticon the night before and probably part of Sunday. Plans may change when I see schedules for all three events, though.

6/2-4/06 Herndon Festival @ Herndon Town Green with Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers, Girlyman, Ben Arthur, Michael Clem, Robbie Schaefer, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Ok, I admit it – this is the one I had a hand in booking, but the artists are great. Sunday is the big day, with solo sets from eddie from ohio’s Michael Clem and Robbie Schaefer with a big set of swing from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (who were great in Crystal City last summer).

6/6/06 Blondie, New Cars @ Wolf Trap
Why is it that I’m psyched for this show? No original singers (Ben Orr is dead, and Ric Ocasek won’t tour as the Cars), but I love these songs, and Todd Rundgren does the same thing Paul Rodgers did for Queen (established and respected singer who predates the band he’s joining). They’ve also got a new live CD coming out with three new songs that sound like classic Cars songs (ok, at least the one I heard does). I’ve seen Blondie before, they don’t do much for me, this show’s all about the tunes from the Cars (I hope they do “Hello Again”).

6/9-11/06 Celebrate Fairfax @ Fairfax County Government Center with Getaway Car, Collective Soul, Sister Hazel, .38 Special
Great lineup for Fairfax this year – I’m tempted to go all three nights. Collective Soul on Friday is a must, though (I have a CD alarm clock next to my bed, and their latest CD has been in it now for 6 months – the first song’s really good to wake up to).

6/17-18/06 Potomac Celtic Festival @ Morven Park Equestrian Center with The Prodigals, IONA
6/17-18/06 Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival @ Alexandria Waterfront with ?
Will we make it to either of these this year? Unknown – we didn’t last year.

6/23-25/06 Old Dominion Beerfest @ Old Dominion Brewery with emmet swimming, Last Train Home
Hopefully we can show up before the Magic Hat runs out this year. I’d really like to go when emmet plays – unless that conflicts with the next show on tap.

6/24/06 Dave Matthews Band @ Nissan Pavilion
Dave and the guys put on an amazing performance last summer here – see if they can top that with another year of playing the new songs.

7/1-2/06 Aimee Mann @ Birchmere
Believe it or not, I still haven’t seen her, and this is an acoustic tour. Would normally go to the Saturday show, but that’s you-know-who’s birthday, so maybe Sunday instead.

7/3/06 Keb’ Mo’, Bonnie Raitt @ Wolf Trap
Speaking of you-know-who, she wanted to see Bonnie Raitt last fall but we had a conflict – nicer to see her at Wolf Trap (even though I’d prefer Marc Broussard as an opener to Keb’ Mo’). And it may be a weeknight, but it’s the night before a holiday.

7/7/06 Journey, Def Leppard @ Nissan Pavilion
Not sure about this one – Jill sounded interested, and I wouldn’t mind seeing the Leps again (not as pumped about Journey, who hired just a soundalike to replace Steve Perry).

7/11/06 Ringo Starr @ Lyric Opera House
After we saw Paul McCartney last time, I decided I would like to see the remaining Beatle. He usually does the classics he sang lead on in concert. Can’t say I’m enthusiastic about his All Starr band this time out though: Richard Marx, Billy Squier (ok, I do like him), the Zombies’ Rod Argent, Edgar Winter and Sheila E. And the show’s in Baltimore on a weeknight. Still, who knows how much longer he’ll continue to tour.

7/20-23/06 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival @ Dodds Farm with Shawn Colvin, Crooked Still, Christine Lavin, eddie from ohio, Dan Bern
The music’s great, but after several visits (this will be our fourth), it’s also about the people we camp with. The only reason to actually drive someplace longer than 3 hours away (to bring the camping gear). A new location this year promises to be interesting.

7/26/06 Jethro Tull @ Wolf Trap
Ok, actually Ian Anderson playing Jethro Tull music with a symphony, but he basically is Tull, right? And I think their music is nicely suited to being played with an orchestra.

8/17/06 eddie from ohio @ Wolf Trap
What’s a summer without a hometown show from these guys? I’m bummed it’s not on a weekend, but hey – maybe I’ll just be a little late to work the next day.