Summer Concert Guide: The 20 Shows You Can’t Miss This Season
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/13-937x705.jpg)
1. Tori Amos, 8/10, Kimmel Center
Rolling Stone once called her one of the best live performers of all time. That remains true today. Some critics are calling her latest work her best album in 20 years.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/13-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/21-937x549.jpg)
2. Billy Joel, 8/2, Citizens Bank Park
In 1972, a virtually unknown pianist played his newest composition at Sigma Sound in Philadelphia, a performance that was then broadcast over and over again on WMMR. The pianist was Billy Joel, the song was “Captain Jack” (which would be released on the Piano Man album one year later), and the moment was responsible for catapulting him to national stardom. He rarely performs the song, but if there’s anyplace he’ll do so, it will be here.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/21-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/31-937x625.jpg)
3. tUnE-yArDs, 6/15, Union Transfer
Since Sasha Frere-Jones profiled her in the New Yorker in 2011, Tune-Yards mastermind Merrill Garbus has blown up, and you’ve likely heard her song “Gangsta” on Weeds, Orange is the New Black and The Good Wife. Download her wildly experimental (but still tremendously fun) new release Nikki Nackto prep for her show, but expect the unexpected. No two shows are the same.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/31-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/41-529x705.jpg)
4. Musikfest, 8/1 to 8/10, various locations
Bethlehem’s annual festival is easily overlooked but shouldn’t be. This year’s headliners include everyone from Steely Dan, ZZ Top and the Moody Blues to the Avett Brothers, Keith Urban and Weezer.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/41-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/51-470x705.jpg)
5. James Taylor, 7/22, Susquehanna Bank Center
Sing it with me now: I’ve seen fire, and I’ve seen rain. …
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/51-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/61-937x625.jpg)
6. Queen, 7/16, Wells Fargo Center
American Idol and Glee alum and consummate vocalist Adam Lambert filling the shoes of the long-departed Freddie Mercury. We’re very (cautiously) curious.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/61-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/71-529x705.jpg)
7. Made in America, 8/30 and 31, Ben Franklin Parkway
The third annual celebration of music and Budweiser, or: the weekend when all Fairmount and Art Museum-area residents head out of town. The haters can hate all they want. The fact is, this is one cool-ass party.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/71-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/91-575x705.jpg)
9. Katy Perry, 8/4 and 5, Wells Fargo Center
Two nights with the 11-time Grammy-nominated pop tart, who’s recently been seen on the arm of Philly expat-turned-DJ’ing multimillionaire Diplo.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/91-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/101-937x672.jpg)
10. XPoNential Fest, 7/25 to 7/27, Wiggins Park and Susquehanna Bank Center
WXPN presents Beck, Ryan Adams, Band of Horses, and a couple of dozen other station favorites.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/101-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/121-567x705.jpg)
12. Bruno Mars, 7/17, Susquehanna Bank Center
The musical descendant of Sam Cooke, James Brown and Jackie Wilson, Mars is one of the more thrilling (and best-selling) performers to emerge on the national music scene of late. Just cover the kids’ ears for that “Your sex takes me to paradise” tune.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/121-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/131-937x629.jpg)
13. Hall & Oates, 6/20, Borgata
The duo’s first area performance since their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/131-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/141-937x527.jpg)
14. Willie Nelson with Alison Krauss, 6/13, Mann Music Center
Pretty much the perfect under-the-stars, sit-on-the-grass summer concert.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/141-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/151-470x705.jpg)
15. 4th of July Jam, 7/4, Ben Franklin Parkway
The Roots’ special guests include Nicki Minaj and Jennifer Hudson. And don’t worry; we won’t think you’re lame for watching the whole thing on TV.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/151-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/161-937x632.jpg)
16. Crosby, Stills & Nash, 7/12, Borgata
Some trivia: 1) Woodstock was only their second gig. 2) David Crosby is the biological father of Melissa Etheridge’s baby. 3) They failed their audition for the Beatles’ Apple label.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/161-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/171-937x628.jpg)
17. Phish, 7/8 and 9, Mann Music Center
Just remember: Marijuana is still illegal in Philadelphia. You’ve been warned!
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/171-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/181-881x705.jpg)
18. Santana, 6/13 and 14, Borgata
Check out his new release, Corazón; but expect to hear all of your favorites at the show, too. Santana likes to give the people what they want.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/181-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/19-470x705.jpg)
19. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, 6/27, Johnny Brenda’s
The longtime Philly indie favorites debut their fourth studio album, Only Run, this month. Find the fantastic single “Coming Down” on SoundCloud.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/19-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/20-937x603.jpg)
20. Nick Cave, 7/25, Mann Music Center
The enigmatic front man is joined by his longtime backing band, the Bad Seeds, with local hero Kurt Vile opening the show. A better combination we cannot imagine.
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/06/20-96x72.jpg)
![](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/fiorillo-avatar-170x170.jpg)
https://www.facebook.com/VictorKnowsPhilly/
vfiorillo@phillymag.com