By Sue Perbody Summer is in full swing, and it’s time to get out and enjoy the music! There are a variety of concerts happening this month, coming perfectly in time for the best season of all. Did one of your favorites make the list? Check out below! On Wednesday, July 17, Darien Lake brings a div...
By Sue Perbody
Summer is in full swing, and it’s time to get out and enjoy the music! There are a variety of concerts happening this month, coming perfectly in time for the best season of all. Did one of your favorites make the list? Check out below!
On Wednesday, July 17, Darien Lake brings a diverse set of groups to the Amphitheatre. Pop punk trio Blink 182 and rapper/hip hop artist Lil Wayne will be taking over, bringing a vast array of sounds to this Buffalo suburb. The Darien Lake Amphitheatre is a popular outdoor venue in Western New York that can hold over 21,000 guests in its seats, and on its large lawn. Blink 182 consists of Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker, and, in recent years, Matt Skiba. This iconic trio has been producing catchy tunes since the mid-1990s. Such hits from this band include All The Small Things, What’s My Age Again?, and I Miss You. Rapper/Hip Hop artist Lil Wayne has been producing work since the mid-1990s, as well. Throughout his years, he has collaborated with many other artists to produce hit songs that include Sucker For Pain, Scared of the Dark, Drop the World, and Mona Lisa. Lil Wayne reached high popularity in 2004 with his fourth album, entitled Tha Carter. This album consists of popular singles that include Bring It Back, Go D.J., and Earthquake. Ticket prices begin at $37.50 for the lawn, excluding additional service fees, and seem to be escalating in price rather quickly. Grab the good seats before it’s too late!
While we are on the topic of rappers, another popular rapper is coming to the Darien Lake Amphitheatre on Sunday, July 21. Rapper Wiz Khalifa joined the scene in 2006, and make a break-thru in the scene in 2008 with his single Say Yeah. He switched from Warner Bros. Records¬ to Atlantic Records in 2011, where he produced his hit single Black and Yellow. The following album produced additional singles, including Work Hard, Play Hard and Remember You. Tickets for this show begin at $29.00, excluding additional service fees, and go into the $100-$200 range for the good seats. You won’t want to miss out on this one!
Don’t worry country fans, we didn’t forget about you! Popular Country artist Thomas Rhett is coming to Darien Lake two days after Blink 182 and Lil Wayne. For those who are not familiar with this genre, both him and his father are popular Country musicians. Rhett joined the music scene in 2010 with his album My Kinda Party, signing a recording contract with Big Machine Records. In early 2012, his debut single Something to Do with My Hands made the top 30 Hot Country Songs chart. His third single, It Goes Like This, peaked at number two on the same chart. Additional hit singles from recent years include Marry Me and Unforgettable. Tickets for this show begin at $39.00, excluding additional service fees, and seem to be increasing quite steadily. Come on down with your hat and boots, it’s going to be a Grande ol time!
Do you want to go to a concert for humorous entertainment? Look no further than Lewiston’s famous venue Artpark! Join the fun on Tuesday, July 23 for a performance by “Weird Al” Yankovic for the Strings Attached Tour. Weird Al is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist in history. He has earned four Grammys and fifteen career nominations. Some of his parody hits include Eat It, Like A Surgeon, Smells Like Nirvana, and White & Nerdy. This show will consist of “high-energy rock and comedy production featuring his original band, costumes, props, a video wall, and – for the first time – background singers and a full symphony orchestra. Tickets for this show range from $17-$77, depending on your viewing choice and time of purchase. Gates open at 5, and the show begins at 7.
Modern alternative rock music has been expanding in popularity quite rapidly, and bands like The Struts and The Glorious Sons are no exception to this booming admiration. These foreign bands formed in the 2010-2011 time range, and are joining Buffalo’s Canalside for their affordable summer concert series. The Struts originate from England, booming the industry with such hits as Could Have Been Me and Kiss This. The Glorious Sons come from Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and have produced hits such as S.O.S. (Sawed Off Shotgun), Everything Is Alright, and Heavy. This Canalside concert event has tickets that start at just $5. For a catchy night of rhythmic guitars and wicked vocals, come check these guys out.
Look no further for a rock concert than the iconic classic rock bands Heart and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. Heart is a classic rock band that formed in the 1970s, breaking through the industry with a powerful front-man, or should I say, woman! Ann Wilson makes this hand what it is with her distinct sound and vocal range. Popular hits include Barracuda, Alone, and Crazy On You. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts formed in the last 1970s, helping the breakthrough for women in rock and roll music, alongside Ann Wilson. Popular hits from this iconic group include I Love Rock ‘N Roll, I Hate Myself For Loving You, and Bad Reputation. These iconic groups will be taking over the Darien Lake Amphitheatre on Friday, July 26. Tickets begin at $29.50, excluding additional service fees, and are selling hot. Grab the chance to see these legendary artists while you still have a chance!
July is the season of concerts, and there certainly is something available for everyone! Search Live Nation and Ticketmaster for additional concerts, including, but not limited to, Kidz Bop, a Grateful Dead cover band called “John Kadlecik Band,” and Carvin Jones Band. Now, get out and enjoy the music before the snow starts piling in!