Summer in The Land means baseball games, spending time in our gorgeous parks and going to see live music—preferably outdoors. After all, as temperatures heat up, so does the local concert season. Here are some of the national artists swinging through town this summer.
The Strokes
June 19, Blossom Music Center
A week before releasing an eagerly anticipated new album, Reality Awaits, the Strokes will be throwing it back to the days when New York City was the epicenter of indie rock cool.
Bleachers and Wednesday*
June 19, Jacobs Pavilion
When Jack Antonoff isn’t working with artists such as Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter, he is making retro-cool synth-pop with his New Jersey proud-band Bleachers. As an added bonus, the indie rock force Wednesday is opening this show.
Paul Simon
June 23, Blossom Music Center
Every Paul Simon concert is special—but this year’s summer tour is especially meaningful. The folk icon will first play his composition “Seven Psalms” in full, followed by another set with solo hits and Simon & Garfunkel favorites.
Gin Blossoms
June 26, Lock 3
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as hollering “Hey Jealousy” at the top of your lungs with other Gin Blossoms fans. Luckily, you’ll have that chance this summer, when the Arizona band comes to town and dips back into the 1990s for a headlining set.
Earl Sweatshirt & MIKE with SURF GANG
June 26, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock Hall’s summer concert series is especially impressive this year. After kicking things off with Kim Gordon and then a sold-out show with Spoon and the Beths, the museum is presenting two modern hip-hop luminaries: Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE with SURF GANG.
Human League, Alison Moyet and Soft Cell
July 1, Center Stage of Northfield Park Racino
Synth-pop icons the Human League have booked a rare tour of the U.S.—and to celebrate, they’ve brought the incomparable Alison Moyet and electro Soft Cell along for the ride.
Lucinda Williams and Her Band
July 9, Beachland Ballroom
There’s a good reason why this Lucinda Williams show is already sold out: The alt-country icon is a reliably phenomenal performer, particularly when she’s performing with her ace band.
Lucy Dacus
July 20, The Agora
Whether with her exuberant trio boygenius or touring as a solo act, Lucy Dacus is a charismatic performer who cuts to the heart of love, loss and being human. Her latest album, Forever Is a Feeling, captures these multitudes exquisitely.
Bloc Party
July 20, Globe Iron
After indie sleaze came to the mid-2000s dance-punk resurgence led by bands such as Bloc Party, who have experienced some lineup changes but are still going strong more than 20 years after the release of their debut album, 2005’s Silent Alarm.
Pavement
July 23, The Agora
The ’90s indie rock legends—who are resonating with younger generations thanks to the unexpected virality of tunes such as “Harness Your Hopes”—haven’t been to Cleveland in many years, making this gig a must-see.
Parker McCollum
July 24, Blossom Music Center
Country music and Blossom Music Center go together like peanut butter and jelly—as evidenced by this stacked lineup featuring Parker McCollum, Gabby Barett and Kassi Ashton.
Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age and Mannequin Pu**y
August 10, Huntington Bank Field
After hosting Zach Bryan earlier this year, Huntington Bank Field is opening its doors to a ferocious triple bill of rock ‘n’ roll with Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age and Mannequin Pu**y.
Kehlani
August 14, Blossom Music Center
In February, Kehlani finally got her flowers when she won two Grammys, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song, for the single “Folded.” See for yourself why this recognition is long overdue when she headlines a late-summer show at Blossom. This is extra special because a Cleveland hometown hero is opening for Kehlani, none other than recent Grammy winner, Durand Bernarr, a born and raised Clevelander.
Mountain Goats
August 15, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Right after releasing a new studio album, Days—led by the single “Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds”—the John Darnielle-led band is heading to the Rock Hall for what’s sure to be an erudite, entertaining set.
More Acts Gracing the Stage this Summer
- Los Mirlos - June 17, Beachland Ballroom
- Sonido Gallo Negro - June 24, Grog Shop
- Ratboys - June 26, Grog Shop
- Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs - July 11, Center Stage Northfield Park Racino
- American Football - Aug. 7, House of Blues
- Squeeze, Adam Ant and Haircut 100 - Sept. 1, Jacobs Pavilion
