CLEVELAND, Ohio – Summer 2017 may be the busiest in decades for Northeast Ohio concert fans.
But just as the Indians go to spring training to loosen up and “build their innings,” live music fans have a few months to get ready for the season to come. Best of all, the quantity and quality of concerts that will take us from winter to spring to summer is as voluminous and diverse as what we’re going to see by the time golf shoes replace snow boots.
Keep in mind, too, that venues like Beachland Ballroom, the Music Box Supper Club, the Agora, Mahall’s, the Happy Dogs, the Grog Shop, the Bop Stop, G.A.R. Hall, Nighttown and others also a providing a steady diet of quality music.
That said, here’s a sampling of some of the shows that have been announced that are coming to town between Friday, Feb. 3, and Wednesday, May 31:
FEBRUARY
Friday, Feb. 3, Gary Allan, Hard Rock Rocksino. Allan spent his formative years in California playing both punk rock and covering George Jones. Now you know the source of one of the most expressive voices in country music.
Saturday, Feb. 4, Paul Fayrewether, House of Blues. Lorain native Fayrewether is a Cleveland favorite, and has been since he started out as a cover band in the mid-’70s doing covers of bands ranging from Genesis to the Sensational Alex Harvey Band before branching into originals.
Saturday, Feb. 4, Taylor Hicks, The Kent Stage. Who? Oh, yeah. That bluesy “American Idol” guy.
Friday, Feb. 10, David Allan Coe, Tangier. Akron native Coe has given one of the best shows I’ve ever seen . . . and one of the worst. I spent a couple of hours on his tour bus several years ago. I’m not saying ALL his stories were untrue, but I will say it was my first run-in with #alternativefacts.
Friday, Feb. 10, Donna the Buffalo, with Bess Greenberg, G.A.R. Hall. One of the coolest Americana-style bands in what’s definitely one of the coolest venues, right off the main drag in quaint and beautiful Peninsula.
Friday, Feb. 10, Patti Labelle, Hard Rock Rocksino. I wonder if she’s bringing frozen pie?
Friday, Feb. 10, Twiztid, with Blaze, Boondox, G-Mo Skee, the R.O.C., Lex the Hex Master. Agora. Twiztid and Insane Clown Posse are feuding. Send in the clones.
Saturday, Feb. 11, Albert Lee, The Kent Stage. He says he didn’t get the Everly Brothers back together, and I GUESS I believe him. Still, a sweet man with an even sweeter guitar.
Saturday, Feb. 11, Joe, Ginuwine, Dru Hill, Next, Jagged Edge, CSU’s Wolstein Center. Soul, R&B and hip-hop step up . . . at last.
Sunday, Feb. 12, Dominick Farinacci Sextet, Nighttown. Ya gotta support the local boy . . . who happens to be one of the finest horn players in jazz.
Tuesday, Feb. 14, Charlie Wilson, with Johnny Gill and Fantasia, The Q. Well, this is cool: Four days after the real Patti Labelle, we get Fantasia, whom Labelle dubbed “Baby Patti Labelle.”
Tuesday, Feb. 14, Neil Sedaka, Hard Rock Rocksino. Sing it with me: My eyes adored yooooouuuuu…
Wednesday, Feb. 22, Maroon 5, with Tinashe and R. City. Adam Levine & Co. are still rockin’ it with catchy pop tunes. To put it a bit more colorfully, avoid the winter blues with Maroon 5.
Friday, Feb. 24, Eric Church, The Q. “Mr. Misunderstood” is one of the few artists in mainstream country music who just march to a different drummer, he creates his own dang drum.
Saturday, Feb. 25, ZZ Top, Hard Rock Rocksino. Be cool if the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame were to take the “Eliminator” car that’s on view there and put it in the parking lot. Even cooler if they auctioned off. And cooler still if I won it.
Sunday, Feb. 26, Ariana Grande, with Little Mix, The Q. Do these kitty ears make my butt look big?
MARCH
Wednesday, March 8, Panic! at the Disco, with Misterwives and St. Motel, Wolstein Center. Brendon Urie can do anything he wants for the rest of his career, but to me, he will always be the guy at the first Alternative Press Music Awards Show who showed up in a gold lame jacket, crooning Sinatra. And nailing it.
Sunday, March 12, Patti Smith, Playhouse Square’s State Theatre. Punk royalty. ‘Nuff said.
Sunday, March 12, Winter Jam Christian music festival with Crowder, Colton Dixon (“American Idol” contestant) and eight other acts, Wolstein Center. Lord knows, this should be a good show.
Sunday, March 12. Dinosaur Jr., Beachland Ballroom. Must be doing something right if they’re still making a living at alternative rock after more than 30 years.
Sunday, March 19, Bon Jovi, The Q. Wonder how many people will come out of this concert with an urge to order DirecTV?
Sunday, March 26, Bryan Ferry, Playhouse Square’s State Theatre. Expect the Roxy Music singer’s solo show to make a case for enshrinement in the Rock Hall.
Friday, March 31, Los Lobos, Music Box Supper Club. This the first of two nights at the Music Box for the band that may be best known to the general public for their cover of Ritchie Valens’ “La Bomba,” for the movie. Friday, they’re doing their groundbreaking hit “Kiko” in its entirety. The next night, April 1, it’s a collection of hits from the group’s storied career.
APRIL
Tuesday, April 4, Peter Frampton, Playhouse Square’s Ohio Theatre. Do we still feel like he does? Yeah, I think so.
Wednesday, April 5, Lionel Richie with Mariah Carey, The Q. No lip-syncing allowed, or we’ll all be dancing on the ceiling.
Thursday, April 13, Rocktopia, Playhouse Square’s State Theatre. Can’t wait for next year’s installment of Trans-Siberian Orchestra? Try this extravaganza.
Saturday, April 22, Brian Wilson, Hard Rock Rocksino. I wish they all could be North Coast girls.
MAY
Wednesday, May 3, The xx, Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica. This solid British indie-pop band is a great start to the outdoor concert season.
Friday, May 12, Jason Aldean, with Chris Young and Kane Brown, Blossom Music Center. Aaaaand, the Blossom country season gets under way.
Saturday, May 13, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Q. Rock & Roll Hall of Famers still have it. Guess they chose not to, ahem, give it away.
Tuesday, May 30, Neil Diamond, The Q. 20,000 people unite for the “Sweet Caroline” chorus. Epic.
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