After a summer of outdoor concerts and festivals, area rock shows take to the great indoors for what's shaping up to be a busy fall. Several September concerts are already sold out. Among them: grunge rockers Alice in Chains (without, of course, frontman Layne Staley, who died in 2002), who play House of Blues (Sept. 16); American Idol David Cook who's also at House of Blues (Sept. 17); and indie rocker Sufjan Stevens, who plays the Beachland Ballroom (Sept. 24).
There are plenty of other September shows worth mentioning. Hugh Cornwell from the British punk band the Stranglers comes to the Beachland Ballroom (Sept. 18), where he's supported by local indie-poppers the Rainy Day Saints. Former Television guitarist Richard Lloyd plays Wilbert's (Sept. 20). And Minnesota-based synth act Owl City plays the Grog Shop (Sept. 21). Heavy-metal vets Down pair up with proto-grunge rockers the Melvins at House of Blues (Sept. 22), underground metal icons Goatwhore are at Peabody's (Sept. 24) and former Bad Brains frontman HR is at Now That's Class (Sept. 25).
The old 97's' Rhett Miller plays a special "storyteller"-type show at E.J. Thomas Hall (Sept. 26), and the Mark Lanegan-fronted Soulsavers play their local debut at the Grog Shop (Sept. 26). KISS make the rounds one more time with a Quicken Loans Arena show celebrating their 35th anniversary (Sept. 28). Streetlight Manifesto are at the just-reopened Agora Theatre (Sept. 29), and the Austin-based Western swing band Hot Club of Cowtown play Nighttown (Sept. 29). A summer holdover comes at month's end: A rescheduled Blink-182 stop at Blossom (Sept. 30). All American Rejects and Fall Out Boys replace original openers Weezer.
October starts out with one last outdoor show, as emo-rockers Brand New pair up with Manchester Orchestra at Time Warner Cable Amphitheater (Oct. 1). Country-pop phenom Taylor Swift is at Quicken Loans Arena (Oct. 3), and Built to Spill play the Grog Shop (Oct. 4) a few days before their terrific new album, There Is No Enemy, comes out. Rising singer-songwriter (and Bay Village native) Kate Voegele has a homecoming show at House of Blues (Oct. 7), and soul singer Dwele is at Akron's E.J. Thomas Hall (Oct. 10). Recent Rock Hall inductees Metallica are at Quicken Loans Arena (Oct. 15), and the ever-experimental Mars Volta play House of Blues (Oct. 16).
You'll have to go to Youngstown to see pop singer Kelly Clarkson, who performs at the Covelli Centre (Oct. 17). A reunited Damned storms into House of Blues (Oct. 21), and the Misfits are back at Peabody's (Oct. 23). Rock Hall inductee Leonard Cohen makes his first area appearance in more than a decade at the Allen Theatre (Oct. 25), and Travis frontman Travis Healy brings his solo show to the Beachland Ballroom (Oct. 28). Screamo sensation Senses Fail are at Peabody's (Oct. 29), and Mushroomhead bring their annual Halloween show to the Agora Theatre (Oct. 31).
It's never too early for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra to make their way into the region. The Christmas spectacular arrives at Youngstown's Covelli Centre (Nov. 1) well in advance of the Yuletide season. Who singer Roger Daltrey plays a rare solo gig at House of Blues (Nov. 3), the Monkees' Peter Tork brings his blues act to the Winchester (Nov. 7) and the Cult, performing their 1985 album Love in its entirety, are at House of Blues (Nov. 9).
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band bring the "Working on a Dream" tour to Quicken Loans Arena (Nov. 10). Teen sensation Miley Cyrus is also performing there (Nov. 15). Jam jazz veterans Medeski, Martin and Wood play the Kent Stage (Nov. 17), and regional jam rockers Ekoostik Hookah finish the month with their annual Thanksgiving pilgrimage to town, this time playing the Beachland Ballroom (Nov. 27).
