GET YOUR LIGHTERS READY

Despite the slumping economy, plenty of bands are still
hitting the road this summer. The outdoor pavilions will be as busy as
they’ve ever been, and most of the clubs will have music seven nights a
week too. There are deals to be had as well. Be sure to check venue
websites for last-minute discounts and 2-for-1 offers.

The bad news this summer is that there’s little we haven’t seen
before. A slew of ’80s acts that haven’t been relevant in years? Check.
Right-wing country singers hootin’ and hollerin’ at Blossom? Check.
Reunions of acts that said they’d never, ever tour together again?
Check. You can easily lump this summer’s shows into a few distinct
categories that provide an adequate overview of what’s in store.

CLASSIC CASES

Sing us a song, you’re piano men! Billy Joel and Elton
John teamed up for a tour together in the ’90s. One’s American and
the other guy’s British; the American’s straight and the Brit’s as gay
as they come. But somehow it works, so they’re doing it again. They
play Quicken Loans Arena on May 23. Dweezil Zappa carries on
father Frank’s tradition of playing demented rock ‘n’ roll with strange
time signatures. By all accounts, it’s a fitting tribute to the man.
Dweezil brings “Zappa Plays Zappa” to House of Blues on July 3. Famous
for rearranging his classic tunes to the point that they’re barely
recognizable, the always unpredictable (and decidedly cranky) Bob
Dylan returns to Classic Park on July 11. Once again, he’ll have
Willie Nelson opening. Rock Hall inductee John Mellencamp is along for the ride this time too. Other classic cases of note:
Hippie singer/storyteller Arlo Guthrie plays Cain Park on July
18; the Moody Blues bring their prog-rock to Nautica on August
11; and KC & the Sunshine Band, or at least what’s left of
them, visit House of Blues on August 21.

COUNTRY PRIDE

Right-wing country singer Toby Keith shills for Ford but
counts Stephen Colbert among his fans, so he can’t be all bad, right?
He’s at Blossom on June 19 with Trace Adkins opening.
Singer-songwriter Iris Dement has only released four studio
albums over a career that spans more than 15 years. But that makes this
local appearance all the more significant; she plays the Beachland on
August 15. The ever-popular Rascal Flatts play Blossom with
former Hootie and the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker opening on
August 7. Crossover Aussie star Keith Urban comes out of rehab
to play Quicken Loans Arena on August 21.

IN AN ALTERNATIVE WORLD

Don’t let any of this summer’s cool club shows fall between the
cracks. Rambunctious cowpunks the Supersuckers are at Peabody’s
on June 2. Neil Innes of Monty Python/Rutles fame comes to the
Winchester on June 5. Madcap rapper Mr. Lif takes the Grog Shop
stage on June 11. Indie rockers who sing Bruce Springsteen-like anthems
that resonate with Guided by Voices fans, the Hold Steady return
to the Beachland Ballroom on June 15. The Beatles-inspired Rosewood
Thieves come to Wilbert’s on June 17. A bluegrass jam band, the
Avett Brothers have just signed to a major. See them while they
still got their cred at Akron Civic on June 19. Emo icon Conor
Oberst comes to the Grog Shop on July 1 for a show that’s already
sold out. Oberlin-educated singer-songwriter Josh Ritter returns
to the Beachland on July 7.

THE LOUD CROWD

Hard rockers Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap
Trick have teamed up for a bill that comes to Blossom on June 25.
Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd bring a double billing of
redneck rock to Blossom on July 10. A suddenly rejuvenated Judas
Priest (sorry, Ripper!) will perform their classic British
Steel album in its entirety at Time Warner Cable Amphitheater on
July 14. Mötley Crüe hosts the second installment of
Crüefest at Blossom on July 21. Slayer and Marilyn
Manson team up again for what’s now called the Rockstar Energy
Mayhem Festival, stopping at Blossom on July 31. Overbearing Canadian
rockers Nickelback are back at Blossom on August 14. With a
hard-hitting album under their belt, Heaven and Hell play
Nautica on August 22 with hipster prog-rockers Coheed and Cambria
opening.

RANDOM REUNIONS

You couldn’t ask for a weirder mix of reunions than the grab bag
coming to town this summer. The Meat Puppets’ Kirkwood brothers
have put aside their differences and are back together; they play the
Grog Shop on June 6. Detroit punks who’ve just gotten the reissue
treatment, the Dogs play the Beachland Ballroom on June 18.
Boy-band fever has come and gone, but that hasn’t stopped New Kids
on the Block from giving it another go. The current incarnation of
the group comes to Blossom on June 23. The Germs’ frontman Darby
Crash died almost 30 years ago, yet the band’s soldiered on. The
notorious punk group plays Now That’s Class on June 26. She’s so
fabulous on her own, it’s not clear why Gwen Stefani thinks she needs
those clowns from No Doubt, but she’s got the band back together
and brings them to Blossom on June 29. The swing revival is all but
over, but the Squirrel Nut Zippers are back together. They’ll be
at Cain Park on July 25. And horrors upon horrors! Scott Stapp and his
old Creed bandmates decided they suck harder apart than they do
together. They come to Blossom on August 26.

TEEN DREAMS

The Fray had one good hit (“How to Save a Life”) but little
to show for it since. Nevertheless, they’ll be at Time Warner Cable
Amphitheater on July 1. Move over Miley Cyrus: Camp Rock star
Demi Lovato comes to the Wolstein on July 27. Those adorable
Jonas Brothers are back. They’ll have a new album out next
month, and they play Quicken Loans Arena this time around, stopping
there on August 27. The top 10 contestants from this year’s
American Idol aren’t household names (and probably
never will be). But they’re taking the show on the road anyway. They
come to the Wolstein Center on August 23.