Livewire: 11 of the Best Concerts to Catch in Cleveland This Week

THU 08/07

The Verve Pipe
The alt-rock group known for radio hits such as “Photograph” and “The Freshmen” comes to the Music Box Supper Club. The group formed in Michigan in the early ’90s when talented singer-songwriter Brian Vander Ark signed a production deal prior to the release of the group’s debut, 1992’s I’ve Suffered a Head Injury. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
1148 Main Avenue, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com/.

An August Evening with Wilco
Prior to starting Wilco in the early ’90s, singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy established himself as a musical innovator with Uncle Tupelo, a group that arguably began the alt-country movement. Wilco carried that torch for several years before Tweedy tweaked the band’s lineup and turned to indie rock. The group rarely comes to Cleveland, but it performs at 8 tonight at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. The show is sold out, so you’ll have to check the secondary market.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.

FRI 08/08

MGK Day
The annual three-day festival honoring the local rapper turned national act commences today with an event dubbed XX-Con at Jacobs Pavilion. There will be food, music, vendors and other activities (including a Harley Davidson ride and a skateboarding demonstration) that continue through Sunday. Check the website for details.
mgkday.com.

Black Moth Super Rainbow
The indie rock band known for its experimental approach draws from electronic and psychedelic rock on its latest effort, Soft New Magic Dream. It performs at 7 p.m. at the Roxy at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.

Reaper on Red
The indie rock band with ties to Northeast Ohio comes to the Beachland Tavern. The band’s Robert Cherry and Carla Cherry lived in Cleveland for many years and regularly gigged around town. They’ve just released their second album, Doom Daze, a collection of post-punk tunes with a Goth-y vibe that compares to acts such as Joy Division and Bauhaus. The show begins at 8 p.m., and Poem Rocket and the Elder Goths open.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

Toto + Men at Work + Christopher Cross
A triple bill of yacht rock superstars rolls into Blossom tonight at 6:45 p.m. as Toto, Men at Work and Christopher Cross team up for this triple bill of smooth grooves that go well with margaritas and other fruity drinks.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.

SAT 08/09

The Fray
The alternative rock group celebrates the 20th anniversary of its hit tune, “How To Save a Life,” with this show at the Agora. The band formed in Denver way back in 2002; “How To Save a Life” was one of two successful singles from the album of the same name. Doors open at 6 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.

Night Demon
The California-based metal band considers Cleveland to be a second home ever since Bill Peters helped it establish a local audience by playing the group on his Metal on Metal radio show. Celebrating the anniversary of its breakthrough album, The Curse of the Damned, performs tonight at 8 at the Rock Hall. It’ll play the album in its entirety. Destructor and Sacred Few open.
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.

SUN 08/10

Dropkick Murphys and Bad Religion
The two veteran punk bands bring their co-headlining tour to Jacobs Pavilion. Known for their stance against political and social oppression, the Dropkick Murphys have been in the news lately for dedicating their song “First Class Loser” to Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. The show starts at 6 p.m., and the Mainliners open.
2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.

Wilson Phillips
Thanks to the success of “Hold On,” the hit single from Wilson Phillips’s 1990 self-titled debut, this pop group became an overnight sensation. The inspirational tune features the threesome’s remarkable vocal harmonies. Though it went on hiatus for a few years, the group has continued to produce music of a similar ilk. it performs at 7:30 p.m. at MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage.
10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com/en.html.

TUE 08/12

Goo Goo Dolls with Dashboard Confessional — Summer Anthem Tour
An enduring alt-rock act out of Buffalo, Goo Goo Dolls return to Blossom with indie rockers Dashboard Confessional. Early on, the Goo Goos shifted from their punk and even metal-ish predilections to deliver anthems such as “Name” and “Iris.” Expect them to stick with the slower stuff tonight. The show starts at 6:30 p.m.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.

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This article appears in Cleveland SCENE 7/30/25.