(Neo-soul crooner Anthony Hamilton headlines the opening night of Hampton Jazz Festival
By Staff
Nine-time Grammy nominated smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz recently told Veer Magazine the summer of 2023 will mark the true, post-pandemic return to form for the concert industry.
We couldn’t agree more looking at the region-wide schedule across the spectrum of indoor and outdoor venues and music-specific festivals.
Following is our staff picks for the Top 40 Concerts of Summer. As with any list, feel free to agree or disagree. Everyone no doubt has their favorites and strong dislikes.
The main thing is we want readers to be encouraged to get off the couch and leap back into the habit of experiencing live music in-person. Turn off the Zoom, forget streaming, and live in the moment.
Enjoy the show.
1
53rd Annual Hampton Jazz Festival
June 23-25
Hampton Coliseum
The region’s oldest music festival returns after a 3-year hiatus due to the pandemic and the lineup of entertainers — picked by fans of the fest — is stellar.
Friday, June 23: Anthony Hamilton, Trombone Shorty, Stephanie Mills, and Jonathan Butler.
Saturday, June 24: Charlie Wilson, Chris Botti, Avery Sunshine, and The Chuck Brown Band.
Sunday, June 25: Fantasia, Babyface, Kenny G, and Peter White.
2
Beach It Country Music Festival
June 23-25
On the beach between 3rd Street and 7th Street
This all-day, outdoor festival on the beach makes its debut with an exciting mix of established headliners including Mirada Lambert, Thomas Rhett and Luke Bryan as well as a healthy helping of Nashville’s next-big-things. Read our preview interview with Alana Springsteen on page 34.
3
40th Annual Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival
August 18-19
Town Point Park, Norfolk
If smooth jazz is your thing then this 2-night outdoor festival on the Elizabeth River will surely delight with some of the genre’s finest recording artists.
Check out the lineup and go to the show.
Friday, August 18: Gerald Albright, Keiko Matsui, and Kim Waters/Kayla Waters.
Saturday, August 19: Dave Koz w/Eric Darius, Candy Dulfer & Maysa Leak, Jazz Funk Soul, and Kandace Springs.
4
Tears For Fears
July 7
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
The beloved British new wave/pop duo is back together and on the road with all of their greatest hits including “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule The World.”
5
The Doobie Brothers
July 3
Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
If you attended this 50th anniversary tour concert you know how great it was. The experience should be just as good at the “smaller amphitheater in Portsmouth. Expects the hits — “Minute By Minute,” “Taking It To The Streets,” “China Grove,” “Black Water” — as well as several deep cut for diehard fans. Read our complete concert preview on page 32
6
Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa & Too Short
August 5
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
A great night of hip hop with arguably the most beloved performer headlining in Snoop Dogg. Expect performances of “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Who Am I? (What’s My Name?)”
7
Chris Stapleton
July 14
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
The country music sensation is always a solid live performer. Listen for all your favorite tunes like “Tennessee Whiskey” and “You Should Probably Leave.” Stay for the whole show, though.
8
Erykah Badu
July 12
Chartway Arena @ ODU
The Queen of Neo-Soul returns to the 757 with her blend of R&B, hip hop, and soul.
9
Rob Zombie & Alice Cooper w/Ministry
August 30
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
Two of hard rock’s most theatrical, horror show themed acts hit the road again for a great billing, a spectacle for the ears and eyes. Shock rocker Alice Cooper, of course, comes with an arsenal of hit songs such as “School’s Out,” “I’m 18,” and “Billion Dollar Babies.” Industrial rock act Ministry will open.
10
50 Cent, Busta Rhymes & Jeremih
August 13
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
The bill features two giants of hip hop in Busta Rhymes and 50 Cent. Both had their heyday, and yet they still bring it live in concert. Expects 50 to dive deep into material from “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” while Busta speed-raps with “Turn It Up/Fire It Up” and “Gimme Some More.”
11
X with Squirrel Nut Zippers
June 28
Elevation 27
The legendary punk rock band from Los Angeles returns to the 757 with some new material and the old fan favorites for an intimate concert of full-on energy. Read our full-strength preview on page 30.
12
Masters of the Mic
August 18
Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
The bill features hip hop legends Doug E. Fresh, EPMD, Rakim, KRS-One, and Slick Rick.
Want a music education? Check out this must-see show of some of hip hop’s founding members.
13
Barenaked Ladies
July 18
Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
Known for their “Big Bang Theory” theme song, the 1990s-era Candian pop/rock band has a strong setlist that includes “Pinch Me” and “One Week.” Opening the show are Five For Fighting and Del Amitri.
14
Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde & Struggle Jennings
August 12
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
On the surface, singer Jelly Roll might pass for a drummer in some death metal band, but in reality the multi-genre performers has become a major hit in country music, winning three CMT Music Awards for his tune “Son of a Sinner” earlier this year.
15
Matchbox Twenty & The Wallflowers
July 26
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
This pair of groups popular in the late’90s/early 2000s are guaranteed to bring a thousand smiles. Matchbox 20 hits included “3 AM” and “If You’re Gone.” The Jacob Dylan-led Wallflowers are best known for “One Headlight,” “Three Marlenas” and “The Difference.”
16
Nickelback
September 2
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
Tickets for Nickelback concerts this summer have been selling so well they decided to extend the tour to include Virginia Beach. The hard rock band are certain to perform “Rockstar,” “Far Away,” and “Photograph.”
17
The Avett Brothers
August 8
Chartway Arena @ ODU
The Avett’s are a familiar act in these parts and they always put on an outstanding, high-energy concert of new grass-meets-pop.
18
Billy Strings
July 19
Chartway Arena @ ODU
Progressive bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings is a rare talent. Phenomenal guitarist and showman that people can’t seem to get enough of.
19
Arrested Development
August 2
17th Street Stage @ Oceanfront
Grammy-winning, Afrocentric hip-hop trailblazers Arrested Development will give a somewhat rare live performance with free admission. The group was heard in the film “Malcolm X.” Hits include “People Everyday” “Tennessee,” and “Mr. Wendal.”
20
SAD Summer Festival 2-23
July 11
Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
This tour of alternative rock features Taking Back Sunday as the headliner and includes The Maine, Mom Jeans, Stand Atlantic, Hot Mulligan, PVRIS, and Daisy Grenade.
21
Godsmack & Staind
July 21
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
Looking for a nu-rock concert to attend? This is your best bet for summer. Key Godsmack tracks include “Soul On Fire,” “I Stand Alone,” and “Awake.”
22
Tab Benoit with Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos
July 18
Elevation 27
Blues guitar great Tab Benoit returns to Virginia Beach and this year will be especially poignant since he produced and signed local blue/rock group Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos — his opening act. Do not miss this show.
23
Living Colour
July 27
New Realm Brewing Company
The very week Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality” exploded on commercial radio, the hard rock band played a scheduled show at Norfolk’s tiny King’s Head Inn. A month later they returned for a sold-out gig at The Boathouse. Still on top of their games, check ‘em out at New Realm. Our friends Rocky 7 open the show.
24
Fall Out Boy, Bring Me The Horizon, Royal and the Serpent
July 22
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
A fun evening of 2000s era punk pop with Fall Out Boy and friends.
25
Herb Alpert & Lani Hall
July 26
Sandler Center
Talk about a legend. Jazz/pop trumpeter, composer, record company executive Herb Alpert will perform a full set of his 1960s Tijuana Brass hits and more. A must concert.
26
Sergio Mendes
August 16
Sandler Center
Another of those rare opportunities this summer to hear a legend perform in concert. In this case, a true gem of Brazilian music with a fusion of jazz and funk. You’ll be hard-pressed to sit still in your seat.
27
Spyro Gyra
July 12
Elevation 27
Jazz greats Spyro Gyra perform in an ideal setting at Elevation 27. An A+ opportunity.
28
Counting Crows & Dashboard Confessional
July 28
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
While we could take or leave Dashboard Confessional, Counting Crows are exceptional and the reason to attend this concert. Love hits like “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here.”
29
Soccer Mommy
July 26
17th Street Stage @ Oceanfront
A free show from this hip, indie/folk singer-songwriter from Switzerland that music critics seem to love. Check out tunes like “Shotgun,” “Cool” and “Bones.”
30
Ace Frehley
August 16
17th Street Stage @ Oceanfront
KISS guitarist Ace Frehley lands in Virginia Beach for a free show of his solo works as well as the songs he penned while an active member of KISS, including “Shock Me,” “Cold Gin” and “Strange Ways.”
31
Rebelution
June 24
Veterans Home Loans Amphitheater @ Virginia Beach
What happens when you combine jam band vibes, reggae, funk and rock? Rebelution. Get stones, dance, and twirl the night away.
32
Virginia Beach Funk Fest Beach Party
August 25
24th Street on the Beach
No better place to experience old school funk and disco. Plus your rare chance to hear Evelyn “Champagne” King and The Bar-Kays live in concert.
33
Foghat
June 21
17th Street Stage @ Oceanfront
The 1970s-era classic rock band will perform a free concert sure to please with such radio-played songs as “Slow Ride” and “Fool For the City.”
34
Moe.
July 12
17th Street Stage @ Oceanfront
For some fans of jam band music, Moe, with their more concisely penned songs, was every bit as good as Phish. See them free of charge.
35
Richard Elliott & Rick Braun
July 15
Harrison Opera House
Two smooth jazz giants on one stage together. What’s not to love?
36
Steel Panther
July 22
The NorVa
The next best thing to Spinal Tap, Steel Panther are an over-the-top glam/metal band full of flash, dazzle, and fun.
37
Dumpstaphunk
August 24
17th Street Stage @ Oceanfront
You may have seen this New Orleans fusion/funk group at a past Bayou Bon Vivant festival of Cajun culture. Enjoy them for free in late August with the ocean freeze.
38
Black Joe Lewis
July 6
New Realm Brewing Company
When Black Joe Lewis debuted in 2009, many music industry types hailed him as the “next big thing” and one of the “ten bands set to break out.” Songs like “Sugarfoot” and “Big Booty Woman” were clear evidence. Somehow, superstardom eluded the gifted guitarist and player of modern soul/funk/blues. The talent is still there. Check him out.
39
The Connells
July 14
The NorVa
Back in the late ‘80s, college rock was a big thing and this twang/pop band was super popular in Norfolk, performing multiple times to sold-out crowds at The Boathouse.
40
Moon Taxi
August 9
17th Street Stage @ Oceanfront
Free
Alternative rock band plays a free show at the Oceanfront. Songs to listen for include “Too High,” “All Day All Night” and “Mission.”
