Greetings Rockers ’N’ Rollers! This past month of March included a couple National shows in Harrisburg. German industrial-band KMFDM visited HMAC’s Capitol Ballroom on March 11 for a really good show. The band originated in 1984 in Hamburg and is considered by critics to be one of the first to bring industrial music to mainstream audiences. KMFDM incorporates heavy metal guitar riffs, electronic music, samples and both male and female vocals to create their sound. It was great to connect with friend and fellow Kutztown University graduate Andee Black, who plays guitar for both KMFDM and Blondie. His amazing musicianship and countless years of devotion playing guitar while living in New York City has led to a beautiful career. KMFDM just completed a 20-show tour of the United States.
The 5th Annual Central Pennsylvania Music Awards took place at the Hershey Theatre on March 28. This year’s inductees included Fuel, Hybrid Ice, Fred Waring, Blitz Dynette, Vince DiCola and a Lifetime Achievement award to Al Shade. A great night celebrating the best musicians past and present in Central PA. Congratulations to founder and president Brandon Valentine on another year well done. Fuel singer, Brett Scallions, accepted the award for the band and performed several songs acoustically. Scallions then performed a special acoustic concert the following night with Jason Womack, Joey Dalto and Tyler Adkins at Hershey’s Englewood.
Hersheypark Stadium summer concerts include: Morgan Wallen (May 9), Stevie Nicks (June 15), Hootie & The Blowfish, Collective Soul, Edwin McCain (June 28), Justin Timberlake (July 4), Janet Jackson, Nelly (July 6), Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (July 7), Foo Fighters, Hives, Amyl and the Sniffers (July 23), Journey, Def Leppard, Steve Miller Band (July 25), Five Finger Death Punch, Marilyn Manson (Aug 2), New Kids On The Block, Paula Abdul, DJ Jazzy Jeff (Aug 3), Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, The Linda Lindas (Aug 10), Creed, 3 Doors Down, Finger Eleven (Aug 23), P!NK (Oct 1)
After 40 shows between September and March, U2 wrapped its groundbreaking run at Sphere in Las Vegas March 2, as the technological wonder completed its debut series. The legendary Irish-band grossed $244,478,903 on 662,532 tickets. Their drummer Larry Mullen Jr., was unable to play with his bandmates while recovering from surgery. He did attend the March 1 show commenting, “What an incredible night at Sphere. So grateful to Bono, Edge and Adam and of course Bram for an amazing job, very emotional night for me personally.”
Another genre-based mega-festival has been created featuring punk legends. The titled No Values festival will take place June 8 at the Pomona Fairplex, home of the Los Angeles County Fair, and take place on four stages. An incredible line-up including Misfits, Iggy Pop, Turnstile, L7, The Bronx, Bad Religion, Suicidal Tendencies, Black Flag, The Jesus Lizard, The Damned, Sublime, Fidlar, Social Distortion, Viagra Boys and Power Trip to name a few.
Stone Temple Pilots and LIVE are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their respective albums, Purple and Throwing Copper, and both bands are going on the co-headlining “Jubilee Tour” this fall to honor the milestone. Stops include 9/04 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA and 9/06 – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ.
The Pretenders will visit 15 cities to support the influential band’s latest studio album, Relentless, as well as play classic tracks such as “I’ll Stand By You,” “Brass in Pocket” and “Don’t Get Me Wrong.” On top of supporting Foo Fighters for their stadium tour, the British band will headline Red Bank, New Jersey on July 13, The Fillmore Philadelphia on July 14 and Washington DC on July 21.
Global icon Madonna will wrap her successful “The Celebration Tour” with a concert at one of the world’s most beautiful and legendary beaches. On May 4, The Material Girl will take the stage at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach for a free concert. The event will be her biggest gig yet, an unforgettable concert in one of the world’s most beautiful settings. The show will be free of charge, first-come, first served as a thank you to her fans for celebrating more than four decades of her music.
The 2024 edition of Willie Nelson’s annual 4th of July Picnic will take place in the Birthplace of America. Or at least across the Delaware River from the birthplace. The annual event is set for Independence Day at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, NJ with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Maren Morris, Mavis Staples and Celisse. Nelson’s annual picnic began in 1973 in his beloved state of Texas. Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival tour also takes place this summer with 25-dates including Hersheypark Stadium on July 7. The 2024 artist lineup promises to be the most epic yet featuring Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Celisse.
Korn has announced a 25-date tour which will be joined by Gojira and Spiritbox. Dates include Camden, NJ on Sept 20 and Neward, NJ on Sept 23. Megan Thee Stallion is gearing up for another “Hot Girl Summer” as the rapper announces her 2024 tour dates with GloRilla at Philadelphia on May 22 and Baltimore May 28. My Morning Jacket and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are heading out together for an 11-date, co-headlining run. The acts will swap positions on the bill and play equal length sets. The tour visits The Mann in Philadelphia on Sept 26 and Merriweather in Columbia, MD on Sept 27.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO is hitting the road for the final time in 2024 for “The Over And Out Tour.” The Electric Light Orchestra began 47 years ago in 1977 and will play 27-final dates. Pittsburgh on Sept 10, Philadelphia on Sept 20 and Washington DC on Sept 25. Weezer will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their self-titled debut with a tour playing that seminal record in full, along with hits from throughout their career. Supported by fellow beloved 90s acts Dinosaur Jr. and The Flaming Lips. Weezer plays Philadelphia Wells Fargo on Sept 13 and Washington, D.C. Anthem on Sept 14 &15. Phish has unveiled their 2024 summer tour dates including four dates at Las Vegas’ Sphere April 18-21. The jam band’s 26-summer dates include 3 nights in Bethel, NY Aug 9-11 and their four-day music festival taking place at The Woodlands in Dover, Delaware Aug 15-18
Grammy winning bands The National and The War On Drugs will tour together this fall on the 19-stop “Zen Diagram Tour” of North America. Shows include Merriweather Post in Columbia, MD on Sept 16 and The Mann Philadelphia on Sept 17. Kings of Leon will hit the road this summer with a 26-city North American “Can We Please Have Fun” tour. Dates include Washington DC Anthem on Sept 20 and The Mann Philadelphia on Sept 23.
Coldplay’s ‘Music Of The Spheres’ Tour is on track to be the highest grossing band tour of all time. Their tour began two years ago in March 2022 and now in its final year with 43 stadium dates remaining through November and averaging $6.1 million gross per show Coldplay could potentially be the first band to rack up $1 billion in global concert grosses on a single tour. Taylor Swift’s earth-shattering first billion-dollar gross ever tour happened and Beyonce’s record setting trek of $580 million but Coldplay has kept its average ticket price relatively low. The band’s 2023 average ticket cost of $113.95 was less than half that of Swift’s $238.95; and 46% less than Beyonce’s $208.80 average ticket price.
APRIL SHOWS: Adam Ant – Philadelphia Keswick April 9. Lebowskis – Ramonas Basement April 13. Dehd – NYC Indieplaza April 20. Judas Priest – Reading Santander Arena April 21.
