Now that the doldrums of summer are truly upon us, it’s not enough to sit around all day eating Nutella and watching Bravo for hours on end. While just hanging out was cool at first, by now it’s getting as stale as that box of granola bars you kept in your dorm room all year. It’s time for a change, people! And what better way to get out of a summer rut than to switch off Pandora and treat yourself to a summer concert? Summer is the perfect time for live music—the weather’s fine, the living is easy, and every conceivable band is capitalizing on our need for excitement by embarking on massive summer tours, or else playing at a seriously hippie-chic festival. So whether big-time pop or hip-hop acts are your thing, or you’re more into indie bands, you’ll be able to find a summer concert that you can totally rock out to. And Her Campus is here to help you choose the most head-bopping, air-guitaring, fist-pumping concerts of summer 2010, and turn your summer from lazy to crazy!
National Tours
We’ve spent the school year booty-shaking to Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus and Jay-Z, blaring through someone’s water-damaged iPod speakers at 3 a.m. or else shuddering through falling-apart headphones while chugging away on the treadmill. Not quite pumping you up as much as you expected? Yeah, I didn’t think so. To enjoy your favorite pop and hip-hop artists to the fullest, you kind of have to see them live. And what better way to see an act’s raw, unadulterated talent than in the intimate environment of an enormous arena, surrounded by thousands of fans and overwhelmed by flashing lights, crazy costumes and ridiculously overproduced vocals? Okay, maybe they’re not exactly intimate, but huge concerts are TONS of fun and an amazing experience—if you can get tickets. These enormous acts are in huge demand (remember the bloodbath that was Miley Cyrus’s 2008 tour?), so snag your tickets right away!
Lady Gaga
Gaga’s concerts are out-of-this-world—literally. If you like this unusual pop star’s insane street clothes, outrageous interview declarations, and trippy music videos, just imagine what she’d be like live. That’s right—mind-blowing. Her tour is undoubtedly one of the most in-demand of the summer, and if you’re a Lady Gaga fan there’s no way you’d want to miss this. Go to this link to buy tickets and find out when the Lady’s coming to a city near you!
Justin Bieber
Admit it. Just admit it. You LOVE Justin Bieber. His songs are catchy, his mischievous attitude is just too cute for words, and who can resist that adorable smile? I’m even willing to overlook the creepy space-helmet side-banged creature living on his head, because this youngun is just that adorable and his songs are just that infectious. I know I’ll be accompanying ten million twelve-year-old girls in a mad stampede to see the Bieber serenade me with his genius lyrics “Baby, baby, baby, oh, like baby baby baby ooohhhh…” The only question is whether you’ll be brave enough to join me. You can buy your tickets here.
John Mayer
He may have caused national outrage with his sexist interview in Playboy this fall, but face it, John Mayer still has a special place in your heart. He has been our companion through every teenage make-out, breakup and make-up, and his sweet crooning voice has inspired many an adolescent fantasy (can anyone say “Your Body is a Wonderland?”). It’s impossible to pass up the opportunity to see those sweet lips singing live, right in front of you, all six feet of glorious sexy hot-musician man candy. Buy your tickets here and you’re in for a night of pure pleasure—if you can handle the thousands of screaming girls who feel exactly the same way you do.
Rihanna
Rihanna basically defines our college experience—what frat party is complete without her? We all rocked out under her Umbrella in 2008, got seriously Disturbia’d in 2009, and danced just a little too Hard to her addictive pop beats in 2010. So why not remember the craziness of college parties by kicking it up a notch and seeing your favorite Good Girl Gone Bad live? Her concerts are enormous productions, with masses of screaming fans, edgy costumes, and awesome special effects, and this summer’s tour is sure to be a blowout. And to top it all off, Ke$ha, the party girl we all hate to love (but come on, own up—her silly songs are your drug), is opening, making this tour a truly can’t-miss experience. Buy tickets here, before it’s too late!
Lilith Fair
Lilith Fair is an incredible celebration of women in music, featuring accomplished female artists from across the recording spectrum. Basically, it’s not your average summer concert. Instead of millions of screaming tweens, you’ll be hanging out with millions of screaming women (and the boyfriends they dragged with them), celebrating girl power and musical power at the same time. This year’s lineup features Kelly Clarkson, Queen Latifah, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Cheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Mary J. Blige, Colbie Caillat,…and a TON of other super-talented women artists. If you want to enjoy some truly amazing acts without the risk of Bieber-induced deafness, be sure to buy tickets [http://www.lilithfair.com/
If pop isn’t really your thing, chances are your favorite band is touring this summer, too. For the slightly more indie-minded, there’s Vampire Weekend, Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse, and way, way more. Check out some rock concert tickets here.
Outdoor Concerts
For some people, ear-splitting screams and seizure-inducing strobe lights may be more of a curse than a blessing, and for others, shelling out the big bucks for a national tour may not be an option. If arena spectaculars aren’t your thing, and if you’re living or working in a big city this summer, you’re in luck—there are tons of opportunities to listen to music for free (or for very cheap) all summer long! Big cities offer lots of mini-festivals, as well as outdoor concerts and performances for the public. In New York, bands and classical music groups play every week at Central Park , outside of Lincoln Center, and in a bunch of other places. In addition, New Yorkers should check out the MoMa’s Summergarden festival for free classical and jazz music, and Brooklyn’s weekly Celebrate Brooklyn series. And don’t forget—every Friday the Today Show and Good Morning America have outdoor concerts that anyone can attend for free! Check out all New York concerts here. There are also tons of free and cheap performances in Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles…basically in any city you can find a way to be entertained on the cheap. So get out there early and make sure you get a good spot!
Music Festivals
If you’re really, really committed to rocking out this summer, a music festival provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Basically, music festivals are like mini-camps, except all you do is listen to tons of bands and have an amazing time. Some of the biggest festivals have already passed (and if you got a chance to attend Coachella or Bonnaroo, I am truly jealous), but some of the best are yet to come. There’s a music festival for every style, taste, and fan, so don’t be afraid to commit yourself to a weekend of music—you’ll get to enjoy your favorite bands as you discover new ones, and you might make a few friends during the weekend of debauchery. Here are some of the summer’s hottest festivals:
Camp Bisco
Who’s playing: The Disco Biscuits, LCD Soundsystem, Ween, Thievery Corporation, Girl Talk, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Major Lazer, Diplo, Aeroplane, The New Deal, Rusko, Sunrise Silent Disco, Brothers Past, SOJA, Kill the Noise, Two Fresh, Future Rock, Big Gigantic and more.?
When: July 15 – 17?
Where: Mariaville, NY (Indian Lookout Country Club)?
This festival is like a sleepaway camp—no, really. In addition to some really killer indie acts, the festival features a Color War competition, just like the one you competed in when you were twelve (except way more fun). There will be sports competitions, a scavenger hunt, tug-of-war, and even a spelling bee. To get some much-needed play with your music, be sure to buy a ticket now!
Lollapalooza
Who’s Playing: Green Day, Lady Gaga, The Strokes, Phoenix, MGMT, Arcade Fire, Soundgarden, Spoon, the New Pornagraphers…and many, many more
When: August 6 – 8?
Where: Chicago, IL?
Lollapalooza is like the Holy Grail of summer music festivals—this year, some of the biggest acts in the world are playing, from pop to rock to indie groups, everyone’s taste is represented in this mammoth event. It’s held in August, so it’s kind of a last hoorah to a jam-packed summer concert season, and nothing is more exciting than seeing a million people all gathered together to hear a million different bands. If you’re really into music, and you’re willing to make the trip to Chicago (or if you’re lucky and live in the area), Lollapalooza is a can’t-miss experience. Book your tickets today before it’s too late!