Barenaked Ladies with Better Than Ezra and KT Tunstall
Wolf Trap, July 2
Try dreaming up a better way to dig into summer than this: seeing Jason Priestley’s favorite band (aka the Barenaked Ladies) perform with the rockers of “Desperately Wanting” and the songstress who brought us the opening theme to Devil Wears Prada.
Imagine Dragons Evolve Tour
Jiffy Lube Live, July 2
Imagine Dragons is touring the nation for a third time in support of their third studio album, Evolve. The Grammy Award-winning band will be joined by the ukulele playing wunderkind Grace VanderWaal.
Heather Renee
Farm Brew Live, July 7
Local pop musician Heather Renee released a new song each week for a year, landing her some credits in indie films. She also has a young-adult novel in the works and has penned a self-help book on relationships.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour
Jiffy Lube Live, July 7
The iconic band takes the stage for the last time after 40 years with this tour. Joining them on stage for their final farewell will be 38 Special (“Hold on Loosely” and “Caught Up in You”) and Foghat (“Slow Ride”).
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 20th Anniversary Tour
Jiffy Lube Live, July 8
For 20 years, Lauryn Hill’s accomplishments were made from her collaboration with the Fugees and her first and only studio album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which was called a “genre-bending modern day classic of hip-hop and R&B,” by Rolling Stone. The tunes and lyrics still ring true today as she departs on a summer tour celebrating its 20 year anniversary.
Indigo Girls
Wolf Trap, July 10
“It’s only life after all,” claims this idolized acoustic duo that has been recording music for more than three decades. Known for their social activism and esoteric yet accessible lyrics, the Grammy-winning musicians—who met in elementary school—have released 16 studio albums.
Juanes
Wolf Trap, July 13
Born in Colombia before ultimately moving stateside, Juanes is a behemoth in the world of Latin pop, with two Grammys and nearly two dozen Latin Grammys under his belt.
Boy George & Culture Club and the B-52s with Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey
Wolf Trap, July 18
If streaming The Wedding Singer on repeat is a source of comfort, this concert will be too. Expect some serious Gen X dance moves from fellow audience members and maybe some cellphones in the air during the later choruses of “Karma Chameleon.”
Queen Latifah and Common
Wolf Trap, July 20
Both Queen Latifah and Common have carved out careers in film and music, with each racking up scores of awards. Savor their contributions to rap and hip-hop at a show likely to feature the songs “U.N.I.T.Y.” and “Glory.” (Homework: Watch their rom-com Just Wright before heading to the show.)
The Bacon Brothers
The Birchmere, July 20-22
There’s only one degree between brothers Kevin and Michael Bacon, who have been performing together for more than two decades. Their brand of folk rock is breezy, upbeat and mostly acoustic, so don’t expect a synthy rendition of “Footloose” at this concert.
Charlie Puth with Hailee Steinfeld
Wolf Trap, July 25
He’s 26. He’s got a scarred eyebrow. And he may be 2018’s answer to Justin Bieber. Charlie Puth has only released two albums, but his mastery of falsetto-laden pop has made him a bit of a household name. Catch him with “Let Me Go” starlet and actress Hailee Steinfeld.
Former Best Friends (Chris Cassaday, Justin Trawick, Louisa Hall, Eli Lev)
Jammin Java, Aug. 1
Don’t let the summer drift by without hearing some live, local music. If your calendar’s getting full, see four artists at one show—Chris Cassaday, Louisa Hall, Eli Lev and Justin Trawick—all guitar-wielding songwriters from the area.
Gladys Knight & The O’Jays
Wolf Trap, Aug. 15
“Midnight Train to Georgia” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973, the biggest commercial success for soul band Gladys Knight and the Pips. Here, the Grammy-winner appears with “Love Train” legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers The O’Jays.
Spyro Gyra
Tally Ho, Aug. 18
There’s “My Funny Valentine” and then there’s Spyro Gyra, a jazz fusion band that avoids straight-ahead performances of jazz standards, diving instead into experimental yet melodic musical terrain.
Jeff Daniels with Ben Daniels Band
The Birchmere, Aug. 18
Jeff Daniels sings? Yes. Joining a lengthy list of actors who happen to also have some musical chops (see Hugh Jackman, Jamie Foxx, Steve Martin), Daniels performs folk rock with his son’s band when he’s not appearing on prestige television programs.
Michael McDonald and Peter Cetera
Wolf Trap, Aug. 22
Michael McDonald. Peter Cetera. Two voices that are immediately recognizable and helped define the American pop catalogue of the 1970s and ’80s. Get ready for a lot of keyboards and a whole lot of key changes.