Summer will soon be upon us, and with summer comes live music galore. Venues like Bayfront Festival Park and Big Top Chautauqua host major touring acts throughout summer, along with a number of smaller summer concert series put on by Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center, Bayside Sounds, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and Chester Creek Concert Series. There are also a handful of weekend festivals around the region, from Sturgeon Lake on over to Rhinelander and Cadotte. Here’s a look at some of the summer 2015 highlights.
The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank
Chester Bowl Park
The Chester Creek Concert Series continues with brothers Ian and Teague Alexy playing songs from their new album American Shuffle.
Hip Hop Fest SJ1
Embassy Bar
A weekend long hip-hop festival will take place in Sturgeon Lake, with artists such as Prof, Rittz, Twista and Mystikal performing throughout the weekend. On-site camping is available.
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Big Top Chautauqua
Michael Franti & Spearhead hits the stage under the Big Top with hits such as “The Sound of Sunshine” and “Say Hey (I Love You).”
Grandma’s Marathon Big Top Opening Night
Canal Park
County band Gloriana comes to Duluth to kick-off opening night of Grandma’s Marathon weekend. Fellow country act Hitchville is also on the bill.
Lake Ave Live 2015
Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar
Night two of music under the tent in the parking lot of DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace features bands such as the People Say Fox, the Brothers Burn Mountain, Tin Can Gin and Southwire.
Melissa Etheridge
Big Top Chautauqua
American singer-song writer Melissa Etheridge makes a stop in Bayfield to perform famous hits like “I’m the Only One.”
Party in the Park with Hairball
Bayfront Festival Park
Hairball performs its fifth annual Party in the Park, recreating music from the 1980s with costumes, makeup and a light show complete with pyrotechnics.
Kenny Rogers
Big Top Chautauqua
Legendary country singer Kenny Rogers makes his way to the Big Top stage to sing hits like “The Gambler” and “Lucille.”
Rick Springfield
Bayfront Festival Park
Rick Springfield headlines a show loaded with 1980s pop rock. The man behind “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” and “Love Somebody” shares the bill with the Romantics and local band Mynx.
Hodag Country Festival
Hodag Country Festival Grounds
Hodag Country Festival is a three-day music festival featuring America’s favorite country artists, such as Justin Moore, the Band Perry and Neal McCoy.
Trampled by Turtles
Bayfront Festival Park
Trampled by Turtles return to their hometown for another big show at Bayfront. Joining them this summer are the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, Actual Wolf and John Mark Nelson.
Rock Fest
Chippewa Valley Music Festival Grounds
Rock Fest is a four-day music festival in Cadott featuring bands like Shinedown, Avenged Sevenfold and Nickelback.
Howling Moon Festival
Bayfront Festival Park
The Howling Moon Festival has gone pop-country in its second year, featuring performances by Jon Pardi and Drew Baldridge.
The Whitesidewalls
Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center
The Whitesidewalls take the stage at the Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center with their classic doo-wop and rock-a-billy songs.
Brandi Carlile
Big Top Chautauqua
Brandi Carlile returns for her fourth show at the Big Top with songs to perform from her new album The Firewatcher’s Daughter.
Bayfront Blues Festival 2015
Bayfront Festival Park
The 27th annual blues fest will feature Otis Clay, NRBQ and Charlie Musselwhite.
Vince Gill
Big Top Chautauqua
Country singer/songwriter Vince Gill has recorded over 20 studio albums and has sold over 26 million albums.
Twin Ports Bridge Festival 2015
Bayfront Festival Park
Cloud Cult headlines the fifth annual Twin Ports Bridge Festival. More bands will be announced soon.