May 2, 2006
FEATURESNew acts and old favorites grace summer concert scene
Hot temperatures aren’t the only thing heating up the Valley this summer. Today’s hottest music acts are coming into town this summer.
There is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy from late May to early August as the Valley will host a wide variety of music acts.
May kicks off a string of the hottest entertainers in today’s music industry. The much antipated comeback of Tool brings the alternative band to ASU’s Gammage Auditorium on May 6. R. Kelly brings his “Light It Up” tour to the Dodge Theatre to promote his new T.3 Reloaded album.
British jazz singer and keyboardist Jamie Cullum arrives on May 27 at the Marquee Theatre.
Ice Cube follows the next day on the 28 at the same venue as he takes a break from his acting career and returns to his rap roots. Tickets for R. Kelly’s show begins at $55, while tickets for both Jamie Cullum and Ice Cube starts at $25.
June ushers in bigger acts, beginning with underground hip-hop artist Blackalicious at the Marquee Theatre on June 6.
Panic! at the Disco showcases their music on June 7 at the Marquee Theatre with opening act The Hush Sound. Tickets start at just $20.
Madonna comes to town for two shows, on June 8 and 10, on her “Confessions” tour. Popular demand prompted the pop singer’s base to schedule another show, both at the Glendale Arena.
Pop singer Ashlee Simpson comes to the Dodge Theatre on June 11.
Country fans can check out Kenny Chesney on June 15 at the Glendale Arena as well.
Fans of popular 80s groups Chicago and Huey Lewis and the News can see them on a joint tour at the Cricket Pavilion.
A special treat for old school hop hop lovers includes DJ Quik at the Marquee Theatre.
INXS comes to the Dodge Theatre on their second leg of the “Switched On” tour on June 24 with JD Fortune. INXS added Fortune after selecting him on their hit reality show in search for a new lead singer. It will be their first tour together. Prices vary at different venues.
More acts in July include the popular Ozzfest on July 7 at the Cricket Pavilion. Over 145 bands will grace the Ozzfest tour, which includes the ‘Prince of Darkness’ himself, Ozzy Osbourne.
Scheduled on the bill is headlining band Black Label Society, along with Atreyu, Walls of Jericho, and Between the Buried and Me.
Tickets are priced at $68.50 for reserved and $43.50 festival lawn.
On July 13, Slayer will be playing at the Mesa Amphitheatre with tickets beginning at $36.
Rascal Flatts will be at the Cricket Pavilion to entertain country music fansand original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson brings her “Addicted” tour on the July 31. Ticket prices are subject to change at the Cricket Pavilion.
The best of the best helps bring summer’s music fun to a close as Ben Harper with Damien “Jr. Gong” Marley play at the Dodge Theatre. The Dave Matthews Band jams on Aug. 23 at Cricket Pavilion, and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill at the US Airways Center on Aug. 25 on their “Soul2Soul II” tour.
Students should shop around early for cheaper tickets or look for discounted student deals, available at some venues.