just got a google alert.. heres the whole article.
source:
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18386868&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=450444&rfi=6Upcoming concert lineup a little lighter this year
BY JOSH MCAULIFFE
STAFF WRITER
05/25/2007Email to a friendPrinter-friendly
This summer, the hills will be a little less alive with the sound of music.
The 2007 concert season starts next weekend at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain with a lineup that so far includes nine acts, seven of which (counting the multi-act Vans Warped Tour) have played the venue in recent years.
That’s low compared to years past, especially when measured against 2006, which boasted a total of 16 shows.
Among the no-shows this year is Dave Matthews Band, which had played the amphitheater the previous two summers. Mr. Matthews and co. won’t in be in Hershey, either, where their shows had been an annual summer rite. If you want to see them, you’ll have to head to Camden, N.J., Aug. 7 or 8 or Pittsburgh Aug. 10 or 11.
Officials from Live Nation, the venue’s contracted entertainment promoter, said additional shows could be added in the coming weeks. Among some of the other big names touring this summer are: Beyonce, John Mayer, Gwen Stefani, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and, of course, Ozzy Osbourne and his never ending Ozzfest. The Police and Genesis are also mounting high-profile reunion tours, but for the most part have confined their concerts to large stadiums.
Though not quite as active as Toyota Pavilion, Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township will host four big shows throughout the summer. However, unlike the last few years, there will be no visit from the “American Idol” crew.
Here’s the most up-to-date schedules for the two venues.
Toyota Pavilion
June 2 — The season kicks off with a homecoming concert by Wilkes-Barre product Breaking Benjamin. The local-boys-done-good’s last local visit was just last year at Wachovia Arena. Those who have never seen Breaking Ben live might consider picking up the band’s recently released concert DVD that comes with its 2006 album, “Phobia.”
Joining Breaking Ben is a collective of modern rock chart toppers — Three Days Grace, Puddle of Mudd, Spit Can and Leo.
June 29 — Four weeks after the opener, Canadian rock band Rush returns to the mountain for the first time since 2004.
The powerhouse triumvirate of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart just released their latest album, “Snakes and Arrows.” No doubt, you’ll hear some cuts from that, but count on all the old chestnuts like “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight” and “The Spirit of Radio,” plus a variety of creative solos courtesy of drumming virtuoso Mr. Peart.
June 30 — The very next night, Stevie Nicks returns to Montage without her mates from Fleetwood Mac, who played the amphitheater in 2004. She’ll be mixing the classic Mac tunes that made her famous — “Rhinannon,” “Gold Dust Woman,” “Landslide” — with solo hits like “Edge of Seventeen” and “Stand Back.”
Opening for Ms. Nicks is piano-playing Milford native Vanessa Carlton, who had a huge pop hit a few years back with “A Thousand Miles.” July 20 — Country superstar Kenny Chesney makes his Montage debut in what might very well be the biggest show of the year. In recent years, Mr. Chesney has earned a reputation for rollicking, fun-filled extravaganzas similar to the concerts of fellow beach bum Jimmy Buffett.
Tagging along with Mr. Chesney are two other well-regarded country acts, Sugarland and Pat Green.
July 26 — Back for the third year in a row, Vans Warped Tour is without question the most teen-friendly concert of the season. This year’s lineup includes the likes of New Found Glory, Red Jump Apparatus, Killswitch Engage and a bunch of other bands no one over the age of 25 has ever heard of.
Aug. 2 — Another semiregular on the mountain, round mound of sound Meat Loaf is back after last playing the venue in 2005. Last fall, the Loaf released “Bat Out of Hell Three,” completing the trilogy of albums he started with songwriter Jim Steinman back in 1977. “Bat III” didn’t exactly light up the charts, so expect the former Marvin Lee Aday to concentrate more on his platinum back catalog.
Aug. 5 — This might be the biggest value of season. Two of hard rock’s biggest bands, Evanescence and Korn, have joined forces to front this year’s installment of the Family Values Tour. Evanescence has set itself apart from the rest of the metal crowd with the soaring vocals of singer Amy Lee, while Korn, which last played Montage at the 2003 Ozzfest, has proved to be one of the more consistent nu metal acts of the last decade.
Aug. 25 — It would not be a summer at Montage without a visit from the kings of hair metal. Say what you want about Bret Michaels and co., but their shows consistently draw a solid crowd of thirtysomethings looking to relive their Reagan-era youths. As always, Poison is bringing along a couple other ’80s eyeliner enthusiasts — Ratt, of “Round and Round” fame, and White Lion, whose hits include “Wait” and “When the Children Cry.”
TBA — His date hasn’t been announced yet, but country king Toby Keith will be back for his 57th straight mountain boot stomper. Just kidding, it’s actually five years in a row for the tough-talking megastar. By now, NEPA country fans should be quite familiar with the Keith formula — high-energy showmanship mixed with slightly raunchy comedy bits and gratuitous Ford pickup truck product placements.
Wachovia Arena
June 29 — After a well-received performance at the arena last spring, reigning country queen Martina McBride is back for another go around. She’ll be promoting her 2007 album, “Wake up Laughing,” which includes the singles “How I Feel” and “Anyway.” On this current tour, she’s also been performing covers of Pat Benetar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man.”
Opening for Ms. McBride will be country vocal quartet Little Big Town.
July 5 — There won’t be any “American Idol” at the arena this year, but its chief primetime rival will be there in the form of “Dancing With the Stars: The Tour.” The touring version of the popular ABC talent competition will pair professional dancers Kym Johnson, Julianne Hough, Cheryl Burke and Edyta Sliwinska with C-list celebs Drew Lachey and Joeys McIntyre, Fatone and Lawrence.
July 31 — He’s a little bit opera, but also a little bit pop. He’s Josh Groban, the big-voiced balladeer whose 2005 concert at the arena was a sell-out. This one will be packed with mother and daughter “Grobanites” there to see Mr. Groban perform songs from his 2006 album, “Awake.”
Aug. 14 — Australian country sensation and Nicole Kidman hubby Keith Urban has made the arena one of the stops on his “Love, Pain & the whole Crazy” world tour. No doubt, Mr. Urban will be breaking out his biggest hits, from “Better Life” to “Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me” to “Somebody Like You.”
Contact the writer: jmcauliffe@timesshamrock.com
For tickets
n Ticket information for all shows can be found at all local TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 693-4100 or online at
www.ticketmaster.com.
so she's playing with stevie again?!
i hope sooooo!
