Summer sounds: Music for the masses
Trying to keep track of every upcoming summer concert is an overwhelming experience. The next few months offer an almost embarrassing wealth of music festivals, touring acts and outdoor concerts, as the weather gets warmer and local venues pull out their big guns.
We decided to sort through everything and have compiled a list of some of the major shows to be on the lookout for in June, July, August and early September. We’ll start with festivals and fair shows, then we’ll alphabetically list some of the busiest venues hosting shows this summer.
Festival frenzy
The 34th annual Festival at Sandpoint kicks off on the first week of August, showcasing an eclectic mix of artists. Major names on the lineup include Grammy-winning songwriter Bruce Hornsby on Aug. 4, rootsy jam band Railroad Earth on Aug. 5, country legend Emmylou Harris on Aug. 6, West African singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo on Aug. 11, country rockers the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Aug. 12 and blues guitarist Ben Harper and his backing band the Innocent Criminals on Aug. 13. A family concert with the Festival Community Orchestra takes place on Aug. 7, and the festival’s grand finale on Aug. 14 features a performance by the Spokane Symphony and pianist Vadim Neselovskyi. (www.festivalatsandpoint.com/)
Sir Mix-a-Lot, he of “Baby Got Back” fame, headlines this year’s Pig Out in the Park, the six-day food, art and music festival that takes over Riverfront Park every year. The Seattle rapper played a free show in the South Perry neighborhood last year, and he returns to wrap up the summer with one of the biggest hits of ’90s hip-hop. Also on Pig Out’s roster are Grand Funk Railroad’s Mark Farner, cultishly adored New Orleans group Cowboy Mouth, and Heart by Heart, which features original members from the classic rock band Heart. The full festival schedule has yet to be announced. One thing that has been announced: a new location within Riverfront Park, due to the upcoming redevelopment of the park. Look for Pig Out to move north to Havermale Island, and for performances at the Imax and Clocktower meadows, as well as the Lilac Bowl. (http://www.spokanepigout.com/)
The Spokane County Interstate Fair runs from Sept. 9 to 18, and its recently announced music lineup brings plenty of country. Lee Brice, who performs Sept. 13, has written songs for Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton and the Eli Young Band, and his singles “Drinking Class,” “I Don’t Dance” and “Hard to Love” were Top 10 country hits. On Sept. 14, pop hit maker Kenny Loggins takes the fair stage, and country singer-songwriter Randy Houser closes things out on Sept. 15. Tickets for the fair go on sale July 11. (www.spokanecounty.org/972/Interstate-Fair)
The Red Lion concert series kicks off on June 17 with Eugene swing revivalists Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and some of its other big names include the Harliss Sweetwater Band on July 8, Devon Allman on Aug. 13 and Beatles tribute act British Export on Aug. 27. These shows are free. (www.facebook.com/HotelRLsummerconcerts/)
The Wallace Blues Festival brings a number of regional and touring blues acts to North Idaho from July 8 to 10. Headliners include vocalist and harmonica player Curtis Salgado and Missouri-based guitarist Samantha Fish. Local blues mainstay Sammy Eubanks is also on the bill. (www.facebook.com/WallaceBluesFestival)
The Bartlett, 228 W. Sprague Ave.
The Bartlett’s summer schedule boasts plenty of indie heavy hitters, starting with a June 8 performance by singer-songwriter David Bazan, founder of the now-defunct Pedro the Lion. The summer continues with two performances by bluegrass quartet Della Mae on June 17, L.A. garage rockers together PANGEA on June 19, the dreamy guitar pop of We Are Scientists on July 8, the ethereal folk rock of Wye Oak on July 11, Seattle’s Americana-inspired rockers the Cave Singers on July 16, and Hurray for the Riff Raff, the twangy folk of New Orleans songwriter Alynda Segarra, on Aug. 1. (http://thebartlettspokane.com/)
Knitting Factory, 919 W. Sprague Ave.
Alt-rockers Blue October, who scored big radio hits with “Hate Me” and “Into the Ocean,” perform June 12. On June 29, Idaho’s Built to Spill take the Knitting Factory stage, touring behind its eighth studio album, “Untethered Moon.”
’90s hip-hoppers Bone Thugs-N-Harmony return to the Knitting Factory on July 2. Also returning is New Zealand heavy metal band Like a Storm, which hits the stage on July 23.
Electro-pop duo Beach House has been a critical darling since its self-titled debut in 2006. After releasing two acclaimed albums in 2015, the band has expanded its tour and makes its first Spokane stop on Aug. 9. On Aug. 17, the rap-funk hybrid of Michael Franti and Spearhead take over the Knitting Factory, while the neo-soul band Fitz and the Tantrums plays Aug. 23. Ghostland Observatory brings its spacey electronica to town on Aug. 26, and guitarist Zakk Wylde will shred his way to the stage on Aug. 27. (http://sp.knittingfactory.com/)
Northern Quest Resort and Casino, 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights
Northern Quest’s summer concerts always provide a good mix of performers, from Top 40 radio artists to venerable nostalgia acts. Things kick off on Tuesday with the Little River Band, a long-running Australian outfit that was all over ’70s AM radio with songs like “Reminiscing” and “Cool Change.”
On July 6, you can relive the ’90s with the Goo Goo Dolls, who had Top 10 rock singles with “Name,” “Iris” and “Slide.” Openers for that show are Collective Soul and Tribe Society. Critically lauded alt-country quartet the Avett Brothers perform on July 19 as part of their tour for the upcoming album “True Sadness.”
The casino’s lineup next flashes back to the ’80s, with an Aug. 12 concert that includes performances from Culture Club, Berlin and the English Beat. Aug. 17 sees an appearance by country duo Big and Rich. Aug. 22 brings “Fly Like an Eagle” guitarist Steve Miller, while Pat Benatar and Melissa Etheridge team up for a hit-filled show on Aug. 27.
’80s pop icons Duran Duran kick off Labor Day weekend on Sept. 2. The band, which first gained attention with their glossy, big-budget music videos, recently released its 14th studio album. (http://northernquest.com/entertainment)
Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave.
Once graduation and arena football seasons wrap up, the Arena turns its attention back to music in July. Legendary rockers KISS and their pyrotechnic-heavy live show are scheduled for July 15. They’ll be followed by something decidedly mellower: Songwriter James Taylor will perform on July 16. Australian boy band 5 Seconds of Summer make a stop at the Arena on Aug. 30, and country superstar Carrie Underwood performs there on Sept. 4.
Odds and ends
Iconic crooner Tony Bennett will play the Spokane Convention Center on June 4, in a benefit for the Spokane Symphony. (The reservation deadline is Tuesday; visit www.spokanesymphony.com for details.) Peter Cetera, formerly of the band Chicago, performs at the Coeur d’Alene Casino on June 9. Seattle grunge scene staples Alice in Chains hit the INB Performing Arts Center on July 9. On July 11, prolific and enigmatic guitarist Buckethead takes the stage at the Bing Crosby Theater. Washington hip-hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis will also be perform at the Bing this summer, although their Aug. 23 show has already sold out.