season in concert I don’t know why, when it’s hot enough to fry an egg outside, every band decides it’s time to do an amphitheater tour. Yet that’s just how it is — and has been — for years. So with that in mind, wear light clothes, bring a lot of water, slap on a tube of sunblock and get ready to rock at the big outdoor concerts heading to the metro Atlanta area this summer. First up are the Goo Goo Dolls, Daughtry and the Plain White T’s on July 11 at Chastain Park Amphitheatre. While the Goo Goo Dolls haven’t been big in more than a decade, the band’s decision to come back with Daughtry and the Plain White T’s could make it relevant again. And it’s a chance for 30-something-year-olds to enjoy a concert with their children. But for current talent, American Idols Live will be at Encore Park Amphitheatre on July 24, competing the same day against the Vans Warped Tour at Lakewood Park Amphitheatre. Fortunately, I don’t expect there to be much crossover between “American Idol” fans and punk rock lovers. My choice would be for Warped, particularly since I think “American Idol” has gone downhill fast since “The Voice” started stealing fans. What’s great about the Warped Tour is you can go and see some of your favorite bands headlining. For me, that would be Less Than Jake, Yellowcard and Teenage Bottlerocket.
With several stages going at once, you will also leave with a bag full of music from dozens of bands you’ve never heard of before, many of whom could be headlining the tour in the future. Some of my favorite bands were Warped Tour discoveries. Lakewood is keeping the music hard, with Fall Out Boy and Paramore on July 30. Granted, Fall Out Boy isn’t the hard band it started off as, though the group is still worth the cheap ticket price, especially with Paramore. It takes a lot for a female vocalist to convince me she’s good enough for hard rock and Hayley Williams is one of the few who has been successful. And with Grammy nominations, platinum sales and soldout shows, it seems I’m not the only one convinced. Lakewood will also have some hard-hitting rock concerts in August, first with the Mayhem Festival on Aug. 5. It features Korn, Avenged Sevenfold and Miss May I. Three days later, on Aug. 8, in come Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden for a little 1990s nostalgia. Sure, NIN’s founder Trent Reznor has been keeping busy on his solo career, the band got back together last year, much to the joy of ’90s alternative rock fans like myself. For something a little lighter, O.A.R. and Phillip Phillips will be at Chastain Park Amphitheatre on July 26. Though he came out of the first of the declining “American Idol” seasons, Phillips actually has talent. He’s like a young Dave Matthews,
and we all know how that turned out. If Phillips keeps making big hits, he should have no problem staying around a while. In my opinion, the best outdoor concert this summer will be the Under the Sun Tour on Aug. 2 at Encore Park Amphitheatre. The music may be a bit dated, but with a lineup of Blues Traveler, Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth, it would be difficult to not have a great time. Plus with tickets starting at less than $20, you’re not going to find a better bang for your buck. I should point out that while outdoor concerts are plentiful this summer, there’s also some great inside arena shows. Since I mentioned “American Idol,” “The Voice” is bringing its big tour to the Cobb Energy Centre on June 29. The bigger show, however, likely will be Katy Perry at Philips Arena the day before. Perhaps the biggest show — certainly one that has generated the most buzz — is Beyoncé and Jay Z’s On the Run tour. It’ll be the biggest thing the power couple has produced together since announcing the birth of their daughter, Blue Ivy, in 2012. And while it’s not a big arena show, 311 has back-to-back shows at the Tabernacle on July 24 and 25. The price, at about $50 a ticket, is pretty steep. Still, the band has sold out one show. Finally, while there’s not much music besides the marching bands in the parade, I’ve got to get my geek on
Jennifer Sami writes a weekly entertainment column for the Forsyth County News. In each edition of Youth, she’ll alert readers to upcoming concerts and events in the metro Atlanta area. Contact her at (770) 205-8975 or jsami@forsythnews.com. 26
Youth Magazine | June - July 2014
Photo by Chelsea Tench
Concerts heat up with the weather