Summer concerts
James Carty, CT Features Staff
April 25, 2007
The end of the academic year is in sight for us here at Virginia Tech, and although it is approaching faster than some of us would have liked, it marks a welcome break to a semester that saw more than its fair share of stress and aggravation. It also marks the beginning of the summer concert season, a period of time packed with events and activities that are the perfect remedy for a weary mind.
There are a number of different options available to concertgoers, each one catering to a myriad of musical genres and each one with their own benefits and quirks that make them what they are.
First among these options are stadium shows. Occurring at venues such as Nissan Pavilion and John Paul Jones Arena, most of the time these shows offer big name bands at bargain prices; however, it should be noted that with some acts comes a substantial increase in ticket prices.
A few shows of note taking place in larger venues this summer include a performance by Gwen Stefani at the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, on May 17. Stefani will be joined by Akon and British female rapper, Lady Sovereign, in a show that promises to be b-a-n-a-n-a-s. Tickets for the performance range from $69.50 for the first section reserve to $25 for the lawn.
Those looking for something more in the country western vein should look into a June 10 performance by Brooks and Dunn, also to be held at Nissan. The country duo will be joined by the likes of Alan Jackson, with appearances by Jake Owen and Catherine Britt in a show that is sure to leave girls named Maria everywhere wishing they could change their names. Tickets range from $85 for the orchestra pit to $30 for the lawn. Hey, they've got to pay for those rhinestone-studded cowboy boots somehow.
Those seeking a more intimate environment should explore the club scene. These venues are usually the stomping grounds of so-called "indie" acts, with the occasional acoustic set from an established name. What the bands lack in notoriety they make up for in sound quality. A May 20 performance by mutli-instrumentalist extraordinaire Andrew Bird at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. promises to be a mind-blowing spectacle of performance and musicianship, all for the microscopic sum of $20; a fair price considering you get all the sound of a rock band and a string quartet all rolled into one, and all produced by just one very talented man and his drummer. Other shows of note include performances by the Deftones at the 9:30 on June 3 and 4 for $30, and a performance by Indie darlings Straylight Run at the Black Cat in Washington with appearances by Sparta and Lovedrug for just $15 on June 24.
The ultimate option for music hungry concertgoers is the summer festival. Pioneered at Woodstock during the twilight of the countercultural revolution of the 1960s, music festivals deliver everything on a grand scale. Big names, big stages, big audiences and big prices are what festival shows are all about. The problem is, they are also notorious for delivering poor sound quality.
That said, the festival experience is one that is easily matched, nor is it easily forgotten. The 2007 Virgin Festival being held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore promises to be quite memorable indeed. Not only will it see a performance by The Police in the midst of their first tour in more than twenty years, but it will also be part of a reunion tour by The Smashing Pumpkins, who haven't played a show since December of 2000. The final lineup and ticket information have not been released yet, but the Beastie Boys are also slated to headline the two-day musical extravaganza on August 4 and 5. Keep your fingers crossed for an appearance by The Flaming Lips, whose set at last year's Virgin Festival was nothing short of incredible.
John A. Logan once said that music is the medicine of the mind. After last week, we could all use a little bit of medicine. So start booking your tickets now, and get ready to sit back and relax to the sounds of your favorite group or artist. You deserve it. We all do.