12 hot Delaware concerts to see this summer, from rock and rap legends to country & more
You know this warm weather means big concerts are headed our way, heating up Delaware stages this summer.
Here’s a look at 12 can’t-miss shows you won’t want to miss, starting in early June.
Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight, Selbyville
The Empress of Soul and the Queen of Soul are both coming to rock your socks off, even if your shoes are tied. Iconic singers Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle are teaming up to deliver a dynamic night of music. Knight's songbook includes the hits "That's What Friends Are For," "Missing You" and "I Don't Want to Know" — while LaBelle is known for favorites like "On My Own," "If You Asked Me To" and "New Attitude."
Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lake View Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.
Bad Fish, Dewey Beach
Tribute shows are the wave right now. But Bad Fish has been reeling in fans for years. The Sublime tribute celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021 and are a fan favorite in Dewey Beach, having played there countless teams over the years.
Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 12. Tickets are $25 advance; $28 day of show. Visit bottleandcork.com or (302) 227-7272.
George Thorogood, Selbyville
Last spring, Wilmington native George Thorogood put the brakes on his 50th anniversary tour, announcing he was diagnosed with a serious medical condition. But rock legend is tough as nails and still bad to the bone. He'll rock out with fans in his home state this summer in SoDel.
Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lake View Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 22. General admission tickets $56.46. Visit freemanarts.org.
Beach Boys, Wilmington
Tickets are on pace to sell out for the Beach Boys concert at The Grand, which means you might end up kicking rocks if you don't act fast. The Beach Boys will stop in Wilmington on their "Endless Summer Gold" tour.
The band is one of the most commercially successful groups of all time, boasting over 100 million records sold worldwide. Some of their most popular tunes include "Kokomo," "California Girls," "Sloop John B" and "Good Vibrations."
The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 23. Tickets are $81 to $133. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or (302) 652-5577.
Michael Franti, Selbyville
Soulrockers Michael Franti & Spearhead are on their "Togetherness Tour" with their new album "Big Big Love." The band, which played the inaugural Firefly Music Festival, is known for classics like "The Sound of Sunshine," "Hey Hey Hey" and "Life Is Better With You." Michael Franti's concert includes special guests Trevor Hall & Bombargo.
Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lake View Drive, near Selbyville) at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 26. General admission is $67.98. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.
Chris Lane, Dewey Beach
Over nearly the last decade, country star Chris Lane has dropped bangers like "I Don't Know About You," "Take Back Home Girl" and "Big, Big Plans." Last fall he released his new EP, "From Where I'm Sippin'."
Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) at 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 28. Tickets are $40 advance; $43 day of show. Visit bottleandcork.com or (302) 227-7272.
Ludacris, Harrington
There's a lack of big rap concerts coming to Delaware this summer, but Ludacris is helping to fill that void. The emcee and actor has delivered major songs like "Number One Spot," "Rollout (My Business)" and "Act a Fool." His acting career includes "Crash" and the "Fast & Furious" franchise.
Delaware State Fairgrounds (18500 S. DuPont Highway) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Tickets are $49-$84 (plus service fees). Visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269.
Brantley Gilbert, Harrington
The last time Brantley Gilbert headlined the state fair was in 2017, back when Luke Combs was the opener, and the country rocker whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Gilbert is beloved for his many jams like "Bottoms Up," "Kick It in the Sticks" and "One Hell of an Amen."
Delaware State Fairgrounds (18500 S. DuPont Highway) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 24. Tickets are $49-$84 (plus service fees). Visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269.
REO Speedwagon, Selbyville
Fans with an appetite for late 70s and '80s-era rock can expect to be served a buffet of hits by the legendary REO Speedwagon. The band has dished up several popular tunes like "Can't Fight This Feeling," "Keep on Loving You" and "Take It On The Run."
Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lake View Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Monday, July 29. Tickets are $91.02 to $298.42. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.
The Struts, Dewey Beach
British rockers The Struts are no strangers to popping open the Bottle & Cork. In fact, they brought the then-rising Greta Van Fleet to open at the venue in 2017, a year after The Struts played Firefly. The Struts are known for their catchy hooks and mix of glam rock to modern rock-n-roll vibes.
Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. Tickets start at $42. Visit bottleandcork.com or (302) 227-7272.
Grace Potter, Selbyville
During the pandemic in 2021, Grace Potter hit the road on a solo, cross-country trip that saw her crashing at motels and jotting down song ideas in these intimate places. Fast-forward to 2023 and the singer-songwriter has her latest album, "Mother Road," where she created a musical gumbo of blues, country, rock-n-roll and soul.
Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lake View Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7. General admission is $56.46. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.
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Alabama, Selbyville
More than 50 years have passed since three cousins left Alabama to spend the summer performing in a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, bar named The Bowery. It took six years of filling tip jars until Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook landed the record deal of their dreams. Country icons Alabama would go on to sell 73 million albums, per their bio, with hits songs such as "Song of the South," "Dixieland Delight" and "Angels Among Us."
Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lake View Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8. Tickets are $91.02 to $160.16. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Ludacris, Beach Boys plenty more hot summer concerts for Delaware
