I love going to concerts, whether it’s a top 10 favorite, or some band that I’m not necessarily a fan of, but just an excuse to get out of the house. Obviously, I can’t go to every single concert out there because unfortunately, I can’t spit money.
There are some huge shows this year, some of which I have a ticket to, others either not yet or I will not be going. Keep in mind that since I specialize in classic rock concerts, I will not be mentioning rappers and country artists. But I’m saying now that Ed Sheeran is coming on August 29, and I am planning on getting a resale ticket soon.
So here are the shows coming up, and why or why not I’ll be going to them:
Jimmy Buffett, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater, June 3
Jimmy Buffett is one of those Florida-inspired artists that everybody loves. Of course, being a music lover and a pianist, I have to respect him because he really has some great songs. While I can’t get sick of “Cheeseburger In Paradise,” I’m not enough of a fan to go to a concert for the prices they’re at. I love me some beach music, but not for $80 on the lawn.
Iron Maiden, Amalie Arena, June 11
Honest to god, I think that Iron Maiden is amazing, and their music is just OK, but I would go see them because of the stage elements I’ve heard about: Lasers, light shows, and the amazing special effects. The art of Iron Maiden has always haunted, yet fascinated me, so I personally think that whoever is going is going to have a great time.
U2, Raymond James Stadium, June 14
U2 is a legendary group, and one of the very few groups these days that has every single (iconic) original member present. Bono’s voice is still with him, The Edge shreds his guitars like nobody’s business, and Michael Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. are quite possibly the biggest drummer and bassist that fans don’t take for granted. And this year they’re performing the Joshua Tree album in its entirety for its 30th anniversary. This sounds like one hell of a show, but I did not buy tickets. The reason being…now take it easy…I’m not a fan. U2 is one of those bands that everybody seems to love or idolize, and I can totally see why. They are insanely talented and they’ve been together for forty years. But I’ve never really been able to pick up the vibe of their music. Of course, you can’t hate “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” but I’m not a big enough fan to buy tickets to a show.
Chicago & The Doobie Brothers, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater, June 29
While both groups have great talent, Chicago is really not Chicago anymore. With all due respect to the original members that still play with some newbies, Chicago without Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, and even Jason Scheff, is more of a tribute band. Of course, original member Robert Lamm is still there to sing with the original horn players and woodwind player, but he is the only reason why Chicago should still be out touring. As for the Doobie Brothers, they are one of those groups that as long as they had the two main vocalists, they are still The Doobie Brothers. Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons are still in the group with some relatively new members to back them up. If they want to continue on, I’d be all for that.
Rod Stewart w/Cyndi Lauper, Amalie Arena, July 8
Rod Stewart is kicking off what may be the largest streak of British rock’s biggest names playing Amalie Arena within a few days. Both Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper (but mostly Rod Stewart) have amazing talent, some great songs, and I love and respect them both. The reason I’m not going is because while there may still be tickets available, I never got to save enough money for them. Why, you may ask? Well, you may want to go down one section…
Paul McCartney, Amalie Arena, July 10
“Holy crap on a cracker.” That was my first reaction to when Amalie Arena announced two minutes prior that the former Beatle would bring his “One on One Tour” to Tampa. I thought I was hallucinating because this was the concert I have been dreaming about since I was 12 years old. I’ll be 16 on July 10, so yes, it’s been four years. Paul hasn’t stopped in Tampa, let alone Amalie (then the St. Pete Times Forum) since 2005, though he played Miami in 2010, two shows in Orlando in 2013, and Jacksonville in 2014. Now, when this was announced, I was seriously thinking about going to Rod Stewart because he’s a living legend, and he’s got a few great songs. I immediately put that idea on hold, because I knew that I was about to spend big bucks. It was during the school day when I bought my tickets during pre-sale. So around 10:00 on April 28, 3 days before tickets properly went on sale (and sure enough, sold out.), I asked my English teacher if I could “use the restroom,” to which she said yes. I checked TicketMaster for a reasonably priced ticket that was not a Paul’s ass only seat. Sure enough, I found one in 308, and though it’s pretty far from the stage, (directly across in fact) I bookmarked it, and I bought my ticket at about 3:00 that day. I will be there with bells on.
Roger Waters, Amalie Arena, July 11
This show has been going around and around in my head ever since it was announced. Pink Floyd is my second favorite prog rock band, (below Yes) and we all know that there probably won’t be a reunion with Waters, David Gilmour, and Nick Mason anytime soon. I expected tickets to be insane, starting at maybe $80 for nosebleeds. But actually, tickets are not badly priced. $51 is what they’re asking for a nosebleed. And to be completely honest, I am seriously considering putting some money aside for this show so I can get not a good seat, but not a bad seat either. The thing is, I, personally, would see Gilmour before Waters any day, but Gilmour doesn’t tour very much anymore, and when he does, he snubs Florida, quite like a lot of artists these days. See, I hate Waters as a person, but honestly, I hear that his shows are genius, and that it’s very interesting to hear him take on Gilmour’s vocals. Also, he’s got a new album out called “Is This The Life We Really Want?” so not only will there be Floyd songs, there will be new music.
United We Rock Tour 2017 (Styx, REO Speedwagon, & Don Felder), MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater, July 18
I have mixed feelings about this show. Firstly, Styx and REO Speedwagon are both great bands, and it’s totally amazing that they’re touring together. And Don Felder is a former member of the Eagles, one of the two guitarists who played the famous solo at the end of Hotel California, the other being Joe Walsh, who is on tour with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the moment. So, about each group: Styx has got some great music, and most of the greatest members are still with the band. However, with all due respect to Lawrence Gowen, you can’t have Styx in its entirety without Dennis DeYoung. I’ve seen DeYoung in EPCOT before, and you know something? While it wasn’t legit Styx with Tommy Shaw, it was damn near close. Now, regarding REO Speedwagon, while they all have some great talent, I’ve never been big into their music. Neal Doughtry is the only remaining original member of the group, but I feel like their 1980 album, “Hi-Infidelity” was their breakthrough album, and most of the members on that, including lead singer Kevin Cronin, still play with the group. And I get it, Gary Richrath died in 2015, and as great as Dave Amato is, there’s nothing that can be done about that.
Foreigner w/Cheap Trick & Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater, August 2
Firstly, all of these groups (Led Zeppelin counts for Jason Bonham) are in my top 20 bands, and Cheap Trick is #10 in my top 10. When this was announced in January, I had to buy a ticket for myself and a friend because I knew that this was gonna be one of the greatest shows of 2017. Of all the groups I’ve mentioned in this article, Foreigner is the closest to a tribute band. While all of the new members have great talent, Mick Jones is the only reason that they have the right to go out billed as Foreigner. Lou Gramm is the true voice, and even if it were these guys and just Jones and Gramm together, I’d still say it’s really Foreigner. Kelly Hansen is the fourth lead singer of the band, and he is pretty good, but you just can’t beat Gramm. Cheap Trick is that one band that everyone knows the songs of, but nobody can quite remember what the name of that band that wrote “Surrender” was. They usually get very small venues, and they sell out reasonably fast when it’s just them. Another thing is that during this show, they are the only ones who are members of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, and also, three of the four original members still play with the group. The only one that does not anymore is drummer Bun E. Carlos. Finally, Jason Bonham is the son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham, and his band is the closest you’ll get to Zeppelin these days. I’m pretty sure his guitarist even brings out and plays a double neck at one point. See you there.
Lionel Richie w/very special guest Mariah Carey, Amalie Arena, August 11
I could listen to Lionel Richie sing “all night long” if I could. He is considered a guilty pleasure among my taste in music because of his Motown and pop sounds, compared to hard rock and such. I don’t really care for Mariah all that much, but even though I don’t have a ticket for this at the moment, I’d go to this concert.
Those are the classic shows coming up this summer that I may or may not go to. While I plan to go to a few, I’ll definitely see you at Paul McCartney, and Cheap Trick.
Josh Bradley Live 