If there is one thing that NEPA promises each summer, it’s a few months full of concerts, big and small for music lovers of all genres. From one mountain (Montage) to another (in Jim Thorpe) and venues in between, here is a look at what tickets you may want to hop in line for:
MAY
11- Bill Engvall of “Here’s Your Sign” fame hit’s the Kirby Center.
12- The Disco Biscuits- a hot electronic rock band out Philly. These guys are great- just got their new CD.
JUNE
7- Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) and Jewell make a nice pair for a show at Montage.
24- Commedianne Kathy Griffin bring her wit to the Scranton Cultural Center.
26- The Gin Blossoms, who you may remember from their mid 90s hits, “Alison Road” and “Hey, Jealousy” roll into the Kirby Center
30- Fans of 80s hairbands are sure to enjoy Ded Leppard and Journey, who will play to the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain.
30- NRA supporter Ted Nugent will play to a crowd at Penn’s Peak.
JULY
1- Toto, best known for their 80s hit “Africa” will play at Penn’s Peak
1- Michael Buble’ will play the Wachovia Arena.
2- Sammy Hagar and the Wabo’s – sure to play stuff from Van Halen as well will hit Montage. Lawn tickets are just ten bucks!
3- Pat Benatar, the 80s chick rocker, will belt out songs like “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” at the Penn’s Peak. If she doesn’t blow you away, the view here will.
5- He’s back. The Dave Matthews Band will play their second consecutive summer at Montage Mountain.
7-8- Briggs Farm Blues Fest on the Briggs Family Farm in Nescopeck, this event draws hundreds and gets bigger every year. This A&E; editor worked the fest last year and can vouch for the nonstop entertainment and great food.
15- Lynryd Skynyd will make Montage Mountain its ‘sweet home’ for one night, along with 3 Doors Down.
25- Keeping with the trend of 70s and 80s rock, Poison returns to a place where it is most welcome, year after year- Montage Mountain.
26- Might as well not clean up because things will be just as wild the day after Poison at OzzFest, bringing over a dozen rock groups, including the Black Crowes and Disturbed to the Montage Mountain.
30- The Pocono Blues Fest at Big Boulder- tons of blues music, vendors, ski life rides, food and more. The most fun you’ll have at a ski mountain without snow – just grass. (No pun intended by the way, but do with that description as you wish.)
AUGUST
4- Vans Warped tour treks onto the Mountain with several dozen bands, including Less than Jake, Saves the Day, Bouncing Souls and Anti-Flag. It’s like a college radio dream come true.
11- The Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows are sure to be a smash at Montage.
12- Toby Keith, bound to be a sell-out, will bring his country attitude and American pride- and a boatload of hits to Montage.
There are sure to be many more shows announced as times passes on, so keep your ears open!
Ticket Info- Find ticket info at each of the venue’s websites at:
Montage-mountain.org
KirbyCenter.org
PennsPeak.com
ScrantonCulturalCenter.org
WachoviaArena.com
Jfbb.com (for the Blues Fest)
Briggsfarm.com
Ticket Tip
Buy your tickets at the box office if possible. Seriously. If you are a big concert-goer, you can literally save enough money to buy another ticket after fees get slapped on.
Concert News Note
Pollstar.com is the touring industry site. They have most dates listed before radio stations announce shows. Check it for shows all summer; search by city, artist, tour or genre.
