18 fiery Delaware concerts that will heat up this summer

Lots of music legends are touring this summer, and some of them are Delaware-bound.

Here's a guide to 18 sizzling concerts that you won't want to miss in the First State. (Not to mention, be sure to hydrate before you go!)

Floyd Nation: Experience Pink Floyd, Wilmington

The lasers, lights and sounds charm fans of Pink Floyd when they experience Floyd Nation. This tribute show dishes up classics from Pink Floyd albums including "The Wall," "Dark Side of the Moon," "The Division Bell" and "Wish You Were Here."

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 8. Tickets are $53-$67. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or (302) 652-5577.

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 their 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.

Paul McCartney tribute, Milton

After playing to a sold-out crowd at the Milton Theatre last year, The McCartney Experience is back to play two shows on the same day.

This group is different from most Beatles tributes because they deliver tunes from Sir Paul's days with Wings, plus the solo songs he popularized. But they also bring in music from the early years of Beatlemania and throughout the Fab Four era.

Milton Theatre at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15. Tickets are $27-$35. Visit miltontheatre.com or (302) 684-3038.

Kurt Vile and The Violators, Wilmington 

He may be Vile, but that hasn't stopped a lot of people from falling in love with him. Last fall, Kurt Vile released the EP, "Back to Moon Beach." Over the years, the Philly artist has released popular tunes like "Pretty Pimpin," "Over Everything" and "Loading Zones."

The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 18. Tickets are $28-$63. Visit thequeenwilmington.com or (302) 400-7020.

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.

Foo Fighters tribute, Milton

What's the next best thing to seeing Dave Grohl and his legendary Foo Fighters band in Delaware? The answer is to watch the "Fooz Fighters," of course. This is the same band that took the crown as the 2021 winners of E! Entertainment's series “Clash Of The Cover Bands.” It also doesn't hurt that the Fooz Fighters' lead singer (Nicky Rich) looks like Dave Grohl.

Milton Theatre at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 27. Tickets are $27-$35. Visit miltontheatre.com or (302) 684-3038.

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.

Rain — A Tribute to The Beatles, Selbyville

There's a forecast for lots of Rain this evening, as this Beatles Tribute act pours out buckets of songs from the eras of the Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour, plus more. This program also includes flashy costumes and trippy visuals.

Freeman Arts Pavilion at 7 p.m. Friday, July 12. Tickets are $51.85. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.

White Panda, Dewey Beach

There aren’t a ton of big EDM acts playing in Delaware this summer. So, White Panda is here to jazz things up. Music lovers have partied with the mash-up artist multiple times at Firefly, and most recently at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach, where he's played New Year's Eve shows several times over the last few years. Once again, EDM fans need to prepare for some "Pandamonium" at the beach.

Bottle & Cork (1807 Route 1, Dewey Beach) at 9 p.m. Friday, July 19. Tickets are $36. 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.

Bacon Brothers, Selbyville

In case you missed Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon ("Footloose") at the beach last year, he's coming back with his brother, Michael, to headline with The Bacon Brothers band. The siblings from Philly describe their sound as "Forosoco," a mix of the words "folk, rock, soul, country." The Bacon Brothers have dropped several albums, including their new release, "Ballad of The Brothers."

Still Bad to the Bone: Q&A: George Thorogood previews summer Delaware return; Camden show with John Fogerty

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 21. Tickets $49.54. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.

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.

Tyler Hubbard, Selbyville

Country star Tyler Hubbard seems like he can't get enough of Delaware. The former Florida George Line member is set to tour solo to the First State for his second straight summer. The multiplatinum-selling artist is coming to lower Delaware with his shiny new album, "Strong."

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 28. Tickets start at $55 (plus fees). Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.

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.

Whitney Houston tribute, Selbyville

Singer Belinda Davis reminds the world of how dynamic the late R&B singer Whitney Houston was in this show that carries the New Jersey native's torch to the First State.

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lake View Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Tickets are $49.54. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.

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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.

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: Big Delaware concerts with legends & more coming to stages this summer