19 cool Delaware concerts in July not to miss

Since we're all sweating this summer anyway, why not dance away our stress together at a concert?

From rock legends to rap, EDM and country stars — here are 19 blazing Delaware concerts where you can unwind to a cool live soundtrack in July.

Justin Moore, Dewey Beach

Like last year, country star Justin Moore has two straight shows lined up in Dewey Beach this summer, and one is already sold out. The platinum-selling artist has charmed fans with several hits including "You, Me, and Whiskey," "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away," "Til My Last Day" and others that you'll probably hear when he hits the stage at the beach. 

Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) from 8-11 p.m. Thursday, July 11. Tickets are $69. Visit bottleandcork.com or call (302) 227-7272.

Disco Biscuits, Selbyville

SoDel is set for an epic dance party, courtesy of of the stellar force known as The Disco Biscuits. This Philadelphia-based band masters the “transfusion” genre, a mix of fusion and jam band. Since the ‘90s, The Disco Biscuits have thrilled fans with tracks like “Portal to an Empty Head,” “On Time,” and “We Like to Party.” Patrons should bring their own chairs to this show.

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, near Selbyville) at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 11. Tickets are $50.70. Visit freemanarts.org or call (302) 436-3015.

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. Patrons should bring their own chairs to this show. 

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lake View Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Friday, July 12. Tickets are $51.85. Visit freemanarts.org or call (302) 436-3015. 

Fitz and the Tantrums, Selbyville

Known for delivering their brand of indie pop with a soulful influence, Fitz and the Tantrums are back with their new summer anthem "No Goodbyes (Friends Forever)." Patrons should bring their own chairs to this show.

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lake View Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 14. Tickets are $56.46. Visit freemanarts.org or call (302) 436-3015.  

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Selbyville

NOLA legend Trombone Shorty has a low-ticket warning for his Selbyville-area concert. This Delaware favorite is a Firefly Music Festival alum who is also part of an exclusive club of artists who have played the White House. Trombone Shorty's popular tunes include "Hold Up" and "Fire and Brimstone."

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Monday, July 15. Tickets are $74.89-$97.94. Visit freemanarts.org or call (302) 436-3015.

Eli Young Band, Dewey Beach

Country hitmakers Eli Young Band are known for a deep catalog of deep-fried tunes like "Crazy Girl," "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" and "Learning to Fly."

Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 16. Tickets are $35 advance; $28 day of show. Visit bottleandcork.com or call (302) 227-7272.

Hailey Whitters, Dewey Beach

Over the past year, country singer Hailey Whitters' career has soared, winning the 2023 ACM Award for New Female Artist of the Year and earning a nomination for New Artist of the Year at the 2023 CMA Awards. Whitters is recognized for hits like "Everything She Ain't"; "Fillin' My Cup"; and her new collaboration with Ben Rector, "Color Up My World."

Bottle & Cork (1807 Route 1, Dewey Beach) at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 18. Tickets are $25. Visit bottleandcork.com or call (302) 227-7272.

Rick Springfield, Harrington

The opening night headliner of the Delaware State Fair is none other than Rick Springfield, known for nostalgic '80s jams like "Jessie’s Girl" and "Don't Talk to Strangers." Springfield will be joined by Starship featuring Mickey Thomas.

Delaware State Fairgrounds (18500 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18. Tickets are $35-$69. Visit delawarestatefair.com or call (302) 398-3269.

Leslie Odom Jr., Selbyville

"Hamilton" star Leslie Odom Jr. is a multitalented singer, and actor you may have seen in films and TV shows like "Gotham," "Harriet" and "Red Tails." This time the Tony Award- and Grammy Award-winning performer will show off his golden pipes. Patrons should bring their own chairs to this show.

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lake View Drive, near Selbyville) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 19. Tickets are $79.50. Visit freemanarts.org or call (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.

Bottle & Cork (1807 Route 1, Dewey Beach) at 9 p.m. Friday, July 19. Tickets are $36. Visit bottleandcork.com or call (302) 227-7272.

Ludacris, Harrington

While big rap concerts are scarce in Delaware this summer, Ludacris is stepping in to fill the gap. The emcee and actor have released major hits like "Number One Spot," "Rollout (My Business)," and "Act a Fool." His acting credits include "Crash" and the "Fast & Furious" franchise.

Delaware State Fairgrounds (18500 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Tickets are $49-$84. Visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269.

The 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." Opening their show is Cindy Alexander. Patrons should bring their own chairs to this show.

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.

Cooper Alan, Harrington

Rising country artist Cooper Alan is blazing his path with jams such as "Take Forever (Hally's Song)," "First Rodeo" and "To the Bar." He'll be joined by up-and-coming singer Thomas Mac, who boasts popular tunes like "Beer vs Women" and "I Love My Truck." 

Delaware State Fairgrounds (18500 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington) at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 22. Tickets are $29-$64. Visit delawarestatefair.com or call (302) 398-3269.

Jimmie Allen, Dewey Beach

Don't be surprised if Delaware superstar Jimmie Allen performs his new single, a love letter to country girls when he headlines a show at the beach in late July.

The release of Allen’s new country song "G.R.I.T.S." (an acronym for Girls Raised In The Sticks) coincides with the singer’s yearlong battle fighting two sexual assault allegations made against him by two different women. No criminal charges have been filed against the Milton singer.

Jimmie Allen in Delaware: Country star may cook up G.R.I.T.S. at Delaware show, amid looming sex assault lawsuit

Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) from 8 to 11 p.m. Tuesday, July 23. Tickets are $39. Visit bottleandcork.com or call (302) 227-7272.

Brantley Gilbert, Harrington

The Delaware State Fair last saw Brantley Gilbert headlining in 2017, with Luke Combs opening. The country rocker ignited the crowd with his performance. Gilbert is cherished for his hits like "Bottoms Up," "Kick It in the Sticks" and "One Hell of an Amen."

Delaware State Fairgrounds (18500 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 24. Tickets are $49-$84 (plus service fees). Visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269.

Turnpike Troubadours, Harrington

The final headliner to put a bow on the last night of the Delaware State Fair this summer is the country band Turnpike Troubadours, joining Tyler Halverson and Quade Gannon. The six-piece group has won hearts across the nation with their songs like "Diamonds & Gasoline," "Long Hot Summer Day" and "Gin, Smoke, Lies." Admission to the state fair isn't included in this concert ticket.

Delaware State Fairgrounds (18500 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington) at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 27. Tickets are $69-$99. Visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269.

REO Speedwagon, Selbyville 

There's a low-ticket warning for this REO Speedwagon concert. Fans with an appetite for late '70s- and '80s-era rock can expect to be served a buffet of hits by the legendary band. REO 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 call (302) 436-3015.  

Sleater-Kinney, Wilmington

The '90s rockers Sleater-Kinney are making noise with their new project "Little Hope," marking their 11th studio album.

The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. Tickets are $33 to $73+. Visit thequeenwilmington.com or call (302) 400-7020.

Top Delaware festivals & events in July: Hot events to check out

'Best' Beatles drummer Delaware bound: How to get tickets on sale

Kansas, Selbyville

Thanks to the power of classic rock, you can get the Kansas experience without even leaving Delaware this summer. This gang is beloved for delivering favorites like "Dust in the Wind," "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Point of Know Return."

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lake View Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 31. Tickets are $56.46 to $309.94. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015. 

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at [email protected]. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters. 

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Cool Delaware concerts to see in July 2024: Rock, rap & country stars