Foo Fighters, Metallica: 15 top tribute acts to see in Delaware in spring, summer

We're at a point where artificial intelligence can clone your favorite music artist's voice. But it still hasn't figured out how to replicate the magic of a live concert experience.

That's where tribute artists come in.

Inspired by artists ranging from Metallica to Whitney Houston, here are 14 can't-miss tribute acts that are touring to Delaware this spring and summer.

One Night of Queen, Wilmington

Gary Mullen & The Works will deliver a Queen tribute at The Grand in Wilmington on Wednesday, April 3.
Gary Mullen & The Works will deliver a Queen tribute at The Grand in Wilmington on Wednesday, April 3.

Gary Mullen has celebrated the music of Queen across various venues around the world for over 20 years, playing to sold-out crowds and not folding under pressure.

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 3. Tickets are $44-$59. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or (302) 652-5577.

Metallica tribute: The Four Horsemen, Wilmington

Metallica tribute band The Four Horsemen will rock the Milton Theatre on Thursday, April 4.
Metallica tribute band The Four Horsemen will rock the Milton Theatre on Thursday, April 4.

Some tribute acts try their hardest to look at the part of the band they're paying homage to. But don't expect The Four Horsemen to do that This Metallica tribute is touring the country with only one thing to prove: they can play Metallica's tunes note for note. 

Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Milton) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4. Tickets are $25.20-$33. Visit miltontheatre.com or (302) 684-3038.

Van Halen: Completely Unchained

Completely Unchained: Van Halen Tribute will play Milton Theatre on Saturday, April 13.
Completely Unchained: Van Halen Tribute will play Milton Theatre on Saturday, April 13.

The spandex and hair era are back, and so is the spirit of larger-than-life rocker David Lee Roth in the Van Halen tribute Completely Unchained. These four musicians aim to recreate the legendary rock band's music, plus deliver an impressive production and lots of energy on stage. 

Milton Theatre at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Tickets are $31.50-$40. Visit miltontheatre.com or (302) 684-3038.

Dave Matthews Tribute Band, Wilmington

The Dave Matthews Band Tribute will play the Milton Theatre on Thursday, April 18.
The Dave Matthews Band Tribute will play the Milton Theatre on Thursday, April 18.

They leave nothing to the imagination with their group name: The Dave Matthews Tribute Band. The outfit is unique because they've played over 2,000 shows across 46 states and nine countries, since 2004, per the band's website. DMTB is branded as the only national-touring Dave Matthews tribute band in the country.

Milton Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18. Tickets are $36-$45. Visit miltontheatre.com or (302) 684-3038.

Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers & The Band tributes, Wilmington

They've managed to fit three tributes into one show with The Grateful Allman Band Experience. This concert offers music from the legendary Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers and The Band. This tribute features a lineup of members from some of the best bands in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Tickets are $12 (plus fees). Visit thequeenwilmington.com or (302) 400-7020.

Best Shot: Pat Benatar Tribute, Milton

Best Shot: Pat Benatar Tribute headlines the Milton Theatre on Sunday, May 26.
Best Shot: Pat Benatar Tribute headlines the Milton Theatre on Sunday, May 26.

Love is a battlefield and Pat Benatar's music serves as a medic. The band Best Shot: Pat Benatar Tribute takes you back to the '80s for a trip down memory lane with hits from one of the hottest artists of that time.

Milton Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26. Tickets are $27-$35. Visit miltontheatre.com or (302) 684-3038.

Led Zeppelin tribute, Selbyville

Kashmir, The Live Led Zeppelin Show tours to the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on Saturday, June 1.
Kashmir, The Live Led Zeppelin Show tours to the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on Saturday, June 1.

Lots of Robert Plant vibes will sprout throughout the venue when Kashmir, The Live Led Zeppelin Show rocks the audience. Expect to see and hear Zeppelin authenticity, including a singer who looks and sounds like Plant.

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1. Tickets are $33.41. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.

Eagles tribute, Selbyville

EagleMania will celebrate rock legends the Eagles at Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on Saturday, June 8.
EagleMania will celebrate rock legends the Eagles at Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on Saturday, June 8.

They're not afraid to leave the nest and bring their talents to whatever they’re needed. That's why EagleMania is soaring to Selbyville with a bunch of nostalgic tunes. Eagles fans, this tribute act will tide you over until the band Rock & Roll Hall of Famers land here ... if that ever happens.

Freeman Arts Pavilion at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8. Tickets are $33.41. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.

Floyd Nation: Experience Pink Floyd, Wilmington

Floyd Nation: Experience Pink Floyd is coming to The Grand in Wilmington on Saturday, June 8.
Floyd Nation: Experience Pink Floyd is coming to The Grand in Wilmington on Saturday, June 8.

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.

Paul McCartney tribute, Milton

The McCartney Experience will tribute The Beatles legend Paul McCartney at the Milton Theatre on Saturday, June 15.
The McCartney Experience will tribute The Beatles legend Paul McCartney at the Milton Theatre on Saturday, June 15.

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.

Barbra Streisand tribute, Milton

Carla DelVillaggio will pay tribute to Barba Streisand when she brings 'Simply Streisand' to the Milton Theatre on Sunday, June 16.
Carla DelVillaggio will pay tribute to Barba Streisand when she brings 'Simply Streisand' to the Milton Theatre on Sunday, June 16.

Carla DelVillaggio is Simply Streisand. The Barbra Streisand tribute performer knows how to satisfy your desire to hear your favorite songs from the singing icon's rich catalog. In addition to imitating her sound, DelVillaggio hits the stage wearing nails, hair, and replicas of gowns that Streisand wore.

Milton Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 16. Tickets are $22.50-$30. Visit miltontheatre.com or (302) 684-3038.

Foo Fighters tribute, Milton

Foo Fighters tribute band the 'Fooz Fighters' will headline the Milton Theatre on Thursday, June 27.
Foo Fighters tribute band the 'Fooz Fighters' will headline the Milton Theatre on Thursday, June 27.

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.

Rain — A Tribute to The Beatles, Selbyville

Rain — A Tribute to The Beatles will headline the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on Friday, July 12.
Rain — A Tribute to The Beatles will headline the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on Friday, July 12.

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.

Rumours: Fleetwood Mac tribute, Selbyville

Fleetwood Mac tribute band Rumours will play the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on Wednesday, July 24.
Fleetwood Mac tribute band Rumours will play the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on Wednesday, July 24.

Supporters of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac will get their fill of timeless music from the Rock Hall of Famers when they experience Rumors: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show. The band formed in Los Angeles in 2012 and has since traveled the country, laying the Mac down on fans.

Freeman Arts Pavilion at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 24. Tickets are $33.41. Visit (302) 436-3015 or freemanarts.org.

Whitney Houston tribute, Selbyville

Belinda Davids stars in The Greatest Love of All — A Tribute To Whitney Houston, which tours to the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on Saturday, Aug. 3.
Belinda Davids stars in The Greatest Love of All — A Tribute To Whitney Houston, which tours to the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville on Saturday, Aug. 3.

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 at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Tickets are $49.54. 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

More entertainment news

Why's Firefly festival 'ghosting' fans? The writing appears to be on the wall

George Thorogood, Cole Swindell, more: First wave of headliners at Freeman Arts announced

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 15 tribute shows: Foo Fighters, Grateful Dead, Metallica, Queen, more