From Barbie to Janet Jackson to the Stones, here are must-see summer concerts coming to NJ
It's a summer concert season of anniversaries, farewells and "we're backs."
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are back after the Boss had a bout with peptic ulcer disease. Area shows include Aug. 21 and 23 at Citizens Bank Park Philadelphia, and Sept. 15 at the Sea Hear Now festival in Asbury Park. Noah Kahan headlines the Sept. 14, Sea Hear Now show.
The Rolling Stones are also back with two shows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on May 23 and 26, and one at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 11.
Bachata giants Aventura are saying farewell with shows May 22 and 23 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and June 2 to 4 at the Prudential Center in Newark. Alas, the Romeo Santos led Bronx hitmakers have said farewell in the past, but this is also group who said “We Broke the Rules.”
? Here's the complete summer concert schedule for PNC, the Stone Pony and MetLife Stadium
Canadian pop-punkers Sum 41 are saying so long on their “Tour of the Setting Sum,” and it opens the Stone Pony Summer Stage season on May 4. The Interrupters are also on the bill.
The TidalWave Music Festival, which took place last August in Atlantic City, and the Adjacent Music Festival, which took place last May also in Atlantic City, have both apparently said farewell. The county and alt-rock Live Nation-produced music fests have not made any announcements about future plans. However, the Barefoot Country Music Festival is returning June 15 to 18 to the Wildwood beach. Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Old Dominion and the Beach Boys are on the bill.
Finally, the Stone Pony is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with events throughout the summer season, including four big Jersey Pride Celebration events on the Summer Stage in late May and early June — highlighted by two Fletcher shows on June 1 and 2.
Here are must-see summer concerts at the Jersey Shore and beyond:
Morgan Wallen
How popular is country star Morgan Wallen? His “One Thing at a Time” album spent 19 non-consecutive weeks on top of the Billboard 200 album chart —a record for a country music artist. He broke Garth Brooks’ 18 weeks for “Ropin’ the Wind.”
Wallen plays May 11 at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia, and two big shows, May 17 and 18, at MetLife Stadium. The shows were originally scheduled to take place this time last year, but were postponed as doctors ordered him to rest his vocal cords.
Go: Morgan Wallen, May 11, Citizens Bank Ballpark, 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, starting at $278; mlb.com/phillies/ballpark. Also May 17 and 18, MetLife Stadium, 1 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, starting at $155; metlifestadium.com.
Aventura farewell
Aventura, aka the Kings of Bachata, said farewell in 2011 and 2016, but it looks like this time they mean it. Their Cerrando Ciclos tour, which plays May 22 and 23 at Madison Square Garden in New York City — and three shows, June 2 to 4 at Prudential Center in Newark — is billed as their final goodbye.
“I want you to join me on a journey where I will be definitively closing cycles,” said frontman Romeo Santos in a statement. “Because it is not the same to remember beautiful times as it is to be a prisoner of the past. We cannot stagnate in the nostalgia of yesterday, but rather move forward, discover new horizons, and show other facets.”
Go: Aventura, May 22 and 23, Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, starting at $243; msg.com. Also June 2 to 4, Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark, starting at $270; prucenter.com.
Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger, 80, still moves like Jagger.
The legendary frontman for the Rolling Stones shared an Instagram reel of himself dancing to the Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera hit “Moves Like Jagger” as performed by a cover band in what looks like a seaside resort.
Fans can see for themselves as the Stones, who released their latest album “Hackney Diamonds” last year, play two shows at MetLife Stadium on May 23 and 26, and one at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 11.
Go: Rolling Stones, May 23 and 26, MetLife Stadium, starting at $115; metlifestadium.com. Also June 11 at Lincoln Financial Field, One Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, starting at $153, lincolnfinancialfield.com.
Pride at the Stone Pony
The Stone Pony in Asbury Park is getting its Pride on.
The legendary venue has big shows and parties ready for the annual Jersey Pride Celebration, which takes place June 2 with a parade, a festival in Bradley Park and more. The Stone Pony Summer Stage area will be full of events. The Solid Pink Disco with Trixie and DJ Mateo Segade kicks things off on May 30; the Dreamland Pride in Asbury Park party with Purple Disco Machine takes over on May 31; and hometown hero Fletcher returns for two shows, June 1 and 2, on the Summer Stage.
“It will be a historic gathering that encapsulates everything Pride stands for: diversity, inclusivity and unity,” said Dreamland Pride producer Jake Resnicow. “We’re creating a space where everyone is welcome, and every moment is a step towards true acceptance. It’s a milestone for Asbury Park and for the Pride movement, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with everyone.”
Go: Pride celebration begins May 30. Fletcher, June 1 and 2, Stone Pony Summer Stage, 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park; stoneponyonline.com.
John Fogerty and George Thorogood
Grab the flannel shirt and roll up your sleeves as legendary rocker John Fogerty continues his Celebration Tour this summer. George Thorogood and the Destroyers are along for the ride. Area shows include June 7 at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, and June 15 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel.
Both Fogerty and Thorogood have been performing more than 50 years.
“Celebrating the music of John Fogerty at the same time we celebrate our 50th anniversary is just about as good as it can get,” said Thorogood in a statement. “I’m looking forward to being out there with my friend John!”
Go: John Fogerty and George Thorogood, June 7, Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, starting at $57, livenation. Also June 15, PNC Bank Arts Center, Exit 116, Garden State Parkway, Holmdel, starting at $34; livenation.com.
North to Shore
The 2024 edition of the North to Shore festival will have Hart — and a whole lot more.
Shows by Kevin Hart, Frankie Valli, Stephen Colbert, Matchbox Twenty, Gary Clark Jr., the B-52s, Gabriel Iglesias, Bleachers, Jeezy, Scarface, Barenaked Ladies, Prince Royce and Wisin, Lake Street Dive and more in Asbury Park, Newark and Atlantic City will highlight the Jersey-centric festival.
Dates are June 10 to 16 in Asbury Park; June 17 to 23 in Atlantic City; and June 24 to 30 in Newark. Original Four Seasons member Valli, 89, brings his “Last Encore” tour to the Hard Rock in Atlantic City on June 22, and comedian Hart brings his “Brand New Material” tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on June 30.
North to Shore shows at the Stone Pony Summer Stage include Gary Clark Jr. on June 12; Band of Horses on June 13; Lake Street Drive on June 14; and Bleachers’ annual Shadow of the City on June 15.
Go: North to Shore Festival, June 10 to 16 in Asbury Park, June 17 to 23 in Atlantic City, June 24 to 30 in Newark. A complete schedule of events and more information is at northtoshore.com.
T-Pain
T-Pain is taking the party on the road this summer.
The hitmaker will headline the T-Pain's Mansion In Wiscansin Party tour June 21 at the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, and June 23 at the Central Park Summer Stage in New York City. LaRussell, NandoSTL and Young Ca$h are also on the bill.
T-Pain, aka Faheem Rashad Najm of Tallahassee, Florida, was the recipient of the 2023 Soul Train Legend Award. He popularized the use of Auto-Tune software over sung vocals in hip-hop and R&B. He recently dropped a new single, “Dreaming,” an inspirational ballad.
The tour name is drawn from the T-Pain lyric “Put you in a mansion, somewhere in Wiscansin” from his 2008 hit “Can’t Believe It.”
Go: T-Pain, June 21, Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park, starting at $108; stoneponyonline.com; Also June 23, Central Park Summer Stage, New York; tickets starting at $78.25; livenation.com.
Janet Jackson
It’s a year of milestones for Janet Jackson.
It’s been 25 years since the release of “The Velvet Rope,” 30 years since “janet” and 35 since “Rhythm Nation.” In all, Jackson is marking her 59th year in show business. Her Together Again tour relaunches this summer with shows June 26 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, and July 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark.
Nelly opens the shows.
Go: Janet Jackson, June 26, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, starting at $59.95; wellsfargocenterphilly.com. Also July 9, Prudential Center, Newark, starting at $59.95; prucenter.com.
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes with the Rascals
In 1980, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes released the single “On the Beach.”
In 2024, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes are playing on the beach — in Seaside Heights. Johnny and the Jukes are teaming with the Rascals for a night of two Jersey legends on June 29 on the Seaside Heights Beach Stage.
Go: Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, with the Rascals, June 29, Seaside Heights Beach Stage, Seaside Heights, starting at $49; exit82.com.
Outlaw Music Festival Tour
There's going to be a lot of musical legacy on stage for this one: Willie Nelson and Family, Bob Dylan, and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are playing this year's Outlaw Music Festival Tour.
Area dates include June 29 at the Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Long Island; June 30 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, and July 4 at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden. The big July 4 show includes Maren Morris and Mavis Staples. It's Nelson's famed 4th of July Picnic.
“This year's Outlaw Music Festival Tour promises to be the biggest and best yet with this lineup of legendary artists,” said Nelson is a statement. “I am thrilled to get back on the road again with my family and friends playing the music we love for the fans we love.”
It's a show for the ages. Nelson is 91, Dylan is 82, and Plant, former lead singer of Led Zeppelin, is 75. The tour is partly presented by the Jersey-based Keith Wortman and Blackbird Presents.
Go: Outlaw Music Festival Tour, June 29, Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, 895 Bay Parkway, Wantagh, Long Island, starting at $55. Also June 30, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, starting at $50. Plus July 4, Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden, starting at $64; livenation.com.
Barbie Tour
It's trip to Barbie Land you haven't experienced before.
“Barbie The Movie: In Concert,” which features the hit film with a live musical accompaniment from an all-female orchestra, is coming Aug. 17 to the PNC Bank Arts Center. Other area shows include July 6 at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, and Aug. 18, at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Long Island.
The all-female Barbie Land Sinfonietta, conducted by Tony Award-winning producer Macy Schmidt, will play music accompanying the film.
“On top of getting to experience the film unlike ever before, 'Barbie The Movie: In Concert' audiences will have the privilege of watching some of the world’s best musicians come together and do what they do best,” said Schmidt in a statement.
Go: Barbie The Movie: In Concert, July 6, Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden, starting at $25. Also Aug. 17, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, starting at $28. Plus Aug. 18, Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, Long Island, starting at $26; livenation.com.
Pretenders in Red Bank
The Pretenders are “Relentless” — and they're starting their U.S. summer tour at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on July 13.
The show is the Basie's annual fundraising gala. The Pretenders released the new album “Relentless” last September, and it features Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood with Chrissie Hynde and the band. Classics include “Stop Your Sobbing,” “Kid,” “Brass in Pocket” and more. The group is also opening several dates for the Foo Fighters on their upcoming stadium tour.
Go: Pretenders, July 13, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, stating at $203; thebasie.org.
Daryl Hall and Elvis Costello
Here's something we did not expect this summer: Daryl Hall, and Elvis Costello and the Imposters are teaming up for a tour.
Hall, half of Hall and Oates, and Costello are coming through the area with shows July 16 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, and July 18 at the PNC Bank Arts Center. Charlie Sexton opens.
Perhaps it's not so unexpected. Hall is in a legal battle with Oates over the latter's attempt to sell his half of their songwriting rights, and Hall and Costello did team up for a single “The Only Flame in Town” 40 years ago.
“It’s fantastic to be able to rekindle a musical relationship,” said Hall in a statement. “Get ready for lots of great music.”
Go: Daryl Hall and Elvis Costello, July 16, Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave., New York, starting at $90; msg.com. Also July 18; PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, starting at $70; livenation.com.
Xscape and SWV
All hail the Queens.
The Queens of R&B, that is. Nineties hitmakers Xscape and SWV have reunited for the Queens of R&B Tour with Mya, Total and 702. Area shows include July 24 at Madison Square Garden, July 25 at PNC Bank Arts Center, and July 27 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Xscape's hits include “Just Kickin' It” and “Understanding,” and SWV's hits include the classic “Right Here.” Jersey will be represented by Total, whose members are from Central Jersey. Their hits include “Can't You See” with the late Notorious B.I.G.
“We’ve heard our fans,” said Total member Kima on social media. “We are honored to be a part of such a Herstorical lineup!! Total will not disappoint!”
Go: Xscape and SWV, July 24, Madison Square Garden, New York, starting at $66; msg.com. Also July 25, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel; livenation.com. Plus July 27, Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, starting at $39; boardwalkhall.com.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
The Boss —and the E Street Band -- are rolling again.
“We're back!” said Bruce Springsteen moments after the E Street Band's tour relaunched March 19 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. Springsteen had postponed the band's shows for the rest of the year in September as he battled peptic ulcer disease.
The tour comes to the area with rescheduled shows Aug. 21 and 23 at Citizens Bank Park Philadelphia, and Sept. 15 at the Sea Hear Now festival in Asbury Park. Noah Kahan headlines the Saturday, Sept. 14, Sea Hear Now show.
Go: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Aug. 21 and 23, Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, starting at $183; www.mlb.com/phillies/ballpark. Also Sept. 15, Sea Hear Now, Asbury Park, starting at $456; www.seahearnow.com.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore summer concerts include Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones
