By Kate Nalepinski
The Nikon at Jones Beach Theater 2016 summer concert series has a strong, diverse lineup this season that features big name pop stars to classic rockers and alternatives in between. As of early June, tickets are still available for every show, with one exception. Janet Jackson had announced on Sept. 10, 2015 her plans to play Jones Beach on June 25—the first artist to publicly commit to a 2016 concert at the venue—but she’s postponed her tour after getting pregnant.
Here’s a preview of this summer’s shows at the Jones Beach amphitheater:
KTUphoria
The Jones Beach summer season kicks off with media frontrunner KTU’s lineup of pop and alternative artists, including Pitbull, Backstreet Boys, Enrique Iglesias, Mike Posner, The Chainsmokers and Bebe Rexha. You can’t say this group has a common genre but there’s certainly something for everyone. Whether alternative listeners are interested in DJ duo The Chainsmokers, best known for their 2014 hit single “selfie,” or sultry, Spanish-hit lovers are waiting to hear Enrique Iglesias, all will be pleased by the artistic mix. All ticket-holders are invited to the Pregame, an official pre-party celebration before the concert. $25-$199. 7 p.m. June 4.
Lynyrd Skynyrd / Peter Frampton
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s newest studio album release, Last Of A Dyin’ Breed, set the band on the road for yet another national tour with what is sure to be a breathtaking live performance on Long Island. Don’t worry, they’ll play their greatest hits, including “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” This summer Peter Frampton, famous for his hugely selling double-live album of 1976, and his chops as a rock-n-roll hero from Humble Pie, joins Lynyrd Skynyrd on the bill. $20-$125. 7 p.m. June 5.
BLI Summer Jam
A flawless array of hipster hits and radio jams joins forces for the BLI Summer Jam. Featuring artists such as Meghan Trainor (“Dear Future Husband”), Iggy Azalea (“Fancy”), Fifth Harmony (“Work From Home”), Charlie Puth (“One Call Away”) and Troye Sivan (“Wild”), this concert is something that shouldn’t be missed. Also performing will be Shaggy, The Chainsmokers, Rachel Platten, DAYA, Hailee Steinfeld and Melanie Martinez. The variety is simply irresistible because all the tunes are breezy and fun, just right for a great afternoon by the beach. $10.61-$175. 3 p.m. June 11.
Joe Walsh / Bad Company
This will be “one hell of a night!” Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Joe Walsh is a great guitarist and unique vocalist known for his sizzling work with the James Gang and The Eagles, as well many solo recordings with Paul McCartney, the Foo Fighters and others. Formed in 1973, classic rock group Bad Company, famous for Grammy-nominated tunes “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Shooting Star,” rocks on stage this summer with Walsh. $20-$169. 7 p.m. June 14.
Jason Aldean / Thomas Rhett / A Thousand Horses / We Were Here
This year’s ACM “Entertainer of the Year,” Jason Aldean, will serenade Jones Beach with songs off his newest album, “Old Boots, New Dirt”, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Country Albums Chart. Thomas Rhett, who has previously toured with Lady Antebellum and Florida Georgia Line (a band that will play later in the season at the theater), takes the stage with “A Thousand Horses,” the low-country, powerful rock band that originated in Nashville. Opening the show will be We Were Here. $40.25-$65.50. 7:30 p.m. June 17.
Taste of Chaos
Kings of punk and emo, Dashboard Confessional and Long Island’s own Taking Back Sunday, headline the “Rockstar Energy Drink Taste of Chaos” tour this summer. Dashboard Confessional’s lead singer, Chris Carrabba, is credited with writing famous 2000’s songs such as, “Vindicated,” “Hands Down,” and “Screaming Infidelities.” Taking Back Sunday, who released their most recent album in March of 2014, is credited as the quintessential emo band from the US. Pop-punk bands Saosin, The Early November, and Motion City Soundtrack also join in the fun. $26-$75. 5:30 p.m. June 18.
Dave Matthews Band
In celebration of their 25th anniversary, the Dave Matthews Band returns to Long Island to perform for their legions of fans here. The acoustic rock superstars have sold over 30 million records and consistently tour around the world. They are known for featuring jazzy improvisational reworkings of their songs, so every show sounds unique. $75-$85. 8 p.m. June 21.
More outdoor fun, LI: Here’s all the outdoor movies playing on the Island this summer
English new wave rock royalty Sting and Peter Gabriel are taking their Rock Paper Scissors tour to the beach. Sting, the former frontman of The Police, and Gabriel, who led Genesis, both went solo years ago, but they still play the ’80s hits that rocketed their previous bands to stardom. Peter Gabriel’s lyrical melodies and Sting’s trademark high-pitched raspy voice will be on display. Imagine: two Englishmen on Long Island! $45-$250. 8 p.m. June 24.
Journey
San Francisco-based Journey, one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time and possibly one of the greatest rock bands in history, is touring with fellow Californians, The Doobie Brothers, winners of four Grammy awards. Also performing will be Brit rocker Dave Mason, a key figure in the band Traffic. $39.50-$155. 7 p.m. June 27.
Weezer / Panic! At The Disco / Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
Touring to promote their self-titled 10th studio album that dropped in March, Weezer, which popped on the scene in ’94 with “The Sweater Song” and methodically churned out myriad hits since, will celebrate their awesomeness with Panic! At The Disco. Panic! is a well-known alternative band. With the recent release of the single, “Death of a Bachelor” (about lead singer Brandon Urie’s new marriage), and their new album Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!, this dynamic duo is sure to please. $25-$75. 7:30 p.m. June 30.
Slipknot / Marilyn Manson / Of Mice & Men
Slipknot, recognizable as the mask-wearing kings of nu-metal, are touring to promote their new album, .5: The Grey Chapter. They’ll be performing with Marilyn Manson, the self-described “Dark Prince,” “Vampire of Hollywood Hills,” and “The Pale Emperor,” who had so much fun scaring your parents last year that he’s back for more fright nights. Opening the show will be Of Mice & Men, a metal screamo band from Orange County, Calif., that’s rapidly growing in popularity after their 2010 release of Second & Sebring. $30-$70. 6:30 p.m. July 6.
Vans Warped Tour
The nation’s longest running annual music festival returns with its traveling freak show of pop-punk artists. This year, the lineup consists of a good mix of punk, metal and rap artists, including: New Found Glory, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, Good Charlotte, Sleeping with Sirens, Tonight Alive, Pepper, Sum41 and Yellowcard, just to name a few of the about four-dozen bands scheduled to perform on multiple stages. $44. 11 a.m. July 9.
Sublime With Rome
Eric Wilson, the original bassist for Sublime, collaborates with singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez to perform the band’s ska hits—”What I Got,” “Santeria” and “Doin’ Time,” to name a few—in place of the late lead singer, Bradley Nowell, who died of a heroin overdose 20 years ago last month at age 28. Like-minded reggae rock bands Tribal Seeds, Dirty Heads and Bleeker Ridge open the show. Chill out for the day and listen to your favorite ska hits. $29.50-$79.50. 6:30 p.m. July 10.
Def Leppard / REO Speed Wagon / Tesla
Rejuvenate your love for ‘80s new-wave English rock. After the popular release of their newest self-titled album, Def Leppard is kicking off their national tour with REO Speed Wagon, the hard-rock heroes who gained commercial success in the ’60s, and Tesla, whose “Love Song” isn’t easy to forget. And why would you want to? This is sure to make an incredible show. $25-$150. 7 p.m. July 11.
Yanni
Yiannis Chryssomallis, also known as Yanni, is a Greek composer, keyboardist, pianist and music producer, whose 18th contemporary album, Sensuous Chill, reached audiences around the globe when it was released last January. Yanni mixes electronic synthesizers with live, symphony orchestras. He is known as a global artist for his employment of musicians from many countries and styles. He has said many times that universal spirituality inspires his music. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary experience. $45-$139.50. 8 p.m. July 13.
Florida Georgia Line / Cole Swindell / The Cadillac Three & Kane Brown
The brothers who make up Florida Georgia Line, Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, will perform their tasteful hit single, “Cruise,” which sold 10 million copies, making FGL the first-ever country band to receive RIAA’s Diamond certification. Supporting acts include Cole Swindell, who has written singles for country boys such as Scott McCreery and Luke Bryan, in addition to releasing two albums, joins FGL this summer. Kane Brown, who joins The Cadillac Three on this tour, is an up-and-coming country star, whose first EP was only released a year ago. $32-$76.75. 7 p.m. July 17.
Gwen Stefani & Eve
There’s “No Doubt” Gwen Stefani will put on an incredible performance with Eve, despite enduring the emotional aftermath of her recent divorce that got so much attention in the tabloids. In her “This is What the Truth Feels Like” tour, Stefani plays new and old hits, so anticipate hearing, “Make Me Like You,” as well as “The Sweet Escape.” Rapper and hip-hop artist, Eve, who hails from Philly, opens the show. Want to see what the platinum superstar songstress looks like on stage? Then here’s your chance. And, by the way, Eve just might steal the show herself–or maybe these two ladies make an amazing duo! $29.95-$179. 7 p.m. July 21.
Josh Groban and Sarah McLachlan
Aside from his first four solo albums going multi-platinum, Josh Groban was recently Grammy-nominated for his 2016 album, Stages. Brunette-beauty Sarah McLachlan joins Groban on their “Stages Shine On” tour, where she’s sure to please with her emotional artistic ballads and her high-vocal range. $32.50-$170. 7:30 p.m. July 22.
Laid Back Festival
The second year of this annual country outing features Gregg Allman, the former leader of Southern-rock stalwarts, the Allman Brothers. The other members at this year’s Laid Back Festival just so happen to be the Allman Brother’s group of close friends, including Jason Isbell, America, The Marshall Tucker Band and many more. If you’re into Gregg Allman’s past work, the last performer on this year’s lineup features Warren Haynes, The Allman Brother’s lead guitarist. $20-$125. 4 p.m. July 23.
Darius Rucker
As the former leader of Hootie & the Blowfish, Darius Rucker has found much success as a country singer. His first three solo albums, Learn To Live, Charleston, SC 1966 and True Believers, all topped the Billboard Country album charts before he dropped his latest, Southern Style, last year. Opening the show is the fun trio, Dan + Shay & Michael Ray, adding a country-blues touch to the “Good For a Good Time” tour. $32-$51.75. 7 p.m. July 24.
Heart / Joan Jett and the Black Hearts / Cheap Trick
The combination of Heart, Joan Jett and the Black Hearts and Cheap Trick may be one of the strongest lineups to hit Jones Beach this year. It certainly hits Long Islanders where we live! Their “Roll Hall Three For All!” tour is sure to have old and new fans jamming out to everlasting hits such as “Bad Reputation,” “I Love Rock and Roll,” “I Want You To Want Me,” and “Barracuda.” A lineup like this is hard to miss. Jones Beach may produce its own tidal wave! $31-$175. 7 p.m. July 28.
Disturbed / Breaking Benjamin / Alter Bridge / Saint Asonia
The latest album from Disturbed, Immortalized, was an automatic fan-favorite, but the heavy-metal band has been wowing audiences with their raw voices and aggressive nature since ’94 when they were originally called “Brawl.” Breaking Benjamin co-headlines this tour, whose new record, “Dark Before Dawn,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 charts. Check them out with opening acts Alter Bridge and Saint Asonia. $29.95-$79.95. 6:30 p.m. July 30.
Counting Crows / Rob Thomas
If you can sing every lyric to “Accidentally In Love,” or even if you just enjoy a talented classic rock band, don’t miss out on seeing Counting Crows and Rob Thomas perform live. Rob Thomas is not only famous for his prior role as the lead singer of Matchbox 20, but he also worked with Santana on one of the most recognizable rock songs to date, “Smooth.” $26-$80.50. 6:45 p.m. July 31.
Brad Paisley
Possibly one of the most recognizable modern country singers, Brad Paisley has sold more than 12 million albums, won three Grammy Awards, 14 CMA Awards and has become a registered member of the Grand Ole Opry. Paisley set a record back in ’09 for most consecutive singles reaching the top spot in his genre. If that doesn’t impress you, take a listen to his ’05 classic, “She’s Everything.” Warming up the crowd is Tyler Farr, an up-and-coming country singer, and Maddie And Tae, whose single, “Girl In A Country Song,” went platinum. $30.25-$90.25. 7:30 p.m. August 4.
Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa
The Snoop D-Oh-double-G, a.k.a. Snoop Lion, and the like-mindedly good time rapper Wiz Khalifa are taking “The High Road” tour, presented by none other than Mary Jane, for a day at the beach. Don’t be surprised to find a large cloud of smoke wafting over the venue for this one. It could get kind of hazy, even if the night starts out clear. Warming up the crowd will be Jhene Aiko, Kevin Gates, DJ Drama and Casey Veggies. $25.75-$150. 7 p.m. August 9.
Goo Goo Dolls / Collective Soul
The Goo Goo Dolls, best known for the emotional ’98 hit song “Iris,” are touring to promote their 15th album, Boxes, released this year. Joining them on the road are fellow indie/alternative champions Collective Soul. Opening the show is Tribe Society, whose indie-rock fusion album was released in April, and So Alive in Boxes. $29.50-$159. 7 p.m. August 12.
Blink-182
Pop-punk royalty Blink-182 joins fellow punk groups All Time Low and A Day To Remember for their “Bored to Death in California” tour. Blink releases their new album, California, on July 1, which features a variety of mature, yet angsty, tunes for head bopping. At the show, Blink is sure to play pop-punk hits, like “What’s My Age Again?” and “All The Small Things.” All Time Low, most notable for their songs, “Weightless” and “Remembering Sunday,” last year released Future Hearts, a relatively touchy-feely album containing all the punk they’re known for. $45-$99. 7 p.m August 13.
Black Sabbath
Sabbath’s tour is literally titled, “The Final Tour by the Greatest Metal Band of all time; Black Sabbath: The End.” Need we say more? The Godfathers of Metal–Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler–are performing on stage for the last time before calling it quits after almost 50 years of touring. 7:30 p.m. August 17.
Billboard HOT 100 Music Festival [2 day]
This year’s Billboard HOT 100 Music Festival features the songs you’ve been jamming out to on the radio, including Calvin Harris’ “This Is What You Came For,” Ariana Grande’s “Dangerous Woman,” J. Cole.’s “Apparently,” Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen” and Martin Garrix’s “Animals.” A lineup like this is simply so irresistible with their plethora of poppy hits. And you can’t name a better venue for catching these acts that have made the soundtrack for the summer of 2016. $99. August 20, 21.
Jimmy Buffet & The Coral Reefers
The musician best known for his paradise-themed songs is a perfect performer for a summer concert at Jones Beach. Perhaps what’s more popular than seeing the godliness of Jimmy Buffet & The Coral Reefers themselves is the pre-show Parrothead tailgate, where Buffet fans unite and celebrate the season, which fans spend months preparing in advance. Grab your George Forman grill and listen to “Margaritaville” ASAP. $56-$156. 8 p.m. August 25.
Prophets of Rage
A mashup of anti-establishment musicians, Prophets of Rage includes Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, who joined forces with Public Enemy’s Chuck D and DJ Lord. This anarchy-ridden lyric group is launching their “Make America Rage Again” tour on July 19 in Cleveland, Ohio – coincidentally the time and location of the Republican National Convention, so it’s a safe bet that Cleveland will rock. The tour concludes in San Diego, just weeks before Election Day. Rock out and #TakeThePowerBack. 7 p.m. August 28.
Rascal Flatts & Kelsea Ballerini
Remember bopping out in your car to Rascal Flatt’s ’06 hits, “Life Is A Highway” and “What Hurts The Most”? Relive that decade-old nostalgia with these sweet jams. Kelsea Ballerini, newfound nominee for CMT’s #SocialSuperstar award, rocks out as an opener. 7:30 p.m. September 1.
ZZ Top & Gov’t Mule
Last (but certainly not least), hirsute Texas boogie stars, ZZ Top and Gov’t Mule, close out the Jones Beach summer concert series in style. Gov’t Mule frontman Warren Haynes is known as the longtime guitarist with The Allman Brothers. The rock and Roll Hall of Fame trio from ZZ Top represent the epitome of classic, roots-rockin’ boogie and bottom-bustin’ blues: a perfect ending to a mind-blowing, wave-making season of fun in the sun and good times at night. $25-$99.50. 7:30 p.m. September 9.
