Philly is going to be sounding good this summer, thanks to some big names coming through. Here’s a list of concerts you don’t want to miss, from jam bands to pop princesses to the ‘Glee’ cast.
Death Cab for Cutie
June 4: The Trocadero, $34
August 5: The Mann Center, $40
Two visits from Ben Gibbard this summer? Yeah, Philly can probably handle that.
‘Glee’
June 8: Wells Fargo Center
$52-$92,
Control yourself, loyal Gleeks: The stars of the hit show will be onstage performing songs from Seasons 1 and 2 including “Empire State of Mind,” “Toxic,” “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “Don’t Stop Believin.’”
Phish
June 10: Susquehanna Bank Center,
$45-$60,
For a certain strangely loveable, parking-lot-partying crew, it’s not summer without a packed, hazy ferry ride across the river to catch Phish. To which we say, party on kids.
Bright Eyes
June 10: The Mann Center
$34,
Conor Oberst brings his surprisingly — very, very surprisingly — dynamic live show to the Mann’s breezy open-air venue.
Florence and the Machine
June 20: Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing,
$30,
Remember when you caught Florence Welch and her haunting voice at the TLA? Well, those days are over. She’s playing the decidedly larger Festival Pier this summer.
Eddie Vedder
June 25: Tower Theatre
$78,
The Pearl Jammer is coming through solo with Glen Hansard.
R. Kelly
July 3: The Mann Center
$30-$100,
Kelly didn’t bring just any “special guests”: Keyshia Cole and Marsha Ambrosius round out the lineup.
Kid Cudi
July 7: The Mann Center
$30-$45,
Lest Fairmount Park get sleepy come July, Kid Cudi is shaking up the Mann.
Vans Warped Tour
July 21: Susquehanna Bank
Center
$44,
Whether you’re dropping a minivan full of kids off or attending yourself, here are some of the highlights/band names you’ll see in your kiddo’s laundry basket: 3OH!3, Gym Class Heroes, Unwritten Law, Yelawolf, Lucero, and — because some things really do never change — Less Than Jake.
Rihanna
July 23: Wells Fargo Center,
$24-$250,
www.wellsfargocenterphilly.com
Rihanna’s “Loud Tour” also features Cee Lo Green and J. Cole.
Jennifer Hudson
July 24: Susquehanna Bank Center,
$25-95,
She’s been looking so good on the red carpet lately that it’s easy to forget what got Ms. Hudson famous in the first place: Her impressive pipes.
Wanda Jackson
July 28: The Trocadero
$31,
The iconic rockabilly artist and recent Jack White collaborator shares this bill with Imelda May.
Britney Spears
The Wells Fargo Center
$30-$350,
Brit is back on the road this summer in a fierce way. Nicki Minaj is along for the ride.
Reel Big Fish
August 1: The Electric Factory
$31,
If there is still a place for ska, it is most definitely at the Electric Factory in August.
Bon Iver
August 3: Tower Theatre
$35-$45,
Coming through in support of their upcoming self-titled album, Bon Iver makes for a sweet summer night in Upper Darby.
Train and Maroon 5
August 5: Susquehanna Bank Center
$20-$125,
It’s alarming how many songs you’ll probably know from this lineup. Last call: If you want a pass to sing “Hey, Soul Sister” one more time, this is it.
Kings of Leon
August 12: Susquehanna Bank Center
$25-$70,
Now that they’re finally big names in their home country, it’s only big stages for Kings of Leon this summer.
Journey
August 13: Susquehanna Bank Center,
$19-$135,
Because, c’mon, it’s August! And on the way to the shore!
American Idol Live!
August 17: Wells Fargo Center,
$42-$62,
www.wellsfargocenterphilly.com
That’s their exclamation point, not ours, but we’ve gotta admit they’ve gather quite the list of alums: Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Naima Adedapo, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Scotty McCreery, Stefano Langone and Thia Megia will perform.
