Styx kicks off Summer packed with hot shows all around. Here's what's ahead at beaches
Last weekend saw the beach tourist season kick off in earnest with a mass influx of visitors. Some people may have been surprised by national statistics showing a large increase in holiday travelers.
Owners and operators of live entertainment venues, however, already had an inkling things will be busier than last year — as advance ticket sales to concert events have been through the roof.
In Selbyville, the outdoor Freeman Arts Pavilion will launch its 2023 concert season this weekend. Classic-rock favorite Styx will play its catalog of hits to a packed house Saturday, June 3; tickets sold out the same day they went on sale way back in February.
Country star Carly Pearce will perform Sunday, June 4, following a 7 p.m. opening set by Jonathan Hutcherson ($59, $69, $84).
Freeman has sold out tickets to two more upcoming shows — Grand Funk Railroad on Saturday, June 24, and Train on Saturday, Aug. 26.
Fans should be advised to keep an eye on the pavilion’s social media as the shows approach, however. Last Wednesday Freeman announced it was releasing a limited quantity of additional tickets for the Styx and Train concerts, which were quickly gobbled up.
In Dewey Beach, the Bottle & Cork nightclub is rocking and rolling with a packed concert schedule that is still growing. The Bacon Brothers will make their semi-annual appearance at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1 ($40); at last count, about 925 of the 1,100 available tickets had been sold. The traveling DJ dance party known as Gimme Gimme Disco will visit the Cork at 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 2 ($20).
The Cork has announced a batch of new concerts. Indie-rock act Dashboard Confessional will appear Sunday, July 30, following an 8:30 p.m. set by opening act Wheatus ($55). Dashboard Confessional will also play the Freeman Arts Pavilion a few days prior to that, as it shares a bill with the Counting Crows at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25 ($104, $129).
On the country tip, the Cork announced Monday that dates have been added for Corey Kent on Wednesday, July 19 ($25); Chase Matthew on Tuesday, Aug. 1 ($25); and Adam Dolec on Wednesday, Aug. 16 ($25).
The Milton Theatre will feature classic rock music and comedy this weekend. Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience will play at 8 p.m. Friday, June 2 ($36, $40). Jingo: The Santana Tribute is set for 8 p.m. Saturday, June 3 ($35). Comedian Aunt Mary Pat’s farewell tour makes a stop at the for a sold-out performance at 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 4.
Looking ahead to next week in Ocean City, the OC Performing Arts Center has a retro-themed concert event taking place at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 11. Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band is a national touring production concentrating on ’80s hair-metal hits by the likes of Bon Jovi, Poison, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake and more ($35, $40).
Email Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com