Long Island summer music preview: 50 great acts to catch - Newsday
Cyndi Lauper has her hands full these days. The 71-year-old singer from Ozone Park will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year, she is writing the music and lyrics for the upcoming musical, "Working Girl" (based on the 1988 film starring Melanie Griffith) and she’s launching the last leg of her farewell tour, which comes to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on July 19.
"It’s all happening at once," says Lauper. "The tour will be a little different from when I played Madison Square Garden [last October]. There are places I did not get to go. We are doing the shed thing. My family is around Jones Beach and I used to go there when I was little."
Lauper’s upcoming gig is one of several shows not to miss this summer. Here’s a list of 50 concerts to catch running from late May to early September.
Witness one guitar hero pay homage to another when Stanley Jordan plays the music of Jimi Hendrix at the Boulton Center for the Performing Arts in Bay Shore on May 31.
631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org
$50
Luke Bryan will kick off the season at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater. Credit: Getty Images for UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation/Tommaso Boddi
Don’t miss country singer-“American Idol" judge Luke Bryan as he opens the summer season at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh on May 31 with his "Country Song Came On Tour" show. George Birge, Avery Anna, Drake Milligan and DJ Rock will be on the bill as well.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$231.50-$474.30
Two bands join forces for one night of ‘70s rock as Kansas and 38 Special co-headline Catholic Health Amphitheater at Bald Hill in Farmingville on June 8.
"Over the past 11 years, our audiences have gotten bigger and our venues have gotten bigger, too," says Kansas lead singer Ronnie Platt, 63. "You see Kansas songs being used in TV commercials and movies. The music is reaching a much younger audience. It’s been a wild ride."
631-542-5423, champbaldhill.com
$29.65-$120.20
Dave Matthews Band has been around since 1991 with many Jones Beach shows under its belt. Credit: Getty Images for CBS Radio Inc./Frazer Harrison
DMB makes its annual trek to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on June 11.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$67.20-$240.65
Celebrating 40 years in the music business, folk artist Suzanne Vega ("Luka") brings her "Flying With Angels Tour" to Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett on June 13.
631-267-3117, stephentalkhouse.com
$109.58-$130.57
The New Wave triple bill of Simple Minds, Soft Cell and Modern English, a WLIR listener’s dream, comes to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on June 13.
"Forty years ago in 1985, our song ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ went to No. 1 on the Billboard chart. But several generations have since embraced that song," says Simple Minds lead singer Jim Kerr, 65. "Although it conjures up the spirit of its time, it never really lost steam. The song remains vibrant and has a sentiment that people can relate to. Plus, everyone likes to sing the ‘La-la-la-la’ part at the end."
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$30-$280
Will Nicole Kidman show up at Jones Beach to see her husband perform? Credit: Getty Images/Jason Kempin
Country artist Keith Urban’s "High and Alive World Tour" arrives at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on June 14. Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen and Karley Scott Collins open the show.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$49-$255.90
Expect Mambo Madness when Tito Puente Jr. performs in Riverhead. Credit: Rob Rich
Get moving on Mambo Night with Tito Puente Jr. at The Suffolk in Riverhead on June 20.
$50-$80
The Cars’ keyboardist Greg Hawkes plays his band's catalog with Boston group Eddie Japan at the Boulton Center for the Performing Arts on June 20.
"Eddie Japan approached me about doing a set of Cars songs and I’ve got to admit I was reluctant to do it," says Hawkes, 72. "However, they were fairly persistent and eventually I agreed. The response has been really good. The reason I continue is because the experience is very gratifying."
631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org
$65-$70
This ‘60s psychedelic rock band from Long Island headlines the Boulton Center for the Performing Arts on June 26.
631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org
$60-$65
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of his debut, "Heartbreaker," Ryan Adams is set to perform the album in its entirety at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on June 29.
631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
$46-$100
Broadway star Betty Buckley ("Cats," "The Mystery of Edwin Drood"), 77, will command the spotlight at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor on June 30.
$99.99-$159.99
Long Island’s own emo rock band will launch its first local show in over a decade at UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont on July 2.
516-460-8950, ubsarena.com
$58.60-$402.05
No summer is complete without the Beach Boys taking over Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on July 5.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$30-$323.60
The New Wave duo of keyboardist-vocalist Paul Humphreys and bassist-vocalist Andy McCluskey come together at The Paramount in Huntington on July 6 for a show that was postponed from last year celebrating Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s 45th anniversary.
$206.50-$531
Rick Springfield is sure to sing "Jessie's Girl" when he hits the Westbury Music Fair this summer. Credit: Getty Images for ABA/Scott Dudelson
Get out your acid wash jeans and start crimpin’ your hair as the "I Want My '80s Tour" pulls into Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair on July 9 featuring Rick Springfield ("Jessie’s Girl"), Paul Young ("Everytime You Go Away"), John Waite ("Missing You") and Wang Chung ("Dance Hall Days").
"For a summer tour, I like to go out with a couple of artists so we give everybody their money’s worth," says Springfield, 75. "I always pick people that I’m a fan of because I want to have a great time, too."
516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
$41.75-$186.50
Judy Collins' stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now” from her landmark 1967 album, "Wildflowers," is in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Credit: Getty Images for Tribeca Festiva/Jamie McCarthy
Singer-songwriter Judy Collins brings her storytelling charm to The Suffolk on July 10.
$86-$140
Turn back the clock to the turn of the century as the "Pop 2000 Tour" stops at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on July 13 including Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC; O-Town; BBMAK; Ryan Cabrera and LFO.
631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
$46-$90
Northwell at Jones Beach Theater will get a triple shot of rock as Creed headlines on July 15 along with supporting sets from Daughtry and Mammoth.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$68.20-$353.20
Revive hits of the ‘90s like "Hey Jealousy," "Found Out About You" and "Follow You Down" as the Gin Blossoms return to The Paramount on July 15.
"We’ve maintained our sound and never tried to overthink our songwriting," says lead vocalist-guitarist Robin Wilson of Valley Stream, 59. "The band has always done what comes naturally to us and kept things pretty consistent."
$44.25-$87.90
Come see Living Colour lead singer Corey Glover flip the script and sing R&B classics with Soul Experience at My Father’s Place in Roslyn on July 18.
"Soul music was everywhere when I was growing up. It is the music of my adolescence and the music I continue to listen to today," says Glover, 60. "Singers like Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder and Bobby Caldwell had a major impact on my life. This is my passion."
516-580-0887, mfpproductions.com
$43
The bad boys from Anaheim, California, are back with a new record "Roar Like Thunder" and a tour that hits The Paramount on July 19. Pistols at Dawn open the show.
$37.25-$191.15
Cyndi Lauper will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year. Credit: Getty Images/Leon Neal
Cyndi Lauper is on the last lap of her "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour," which comes to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on July 19. Jake Wesley Rogers opens the show.
"At times it’s been emotional," says Lauper about saying goodbye to her fans. "But once you are in the show you become like a racehorse and I worked at Belmont Park."
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$68.20-$519.70
Catch Hall flying solo, sans John Oates, playing his hits with the Daryl’s House Band at The Paramount on July 23. Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze serves as a special guest.
$108.75-$326.25
Chris Stapleton has won 10 Grammy Awards. Credit: Getty Images for CMT/Erika Goldring
Country star Stapleton brings his "All-American Road Show" to UBS Arena at Belmont Park on July 23.
516-460-8950, ubsarena.com
$122.95-$240.20
This four-day festival, July 24-27, which overlooks the Great South Bay at Shorefront Park in Patchogue, features more than 50 acts including Taking Back Sunday, Damian & Stephen Marley, moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Men at Work, Naked Eyes, Ambrosia, Yacht Rock Revue and more.
greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com
$76.71-$81.43
Judy Torres is known as "The Queen of Freestyle." Credit: Morgan Campbell
Get ready for a party at the Freestyle Feast coming to Catholic Health Amphitheater at Bald Hill on July 26. The show will contain sets from TKA, George Lamond, Judy Torres, Noel, The Cover Girls, Cynthia, Coro, Lisette Melendez, Soave, Pretty Poison and Mark MK with DJ Impact and DJ Whiteboy KYS.
631-542-5423, champbaldhill.com
$55.90-$172.20
The mighty metal band from the ‘90s has re-formed with original members lead singer Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown, who are teaming with guitarist Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society) and drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax) for a July 26 gig at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater. Amon Amarth and Shock Narcotic serve as opening acts.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$30-$499.60
Willie Nelson, left, and Bob Dylan share the stage at this year's Outlaw Music Festival. Credit: Gerry Images / Brandon Bell; Getty Images / Christopher Polk
The festival, which stars Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Wilco, Lucinda Williams and Waylon Payne, comes to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on Aug. 1.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$54.50-$474.50
Pop group Goo Goo Dolls team up with emo band Dashboard Confessional for the "Summer Anthem Tour" at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on Aug. 2.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$40.50-$483.75
Jazz it up with Oakdale-raised crooner Jane Monheit at Boulton Center for the Performing Arts on Aug. 2.
631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org
$50-$55
Get on board the "Supercharged Worldwide in ’25 Tour" with The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on Aug. 3.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$30-$353.20
Spend the evening with the Avett Brothers at LIU Post’s Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville on Aug. 3.
"We cover the bases of the more known songs like, ‘Head Full of Doubt,’ ‘I and Love and You,’ ‘Murder in the City’ and ‘No Hard Feelings.’ But we are still stretching out a bit by digging deeper into some older records," says guitarist-pianist-vocalist Seth Avett, 44. "At the end of the night, there’s no telling what will happen. It’s been fun but a challenge."
516-299-3100, tillescenter.org
$120.15-$194.80
The ‘90s singer performs the music of Bob Dylan at Stephen Talkhouse on Aug. 7.
631-267-3117, stephentalkhouse.com
$114.83-$135.83
In 1986, Jimmy Webb became the youngest person inducted into The Songwriters Hall of Fame. Credit: Anna Webber
America’s songwriter Jimmy Webb, who resides in Bayville, sits at the piano performing hits from his songbook like "Up, Up and Away," "Wichita Lineman" and "McArthur Park" at My Father’s Place on Aug. 8.
"There’s a historical significance to My Father’s Place in the cultural fabric here on Long Island therefore I always considered it an honor to be asked to play there," says Webb, 78. "I struck up a relationship with a hard-core group of people there from the very first show. Their enthusiasm led me to return. It’s become a very comfortable gig for me to do."
516-580-0887, mfpproductions.com
$78
David Lee Roth began his 2025 comeback with a performance at the M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland in May. Credit: Nadine Joy
The former Van Halen frontman makes a comeback reviving the old VH catalog at The Paramount on Aug. 10.
$504.45-$1,177.05
The Doobie Brothers were formed in 1970 in San Jose, Calfornia. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
The Doobie Brothers will take Northwell at Jones Beach Theater by storm on Aug. 10 promoting their first studio album with Michael McDonald in 45 years, "Walk This Road." The Coral Reefer Band serves as a support act playing the music of the late Jimmy Buffett.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$54.50-$439.80
The Ohio-based rock duo of vocalist-guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney bring their "No Rain, No Flowers Tour" to Forest Hills Stadium on Aug. 13 with special guest Gary Clark Jr.
888-929-7849, foresthillsstadium.com
$77.57-$391.62
This summer Sexton will perform The Beatles' album, "Abbey Road" in its entirety followed by a set of his original music at Stephen Talkhouse on Aug. 15.
631-267-3117, stephentalkhouse.com
$85-$100
Besides his vocal pyrotechnics, Brian Stokes Mitchell has been known to fly planes and jump out of them (usually not at the same time). Credit: Getty Images for Capitol Concert/Getty Images
Two-time Tony Award winning singer Brian Stokes Mitchell ("Ragtime," "Man of La Mancha") brings his Broadway bravado to The Suffolk on Aug. 16.
$86-$150
See country singer Hubbard as he goes solo from Florida Georgia Line at Catholic Health Amphitheater at Bald Hill on Aug. 16. Parmalee and Brandon Wisham open the show.
631-542-5423, champbaldhill.com
$47.20-$120.20
Join guitarist Jimmie Vaughan as he plays the blues with the Tilt-A-Whirl Band at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Aug. 17.
631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
$46-$80
See the Piano Man with the Police man as Joel and Sting mix it up at Citi Field on Aug. 21. (Joel will also play with Rod Stewart at Yankee Stadium on July 18 and Stevie Nicks at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 8).
718-507-8499, citifieldstadium.com
$132.50-$1,716.90
Backed by The Chrome Hearts, 79-year-old singer-songwriter Neil Young brings his "Love Earth Tour" to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on Aug. 23.
$107.75-$349
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers fly like an eagle into Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on Aug. 24. The Rascals open the show.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$30-$452.60
Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who say this will be the band's final tour. Credit: Getty Images for The Who/Rick Kern
Lead singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend call it a day with The Who on “The Song is Over - North American Farewell Tour” at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on Aug. 28.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
TICKETS $122-$1,324.90
Put on your "Boogie Shoes" and dance to the grooves of KC & the Sunshine Band at Catholic Health Amphitheater at Bald Hill on Aug. 29.
631-542-5423, champbaldhill.com
$35.70-$120.05
Leon Bridges (birth name Todd Michael) uses "Leon" as his stage name because he was called that by others due to his resemblance to the actor Leon Robinson. Credit: Getty Images for The Recording Academy/Emma McIntyre
The 35-year-old soul-R&B singer taps into his Texas roots on his latest album, "Leon," which will be the focus of his Sept. 4 gig at Forest Hills Stadium. Charley Crockett, Reyna Tropical and Honky Tonkin' in Queens round out the show.
888-929-7849, foresthillsstadium.com
$67.26-$303.39
Hard rock will be plentiful at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on Sept. 13 with the trifecta of Papa Roach, Rise Against and UnderOath.
516-221-1000, livenation.com
$30-$158
Alabama Shakes, led by Brittany Howard, have been nominated for nine Grammys and won four. Credit: Kevin Winter
This southern trio of singer-guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg and bassist Zac Cockrell reforms after a seven-year hiatus to headline Forest Hills Stadium on Sept. 17.
888-929-7849, foresthillsstadium.com
$89.42-$345.05
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
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