This Summer In Concerts: Lists, Lights, And Lots Of Robert Plant And Alison Krauss
Dan Aquilante, New York Post Top show: True Colors tour feat. Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, and Rosie O’Donnell (“I guess that’s when you go for beers”–stay classy, Aquilante! ) Head-scratcher: Coldplay’s MSG date for best free show? Out of every free show in New York City? Where there’s one daily during the summer? Robert Plant/Alison Krauss mention: Yes (“Best country concert… a marriage of harmony”)
USA TODAY Top show: Kenny Chesney (“Chesney is determined to deliver: After his foot got trapped between the stage and a hydraulic lift while making his entrance in Columbia, S.C., he performed for nearly two hours before seeking medical attention.”) Head-scratcher: What, no mention of the huge margaritas at Chesney’s shows? Robert Plant/Alison Krauss mention: Yes (“among the most distinctive and celebrated singers of their respective generations”
Ray Waddell, Billboard Top show: R.E.M. (“People are excited about R.E.M. because R.E.M. is excited about R.E.M,” says indie promoter Seth Hurwitz.) Head-scratcher: The Hinder/Staind/3 Doors Down tornado catalyst as one of the entire touring world’s top five tickets? Really? Perhaps he was just being nice since lawn seats are only $25. Robert Plant/Alison Krauss mention: Yes (“Another one of those ‘catch it while you can’ tours”)
Seattle Times Top show: The big Sub Pop extravaganza SP20, duh. Head-scratcher: Hey Seattle-based journalist, I think the reuniting “originator long disbanded” that you’re talking about is Green River, not Mudhoney. (I know, I know, it’s tough waiting at all for new music from them.) Robert Plant/Alison Krauss mention: No–but that may only be because they’re not yet scheduled to play Seattle this summer.
Jim DeRogatis, Chicago Sun-Times Top show: DeRo’s shows are listed chronologically arranged, so first up is Kanye West’s Glow In The Dark Tour (“raising the bar once again for live hip-hop”) Head-scratcher: No real stinkers here, although I would like to say that I’m 100% jealous over Stevie Wonder’s free show at Taste of Chicago–and the mere mention of the food fest is making me hungry to boot. Robert Plant/Alison Krauss mention: Yes, albeit a lukewarm one (“this is as close as we’re going to get to Led Zeppelin this summer”–awww.)