Nelly, Vanilla Ice & Lainey Wilson: 9 Delaware summer concerts not to sleep on

For many music lovers, it'll feel like Christmas this spring and summer with so many big musical acts touring around the country.

Delaware is bringing a lot of heat to the stage, too.

A bunch of local concerts already have sold out this year, including performances by Darius Rucker; Styx; Silverstein; Lady A; and Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real, led by son of country legend Willie Nelson, who turns 90 next month.

Here's a glance at some big shows coming to the First State this spring and summer you might not want to sleep on because they'll probably sell out. 

LeAnn Rimes, Wilmington

Country powerhouse LeAnn Rimes achieved more as a teenager than some folks have accomplished in their whole music career. At age 14, she won a Grammy for Best New Artist, which made her the youngest recipient of the award.

Over the course of her career, LeAnn has racked up a ton of accolades, including two Grammys. She's sold 48 million records.

Some of her most memorable tunes are "Can't Fight the Moonlight," "How Do I Live" and "Blue."

In 2022, she dropped the album "God's Work."

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 18. Tickets are $57-$87. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or (800) 37-GRAND.

Ben Folds, Wilmington

We'll learn "What Matters Most" to piano rock star Ben Folds when that album drops in early June.

From his solo work to collaborative records, Ben has released a lot of music across multiple genres. He's delivered popular tunes like "Brick," "Heist" and "Rockin' the Suburbs."

Ben Folds is currently serving as the artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. He's the first to step into that role, according to his website.

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 20. Tickets are $67-$97. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or (800) 37-GRAND.

Justin Moore, Dewey Beach

Country star Justin Moore has two shows lined up at the Bottle & Cork. One is already sold out.

The platinum-selling artist has turned a lot of heads over his decade-plus career.

Justin Moore has charmed listeners with lots of songs like "Til My Last Day," "Why We Drink" and "Bait a Hook."

Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 29. Tickets are $67. Visit bottleandcork.com or (302) 227-7272.

Nelly, Harrington

You can make the case that Nelly's encore at the Delaware State Fair will be the biggest show of the year in the First State.

After seducing the Slower Lower crowd with his "Country Grammar" on the same stage last summer, Nelly is back with a vengeance.

The platinum-selling rapper has a bunch of hits under his belt, and records he's appeared on, including "Dilemma" with Kelly Rowland, "Just a Dream" and "Ride Wit Me."

But it seems his biggest crowd pleaser is "Hot in Herre," a modern-day love letter about overheating.

Nelly's opener for the show is Chase McDaniel.

Delaware State Fair (18500 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 21. Tickets are $34-74. Visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269.

Vanilla Ice, Harrington

"Vanilla" is usually a code word for boring, unless you're a fan of Robert Van Winkle. The rapper, better known as Vanilla Ice, is one of the hottest acts coming to Delaware this year.

He's headlining the “I Love the 90s Tour,” which includes fellow rappers Rob Base, Color Me Badd, Tone Loc and Young MC.

Vanilla Ice previously was tapped to play the state fair in 2021, but the show got canceled due to COVID-19.

This time he’ll melt hearts and cool them all over again with his timeless hit “Ice, Ice, Baby.”

Delaware State Fair (18500 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22. Tickets are $34-$74. Visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269.

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Counting Crows, Selbyville

Some people are counting sheep, while others are happy Counting Crows. The latter is getting all of the attention right now.

For more than two decades, the rock band has given listeners something to be happy about.

The band's double-platinum sophomore studio album, "Recovering the Satellites," sent a message that these boys weren't playing around.  Counting Crows has gone on to release over a dozen projects, including singles like "Mr. Jones," "Accidentally In Love" and a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi."

Their latest project is "Butter Miracle, Suite One" (2021).

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, Selbyville) at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. Tickets are $89-$349. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.

Lainey Wilson, Harrington

A name buzzing in country right now is Lainey Wilson, who cleaned up with awards last year.

This included winning both a Country Music Association award and an Academy of Country Music award for New Artist of the Year. She also won a CMA for Female Vocalist of the Year.

Lainey Wilson, who has a role on Paramount's "Yellowstone," has been entertaining fans with songs such as "wait in the truck," "Things a Man Oughta Know" and "Never Say Never." She also duets with Lukas Nelson on the new single "More Than Friends.''

The actress and musician is a platinum-selling artist who also generated a lot of attention for having a thin waist with a big rear end after a TikTok video of her in concert went viral.  She recently poked fun at the viral attention by doing a playful cover of Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls." 

When Lainey gigs in Delaware, she'll be joined by opener Kameron Marlowe.

Delaware State Fair (18500 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington)  at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26. Tickets are $39-$74. Visit delawarestatefair.com (302) 398-3269.

Tyler Hubbard, Harrington

Fans who miss the duo Florida Georgia Line can get the next best thing: a concert featuring half of the group.

Arena and stadium-touring country artist Tyler Hubbard is most famous for rocking stages with his FGL brethren, Brian Kelley.

But it looks like that won't happen anytime soon because FGL officially parted ways in September.

The band is responsible for the hits “This is How We Roll,” “Cruise” and “Lil Bit.”

Per the duo’s bio, FGL is the first country act to achieve RIAA’s Diamond certification (10 million copies sold) and hold the longest reign on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart (50 straight weeks).

But this summer it's going to be all about Tyler Hubbard, as he sets to leave a new mark on his musical journey. He'll share the stage with opener Megan Moroney.

Delaware State Fair at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29. Tickets are $39-$74. Visit delawarestatefair.com (302) 398-3269.

Jason Mraz, Selbyville

Not everyone can say they performed at Madison Square Garden. But Jason Mraz is part of that small club.

The singer-songwriter is delivering a tongue twister with his new album, "Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride," set for release in late June.

The record touches on time travel, personal expression and more.

Mraz is beloved for songs such as "I Won't Give Up," "I'm Yours" and "Lucky."

Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8. Tickets are $74-$109. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Nelly, Vanilla Ice, Jason Mraz: 9 Delaware concerts likely to sell out