Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Wynona: 250+ live music shows in, around Kentucky this summer

For many, any sense of summer wouldn’t be complete without live music at the table. For me, that’s also true of fall, winter and spring, but summer is when the sounds of the season positively swell.

Performance venues know that as well, which is why a considerable amount of the concert activity this time of year takes place in the great outdoors – from the modest confines of a parking lot to the oceanic vastness of a football stadium.

To honor it all, here is this year’s Summer Music Guide, a glossary of nearly 260 performances booked for the summer months that will take place within a two-hour drive of Lexington (after all, road trips are almost as integral to summer fun as the music itself) along with plenty of suggestions for shows unfolding right here at home.

In the past, the guide has used the holidays marking the unofficial start and conclusion of summer – Memorial Day and Labor Day – as a time frame for the listings.

This year’s guide has been amended slightly to cover a pair of ultracool Lexington performances taking place just outside of those parameters – namely, a Kentucky Theatre outing on the front end (May 25) with jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin (The New York Times stated in a January feature, her new “Phoenix” album “both examines the nuances of Blackness and emphasizes the contributions of women to American culture”) and the three-day Burl County Fair, which will bring Margo Price, Hayes Carll, The Del McCoury Band and many others to the front porch of the popular Distillery District club on the back end (Sept. 8-10.)

With those performances bookending everything, you know this summer is going to swing.

What distinguishes the live music lineup this summer? Mostly, there’s the fact that the women are leading the charge. Performing in our region in the months ahead will be Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, Wynonna Judd, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Alicia Keys, Emmylou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tori Amos, Melissa Etheridge, Regina Spektor, Molly Tuttle and the aforementioned Margo Price and Lakecia Benjamin.

What’s back this year after some extended downtime? For one, bluegrass returns to the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time in four years by way of the new Spirit in the Bluegrass Festival. Similarly, the multi-genre Railbird, after a year hiatus, has been reconfigured to a newer racetrack setting: The infield at The Red Mile.

Don’t want to go big? Here are Kentucky’s best intimate music festivals

Looking for live music? Top venues, concert halls, stages in and around Kentucky

What’s not coming back? Well, for this summer at least, Forecastle. The two-decade old Louisville festival will be absent in 2023 so it can, according to a Twitter posting, “take some time to strategize and determine the best path forward for the festival.” Also off the calendar, seemingly for good, is Cincinnati’s Bunbury Festival. A statement on the festival’s website said, “Bunbury will not be returning in the way that you all have grown to know it and love it.”

That leaves, what, only 250 or so alternate concert choices for the summer? As always keep in mind that shows are added and canceled regularly, so check out the venues’ websites for updates (especially when road trips are involved) to avoid any last-minute cancellations.

Also, a note about ticket prices: The sticker shock you will experience for prime seating at most higher-profile shows will be harrowing (as in a top tag of over $4,000 for Beyonce in Louisville.)

Adding to the angst is that TicketMaster, which still handles the lion’s share of online sales for concerts, allows patrons to resell tickets with the company after purchase. Any seat selection for a TicketMaster show marked “Verified Resale Ticket” represents this and often reflects a higher ticket price that the artist or promoter asked for. Those prices are not reflected in info for the guide.

With that, the summer is yours. Light it up, take to the highway and let the live music roar.

MAY

▪ May 25: Lakecia Benjamin. Kentucky Theatre. 7:30 p.m. $30.

▪ May 27: These United States/Mark Charles. The Burl. 8 p.m. $20.

▪ May 26: Jerrod Niemann. Manchester Music Hall. 8 p.m. $27-$100.

▪ May 26: Citizen Cope. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $35-$55.

▪ May 27: Citizen Cope. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $40-$90.

▪ May 26: Liliac. Mercury Ballroom, Louisville. 8 p.m. $20.

▪ May 27: Dave Matthews Band. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $49.50-$169.50.

▪ May 27: Billy Porter. Louisville Palace, Louisville. 8 p.m. $49.50-$379.50.

▪ May 27: After 7. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $55-$85.

▪ May 27: Ella Mai. Bogart’s, Cincinnati. 8 p.m., $115.

▪ May 28: Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade/Neal Francis. Iroquois Amphitheater, Louisville. 7:30 p.m. $45.50-$199.

▪ May 28: Obituary. Mercury Ballroom, Louisville. 7 p.m. $27.50.

▪ May 28: Beartooth, Trivium, Malevolence, Archetypes. Corbin Arena, Corbin. 6:30 p.m. $45.

▪ May 30: Caitlin Rose/Andrew Combs. Zanzabar, Louisville. 7 p.m. $17.

▪ May 31: Lauren Morrow/Joshua Hedley. The Burl. 8 p.m. $18.

▪ May 31: Charley Crockett, Sunny War, Bibelhauser Brothers. Waterfront Park, Louisville. 6 p.m. Free.

▪ May 31: Junior Brown. 20th Century Theater, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. Sold Out.

JUNE

▪ June 1: Neal Francis. Bogart’s, Cincinnati. 8 p.m., $25-$45.

▪ June 2: Charley Crockett. The Burl. 8 p.m. $37.50.

▪ June 2: Noah Thompson. Manchester Music Hall. 8 p.m. $30.

▪ June 2: John Conlee. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 7:30 p.m. $20-$69.99.

▪ June 2: Caitlin Rose/Andrew Combs. Southgate House Revival, Newport. 8 p.m. $20-$25.

▪ June 2: Ruben Studdard. Brown Theatre, Louisville. 8 p.m. $72.83-$143.03.

▪ June 2: Gary Allan/Tracy Lawrence. Iroquois Amphitheater, Louisville. 7:30 p.m. $61-$150.

▪ June 2: Zac Brown. Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati. Following 5:10 p.m. Cincinnati Reds game. $23-$120.

▪ June 3: Barenaked Ladies, Semisonic, Del Amitri. PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $28.25-$353.75.

▪ June 3: Muscadine Bloodline/Taylor Hunnicutt. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 7:30 p.m. $20-$49.99.

▪ June 3: Louis Tomlinson, The Academic, Snarls. ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $55.

▪ June 3: Adam Hawley/Marcus Anderson/Julian Vaughan. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $30-$50.

▪ June 3: Randy Houser. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7:30 p.m. $35-$125.

▪ June 3: Railbird featuring Zach Bryan, Weezer, Marcus Mumford, Whiskey Myers, Sheryl Crow, Charley Crockett, Jenny Lewis, Lucius, Morgan Wade, Valerie June, Bully, Neal Francis, The Heavy Heavy, Madeline Edwards, The Local Honeys, Wayne Graham. The Infield at Red Mile. 12 noon. Sold Out.

▪ June 4: Railbird featuring Tyler Childers, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, The Head and the Heart, Goose, Nickel Creek, Amos Lee, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, Sierra Ferrell, Charles Wesley Godwin, 49 Winchester, Town Mountain, Cole Chaney, Flipturn, Calder Allen, Brit Taylor. The Infield at Red Mile. 12 noon. Sold Out.

▪ June 5: Boz Scaggs. Lexington Opera House. 8 p.m. $79.50-$209.

▪ June 6: All Time Low, Mayday Parade, Games We Play. MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport. 6 p.m. $39.50-$75.

▪ June 7: Joshua Hedley/Lauren Morrow. Southgate House Revival, Newport. 8 p.m. $22.

▪ June 8: Spirit in the Bluegrass featuring Hancock & Shouse, The No Joke Jimmys, Keith Prater and Lacy Creek. Spirit in the Bluegrass, Kentucky Horse Park. 6 p.m. $40-$300.

▪ June 8: Michigander. The Burl. 8 p.m. $15.

▪ June 8: Incognito. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $40-$70.

▪ June 9: Spirit in the Bluegrass featuring Authentic Unlimited, The Tim Shelton Syndicate with Ronnie Bowman, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Bluegrass Cardinals Tribute Band. Spirit in the Bluegrass, Kentucky Horse Park. 1 p.m. $50-$300.

▪ June 9: Joslyn and the Sweet Compression/Casey Powell and Maggie Lander. The Burl. 8 p.m. $15.

▪ June 9: Hank Williams Jr., Old Crow Medicine Show, Kendell Marvel. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $29.50-$352.75.

▪ June 9: Martina McBride. Turfway Park Event Center, Florence. 7 p.m. $52-$97.

▪ June 9: Bilal. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $35-$60.

▪ June 9: Josh Meloy. Southgate House Revival, Newport. 8 p.m. $20-$60.

▪ June 10: Spirit in the Bluegrass featuring The Seldom Scene, The Travelin’ McCourys, The Goodwin Brothers, The Ben James Band. Spirit in the Bluegrass, Kentucky Horse Park. 1 p.m. $50-$300.

▪ June 10: Eric Gales. Manchester Music Hall. 8 p.m. $20-$40.

▪ June 10: Josh Turner. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 8 p.m. $35-$99.99.

▪ June 10: Jackson Browne. Louisville Palace, Louisville. 8 p.m. $59.50-$325.

▪ June 10: Martina McBride. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7:30 p.m. $60-$95.

▪ June 11: Candlebox. Manchester Music Hall. 8 p.m. $35.

▪ June 11: Jim Lauderdale and the Game Changers featuring Lillie Mae. Southgate House Revival, Newport. 8 p.m. $20-$25.

▪ June 11: Eric Gales/Sweet Lady. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $28-$40.

▪ June 13: Dead and Company. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. Sold Out.

▪ June 13: Pat Metheny Side-Eye. Memorial Hall, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. Sold Out.

▪ June 14: Shamarr Allen. The Burl. 8 p.m. $17.

▪ June 14: Pixies, Franz Ferdinand, Bully. The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati. 6:30 p.m. $39.50-$194.

▪ June 14: Judy Collins. Memorial Hall, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $48-$64.

▪ June 15: The M.F.B./Laid Back Country Picker. The Burl. 8 p.m. $15.

▪ June 15: Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers, Dex Romweber, The 40 Acre Mule, Viva Le Vox. Southgate House Revival, Newport. 7:30 p.m. $20.

▪ June 15: Rio Romeo. Zanzabar, Louisville. 7 p.m. $22-$25.

▪ June 16: Dave Mason. Lexington Opera House. 8 p.m. $49.50-$148.50.

▪ June 16: Winger. Manchester Music Hall. 8 p.m. $28.

▪ June 16: Matchbox Twenty/Matt Nathanson. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $49-$204.50.

▪ June 16: Lyle Lovett and his Large Band. MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport. 6:30 p.m. $39.50-$89.

▪ June 16: Bruce Cockburn/Dar Williams. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $35-$65.

▪ June 16: John Doe Folk Trio. Woodward Theater, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $20-$30.

▪ June 16: Rebirth Brass Band. Memorial Hall, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $25-$40.

▪ June 16: Corey Smith. Mercury Ballroom, Louisville. 8 p.m. $20-$30.

▪ June 16: 38 Special. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7 p.m. $35-$120.

▪ June 17: Sumbuck/Parker Louis. The Burl. 8 p.m. $20.

▪ June 17: Jimmie Vaughan. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $35-$65.

▪ June 18: Counting Crows/Dashboard Confessional. PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $53.75-$334.75.

▪ June 18: Ben Folds. Louisville Palace, Louisville. 7:30 p.m. $39.50-$124.50.

▪ June 18: Violent J, Esham, Ouija Macc. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 7:30 p.m. $23-$25.

▪ June 19: Charlie Puth/Alexander Stewart. PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $49.50-$274.75.

▪ June 19: Declan McKenna. Mercury Ballroom, Louisville. 8 p.m. $30-$79.

▪ June 20: Mike Gordon. Madison Theater, Covington. 8 p.m. $30-$35.

▪ June 20: Young the Giant, Milky Chance, Talk. The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $45.50-$170.50.

▪ June 21: Jason Eady/Jamie Lin Wilson. The Burl. 8 p.m. $20.

▪ June 21: James Taylor. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $35-$804.75.

▪ June 21: Illenium, Said the Sky, IMANU. MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport. 6 p.m. $49.50-$99.

▪ June 21: Pierce the Veil, The Used, Bon Broco, Girlfriends. The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati. 6:30 p.m. $53.50-$199.

▪ June 22: Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Nate Smith. Rupp Arena. 7:30 p.m. $29.50-$379.50.

▪ June 22: Dawn Landes. The Burl. 8 p.m. $15.

▪ June 22: Demun Jones. Manchester Music Hall. 7:30 p.m. $15-$60.

▪ June 22: Peter Frampton. PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $43.75-$268.75.

▪ June 22: American Aquarium. Southgate House Revival, Newport. 8 p.m. $25-$30.

▪ June 22-23: Goose. Louisville Palace, Louisville. 8 p.m. $51.75-$190.

▪ June 23: Johnny Lee. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 7:30 p.m. $25-$75.

▪ June 23: Buckcherry. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center Old Barn, Mount Vernon. 7:30 p.m. $25-$85.

▪ June 23: Melvin Seals and JGB. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $40-$45.

▪ June 23: Noah Kahan. ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $105.

▪ June 23: AKR, Lawrence, Livington. MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport. 6 p.m. $49.50-$99.

▪ June 23: Arcadian Wild. The Burl. 8 p.m. $15.

▪ June 24: DeeOhGee, Taildragger, Uncle Sexy and the Nephews. The Burl. 8 p.m. $12.

▪ June 24: My Morning Jacket/Jaime Wyatt. MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport. 6 p.m. $39.50-$99.

▪ June 24: Debbie Gibson. Taft Theatre, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $45.50-$170.

▪ June 24: Kindred the Family Soul. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $40-$75.

▪ June 24: Babytron/Certified Trapper. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $25-$28.

▪ June 24: The Steeldrivers, Stringus Khan, Restless Leg. Riverfront Live, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $20-$30.

▪ June 24: Chase Matthew. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7:30 p.m. $20-$85.

▪ June 24: Victoria Victoria featuring Charlie Hunter. Woodward Theater, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $17-$22.

▪ June 25: Jesus Jones. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $30-$50.

▪ June 26: Toad the Wet Sprocket/Marcy Playground. Taft Theatre, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $46.50-$190.

▪ June 27: Stevie Nicks. KFC Yum! Center, Louisville. 7 p.m. $63.50-$285.50.

▪ June 27: Earth, Wind & Fire. Louisville Palace, Louisville. 8 p.m. $79.50-$265.

▪ June 28: Uncle Lucius. The Burl. 8 p.m. $20.

▪ June 28: Earth, Wind & Fire. PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $49.50-$354.75.

▪ June 28: The Hold Steady, The Watson Twins, Turbo Nut. Waterfront Park, Louisville. 6 p.m. Free.

▪ June 28: Mad Caddies, Nowhere East, Homeplate, Stay Bent. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 7:30 p.m. $23-$25.

▪ June 29: The Motet. The Burl. 8 p.m. $25.

▪ June 29: The Mountain Goats. Mercury Ballroom, Louisville. 8 p.m. $39.50.

▪ June 30: Ambrosia. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $30-$50.

▪ June 30: Bonnie Raitt. Louisville Palace, Louisville. 8 p.m. $69.50-$179.25.

▪ June 30: Straight No Chaser. Lexington Opera House. 8 p.m. $39.50-$154.75.

▪ June 30: Starship featuring Micky Thomas. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7:30 p.m. $25-$85.

▪ June 30-July 1: Taylor Swift, Muna, Gracie Abrams. Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati. 6:30 p.m. Sold Out.

JULY

▪ July 1: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Garbage, Metric. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $38-$308.75.

▪ July 1: The Doobie Brothers. Louisville Palace, Louisville. 8 p.m. $129.50-$449.50.

▪ July 1: Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp, Paul Jackson Jr. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $35-$60.

▪ July 1: Greensky Bluegrass/Neighbor. The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati. 6:30 p.m. $39.50-$89.

▪ July 1: The Steel Woods/Zach Top. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $25-$30.

▪ July 3: Grandson. Bogart’s, Cincinnati. 8 p.m., $23.

▪ July 3: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. Mercury Ballroom, Louisville. 8 p.m. $35.

▪ July 5: Harbour/Sylmar. The Burl. 8 p.m. $18.

▪ July 6: Chicago. PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $37-$526.

▪ July 6: Candlebox. Bogart’s, Cincinnati. 8 p.m., $35-$89.50.

▪ July 7: Lettuce/Steel Pulse. PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $42.75-$234.75.

▪ July 7: Melanie Martinez. The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. Sold Out.

▪ July 7: The Travelin’ McCourys. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $25-$45.

▪ July 7: Less Than Jake. Mercury Ballroom, Louisville. 8 p.m. $26-$140.

▪ July 8: The Oak Ridge Boys. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 7:30 p.m. $35-$89.50.

▪ July 8: Raheem DeVaughn. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $55-$80.

▪ July 8: The Dead South/Corb Lund. Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $40.

▪ July 8: Future Islands. Bogart’s, Cincinnati. 8 p.m., $29.50-$107.

▪ July 8: Brothers Osborne. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7:30 p.m. $75-$120.

▪ July 9: Future Islands. Mercury Ballroom, Louisville. 8 p.m. $29.50-$39.50.

▪ July 9: Dream Theater/Devin Townsend/Animals as Leaders. MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport. 6 p.m. $35-$149.

▪ July 11: Deerhoof/Shark Sandwich. Zanzabar, Louisville. 8 p.m. $18.

▪ July 12: Tori Amos. Louisville Palace, Louisville. 8 p.m. $39.50-$200.

▪ July 13: Little Feat/Leftover Salmon. Iroquois Amphitheater, Louisville. 7:30 p.m. $35-$295.

▪ July 13: The High Kings. Memorial Hall, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $24-$44.

▪ July 13: Whitey Morgan/Myron Elkins. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $25-$30.

▪ July 13: Master Musicians Festival featuring the Louisville Orchestra. The Center for Rural Development, Somerset. 7 p.m. Sold Out.

▪ July 14: The Mavericks. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 7:30 p.m. $36.50-$90.

▪ July 14: Master Musicians Festival featuring Nicholas Jamerson and the Morning Jays, Brit Taylor, Girl Tones, Nat Myers, others. Festival Field at Somerset Community College, Somerset. 5 p.m. $55-$135.

▪ July 14: Eric Church, Travis Tritt, Muscadine Bloodline. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $58-$490.

▪ July 14: Tommy Emmanuel. Brown Theatre, Louisville. 8 p.m. $57.92-$289.50.

▪ July 14: Dwight Yoakam. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7:30 p.m. $60-$85.

▪ July 14: Night Ranger/Jefferson Starship. Turfway Park Event Center, Florence. 7 p.m. $37-$262.

▪ July 15: Master Musicians Festival featuring Wynonna Judd, Ian Noe, Nappy Roots, Brother Smith, Moonlight Mile, Abby Hamilton, Rachel Crowe, others. Festival Field at Somerset Community College, Somerset. 1 p.m. $75-$135.

▪ July 15: Fall Out Boy, Bring Me the Horizon, Royal and the Serpent/Carr. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 6:30 p.m. $48-$322.

▪ July 15: Martha Redbone Roots Project. Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville. 7:30 p.m. $38.32-$61.72.

▪ July 15: Souls of Mischief, Breakbeat Lou, The Architect. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 9 p.m. $25.

▪ July 16: JD Souther. Memorial Hall, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $30-$54.

▪ July 17: Beyonce. L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, Louisville. 7 p.m. $58.50-$4009.

▪ July 17: Underoath, The Ghost Inside, We Came as Romans, Better Lovers. Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville. 6 p.m. $42.50-$152.50.

▪ July 18: Melissa Etheridge. Lexington Opera House. 8 p.m. $79.50-$179.50.

▪ July 18: Tedeschi Trucks Band/Ziggy Marley. PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $53-$374.75.

▪ July 18: Fleet Foxes. Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $45-$135.

▪ July 19: Taking Back Sunday, The Maine, Motion City Soundtrack, others. ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park, Cincinnati. 2 p.m. $58-$125.

▪ July 19: Mat Kearney. Lexington Opera House. 8 p.m. $29.50-$99.50.

▪ July 20: Alicia Keys. KFC Yum! Center, Louisville. 8 p.m. $39.50-$149.50.

▪ July 20: Fitz and the Tantrums/Sub-Radio. Iroquois Amphitheater, Louisville. 7 p.m. $32-$132.

▪ July 20: Cincinnati Music Festival featuring Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim. The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $89-$119.

▪ July 21: Hurray for the Riff Raff/Squirrel Flower. The Burl. 8 p.m. $25.

▪ July 21: Cincinnati Music Festival featuring Al Green, Jill Scott, Jodeci, Midnight Star, Gerald Albright. Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $60-$175.

▪ July 22: Cincinnati Music Festival featuring Snoop Dogg, Babyface, P-Funk Connection, Avery Sunshine, Norman Brown. Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $60-$175.

▪ July 21: Jason Aldean, Mitchell Tenpenny, Corey Kent, Dee Jay Silver. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $49.75-$484.75.

▪ July 23: Ted Nugent. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 6 p.m. $45-$175.

▪ July 22: Stephen Marley/Subatomic Sound System. Riverfront Live, Cincinnati. 6 p.m. $34.50-$44.50.

▪ July 23: Big Time Rush/Max and Jax. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $29.95-$396.25.

▪ July 25: The Chicks/Wild Rivers. KFC Yum! Center, Louisville. 7:30 p.m. $39.50-$139.50.

▪ July 26: Pink, Brandi Carlile, Grouplove, DJ Kid Cut Up. Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati. 6:30 pm. $99.95-$499.95.

▪ July 26: JPEG Mafia/Danny Brown. Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville. 8:30 p.m. $35.50-$95.

▪ July 26: Steven Page/Jameron. Waterfront Park, Louisville. 6 p.m. Free.

▪ July 27: Clutch/Dinosaur Jr/Red Fang. Iroquois Amphitheater, Louisville. 7 p.m. $45.50.

▪ July 27: Bret Michaels. Corbin Arena, Corbin. 7:30 p.m. $45-$470.

▪ July 28: Death Grips. Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $45-$79.

▪ July 28: The Stylistics. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $45-$75.

▪ July 28: Declan McKenna. Bogart’s, Cincinnati. 8 p.m., $30-$79.

▪ July 28: Ruen Brothers. Zanzabar, Louisville. 8 p.m. $15.

▪ July 19: Mat Kearney. Lexington Opera House. 8 p.m. $29.50-$99.50.

▪ July 29: Elle King. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7:30 p.m. $45-$85.

▪ July 29: 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes/Jeremih. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $39-$649.

▪ July 30: Shakey Graves/Lucius. Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville. 7 p.m. $37.50-$75.

▪ July 30: Regina Spektor. The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $36.50-$349.

AUGUST

▪ Aug. 1: The Regrettes. The Burl. 8 p.m. $22.

▪ Aug. 1: America. Iroquois Amphitheater, Louisville. 7:30 p.m. $35-$299.

▪ Aug. 1: Incubus, Badflower, Paris Jackson. The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $45-$244.

▪ Aug. 2: Candlebox. Mercury Ballroom, Louisville. 8 p.m. $35-$50.

▪ Aug. 3: Grand Funk Railroad. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 7:30 p.m. $35-$99.99.

▪ Aug. 3: Marcus Miller. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $50-$85.

▪ Aug. 4: Dwight Yoakam, The Mavericks, 49 Winchester. PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $41-$254.75.

▪ Aug. 4: Peter Mayer and Brendan Mayer. Southgate House Revival, Newport. 8 p.m. $20.

▪ Aug. 4: 3 Doors Down/Candlebox. Corbin Arena. 8 p.m. $56.50-$176.50.

▪ Aug. 4: War. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7:30 p.m. $35-$95.

▪ Aug. 5: Boy George and Culture Club, Howard Jones, Berlin. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $24.95-$808.75.

▪ Aug. 5: GZA. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $35-$40.

▪ Aug. 5: Band of Horses. Bogart’s, Cincinnati. 8 p.m., $37.50-$144.50.

▪ Aug. 6: Guster. The Burl. 7 p.m. $30.

▪ Aug. 6: Galactic Empire. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $25-$28.

▪ Aug. 8: Better Than Ezra. Bogart’s, Cincinnati. 8 p.m., $27.50-$47.50.

▪ Aug. 9: Mastodon, Gojira, Lorna Shore. MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport. 6 p.m. $45-$125.

▪ Aug. 9: Rufus Du Sol. ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $59.50.

▪ Aug. 9: Sparta, Geoff Rickly, Zeta. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $23-$25.

▪ Aug. 10: Lindsey Stirling/Walk Off the Earth. PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $33.75-$349.75.

▪ Aug. 10: Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon. Taft Theatre, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $45.50-$159.75.

▪ Aug. 11: Air Supply. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 7:30 p.m. $49.99-$169.99.

▪ Aug. 11: Dionne Warwick. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7:30 p.m. $40-$125.

▪ Aug. 11: The Samples. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $30-$50.

▪ Aug. 11: Hobo Johnson. Zanzabar, Louisville. 8 p.m. Sold Out.

▪ Aug. 12: Mary Chapin Carpenter. Lexington Opera House. 8 p.m. $49.50-$228.50.

▪ Aug. 12: John Anderson. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 7 p.m. $37.99-$120.

▪ Aug. 13: Sam Burchfield and the Scoundrels/Tophouse/Spooky Fox. The Burl. 8 p.m. $15-$20.

▪ Aug. 13: Outlaw Music Festival 2023 featuring Willie Nelson/John Fogerty/Gov’t Mule/Kathleen Edwards/Particle Kid/Myron Elkins. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 3:20 p.m. $35-$334.75.

▪ Aug. 13: Motionless in White/In This Moment. Corbin Arena. 6:30 p.m. $35.50-$166.75.

▪ Aug. 15: Disturbed/Breaking Benjamin/Jinjer. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 6:30 p.m. $29.50-$488.75.

▪ Aug. 16: Jinjer. Manchester Music Hall. 8 p.m. $26.

▪ Aug. 16: Ghost/Amon Amarth. PNC Pavlion, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. Sold Out.

▪ Aug. 16: Al Stewart and the Empty Pockets. Memorial Hall, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $30-$65.

▪ Aug. 17: Luke Bryan, Ashley Cooke, Jon Langston, Conner Smith, DJ Rock. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $34.50-$310.25.

▪ Aug. 17: Asleep at the Wheel. Memorial Hall, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $36-$52.

▪ Aug. 17-26: Texas Roadhouse Concert Series at the Kentucky State Fair. Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville. Artists/Info TBA.

▪ Aug. 18: Blackhawk. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 7:30 p.m. $25-$45.

▪ Aug. 18: Goo Goo Dolls/O.A.R. PNC Pavlion, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $52.50-$940.

▪ Aug. 19: Morgan James. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $30-$50.

▪ Aug. 20: Old 97s. Southgate House Revival, Newport. 8 p.m. $25-$30.

▪ Aug. 20: Son Volt/Anders Parker. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $20-$30.

▪ Aug. 21: Barry Manilow. KFC Yum! Center, Louisville. 7 p.m. $19.50-$349.50.

▪ Aug. 22: Jethro Tull. PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $52.75-$409.25.

▪ Aug. 22: Marcus King/Charley Crockett/Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway. The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $35-$210.

▪ Aug. 23: Alter Bridge/Sevendust/MJT. The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $35-$79.50.

▪ Aug. 23: Angel. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 7:30 p.m. $25-$45.

▪ Aug. 24: Sam Bush Band. Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center. 7:30 p.m., $48.50.

▪ Aug. 25: Tracy Byrd/Tailgate Revival. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 7 p.m. $27.99-$89.99.

▪ Aug. 25: ZZ Top/Lynyrd Skynyrd/Uncle Kracker. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 6:30 p.m. $34-$594.75.

▪ Aug. 25: Rick Springfield. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7:30 p.m. $60-$145.

▪ Aug. 25: Adam Doleac. Manchester Music Hall. 8 p.m. $15-$80.

▪ Aug. 25: Black Flag. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $28-$30.

▪ Aug. 26: Parliament/Funkadelic featuring George Clinton. Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $45.50.

▪ Aug. 26: Barry Manilow. Heritage Bank Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $19.50-$704.

▪ Aug. 26: Soulja Boy. Manchester Music Hall. 8 p.m. $35.

▪ Aug. 26: 5 Seconds of Summer. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $29.50-$379.50.

▪ Aug. 26: Black Flag. Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati. 8:30 p.m. $25-$30.

▪ Aug. 27: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Rupp Arena. 7 p.m. $48.50-$248.50.

▪ Aug. 27: Weyes Blood. Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $25-$50.

▪ Aug. 29: Pentatonix/Lauren Alaina. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 8 p.m. $28-$359.75.

▪ Aug. 30: Daughtry. Lexington Opera House. 8 p.m. $59-$324.50.

▪ Aug. 30: The Offspring, Simple Plan, Sum 41. Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati. 7 p.m. $29.50-$325.

September

▪ Sept. 1: Sundy Best. Southgate House Revival, Newport. 8 p.m. $22-$25.

▪ Sept. 1: Murder By Death/American Aquarium. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 9 p.m. $30-$35.

▪ Sept. 2: Emmylou Harris. Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn, Mount Vernon. 8 p.m. $52.99-$89.99.

▪ Sept. 3: Newsboys. The Amp at Log Still, Gethsemane/New Haven. 7:30 p.m. $35-$120.

▪ Sept. 3: Cannons, New Constellations, Jane Leo. Headliners Music Hall, Louisville. 8 p.m. $27.50-$94.

▪ Sept. 8: Burl County Fair featuring Madison Cunningham, Rayland Baxter, Abby Hamilton, Daniel Nunnelee. The Burl. 6 p.m. $44.50-$120.

▪ Sept. 9: Burl County Fair featuring Hayes Carll, The Del McCoury Band, Nicholas Jamerson, Wyatt Flores, Grayson Jenkins, Brother Smith, Scott T. Smith. The Burl. 2:30 p.m. $54.50-$120.

▪ Sept. 10: Burl County Fair featuring Margo Price, S.G. Goodman, Black Joe Lewis, El Dorado, Arcy Drive, Tre Burt, Restless Leg String Band, The Burl. 2:30 p.m. $44.50-$120.