From West Palm Beach to Miami: Must-see concerts for the summer of 2023
Even as SunFest puts an exclamation point on the end of spring in the Palm Beaches with more than 30 live performances in the span of three days, music lovers need not fear a pending entertainment drought. While the summer promises hair-curling humidity and bouts of searing heat, the musical forecast is also hot — but in a good way.
From hip-hop to pop to rock, you can enjoy a full calendar of tunes from now until Labor Day. We have curated this list of must-see concerts that hits on all those music genres in styles stretching the decades from the '80s to the current day.
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The summer concert count begins in earnest here:
Walker Hayes
You might not know his name of the top of your head, but if you’ve seen or heard an Applebee’s commercial in the last year, you’ve probably heard Hayes’ song “Fancy Like,” a tribute to the affordable date-night spot. (The guy’s married with six kids; he knows about date night and saving money.) Sure, it’s catchy, but don’t buttonhole the guy; 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10, Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. myboca.us.
Ryan Adams
Beset by "me too" accusations pre-pandemic, Adams returns sober and with his reconstituted band for two dates — an indication he hasn’t lost his fan base. One of the most prolific alt-country songwriters in the aughts, Adams has veered toward mainstream rock for the past decade, so the set list will be of great interest to fans. Wednesday and Thursday, June 14 and 15; Parker Playhouse, 707 Northeast 8th St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-462-0222; parkerplayhouse.com
Paramore
Sassy Haley Williams and bandmates have been tearing it up on her recent tour if TikTok snippets are any testament. With one of the most loyal fan bases of any ongoing concern, Paramore will bring its huge and diverse catalog, from the punk-influenced “Misery Business” to the exquisite pop of “The Only Exception.” 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 14; Hard Rock Live, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood; 1-866-502-7529; seminolehardrockhollywood.com
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Duran Duran with Nile Rodgers & Chic and Bastille
After being inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November, the band behind 1980s hits such as “Hungry Like A Wolf,” “Girls on Film” and “Rio” are touring behind a new album. Duran Duran will be joined by legendary musician and producer Nile Rodgers ( “Le Freak”) and the English pop band Bastille. 7 p.m. Sunday, June 18; FLA Live Arena, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise; flalivearena.com
Bryan Adams featuring special guest Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
The “Summer of ‘69” Canadian rocker will bring his string of hits that in the 1980s gave Journey a run for its money when it came to torch rock balladry. Jett is an icon who opened the door for women rockers first with the Runaways and then with the Blackhearts. She is also known to sprinkle in some awesome covers into her set. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20; Hard Rock Live, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood; 1-866-502-7529; seminolehardrockhollywood.com
Garbage & Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
A 1990s alt-rock double bill. Garbage — “Only Happy When It Rains” — brings one of the top female singers of any outfit in Shirley Manson; while Gallagher, the former Oasis guitarist who was behind the band’s biggest hits, will mix his new stuff with some classic "Wonderwall" performances. 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21; iThink Financial Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; ithinkfi.org/community/amphitheatre
The Smile
Some fans may know The Smile as the newest iteration of Radiohead with its chief songwriters Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood touring behind their strongest set of songs since 2007’s “In Rainbows.” The Smile is everything a Radiohead fan could want: polyrhythmic, inventive riffs, and an iconic singer whose voice can turn into liquid mercury. The band is said to be working on new material. 8 p.m. Monday, June 29; James L. Knight Center, 400 SE 2nd Avenue, Miami; 305-416-5978; jlkc.com
Peter Frampton
Yes, this 73-year-old called it quits roughly four years ago, citing his health, but he’s back and launching his aptly named “Never Say Never” tour. There have been many great live albums but arguably none better than “Frampton Comes Alive.” Not to put too fine a point on it, but get out to see this legend before he calls it quits for good. 8 p.m. Monday, July 3; Hard Rock Live, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood; 866-502-7529; seminolehardrockhollywood.com
Matchbox Twenty & The Wallflowers
The multi-platinum hitmakers Matchbox Twenty (“Push”) will join with Jakob Dylan’s outfit, The Wallflowers (“One Headlight", "6th Avenue Heartache") for some introspective rock. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 7; iThink Financial Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; ithinkfi.org/community/amphitheatre
Foreigner with Loverboy
Nostalgic for 1980s rock? One of the behemoths is on their farewell tour with another top act of the era, Loverboy. Mick Jones is the last original member, but Foreigner is still a six-member outfit and will bring hits like “Cold as Ice,” “Double Vision” and “Juke Box Hero.” 7:00 p.m. Saturday, July 8; iThink Financial Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; ithinkfi.org/community/amphitheatre
Blink-182
From the Gen-X dad of a young musician: This band arguably is the most emulated by bratty teenage would-be rockers the world over. Their punky style of infectious alternative rock has endured over three decades and now the original members have reunited. From a member of that younger generation: Fans of the 2000s punk band will be able to relive our heavy eyeliner phases together. If recent trends on TikTok are any indication, millennial parents are already frothy anticipating their future children's discovery of Blink-182's hits — including songs that catapult them back to their own time of life that definitely wasn't a phase, Mom. Ugh. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 11; FLA Live Arena, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise; flalivearena.com
ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd
Tragedy and Father Time have taken their toll on both these bands, but what is left will bring a heavy dose of Texas and Southern bluesy classic rock for those who grew up on their numerous hits. And can you really pass on going to the one concert where yelling, “Freebird” is actually appropriate? 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 21; iThink Financial Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; ithinkfi.org/community/amphitheatre
Young The Giant
Known best for its 2010 self-titled first album and its massively popular indie single "Cough Syrup," Young The Giant will bring its newest album, "American Bollywood," to the stage. The new album, released in four parts with stunning visual elements, feels like a total departure from the band's previous moody sound. It's a rich exploration into lead singer Sameer Gadhia's Indian-American lineage, his relationships with his parents and his own masculinity as a person with a foot in two countries and two cultures. The album feels relevant to children of immigrants to the U.S. no matter their country of origin. The band's concerts are full of good vibes and easy-to-listen-to music that rocks on the radio. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 22; FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; bayfrontparkamphitheater.com
George Strait
Open up your wallet. The King of Country Music doesn’t come cheap. In between his six stadium tours with Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town, Strait is performing smaller shows at venues like the Hard Rock. And the Texas troubadour can pack them in, even at 70. Even his last album, 2019’s “Honky Tonk Time Machine,” is record-breaking: With his single "Weight of the Badge," Strait became the first artist to have 100 songs on Billboard's Country Airplay chart. But fans want to hear classic Strait masterpieces, and they will. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, Hard Rock Live, 1 Seminole Way, Fort Lauderdale. 866-502-7529; seminolehardrockhollywood.com
Counting Crows with Dashboard Confessional
Of the rock bands that emerged in the early 1990s, there are few left standing. Counting Crows is one of them, and singer Adam Duritz and Co. will bring their jam folk to South Florida behind a new EP, a well-received song suite that at times evokes early Bruce Springsteen. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5; Hard Rock Live, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood; 1-866-502-7529; seminolehardrockhollywood.com
Beyoncé
Any South Florida concert roundup would be remiss if it didn't mention Queen Bey. Beyoncé will grace the stage at Hard Rock Stadium following an international tour that will take her from Sweden and Germany to Atlanta and her native Houston. Although Beyoncé is the most-nominated female artist in Grammy history (79 noms and counting), she's coming off a disappointing awards season where many fans felt she was snubbed at this year's Grammys when Harry Styles won Album of the Year. Beyoncé's show in Miami is not yet sold out, and it's sure to be an absolute spectacle. With new hits from her "Rennaissance" album likely to be on the setlist, including infectious dance hits "Break My Soul" and "Cuff It," Beyoncé's show is sure to be a high-energy celebration of an artist who is truly once in a generation. 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18; Hard Rock Stadium, 374 Don Shula Dr., Miami Gardens; 1-866-502-7529; hardrockstadium.com
Smashing Pumpkins with Interpol and Rival Sons
Fresh off their tour with Janes Addiction, this time Billy Corgan and company will visit with moody Interpol. The Pumpkins' shows recently have been visually stunning as Corgan brings an Uncle Fester/Nosferatu vibe. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19; iThink Financial Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; ithinkfi.org/community/amphitheatre
Leon Bridges
A modern soul singer who seems to be cut from the same musical tree as Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, Bridges gives — let’s say a more adult music alternative — in a summer full of nostalgia tours and pop. 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24; Hard Rock Live, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood; 1-866-502-7529; seminolehardrockhollywood.com
Lionel Richie and Earth Wind & Fire
Richie made hits first with the Commodores and then as a solo artist. “Say You, Say Me,” “Hello,” and “Three Times a Lady” dominated the charts. Earth, Wind & Fire’s “December” is an anthem that is interwoven into the culture now. The question is: Will Richie break out “Brick House?” 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25; FLA Live Arena, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise; flalivearena.com
Dave Matthews Band
So how many times do you think Matthews will comment on how hot it is? The genre-bending DMB always make a summer stop in Palm Beach County, but this time they should have some new tunes to play as a new album has been teased. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 28 and 29; iThink Financial Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; ithinkfi.org/community/amphitheatre
End note: Labor Day weekend and therefore summer officially ends before the arrival of Madonna. The iconic Material Girl's latest tour stops in Miami for two days the following weekend on Sept. 9 and 10.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Summer concerts near me: Beyoncé in Miami, Jelly Roll, Jonas Brothers
