The summer solstice is coming and things are heating up in the СŷƵ.
We’ve got a Talking Heads tribute, Billy Corgan and his new band playing Smashing Pumpkins’ classics, Greg Hawkes of The Cars, 311 and more coming to venues near you.
Read below for this month’s best СŷƵ concert picks.
Start Making Sense: Tribute to The Talking Heads
When: 8 p.m. Friday, June 6
Where: Sherman Theater, 524 Main St., Stroudsburg
How much: $25-$34.90
Tickets: shermantheater.com/ 570-420-2808
Musical style: New wave, post punk, alternative
Known for hits like: Covers of Talking Heads songs including, “And She Was,” “Once in a Lifetime,” “Psycho Killer,” “Girlfriend is Better” and “Burning Down the House”
Meet the band: A tribute band faithfully recreating the music of Talking Heads through all eight of their studio albums. The band unleashes a live performance that fully encompasses the live Talking Heads experience complete with a front-man that so closely resembles David Byrne, you’d think it was the man himself. Songs from every era of the Talking Heads’ career make for the perfect ‘80s new wave art punk celebration.
Check them out if you like: Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, David Byrne, Velvet Underground, Devo, B-52s, Television
The Musical Box Performs Genesis Live
When: 7 p.m. Sunday, June 15
Where: State Theatre, 453 Northampton St., Easton
How much: $29-$59
Tickets: statetheatre.org/ 610-258-7766
Musical style: Progressive rock, soft rock, pop rock
Known for hits like: “Watcher of the Skies,” “The Musical Box,” “Get ‘Em Out by Friday,” “The Return of the Giant Hogweed” and “The Knife.”
Meet the band: Formed in Montreal, Quebec in 1993, The Musical Box delivers the quintessential early Genesis experience. Recreating the first live Genesis album over 50 years later, the band aims to bring the full performance to audiences complete with costume changes and stage antics. The Musical Box is the only Genesis tribute to receive the support of members of the group — both Steve Hackett and Phil Collins have performed on stage with the band, and Peter Gabriel attended their first concert in the UK.
Check them out if you like: Genesis, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Yes, Robert Palmer, Electric Light Orchestra, Yes
Billy Corgan and the Machines of God
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 17
Where: Archer Music Hall, 939 Hamilton Street, Allentown
How much: $64-$368
Tickets: livenation.com/ 610-798-1466
Musical style: Alternative rock, grunge, pop rock
Known for hits like: “1979,” “Tonight, Tonight,” “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” “Zero” and “Stand Inside Your Love”
Meet the band: The Return to Zero tour is Billy Corgan’s first trek around the U.S. (and parts of Canada) with his new band, touring in support of the 30th anniversary of the Smashing Pumpkins’ “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” and the 25th anniversary of “Machina/The Machines of God,” and “Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music.” The shows feature cuts from these records, along with selections from 2024’s “Aghori Mhori Mei.” Corgan’s band includes Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Kiki Wong, drummer Jake Hayden, and bassist Kid Tigrrr (Jenna Fournier of the band NIIGHTS).
Check them out if you like: Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Lush. Pixies, Porno for Pyros, Zwan, Nirvana
Jefferson Starship
When: 8 p.m. Friday, June 20
Where: Penn’s Peak, 325 Maury Road, Jim Thorpe
How much: $28-$33
Tickets: https://www.pennspeak.com/ 866-605-7325
Musical style: Rock and roll, psychedelic, arena rock
Known for hits like: “Jane,” “Miracles,” “Count on Me,” “Stranger” and “Find Your Way Back”
Meet the band: Formed in 1974, and including musicians from Jefferson Airplane, in their first decade of existence they released eight gold/platinum selling albums and a gold compilation record. Their second album, “Red Octopus,” went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified double platinum in 1995. Throughout the years band members have come and gone but the group continues to tour and bring their legendary sounds to audiences across the globe.
Check them out if you like: Jefferson Airplane, Three Dog Night, The Guess Who, 38 Special, Peter Frampton, Seals and Croft, Starship
Totally 80’s Tour Featuring Big Country, Tommy Tutone, and more
When: 8 p.m. Friday, June 20
Where: Wind Creek Event Center, 77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem
How much: $29.50-$49.50
Tickets: ticketmaster.com/ 610-297-7414
Musical style: New wave, power pop, pop rock
Known for hits like: “867-5309/Jenny,” “In a Big Country,” “I Want Candy, “The Motion of Love” and “Look Away”
Meet the band: Featuring Tommy Tutone, Big Country, Bow Wow Wow and Gene Loves Jezebel, Totally 80s brings out some of the best acts of the decade. From bagpipe guitars to catchy power pop, and gothic post punk to world music inspired new wave, each group will captivate you with their brand of totally rad sounds. Hear that? That’s “867-5309” stuck in your head for the rest of the day, you’re welcome!
Check them out if you like: Duran Duran, Human League, Kajagoogoo, Flock of Seagulls, Cyndi Lauper, Depeche Mode, The Cure
Greg Hawkes with Eddie Japan performing the music of The Cars
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, June 21
Where: Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave.
How much: $29.50-$49.50
Tickets: www.st94.com/ 215-257-5808
Musical style: New wave, power pop, rock
Known for hits like: “Drive,” “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “You Might Think” and “Good Times Roll”
Meet the band: Best known for his pivotal role in shaping the sound of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s, The Cars, through his experimentation with synthesizers, keyboards, and electronic effects, Greg Hawkes continues to bring the band’s music to stages across the U.S. Backed by cinematic pop band, Eddie Japan, this recreation of The Cars’ timeless classics often sells out quickly, and is not to be missed.
Check them out if you like: Talking Heads, Devo, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Duran Duran, INXS, Pretenders, Cheap Trick
Jeffrey Gaines
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, June 21
Where: Godfrey Daniels, 7 E. 4th St., Bethlehem
How much: $22.50-$27.50
Tickets: godfreydaniels.org/ 610-867-2390
Musical style: Singer-songwriter, pop, rock
Known for hits like: “In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel cover)”, “Hero in Me,” “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face,” “Love Disappears” and “Always Be”
Meet the artist: Born in Harrisburg, Jeffrey Gaines is a singer-songwriter renowned for his deep lyrics and powerful live performances. He released his debut album, “Jeffrey Gaines” in 1992 on Chrysalis Records. In 2001 his cover of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” went to No. 22 on the U.S. Adult Top 40 chart, and remained there for 22 weeks. He’s performed on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” VH-1, and other television programs, and has toured with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Tori Amos, Tracy Chapman, Melissa Etheridge, Sting, Bryan Adams, and more. In 2018 he released his latest album, “Alright” recorded with Chris Price, Val McCallum and Elvis Costello’s Imposters, Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher.
Check him out if you like: Matthew Sweet, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Peter Gabriel, Ben Harper, James Maddock, Martin Sexton, Ben Arnold
311
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, June 28
Where: Wind Creek Event Center, 77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem
How much: $59.50-$99.50
Tickets: ticketmaster.com/ 610-297-7414
Musical style: Rap rock, alternative, funk rock
Known for hits like: “Down,” “Amber,” “Beautiful Disaster,” “All Mixed Up” and “Love Song”
Meet the band: Formed in 1988 in Omaha, Nebraska, 311 has released 14 studio albums, two live albums, four compilation albums, four EPs and four DVDs to date. In 1995 they made their foray into the mainstream on the success of their self-titled album “311,” and the hit song, “Down,” which spent some time on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks in 1996. The album went triple platinum and went to No. 12 on the Billboard 200. They’ve sold over 10 million records in the US and have their own unofficial holiday every March 11 (3/11).
Check them out if you like: Sublime, Sugar Ray, Lit, Incubus, Everclear, The Presidents of the United States of America, Third Eye Blind
Jay Honstetter is a freelance writer.
