I love the '80s: Summer Concert Preview 2010

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Note that '80s theme

A quick perusal of the local summer concert schedule seemed like a trip back to 1984. Several acts that rose to prominence during the Reagan years are hitting the road and making stops in Hampton Roads. Break out the hairspray: Here are a few you may not want to miss.

Hall & Oates, 5th Street Beach Stage in Virginia Beach, June 5. 8 p.m.

One was tall, blond and clean-shaven, the other short with raven locks and a thick mustache. But Daryl Hall and John Oates, two old friends from Philly, shared a love for classic pop and soul. During their halcyon years in the '80s, they added elements of new wave, scoring era-defining smashes such as “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do),” and “Maneater.”

On the current tour, the duo revisits all the favorites.

Tickets: $50

Foreigner, Styx and Kansas. Virginia Beach Amphitheater, June 11. 7 p.m.

Although these bands formed in the '70s, they achieved big commercial success the next decade with hits that smoothed the rough edges of their earlier sound.

Tickets: $31-$61

CANCELED: The Go-Go’s, nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Portsmouth, July 14. 8 p.m.

They were a novelty: an all-girl band that wasn’t controlled by male producers and managers. Emerging from the California punk scene, the Go-Go’s brought effervescence to the sound, which resulted in major hits like “We Got the Beat” and “Our Lips Are Sealed.”

Tickets: $16-$41

Billy Idol, nTelos Pavilion, Sept. 1, 8 p.m.

His bad-boy snarl and spiky hair were as memorable as his smashes, including “Eyes Without a Face” and “Rebel Yell.”

Tickets: $21-$45.75

Pat Benatar/REO Speedwagon, 5th Street Beach Stage, Sept. 5, 8 p.m.

She was the biggest female act of the early '80s. Underneath the hard rock veneer (with tougher-than-leather sexuality and powerhouse vocals), Benatar was a solid pop singer. Her many hits -- “Heartbreaker,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and the MTV-favorite, “Love Is a Battlefield” -- instantly transport you to the era of Pac-Man, Flashdance and leg warmers.

Tickets go on sale in July.

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By Rashod Ollison
The Virginian-Pilot
© May 20, 2010

Pop stars tour year-round, but summer dates mean open amphitheaters and cities abuzz with outdoor music festivals. This summer, plenty of major tours will pack venues throughout Hampton Roads. And break out the hairspray: A bunch of bands that rose to prominence during the Reagan years plan stops here, too. Here is our round-up of the biggest, best shows, along with a few hot picks in surrounding cities that may rate another summer staple: a road trip.

Note: Extra fees may apply to ticket prices.

HOT TICKET

Maxwell and Jill Scott, Virginia Beach Amphitheater, June 22. 7 p.m.

Two of the sultriest stars of neo-soul join forces for what is sure to be one of the hottest shows on the urban circuit. Maxwell is still riding high on the success of "BLACKsummers'night," his Grammy-winning comeback album released last summer. Scott will revisit earlier hits and preview songs from her upcoming album.

Tickets: $33-$108

Dianne Reeves and Regina Carter, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach, June 11. 7:30 p.m.

Reeves, one of the most acclaimed vocalists working in jazz these days, and virtuosic violinist Carter celebrate women in jazz in this special concert.

Tickets: $38-$62

Phish, nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Portsmouth, June 15. 7:30 p.m.

The improvisational rock band and its cultlike fan base will descend on nTelos. Be prepared for lots of goofiness intermingled with invigorating music.

Tickets: $46

This concert is sold out

Brooks & Dunn, Virginia Beach Amphitheater, June 18. 7:30 p.m.

The powerhouse country duo brings the "Last Rodeo" tour to Virginia Beach.

Tickets: $25-$69.50

Sheryl Crow, nTelos Wireless Pavilion, June 22. 8 p.m.

One of the most successful women in rock performs her many hits spanning the last 15 years.

Tickets: $22-$66.75

Hole, The NorVa in Norfolk, June 26. 9 p.m.

Although the band's other original members from its '90s incarnation are absent, Courtney Love still resurrects the Hole moniker for her latest album, "Nobody's Daughter." And she's on the road promoting the effort.

Tickets: $32.50

ROAD TRIP WORTHY

Carole King and James Taylor, Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., June 8. 8 p.m.

It's not often you get two pop titans on the same stage, performing their timeless classics. Catch this duo while they're still touring.

Tickets: $62.50-$128

HOT TICKET

Dave Matthews Band, Virginia Beach Amphitheater, July 20. 7 p.m.

A perennial favorite, the pop-friendly jam band is sure to pack 'em in.

Tickets: $33-$63

John Mayer, Virginia Beach Amphitheater, July 18. 7 p.m.

Despite some recent not-so-flattering press from a clumsy interview in Playboy magazine, the pop-rock star's career has been unscathed for the most part. His latest album, "Battle Studies," topped the charts and quickly went platinum.

Tickets: $30-$63.50

Willie Nelson, nTelos Pavilion, July 23. 8 p.m.

One of the most adventurous acts in country music, Nelson has delved into everything from jazz to reggae. Regardless of the genre, he remains true to his inimitable, deceptively soulful approach.

Tickets: $21.75-$55.75

Santana, Virginia Beach Amphitheater, July 27. 7:30 p.m.

The evergreen guitar god has been making his instrument cry, wail and moan for 40 years, and he only gets better.

Tickets: $25.50-$75.50

American Idol Live, Virginia Beach Amphitheater, July 29. 7:30 p.m.

Watch contestants from the latest season of the Fox phenomenon perform live.

Tickets: Presale through Ticketmaster on Friday at 10 a.m.

HOT TICKET

Jonas Brothers, Virginia Beach Amphitheater, Aug. 29. 7 p.m.

The Disney sibling act continues to hold its spell on tween girls with a summer-long tour, featuring fellow bubble-gum pop act Demi Lovato.

Tickets: $37.50-$97.50

The Rockstar Mayhem Festival, Virginia Beach Amphitheater, Aug. 4. 2:15 p.m.

All day long, guitars and burly guys at the mic will scream. Head-banging will abound. Korn and Rob Zombie are the marquee acts.

Tickets: $26.90-$60.70

George Jones, nTelos Pavilion, Aug. 15.

7:30 p.m.

A country legend with a long chain of hits performs his memorable, gritty tales of life and love.

Tickets: $16-$41

HOT TICKET

Kings of Leon, Virginia Beach Amphitheater, Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m.

The Followills - brothers Caleb, Ivan and Michael along with cousin Cameron - bring their blues-inflected alt-rock sound to the Beach. "Use Somebody" reigned on the airwaves last year.

Tickets: $30.50-$50.50

Billy Idol, nTelos Pavilion, Sept. 1, 8 p.m.

His bad-boy snarl and spiky hair were as memorable as his smashes, including "Eyes Without a Face" and "Rebel Yell."

Tickets: $21-$45.75

Tears for Fears, The NorVa, Sept. 4, 8 p.m.

The duo that generated hits like "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is fronted by one of the most melodic names in the business: Roland Orzabal.

Tickets: $42.50

Pat Benatar/REO Speedwagon, 5th Street Beach Stage, Sept. 5, 8 p.m.

She was the biggest female act of the early '80s. Underneath the hard-rock veneer (with tougher-than-leather sexuality and powerhouse vocals), Benatar was a solid pop singer. Her many hits - "Heartbreaker," "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and the MTV favorite "Love Is a Battlefield" - instantly transport you to the era of Pac-Man, "Flashdance" and leg warmers.

Tickets go on sale in July.

ROAD TRIP WORTHY

Lady Gaga, Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., Sept. 7. 8 p.m. Also at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 18. 8 p.m.

The biggest act in pop right now brings her larger-than-life Monster Ball tour to the region. Full of over-the-top costumes to complement her glittery dance-pop, the show is the one of the hottest tickets of the season.

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Lame Choices

Submitted by PCinSoCal on Thu, 05/20/2010 at 12:26 pm.

The summer concert line up shows how far the music business has fallen. It's a sad sign that promoters are having to rely on acts from 25+ years ago to bring concert goers in. Then again, who cares about the greedy promoters who are more concerned with selling their over priced flat beer and getting their cut from the crappy t-shirts that sell for $50 each.