Rhode Island and Massachusetts Summer 2022 Concert Guide
Music and summer seem to go together, like chowder and clamcakes, Del’s and a beach blanket.
With pandemic restrictions on gatherings being eased, it’s time to put on your sunglasses and plan a few sizzling months of musical experiences – indoors and outdoors, some free and some paid, and all, from hip-hop to chamber music – which are sure to leave you humming for days.
Mark some of these options on your summer music calendar:
• Classic — Newport Classical Music Festival, July 1-17. Highlights include performances by the Junction Trio, Spektral Quartet and Black Oak Ensemble. Performances are at The Breakers, 44 Ocher Point Ave., Newport. For tickets, go to newportclassical.org/music-festival.
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• Jazz – Afro-Rican jazz band William Cepeda perform a free concert at the bandstand in Roger Williams Park on August 14, as part of the FirstWorks Summer Beats concert series. Visit rwpconservancy.org for more information.
• soft rock – The Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence will host “An Evening with James Taylor” on July 1 and Barry Manilow on August 13. For more information, visit dunkindonutscenter.com. In Mansfield, Massachusetts, the Xfinity Center features performances by the Doobie Brothers on June 25, Steely Dan with Steve Winwood on July 2, Chicago and Brian Wilson on July 10, Phish on July 14 and 15, and Santana with Earth, Wind and Fire. August 10. Go to livenation.com. Rus Anderson presents his “Rocket Man Show” at the Providence Performing Arts Center on July 16. Go to ppacri.org.
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• Popular – The annual pop music festival at the Xfinity Center, in Mansfield, Massachusetts, is scheduled for June 26 and features the Chainsmokers, Charlie Puth and Ava Max, among others. Plus, you can catch OneRepublic there on July 19, the Backstreet Boys on July 20, Pitbull on August 9, Rod Stewart and Cheap Trick on August 12, Jimmy Buffett on August 13, REO Speedwagon, Styx, and Loverboy on August 12. 19 and Kid Rock with Foreigner on August 24, visit livenation.com for those shows, as well as The Weeknd on July 21 and Elton John on July 27 and 28 at Gillette Stadium.
• Blues — Enjoy dinner and a concert at Chan’s, Woonsocket, where the summer schedule includes performances by the Gulf Stream Quartet on June 26; Janiva Magness, offering blues and soul on July 2; Chicago blues with Toronzo Cannon on July 23; Mike Zito on August 17; the harp-infused sound of Rick Estrin and the Nightcats on August 20; and Daryl Sherman, Jay Leonhart and Friends on August 27. For more details, visit chanseggrollsandjazz.com. At Bold Point Park in East Providence on August 13, the Backroads Blues Festival brings together the greats Buddy Guy and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Go to riwaterfrontevents.com.
• R&B — Trombone Shorty from New Orleans takes the stage at Bold Point Park in East Providence for a show on June 17. Go to riwaterfrontevents.com.
• Country – At Bold Point Park in East Providence, you can find Chris Lane on August 12, Kip Moore on August 20, the alternative country sound of Jason Isbell on August 26, Brett Eldredge on September 15 and Jake Owen on September 19. 23. Go to riwaterfrontevents.com. At the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts, find Dierks Bentley on June 24, The Chicks on July 5, Keith Urban on July 22 and Morgan Wallen on August 11. Head to livenation.com for these shows, as well as Kenny Chesney’s. summer music festival August 26-27 at Gillette Stadium.
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• Alternative – Japanese-American singer/songwriter Mitski is part of the summer lineup at Bold Point Park in East Providence, appearing July 28. Go to riwaterfrontevents.com.
• Punk – Beartooth’s “A Day to Remember” show is scheduled for Bold Point Park in East Providence on August 2. Go to riwaterfrontevents.com.
• Rock – Bold Point Park in East Providence will host Papa Roach’s Rockzilla Tour on July 27, Tesla on August 3, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience on August 18, Whitesnake’s Farewell Tour on August 19 and Interpol on August 28. 80s Rock Tour with former Foreigner singer Lou Gramm at the Twin River Events Center in Lincoln on August 12. Visit ballys.com/lincoln for more information. The program at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts includes Sammy Hagar on June 13, Dave Matthews Band on June 17, The Black Keys on July 29, Rob Zombie and Mudvayne on July 30, Incubus on August 3, Dispatch and OAR on August 20 and Korn with Evanescence on August 26. Go to livenation.com for these shows, as well as tours passing through Gillette Stadium, including Dead & Company on July 2 and Rammstein on September 9.
• hip hop/rap – FirstWorks kicks off its Summer Beats concert series with a free performance by Rhode Island native Flawless on July 24 at the bandstand in Roger Williams Park. Visit rwpconservancy.org for more information. At the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts, Chris Brown and Lil Baby are performing on July 23, and Wiz Khalifa and Logic will perform on August 22. Go to livenation.com.
• heavy metal – Ghost with special guest Mastodon brings his sound to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence on September 12. Go to dunkindonutscenter.com.