Fresh Ten Summer Concert Tours

Those precious days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are some of the most highly anticipated of the year for most of us – and there are a lot of reasons for that. For many, the summer season brings vacations, barbeques, pool parties, trips to the beach, and relaxing days at the park. For music fans, however, this time of year also means that some of our favorites artists and bands will be on tour performing at festivals and outdoor venues all across the country. To help plan your musical outings this year, we have assembled our Fresh Ten Summer Concert Tours. Have fun!

10. Rachel Sage. Multi award-winning New York songwriter Rachael Sage will be taking tracks from her latest self-produced disc, Chandelier, on the road this summer from Philadelphia to Edinburgh, UK.
Tour info: http://www.rachelsage.com/shows

9. Michele Malone. With her latest release, Debris, gaining accolades from critics and fans across the country, Malone is taking it to the road and bringing her blues rock to a city near you.
Tour info: http://michellemalone.com/index.php/tour/

8. Melissa Ferrick. During her most recent appearances, including a reunion gig with Ani DiFranco outside Washington, DC in July 2008 (Ferrick toured extensively with DiFranco in late 2007), she featured several new numbers from Goodbye Youth, including her tender yet playful “Hypocrite” and “John’s Field,” wrapping her audiences in an indelible melodic embrace that resulted in nightly standing ovations.
Tour info: http://www.myspace.com/melissaferrick

7. Sarah Bettens. International alt-rock star Sarah Bettens is breaking new ground with her latest CD, Never Say Goodbye, which is the first international release from her own label, Cocoon Records. Among her stops this summer will be the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival and Utah Pride.
Tour info: http://www.sarahbettens.com/tour

6. Girl in a Coma. Nina Diaz, Phanie Diaz, and Jen Alva released their debut album in 2007 on Joan Jett’s label, Blackheart Records, and in the short time since have toured with Morrissey, The Pogues, Tegan and Sara, and others – including a stint on Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors tour. Their sophomore album, Trio BC, is proving to be an even greater success and they will be tirelessly bringing it to audiences across America all summer long.
Tour info: http://www.girlinacoma.com/girlinacoma/tour_dates.html

5. Joan Jett. At only 17, Joan was headlining clubs like CBGBs with bands such as Tom Petty, Talking Heads, Television and Cheap Trick opening up for her, and she later toured with the Ramones. And she’s still going strong.
Tour info: http://www.joanjett.com/

4. Indigo Girls. Seriously, are Amy and Emily ever not touring? With the release of the critically acclaimed Poseidon and the Bitter Bug in March, the girls have added even more classics to an already amazing repertoire of songs.
Tour info: http://www.indigogirls.com/tour1.html

3. Ani DiFranco. The legendary folk musician’s latest release, Red Letter Year, is an impeccably crafted, multi-layered sonic achievement. But don’t take it from us – check Ani DiFranco out this summer as she brings her talents to places like the Bonnaroo Music Festival, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Mile High Music Festival and others.
Tour info: http://www.myspace.com/anidifranco

2. Cyndi Lauper. You just can’t put together a list of concerts for the gay and lesbian community without including one of the most outspoken gay rights activists of the music industry. Catch Lauper this summer on her Girls Night Out Tour with Rosie O’Donnell.
Tour info: http://www.cyndilauper.com/index.php?module=tour

1. Melissa Etheridge. The woman many consider to be the lesbian rock star of all lesbian rock stars will be on her Live and Alone 2009 tour throughout the summer.
Tour info: http://www.melissaetheridge.com/tour/