Downstate Destinations

June 10, 2016

CAN'T MISS CONCERTS

While the list of shows Up North is long and varied each summer, some bands and artists never quite make it up this far, so you have to road trip downstate to see them live. But which ones are worth the drive? We’ve sifted through the scads of shows and selected all the can’t-miss concerts worth the ride.

JUNE 19

PAUL SIMON at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre

The legendary Simon has a brand new album out (May’s Stranger to Stranger), which of course means it’s a perfect time for a tour. While you’ll definitely hear a few tracks from his new set, Simon recently told Rolling Stone that he knows people attend his shows to hear the hits, so you’ll also get a solid dose of "You Can Call Me Al" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." Just don’t expect Garfunkel to show up; the two aren’t on speaking terms.

JUNE 30

STING AND PETER GABRIEL at The Palace of Auburn Hills

The Rock Paper Scissors Tour brings together two of modern rock’s founding fathers. Each of these artists has a long list of hits familiar to pretty much everyone, from Sting’s "Fields of Gold" to Gabriel’s "Sledgehammer." The really cool thing is that while they will each perform tracks from their own lengthy catalogs, they’ll also perform some of each others’ songs and duet on a few as well.

JULY 3

MODEST MOUSE AND BRAND NEW at DTE Energy Music Theater

This tour teams up two college alt-rock staples, both of which will play full headlining sets. They’ve also eschewed opening acts so that the full concert will only include the headlining pair, all the better for devoted fans. Modest Mouse are still promoting their 2015 set, Strangers to Ourselves, while Brand New recently released a new single, "Mene," and is prepping an album for later this year.

JULY 8

WEEZER AND PANIC! AT THE DISCO at DTE Energy Music Theater

Speaking of alt-rock legends, few took over the ’90s better than Weezer, who is on tour with Panic!, as well as opening act Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness for a long night of hits. Panic!’s latest album, the ambitious Death of a Bachelor, was released back in January, while Weezer’s new eponymous set (also referred to as their White album), surfaced in April; it’s likely both bands will draw on their respective back catalogues as well.

JULY 18

HALL AND OATES WITH SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS at DTE Energy Music Theater

The ’80s throwback duo is arriving in Detroit with Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings in tow. From Hall and Oates, you’ll likely recognize songs like "Rich Girl," "You Make My Dreams," and "Private Eyes," while Jones and crew will bring soul and funk; you’ll also get a sneak peek at opening act Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, one of the performers booked for this year’s Traverse City Microbrew and Music Fest.

JULY 22

VANS WARPED TOUR at The Palace of Auburn Hills

75 punk, emo, and alt-rock bands all in one night? That’s the idea of the Vans Warped Tour, an onstage extravaganza that this year will include headlining sets from Falling in Reverse, Good Charlotte, Less Than Jake, and New Found Glory, as well as additional performances from Reel Big Fish, Sum 41, Atreyu, Bullet for My Valentine, and the Monster Energy Party Zone with heavier bands and more slam-dancing. Lace your Vans up extra tight.

AUGUST 2

GWEN STEFANI WITH EVE at DTE Energy Music Theater

Stefani is celebrating her first No. 1 solo album (This Is What the Truth Feels Like) with this extensive trek, on which she’s bringing along her pal Eve as opening act. No word yet on whether or not this pair of cool girls will team up for their joint single track onstage during the tour, but you can count on songs new and old from Stefani (including her hit single, "Make Me Like You") and plenty of oughties hip-hop retro gold from Eve.

AUGUST 6

THE ART OF RAP at the Freedom Hill Amphitheater

Following in the footsteps of Ice T’s critically acclaimed film documentary, Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap, this collective festival show rounds up rap and hip-hop celebs and legends like Grandmaster Melle Mel, Mobb Deep, Public Enemy, Naughty by Nature, Sugarhill Gang, and T himself. Old school hip-hop musician and MC Busy Bee will serve as master of ceremonies for this rap history-spanning lineup.

AUGUST 9

PITBULL WITH PRINCE ROYCE at DTE Energy Music Theater

His actual name is Armando Christian Pérez, but you probably know him as Pitbull, the Florida hip-hop and house artist best known for his No. 1 single "Give Me Everything," and his 2014 FIFA World Cup anthem "We Are One (Ole Ola)" with Jennifer Lopez. He’s currently cranking up these jams and more across the country, including Detroit, as part of his Bad Man Tour, on which he’s bringing along Bronx R&B artist Prince Royce as opener.

AUGUST 19

I LOVE THE ’90S at DTE Energy Music Theater

As summer winds down, you can relive the ’90s with this energetic retro variety show tour, headlined by the era’s trendsetting hiphop icons Salt ’n Pepa and their cohort Spinderella. Also bringing back the baggy jeans and spandex for these shows will be "Ice Ice Baby" singer Vanilla Ice; "Funky Cold Medina"/"Wild Thing" performer Tone Loc; award-winning rapper Coolio ("Gangsta’s Paradise"); plus DJ Rob Base, All 4 One, and Kid ’n Play.