10 must-see concerts in southern Ohio this summer

The Dayton region is blessed to have two dedicated summer concert venues in Fraze Pavilion the Rose Music Center at The Heights to take in live music this summer, but there are several major concerts in Ohio that have been announced by music icons that will have music fans flocking from far and wide to be one of the crowd. Here are our picks for the best of the best opportunities for a major musical experience in southern Ohio to take in this summer.

GUNS N’ ROSES, JULY 6

Paul Brown Stadium

One Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati

www.bengals.com

Slash and Axl Rose back again after 22 years? There’s no other reason needed to purchase a ticket.

COUNTRY CONCERT, JULY 7-9

Hickory Hills Lakes

7103 Ohio 55, Ft. Loramie

www.countryconcert.com, (937) 295-3000

This huge, three-day music festival, which started in 1981, takes place on 500 acres near Fort Laramie, Ohio. This year Big and Rich, Dustin Lynch, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Cam Brothers Osborne, Cassadee Pope, Chris Janson, A Thousand Horses, Kacey Musgraves, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Steeldrivers, Old Dominion, Clark Manson, Canaan Smith, Haley Georgia, Carter Winter, The Wolfe Brothers and others are set to play to sea of country music lovers. If country music is your thing, this is your summer concert.

PAUL MCCARTNEY, JULY 10

U.S. Bank Arena

100 Broadway, Cincinnati

www.usbankarena.com, 513-421-4111

Rock legend Paul McCartney will have a Cincinnati stop on his One on One Tour playing a full catalog of music including his hits, Beatles hits and new selections. If you haven’t had a chance to see McCartney live, get ready for a very special treat you won’t soon forget.

PROMOWEST FEST, JULY 15-17

EXPRESS LIVE!

405 Neil Ave., Columbus

www.promowestlive.com, 614-461-LIVE (5483), ext. 101

Three days of indie rock and old school rap heaven featuring The Flaming Lips, Walk the Moon, Modest Mouse, Snoop Dogg, Brand New, Ryan Adams, LL Cool J, Tears for Fears, Mac Miller, The Decemberists, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Fitz and the Tantrums, Milky Chance, All Time Low, Garbage, Lindsey Stirling, X Ambassadors, J. Roddy Walston and the Business, Moon Taxi, Atlas Genius, The Wombats, The Black Lips, Alunageorge, RJD2, The Deer Hunter. It’s a lot to see making the ticket quite a value.

NEW EDITION, BABYFACE, FANTAISA, THE WHISPERS, JUDITH HILL, JULY 22-23

Paul Brown Stadium

One Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati

www.bengals.com

The two-day Cincinnati Music Festival will have two days of rhythm and blues icons. Friday night features Fantasia, Babyface, New Edition and The Whispers. Saturday night includes Charlie Wilson, Leela James, Ledisi and Maze.

OHIO STATE FAIR CONCERT SERIES, JULY 27-AUG. 6

Celeste Center

Ohio State Expo Center

717 E. 17th Ave,. Columbus

www.ohiostatefair.com; 614-466-8346

This year’s Ohio State Fair concert series features YES, July 27; Lecrae, July 28; Charlie Puth with DNCE, July 29; Kenny Rogers with the Oak Ridge Boys, July 31; Maddie & Tae with Levi Hummon, July 30; Rachel Platten, Aug. 1; Dolly Parton, Aug. 2; John Kay and Steppenwolf with Foghat, Aug. 3; Jeff Dunham, Aug. 4; Keith Sweat, Aug. 5; Matthew West with Lauren Dangle, Aug. 6. We’re most excited for Dolly on Aug. 2, but each show is sure to be a draw.

COLDPLAY, JULY 28

Nationwide Arena

200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus

www.nationwidearena.com, 614-246-3199

The only Ohio stop on the bands A Head Full of Dreams Tour promises to be every bit the visual and audio spectacle that past tours have been. Although the bands latest album has had a lukewarm response, fans have been swarming to the shows to hear the incredible back catalog of music that has made Coldplay famous.

DRAKE WITH FUTURE, AUG. 13

Nationwide Arena

200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus

www.nationwidearena.com, 614-246-3199

We’re not sure what we’re more excited about — Drake or Future. It’s going to be a rappers delight on Aug. 13 in Columbus. Paired up again after Drake’s 2013 Would you Like a Tour? and the release of their album What a Time to Be Alive, the Summer Sixteen tour is sure to be one worth seeing.

KISS, AUG. 22

Nutter Center

3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Fairborn

www.nuttercenter.com, 937-775-4789

If you want to rock and roll all night, this is the concert for you. See musical history live in person at the KISS “Freedom to Rock Tour.” Although KISS has previously played at the Nutter Center in 1992, 1996, 1998 and 2000, who knows how many tours Gene Simmons and Co. have left in them. Seize the day!

BAD BOY FAMILY REUNION TOUR, AUG. 25-26

Aug. 25

Jerome Schottenstein Center’s Value City Arena

555 Borror Drive, Columbus

www.schottensteincenter.com, 800-273-6201

Aug. 26

U.S. Bank Arena

100 Broadway, Cincinnati

www.usbankarena.com, 513-421-4111

The Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour featuring Puff Daddy, Lil’ Kim, Mase, Faith Evans, French Montana and more is sure to be a 1990’s hip hop lovers paradise. Who knows when the next opportunity will be to see a line-up like this one?

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