The heat of summer is ablaze on stages throughout the capital region this July, as Harrisburg’s concert offerings are sure to get you on your feet—or in the Ticketmaster queue (insert groan here). Check out our top picks below, or slide into our DMs if there’s a great gig coming to the area that you feel we’ve overlooked—we may just have to check it out for ourselves.
DON’T MISS
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, 7/26, HU Presents Summer Series, Riverfront Park
Falling somewhere between the subset of outlaw country acts and Americana rock is Jason Isbell, who perhaps could be called one of, if not the greatest, songwriter of his time (and this endorsement is coming from a diehard Swiftie). Isbell, a talented instrumentalist in his own right, is bringing his band, the 400 Unit, to Riverfront Park for what is sure to be a memorable performance in support of their latest album, “Weathervanes.” For those who aren’t familiar with Isbell’s music, I’ll suggest the beautiful single, “If We Were Vampires,” from 2017’s “The Nashville Sound” album, and “It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World (featuring Brittney Spencer)” from 2021’s “Georgia Blue.” The show is the opener to the Harrisburg University Presents Summer Concert Series.
FOR NOSTALGIA’S SAKE
Joyce Manor & Tigers Jaw, 7/12, H*MAC
A cursory glance at the syllabus for “Pop Punk: A History” should include at least some mention of the emo/pop-punk music scene from circa 2008-13, when a slew of millennials who grew up with influences of Simple Plan and Blink-182 started creating their own innovative projects (see also: Modern Baseball, Pine Barons, The Wonder Years, et al.). The California-based outfit Joyce Manor, and Tigers Jaw, who hail from Scranton, would certainly make at least the footnotes of this chapter for me, having caught both bands a few times in the early 2010s on small and large stages alike throughout the tri-state area. This is listed as an all-ages show. This writer recommends wearing closed toe shoes for what will surely result in some form of light mosh pit.
ENCORE
The Roots, 7/29, HU Presents Summer Series, Riverfront Park
I don’t think I need to convince you to go see The Roots. Literally listen to any of this band’s incredible array of work from the last four decades and let the music do the persuasion. This show at the Harrisburg waterfront will be an amazing return for Questlove, Black Thought and the rest of the Philly-based hip-hop group, who delivered an incredible set at the same venue in 2022 that left all of us wanting more (or from my vantage point, resulting in a terrible case of FOMO after failing to plan accordingly). Don’t be me. Plan accordingly.
FOR CONSIDERATION
Tori Amos, 7/6, Hershey Theatre
Tori Amos is bringing her “Ocean to Ocean” tour to Hershey Theatre this month for an intimate evening with the trailblazing songwriter. As a sad girl music fan, I feel an obligation to highlight this opportunity to see the legendary Amos, though tickets for this show are scarce.
Honorable Mentions
Zac Brown Band, 7/1, Hersheypark Stadium
The Struts, 7/14, XL LIVE
Willi Carlisle, 7/19, H*MAC
Bayside, 7/21, H*MAC
Declan McKenna, 7/22, XL LIVE
Spetters, Babel Map and Winona Davenport, 7/23, West Shore Theatre
Please check bag and entry policies for venues before you go.
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