Music to My Ears: the Return of Live Music is Looking... Pretty Darn Good?

The festival and tour announcements are starting to trickle in with an eye towards the fall

I received my second vaccine dose this week, and while laying in a day-long fever dream, I started to wonder: when am I getting to a show again? It’s been almost a year and a half at this point, and I’m ready to take in something at an outdoor concert.

The last time Check This Out! was looking at the live music scene, it was early January, and I was writing about the Save Our Stages Act. With a vaccine being a distant dream, things were not looking great for venues.

While so many clubs have permanently closed and changed the landscape of their city’s music scene, those that have stuck it out are seeing the return of hope. The National Independent Venue Association is continuing to raise money and work with Congress on funding, but shows and tours are scheduled.

With the return of nice weather, outdoor shows are a no-brainer place to start trying to get the touring world back to normal.

Here in Denver, the capacity limits are leading to what could be a pretty fun summer at Red Rocks. After already kicking things off with a four-night set from electro jam vets Lotus, everything is full speed ahead. With curbed seating, most bands are playing for at least two nights. It’s a unique opportunity for Red Rocks to be hosting something every night through the summer.

Now, if I only wanted to see anyone scheduled…

Elsewhere, we see the scene adapt to provide outdoor show opportunities. In New Haven, Connecticut, the Westville Music Bowl has been re-outfitted to cater to live music. As a central point between Boston and New York, the stadium hopes to pull the entire northwest region their way to take in a concert.

Speaking of New York, how about a one on one live show? In early May, BAM will be hosting free concerts for people to watch a ten-minute set - where you’ll be the only audience member.

A more significant test will be coming this summer in the form of music festivals. Starting this weekend, Miami and Orlando will host a whole slew of festivals because Florida is gonna Florida. Philly will be once again hosting the Roots Picnic in June, the month that will also see the return of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. The legendary Newport Folk Festival will be making its return, as well as the rumored return of the Chicago Blues Festival.

Other more prominent festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach are moving to 2022, while others like the sold-out Bonnaroo are waiting until the fall.

While there are many arena shows scheduled for the summer, indoor club shows appear to be waiting for the fall. Japanese Breakfast has planned the most “regular” tour schedule I’ve come across for the indie scene. Looking to capitalize on Michelle Zauner’s new book (which debuted at number two on the New York Times Bestseller List) and their upcoming album in June, Japanese Breakfast will be playing nightly across the country through October.

I’m still unsure which show will be my first, but it’s comforting to look at the summer and know the opportunity will be there when the time comes.

Do you have tickets to a show already? Who’s on your summer concert calendar? Let me know in the comments!