This summer’s 2002 concert lineup is busting at the seams with an all-star lineup featuring some of nation’s most rocking artists.
Diverse musical acts ranging from hard to classic rock, R & B, country to pop jam in the Great Lakes area. Some of the big acts coming are Britney Spears, Ozzfest, Alicia Keys, Harry Connick Jr., Jewel, Usher and Cher with special guest Cyndi Lauper.
Most of the big shows hit either the DTE Energy Music Theatre, Palace of Auburn Hills or Meadow Brook Music Festival, which are all organized by Palace Sports and Entertainment.
“Our goal is to bring shows appealing to people and give them what they like,” said Jeff Corey, Palace Sports and Entertainment spokesman. “If you look at the lineup you see everything from country, jazz, rock and hip-hop.
“We offer so many shows, I know people will see something they like. If anyone looks at the list they should see five or six groups that they would enjoy.”
The summer concert tours kick off this weekend, as families look for some way to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend.
The DTE Energy Music Theatre series kicks off with the traditional Eddie Money show on Friday, followed by Usher with special guests Nas, Faith and Mr. Cheeks on Saturday. The series runs through Sept. 14 with acts like Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth, Elvis Costello & The Imposters and Lauryn Hill with the Smokin‘ Grooves Tour appearing.
More stars will appear at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Korn’s “Tour With No Name” is set for July 3, and the Who with Robert Plant will play Aug. 23. But the summer’s biggest tour, Paul McCartney’s “Driving USA” played the Palace on May 1.
According to Gary Bongiovanni, editor in chief of Pollstar Magazine, which tracks all the summer tours, McCartney is the early favorite for 2002’s biggest summer tour.
“Paul McCartney’s tour is the biggest for the summer because it’s selling out all of it’s tickets,” Bongiovanni said.
“Ozzfest also is going to be sold out. Especially with all the attention the television show is receiving.”
Ozzfest 2002 has two dates set for Michigan, Aug. 7 and 8. And with the success of “The Osbournes” on MTV, many believe the tour will see an increase in ticket sales this summer.
Special education senior Steve Hayes said he attended Ozzfest last year, and will probably do so again this year.
“It was cool, I went with a couple of my friends,” Hayes said. “I also went to see Steve Miller last year.”
Besides Ozzfest, Hayes plans to see Lauryn Hill, Outkast, the Roots and Jurassic 5 on the Smokin’ Grooves Tour July 29 at DTE.
“I think there will be people there that I can relate too,” Hayes said. “There will be people my age having a good time where we can relax and do what we want.”
The summer music scene also showcases the Meadow Brook Music Festival, which starts Friday and runs through Sept. 7. Harry Connick Jr. kicks off the festival Friday at 8 p.m., and is followed by acts ranging from Jewel to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to Carrot Top.
With nearly 120 shows every year, Corey said almost everyone can find some act to suit their tastes.
“We try to provide a diverse, vast selection of entertainment and be resourceful of our venues,” he said. “For example, anyone attending Meadow Brook will enjoy the grounds and scene because its a beautiful place and we make use of that.”
