Big summer 2015 concerts coming to Long Island, NYC: U2, Foo Fighters, Van Halen, more

Good isn't good enough anymore.

With touring becoming the biggest (sometimes only) revenue stream for most artists, the summer concert season is more competitive than ever. To stand out from the increasingly crowded field, artists and promoters are looking to create rare, if not singular, moments.

"It's still one thing that you can never replicate," says Jason Miller, Live Nation's president of New York operations, which includes Nikon at Jones Beach Theater and NYCB Theatre at Westbury. "That's a moment we can only share being together in that moment live. . . . Live music is great and something special that we all share together."

This summer, the quest to create those moments has led to a rare Van Halen tour in outdoor spaces. It's led to a celebration of The Who's 50th anniversary at various venues and eight nights of U2 at Madison Square Garden as they try to shore up their current standing in the music world with what they do best. And it's led to a whole new generation of stadium rockers, including Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band and, of course, One Direction.

Mike Luba, the Albertson native whose Madison House Presents brought concerts back to Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, says the historic venue's schedule has expanded to 10 shows this year to match the growing demand of artists wanting to play there, including the return May 30 of The Who, who famously played there in 1971.

"It's a dream lineup," Luba says of the schedule, which includes new stadium headliners like Alabama Shakes and D'Angelo and veterans like Van Morrison and James Taylor. "These are world-class artists befitting the history of the venue. It's that magic thing."

Another part of the concert magic in the summer comes with the festival show, lineups of stars that may never be together again. The Great South Bay Music Festival is expanding to four days this July in Patchogue's Shorefront Park, with singer-songwriters Colbie Caillat and Christina Perri kicking things off. This summer also includes the debut of New York's first major country festival, FarmBorough, with Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley headlining the three-day event on Randalls Island in June, as well as the debut of the Laid Back Festival, created by Gregg Allman, at Jones Beach on Aug. 29. This summer also marks the return of WKTU's summer kickoff concert to Nikon at Jones Beach Theater.

Rob Miller, WKTU/103.5-FM's program director, says he had fans in mind when he put together this year's KTUphoria. The show, set for May 31, includes Pitbull, Kelly Clarkson, Ricky Martin, Adam Lambert and Valley Stream's Shaggy.

"The economy is not back where it needs to be," says Miller, a Patchogue native. "We really thought about people spending their hard-earned money and wanting to give them a concert that they really enjoyed for four hours. We want them to feel good about spending that kind of money, rather than having paid $150 to see one or two artists where you only kind of liked one of them."

Cubby Bryant and Carolina Bermudez, hosts of WKTU's morning show, say KTUphoria is meant to kick off the summer season, for concert-going and increased radio-listening.

"This really is like our Super Bowl," says Bryant. "And it's not just about the show. There's a whole lot of other events around it. We're looking to make it a happening all-day event."

"When you get Pitbull on the same stage as Ricky Martin and Kelly Clarkson, who can headline a show by herself, I'm just really looking forward to it, seeing all of the favorite artists that I play every morning all on one stage," adds Bermudez.

As much as the focus is on the new this summer concert season, Live Nation's Miller says that there is something to be said for continuing traditions as well.

"When we have Jimmy Buffett playing Jones Beach, all is right with the world," he says.

AND KEEP IN MIND...

POP

Barry Manilow (June 17 at 7:30 p.m.) Barclays Center, $19.75-$249.75, 917-618-6700, barclayscenter.com

Nate Ruess (June 17 at 8 p.m.) Webster Hall, $31, 212-260-4700, websterhall.com

Duncan Sheik (June 19 at 8 p.m.) Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, $55-$65, 631-288-1500, whbpac.org

New Kids on the Block (June 20 at 7 p.m.) Nassau Coliseum, $24.50-$120, 516-794-9300, nassaucoliseum.com. Also, June 21-22 at 7 p.m., Madison Square Garden, $39.50-$125, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com

Bette Midler (June 25-26 at 8 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $47-$312, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com. Also, June 29 at 8 p.m., Barclays Center, $42-$307, 917-618-6700, barclayscenter.com

Jon Bellion (June 25 at 7:30 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $20, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

Imagine Dragons (June 30 at 7:30 p.m.) Barclays Center, $29-$69, 917-618-6700, barclayscenter.com

Neon Trees (July 22 at 7 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $25, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

James Bay (July 23 at 8 p.m.) Hammerstein Ballroom, $35-$55, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

George Ezra (July 28 at 7 p.m.) Terminal 5, $29.50, 212-582-6600, terminal5nyc.com

Meghan Trainor (July 31 at 7 p.m.) JBL Live at Pier 97, $32-$37, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

Brandon Flowers (Aug 4 at 7 p.m.) Terminal 5, $35, 212-582-6600, terminal5nyc.com

American Idol Live (Aug. 5 at 8 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $41.50-$79, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

One Direction (Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.) MetLife Stadium, $24.50-$115, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

Fifth Harmony (Aug. 27 at 8:30 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $45-$59.50, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

ROCK

Mumford & Sons (June 2-3 at 7 p.m.) MCU Park, $69, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

O.A.R. (June 5 at 11 a.m.) Belmont Park, $15-$25, 844-697-2849, belmontstakes.com

Damien Rice (June 17 at 6:30 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, $48, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

David Gray (June 17 at 7:30 p.m.) Radio City Music Hall, $45-$85, 212-247-4777, radiocity.com

Melissa Etheridge (June 18 at 8 p.m.) The Paramount, $50-$95, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

Dashboard Confessional (June 19 at 6 p.m.) JBL Live at Pier 97, $49.50, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

Dispatch (July 10-11 at 8 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $36-$61, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com

Counting Crows (Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.) JBL Live at Pier 97, $58, 212-777-6800, livenation.com. Also, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m., The Paramount, $70-$150, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

Rob Thomas (Aug. 6 and 8 at 8 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $58.50-$128, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

AC/DC (Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m.) MetLife Stadium, $40-$105, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

CLASSIC ROCK

Michael McDonald (June 6 at 8 p.m.) Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, $125-$210, 631-288-1500, whbpac.org

Peter Cetera (June 13 at 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $39.50-$69.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

Van Morrison (June 19 at 7 p.m.) Forest Hills Stadium, $70.60-$200.60, 877-987-6487, ticketfly.com

Happy Together Tour with The Turtles, The Association and more (June 23 at 7:30 p.m.) St. George Theatre, $45-$65, 718-442-2900, stgeorgetheatre.com. Also, June 27 at 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $39.50-$69.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

John Fogerty (June 24 at 8 p.m.) Radio City Music Hall, $69.50-$159.50, 212-247-4777, radiocity.com

Rush (June 29 at 8 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $51-$195, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com

Rock the Yacht Tourwith Little River Band, Ambrosia, Player and more (July 16 at 7:30 p.m.) St. George Theatre, $45-$79, 718-442-2900, stgeorgetheatre.com. Also July 17 at 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $49.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

Steve Forbert (July 17 at 8 p.m.) YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, $35, 631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org

Peter Frampton & Cheap Trick (July 29 at 8 p.m.) The Paramount, $59.50-$150, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

James Taylor (Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.) Forest Hills Stadium, $60-$140, 877-987-6487, ticketfly.com

Toto & Yes (Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.) Barclays Center, $45-$95, 917-618-6700, barclayscenter.com

Graham Nash (Aug. 12 at 8 p.m.) The Paramount, $46-$76, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

Santana (Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m.) Forest Hills Stadium, $45.50-$125.50, 877-987-6487, ticketfly.com

COUNTRY/FOLK

Lucinda Williams (June 25 at 7:30 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Merle Haggard (June 26 at 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $59.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

Shania Twain (June 30 at 7:30 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $50.50-$151, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com. Also, July 1 at 7:30 p.m., Nassau Coliseum, $45.50-$146, 516-794-9300, nassaucoliseum.com

Rhiannon Giddens (July 18 at 7:30 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Josh Turner (July 24 at 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $39.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

Iris DeMent (Aug. 8 at 8 p.m.) YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, $45, 631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org

Willie Nelson (Aug. 12 at 6 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, $52.50, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Kenny Chesney & Jason Aldean (Aug. 15 at 5 p.m.) MetLife Stadium, $52-$262, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

Guys With Guitars Under the Starswith Scotty McCreery, Rodney Atkins and more (June 16 at 7 p.m.) Pennysaver Amphitheater, free with ticket from 96.1-FM, 631-648-2500, pennysaveramp.com

Zac Brown Band (Aug. 21-22 at 7 p.m.) Citi Field, $41.50-$101.50, 718-507-8499, mets.com/ZBB

R&B

Chaka Khan (June 3 at 8 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Gladys Knight (June 5 at 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $49.50-$69.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com. Also, June 6 at 8 p.m., Kings Theatre, $51-$121, 800-745-3000, kingstheatre.com

Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires (June 7 at 4 p.m.) Flushing Meadows Corona Park, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

Leon Bridges (June 23 at 8 p.m.) Bowery Ballroom, $20, 212-260-4700, boweryballroom.com. Also, June 24 at 8 p.m., Music Hall of Williamsburg, $20, 212-260-4700, musichallofwilliamsburg.com

Chrisette Michele (June 25 at 7:30 p.m.) B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, $39.50, 212-997-4144, bbkingblues.com

Darlene Love (June 27 at 8 p.m.) B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, $45, 212-997-4144, bbkingblues.com

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic (July 15 at 7 p.m.) Queensbridge Park, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org. Also, July 16 at noon, MetroTech Commons, free, 718-636-4100, bam.org. And, July 19 at 9 p.m., The Paramount, $23-$45, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

Jill Scott (July 22 at 8 p.m.) Kings Theatre, $42-$152, 800-745-3000, kingstheatre.com

J. Cole (Aug. 4 at 8 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $30.75-$114.75, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com

Jazmine Sullivan (Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.) Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

HIP-HOP

Tyler, the Creator (June 12 at 7 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $35, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

Juicy J (June 15 at 7 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $35, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

Biz Markie (June 17 at 7 p.m.) Herbert Von King Park, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

Elliphant (June 18 at 9 p.m.) Santos Party House, $16, 866-777-8932, ticketweb.com

Salt-N-Pepa (July 16 at 8 p.m.) B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, $45, 212-997-4144, bbkingblues.com

Nicki Minaj (July 26 at 7 p.m.) Barclays Center, $40-$145, 917-618-6700, barclayscenter.com

Whodini (July 26 at 2 p.m.) Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

Bone Thugs N Harmony (July 30 at 7 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $27.50, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

Earl Sweatshirt (Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.) Best Buy Theater, $30-$35, 212-930-1940, axs.com

INDIE

The Tallest Man on Earth (June 2 at 8 p.m.) Music Hall of Williamsburg, $30, 212-260-4700, musichallofwilliamsburg.com. Also, June 3 at 8 p.m., Beacon Theatre, $40, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

Belle and Sebastian (June 10 at 8 p.m.) Radio City Music Hall, $40-$59.50, 212-247-4777, radiocity.com

Best Coast (June 13 at 5 p.m.) 50 Kent, $30, 718-596-3462, northsidefestival.com

Spoon (June 16 at 8 p.m.) Kings Theatre, $35-$45, 800-745-3000, kingstheatre.com. Also, June 17 at 9 p.m., The Wick, $35, 347-799-1049, thewicknyc.com

Joseph Arthur (June 27 and Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.) City Winery, $20-$28, 212-608-0555, citywinery.com

New Pornographers (July 11 at 7:30 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Modern Baseball (July 11 at 7:30 p.m.) Best Buy Theater, $23-$26, 212-930-1940, axs.com

Motion City Soundtrack (July 24 at 8 p.m.) The Space at Westbury, $25, 516-283-5566, thespaceatwestbury.com

Tune-Yards (Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Todays Mixtape Festivalwith The Movielife, Every Time I Die and more (Aug. 15-16 at 2 p.m.) The Emporium, $40-$79.50, 631-627-8787, theemporiumny.com

'80s

Billy Idol (May 29 at 6 p.m.) JBL Live at Pier 97, $52.50, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

Brian Setzer (May 29 at 8 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $55.50-$99.50, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

Suzanne Vega(May 31 at 8 p.m.) Landmark on Main Street, $52-$57, 516-767-6444, landmarkonmainstreet.org

Paul Weller (June 12 at 7 p.m.) Terminal 5, $45, 212-582-6600, terminal5nyc.com. Also, June 20 at 8 p.m., Music Hall of Williamsburg, $59.50, 212-260-4700, musichallofwilliamsburg.com

Bryan Adams (June 22-23 at 8 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $49-$125, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

English Beat (July 26-27 at 8 p.m.) City Winery, $40-$60, 212-608-0555, citywinery.com.

Culture Club (July 27-28 at 8 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $49.50-$125, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

Whitesnake (July 27 at 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $49.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

Taylor Dayne (July 18 at 7:30 p.m.) Eisenhower Park, free, 516-572-0355, nassaucountyny.gov

Motley Crue (Aug. 12 at 7 p.m.) Barclays Center, $20-$149.50, 917-618-6700, barclayscenter.com

ALTERNATIVE

Pixies (May 26-27 at 8 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $59.50-$79.50, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com. Also, May 28 at 8 p.m., Kings Theatre, $59.50-$79.50, 800-745-3000, kingstheatre.com

Wire (June 3 at 8 p.m.) Music Hall of Williamsburg, $25, 212-260-4700, musichallofwilliamsburg.com. Also, June 4 at 8 p.m., Bowery Ballroom, $25, 212-260-4700, boweryballroom.com

Bad Religion (June 9-10 at 8 p.m.) Music Hall of Williamsburg, $30, 212-260-4700, musichallofwilliamsburg.com. Also, June 11-12 at 8 p.m., Bowery Ballroom, $30, 212-260-4700, boweryballroom.com

The Vaccines (June 9 at 9 p.m.) Warsaw, $25, 866-777-8932, ticketweb.com

Catfish & the Bottlemen (June 16 at 9 p.m.) Webster Hall, $20, 212-260-4700, websterhall.com

Everclear (June 23 at 6:30 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $39.50, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

World Party (July 11 at 8 p.m.) Suffolk Theater, $45, 631-727-4343, suffolktheater.com

Modest Mouse (July 22 at 6 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, $42.50, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Under the Sun Tourwith Sugar Ray, Eve 6 and more (Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m.) The Paramount, $35-$99.50, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

Morrissey (June 27 at 8 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $35-$150, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com

Soul Asylum (June 20 at 8:30 p.m.) Brooklyn Bowl, $20, 718-963-3369, brooklynbowl.com. Also, June 22 at 7 p.m., Bowery Ballroom, $25, 212-260-4700, boweryballroom.com. And, June 26 at 8 p.m., Suffolk Theater, $49, 631-727-4343, suffolktheater.com

DANCE/EDM

Clean Bandit (June 6 at 10:30 p.m.) Webster Hall, $25, 212-260-4700, websterhall.com

Active Child (June 16 at 8 p.m.) Music Hall of Williamsburg, $15, 212-260-4700, musichallofwilliamsburg.com. Also, June 17 at 8 p.m., Bowery Ballroom, $15, 212-260-4700, boweryballroom.com

Miami Horror (June 22-23 at 9 p.m.) Rough Trade, $15, 718-388-4111, roughtradenyc.com

'Life In Color' with Showtek, Bro Safari and more (June 28 at 4 p.m.) Meadowlands Racetrack, $70, 323-908-0607, lifeincolor.com

Basement Jaxx (July 1 at 6 p.m.) Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, $35, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

Death Grips (July 7 at 9 p.m.) Webster Hall, $29.50, 212-260-4700, websterhall.com

KMFDM (Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $29.50, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

Jamie XX (Aug. 8 at 9 p.m.) Terminal 5, $25, 212-582-6600, terminal5nyc.com

'Mad Decent Block Party'with Major Lazer, Cashmere Cat and more (Aug. 8-9 at 2 p.m.) MCU Park, $45, 800-745- 3000, ticketmaster.com

Electric Zoo (Sept. 4-6 at Randalls Island, $239 for three-day pass, 888-512-7469, electriczoofestival.com

WORLD

Angelique Kidjo (June 7 at 2 p.m.) Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

Shonen Knife (June 22 at 7 p.m.) Le Poisson Rouge, $15, 212-505-3474, lepoissonrouge.com

'Contemporary Color'with David Byrne, Nelly Furtado and others (June 27-28 at 7:30 p.m.) Barclays Center, $25-$85, 917-618-6700, barclayscenter.com

Los Lobos (June 19 at 7:30 p.m.) Stephen Talkhouse, $150-$165, 631-267-3117, stephentalkhouse.com. Also, Hempstead's Town Park at Point Lookout, June 27 at 8 p.m., free, 516-292-9000, toh.li.

VP Records 35th Anniversary with Maxi Priest, Gyptian and more (June 27 at 2 p.m.) Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

Bebel Gilberto (June 29-30, July 1 at 8 and 10:30 p.m.) Blue Note, $30-$45, 212-475-8592, bluenote.net

Romeo Santos (July 10-12 at 8 p.m.) Barclays Center, $34.50-$184.50, 917-618-6700, barclayscenter.com

Ximena Sarinana (July 11 at 2 p.m.) Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

The Wailers (July 12 at 8 p.m.) Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, $30-$60, 631-288-1500, whbpac.org

Juanes (Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $40.50-$130.50, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com

JAZZ/BLUES

Buddy Guy (June 9-10 at 8 p.m.) B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, $75, 212-997-4144, bbkingblues.com

Esperanza Spalding (June 12 at 7:30 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Trombone Shorty (June 12 at 8 p.m.) The Space at Westbury, $35, 516-283-5566, thespaceatwestbury.com

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band & Jonny Lang (June 16 at 8 p.m.) The Space at Westbury, $55-$95, 516-283-5566, thespaceatwestbury.com

Keb' Mo' (Sept. 4 at 8 p.m.) Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, $70-$100, 631-288-1500, whbpac.org.

George Benson (Aug. 14 at 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $39.50-$129.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com