Summer Concert Series

Although the economy is struggling the summer concert series is booming. Well-known artists, such as Bruce Springsteen and the Jonas Brothers are coming to give Pittsburgh a lift.

Through the summer of 2009, many of Pittsburgh's big venues, like the Mellon Arena, the Post-Gazette Pavilion and Heinz Field, will be hosting concerts.

"Within two minutes of them being on sale they were sold out. I was online at 10 a.m. to buy the tickets, and by 10:04 a.m. they were gone," said Chelsea Smith, a freshman psychology major, referring to Taylor Swift tickets that went on sale March 17.

Though Taylor Swift's concert is already sold out, other big-name artists will be strolling into the area, like Jimmy Buffet, with his pool party-like concert; Dave Matthews Band returning to its usual venue; and country musician Kenny Chesney taking his country music to Heinz Field once again.

"I'll be here all summer working, so I'm planning to attend at least one concert. The Dave Matthews Band has always been on of my favorites, so with all things going as planned I'll be at that one. It's pretty much definite," Kendall Sealey, a sophomore dance major from Hanover, N.H., said.

Dave Matthews Band has been performing in Pittsburgh for years and now has two shows scheduled in the summer, June 20 and 23, at the Post-Gazette Pavilion due to the sell-out performances of the past.

"They are a great band for all ages, and it's truly great music," Sealey said.

Other large-name attractions also visiting the Post-Gazette Pavilion include Aerosmith and ZZ Top, Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rod Stewart, among others.

With a superstar lineup, like this summer's, Pittsburgh is expecting a musical-filled summer. Ticket prices, on average, are ranging anywhere from $35 to $185.

The rock genre will be strongly heard this summer, with tours like the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival that will feature Marilyn Manson and Slayer, the Warped Tour and Def Leppard with Poison and Cheap Trick - all performing at the Post-Gazette Pavilion.

"A friend and I are attending Warped Tour this summer. I cannot wait - tickets were under $100 dollars, and that's great for such a known show. I've always wanted to go, so it's going to be an awesome experience," Brian Ngambi, a freshman global science major, said.

Low prices are a major help to the concerts attendance. With prices of everything from gas to food going up many anticipated summer fun to be cut back. Ticket prices remaining low will give people the opportunity to splurge and attend summer concert events.

Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Art Festival, which will include three live concert performances that have yet to be announced, will be an event open to the public free of charge. One of the musical performances is sponsored by Point Park University.

"I attend concerts all over but make a point to attend the Three Rivers Art Festival. They host a mix of rock and country. I attend the event every year," said Joe McGoldrisk, assistant dean of the Conservatory of Performing Arts.

The Three River Regatta is also holding free musical entertainment event, and the Annual Rib Fest will be hosted at Heinz Field.

The Country Dollar Bank Jamboree is reasonably priced, costing $1, and is located at the Point. The specific date has yet to be announced.

"Anything free and close- we always try to go to. The concerts all seem to be well-known artists, and you can't complain when you're not paying to see them," Smith said.

Some may be more expensive than others, and some may be free, but the summer concert series is rich with talent this year.

"I'm very excited to spend the summer in a city with such great musical talent coming. I plan to attend as many concerts as my budget will allow and can't imagine missing out on the free local performances," Sealey said.