May 3, 2009
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20090503/ENT03/905030353/
Riverbend strengthens schedule
By Janelle Gelfand
jgelfand@enquirer.com
Riverbend Music Center's 25th anniversary concert season is building to one of its biggest lineups ever.
Summer tours are still being announced, but this season could see more than 40 shows - the number has now reached 32 - on the venue's two stages, with acts ranging from heavy metal to New Kids on the Block.
President Barack Obama's favorite band, Earth, Wind & Fire, will join forces with Chicago for a 30-city, two-month summer tour that stops at Riverbend on Aug. 26.
Last year, Chicago, which has sold more than 120 million records, celebrated its 40th anniversary with "The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition." Earth, Wind & Fire celebrated its 35th in 2005 with "Illumination."
Riverbend's J. Ralph Corbett Pavilion, accommodating 10,000 under the roof and on the lawn, opens May 22 with the Academy of Country Music's artist of the decade, George Strait, appearing with Blake Shelton and up-and-coming country singer Julianne Hough ("Dancing with the Stars").
The Dave Matthews Band (June 16), named the top-drawing American group in the world by Billboard, will be touring with music from its latest album, to be released June 2. Coldplay (June 4) is already sold out.
Shows such as Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd are bucking the economy with sales higher than last year by double digits. Kings of Leon and Jimmy Buffett sold out quickly, the latter in a record 10 minutes.
"I think everybody knew that Coldplay would sell out, but New Kids on the Block, as well as it's selling, speaks exactly to the business we're in," says Mike Smith, Riverbend director.
"It's emotional, it's personal, and people remember this band from 15 years ago. It's going to end up being a sellout."
Riverbend will also get its share of festivals. The 2009 edition of the Vans Warped Tour returns July 29, with multiple bands from pop punk to metalcore spread out over both stages at Riverbend. And Crüe Fest 2: The White Trash Circus," (Aug. 14) a glam metal extravaganza of Mötley Crüe, Godsmack, Theory of a Deadman, Drowning Pool, Charm City Devils - is selling quickly, Smith says.
The country theme continues on Riverbend's big stage with superstar Brad Paisley and his "American Saturday Night" tour, appearing with Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne (June 19), as well as Toby Keith, appearing with Trace Adkins (Sept. 10).
Part of the buzz this year is because of Riverbend's second stage, starting its second season. The new, 4,100-seat PNC Pavilion will present more "intimate" shows, from an evening with rock legend Jackson Browne to D-list comedy queen Kathy Griffin.
Judas Priest will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of its classic album "British Steel" by playing the entire album for the first time live onstage (July 21).
Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller will visit with their "Three Girls and Their Buddy" tour (June 6), to share songs and stories that have defined their storied careers. And Heaven & Hell, former Black Sabbath members who reunited in 2006 after a 15-year hiatus, visits Riverbend Aug. 18.
"You'll have an artist like Crosby Stills & Nash and Moody Blues, who for years and years, played Riverbend, but who now want to be in a more intimate environment, very personal and very connected," Smith says. "They're going to play PNC. Had that building not been constructed, this market wouldn't see those artists."
But the pavilion is not just a place for nostalgia. Younger bands, such as Kings of Leon, which will open PNC Pavilion on May 12, Rise Against and the popular Ohio band O.A.R., are gravitating to the smaller stage.
Additional Facts PNC Pavilion May 12: Kings of Leon with the Walkmen (sold out)
June 6: WNKU presents Three Girls and Their Buddy, featuring Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller
June 13: O.A.R., with the Wailers
June 22: Rise Against, with Rancid and the Riverboat Gamblers
June 24: The Offspring, with Dropkick Murphys and Time Again
June 29: The Fray, with Jack's Mannequin and Richard Swift
July 21: Judas Priest, with Whitesnake
July 28: An Evening with Jackson Browne
July 31: Crosby, Stills & Nash
Aug. 15: Pat Benatar & Blondie, with the Donnas
Aug. 18: Heaven & Hell with Coheed & Cambria (tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday)
Aug. 21: Kathy Griffin
Aug. 29: The Moody Blues
J. Ralph Corbett Pavilion, May 22: George Strait, with Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough
June 4: Coldplay, with Pete Yorn and Howling Bells
June 12: WVXU presents "A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor" broadcast
June 16: Dave Matthews Band, with the Hold Steady
June 19: Brad Paisley, with Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne
June 20: 311, with Ziggy Marley
June 27: WKRQ presents New Kids on the Block, with Jabbawockeez
July 1: Aerosmith and ZZ Top
July 15: Def Leppard with Poison and Cheap Trick
July 22: Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd with Black Stone Cherry
July 25: Incubus with the Duke Spirit
July 29: Vans Warped Tour
Aug. 6: Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band (sold out)
Aug. 8: Rascal Flatts, with Darius Rucker
Aug. 14: Crüe Fest 2: WhiteTrash Circus featuring Mötley Crüe with Godsmack, Theory of a Deadman, Drowning Pool and Charm City Devils
Aug. 19: Nickelback, with Hinder, Papa Roach and Saving Abel
Aug. 26: Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire (tickets on sale 10 a.m. June 6)
Aug. 28: Creed, reunion of original band members (tickets on sale 10 a.m. Saturday)
Sept. 10: Toby Keith, with Trace Adkins