Don’t miss Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers tomorrow night (Thursday) at Riverbend Music Center! Tom Petty is yet another one of those “legendary” “can’t miss” artists we are fortunate enough to have this year! Check out our TV spot below.
Last week was full of even more legendary performers here at Riverbend!
First up on Tuesday, July 6, we had Santana with Steve Winwood! Santana, you know that guitarist behind that one song with vocalist Rob Thomas…and Steven Tyler…and Michelle Branch…and Wyclef Jean and well, you get the picture. Santana sure knows how to write (and perform for that matter!) a great song and he’s had the help of all these great singers and more to make them rise to the top of the charts. Santana hit the stage Tuesday night at Riverbend and the crowd exploded. The entire pavilion and lawn turned into a latin dance club, everyone was on their feet and having a great time! I have to admit, it was quite difficult to keep from moving to the guitar grooves that Santana was giving us. He had a little help from his ten piece band that included the usual drums and guitars but also additional vocalists and several horns. For a great review check out this post from C. Michael Stewart in Louisville, who made the trip for the show.
Photos by C. Michael Stewart
Next up on Friday, July 9, was Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band! As you can probably assume from my last post, I was quite excited for this concert! How often do you get to see a Beatle? And right here in Cincinnati! The All Starr Band included other well known rock and roll legends to help keep the night exciting and filled with many sing along chart toppers from decades past. Among these was Edgar Winter who gave an amazing performance of the instrumental hit “Frankenstein” and Rick Derringer who, along with the rest of The McCoys, gave us our state song, “Hang On Sloopy”. The crowd especially took to that one while forming the O-H-I-O with their arms. I would have to assume Ringo was surprised by this if he was not warned before hand, but let’s just consider that his official welcome to the Buckeye State! Ringo Starr didn’t disappoint with several songs from his solo career and yes, a few Beatles songs! Ringo sat behind the drums and also sang lead locals to “I Wanna Be Your Man” and “Boys” but let his friend Greg Bissonette take over on drums so he could interact with the crowd on “Yellow Submarine” (thank you for that one, Ringo!) and “With A Little Help From My Friends”. That one closed the night followed by “Give Peace a Chance”, sung in unison by Ringo, the band, and every other person in the building. It was the first show this year I’ve watched from beginning to end and was definitely worth it. Maybe someday I’ll get the chance to see Paul or perhaps the two together, but for now this is probably the greatest performer that I’ve been lucky enough to see live. Peace and Love!
Photos by Craig Weiglein
Maybe it’s because my parents were Beatles fans, maybe it’s because we spent TWO days, not one, on The Beatles in my History Of Rock and Roll class in college, or maybe it’s because The Beatles are just that ingrained in our society and music in nearly every way, but I see Ringo Starr’s concert tomorrow as one that absolutely cannot be missed. The influence The Beatles have had on music and culture around the world is incomparable and undeniable. Ringo makes a stop here in Cincinnati between dates in New York and Atlanta this Friday, July 9. The evening begins at 6:30 here at PNC Pavilion with a FREE Cook Out presented by Blue Grass Quality Meats and Kroger along with an art display exhibiting Ringo’s own art! For sale will be hand signed artwork, drumheads, tshirts, art books and more. 100% of Ringo’s proceeds from the sales go directly to the Lotus Foundation. “I started in the late nineties with my computer art. While I was touring, it gave me something to do in all those crazy hotels you have to stay in on the road.” – Ringo Starr 2005 Then at 8:00pm Ringo Starr hits the main stage at PNC Pavilion with His All Starr Band that features legendary musicians Rick Derringer of The McCoys, Richard Page lead singer of Mr. Mister, Wally Palmer lead singer of The Romantics, Gary Wright (known for hit Dream Weaver), master drummer Gregg Bissonette and Edgar Winter of The Edgar Winter Group. Top price tickets may be pricey (but worth it in my opinion. I bought my mom two for Mother’s Day) but we do have seats that start at just $28.50! And for those of you who haven’t experienced the intimate setting that is PNC Pavilion at Riverbend, know there is not a bad seat in the house! Every seat has a great view of the stage so don’t be afraid to buy those $28.50 tickets! Purchase tickets at the Riverbend box office and pay NO service fees. Tickets are still available so get them online or at the door tomorrow! You really don’t want to miss this great night of food, art, and a once in a lifetime musical performance by Ringo Starr & His All Star Band.
The busy summer continued through the end of June with two great shows at Riverbend Music Center.
June 26 we had our annual 311 concert with special guests Pepper. I always think it’s amazing when a band can hit the same city and same venue every year and still pack the place full of fans. Full of die hard fans! 311 is one of those bands. Every year they attract their great group of Cincinnati followers and it’s always a great time. 311 has so many recognizable radio hits that they intertwine with longer jam songs that make the concert a great event for any music fan. I always enjoy watching them here and it seems like you do too Cincinnati! Until next year…
Photos by Amy Harris
More photos can be seen HERE.
Next up we had the legendary Eric Clapton and Roger Daltrey on June 30! I always say my favorite part of my job is getting to see legendary performers like these. Musicians that have stood the test of time and that are the best in their field. Roger Daltrey hit the stage first and I swear it sounded as if someone had just put on a Who record. Yes, he played several Who songs for the Cincinnati crowd. He was amazing. All these years and he’s still got it. The only thing that would have been better would have been to see Pete Townshend along side him. However, we did have the next best thing, his brother on guitar. The Who have always been one of my favorite bands but I’m sure all who came solely to see Clapton that night were just as impressed and entertained as I was. Clapton took the stage next and I think years of success and great ticket sales can say themselves what I or anyone else would. He’s a legend and his performance last Wednesday showed us all why. He played a mostly bluesy set with classics and fan favorites mixed in. “Layla” was performed acoustic along with “No One Knows When You’re Down and Out”. He played other favorites including “Cocaine” and Bob Marley’s hit “I Shot The Sherriff”. If you missed this concert you truly missed out. You’ll never see another pairing like Eric Clapton with Roger Daltrey. For more on the show see our friend Gil Kaufman’s review HERE. And yes, of course I have photos!
Photos by Craig Weiglein
We’re in for another great night of classic music tonight with Santana and Steve Winwood! Tickets are still available and start at only $25.50! Then Ringo Starr will be here Friday with his All Starr Band. Tickets for that start at just $28.50. Fans will also be treated to a FREE pre show cook out presented by Kroger and Blue Grass Quality meats as well as and art show exhibiting Ringo’s own art. Tickets for these shows can more can be purchased at the Riverbend box office where you will pay NO service fees.
Hello everyone! June has been a busy month for us! We’ve had a ton of concerts already and let me tell you, it’s been HOT! Hot and humid. But that doesn’t keep all of you great people away! We’ve had packed houses the last few weeks for some great shows including Brad Paisley, Dave Matthews, Tim McGraw & Lady Antebellum, and Jeff Beck! I’ve got some photos for you to enjoy so check em out and let us know if you have ventured out here, braved the heat, and enjoyed some awesome music so far at Riverbend and PNC Pavilion!
On June 6 we had the very cute, very funny, very talented country star Brad Paisley! If any of you out there are on Twitter, you MUST follow him. He has the most entertaining tweets I’ve read in a while. He also has such a great heart and is among many other country musicians helping to raise money and awareness for the devastating flooding that occurred earlier this year in Nashville. He and his band lost a lot of their equipment in the flooding but didn’t loose their great spirits! They’ve managed to pull things together and have put on great concerts around the country, including one June 6 here at Riverbend. Enjoy these great photos of the Brad Paisley concert from our friend Keith Klenowski. More photos can be seen HERE.
The next batch of photos I have for you are from yet another rainy Dave Matthews Band concert on June 15. I have to give it to the DMB fans…rain, thunder, and wind will not keep you away! In fact, I think you all thrive in it! I’ve never seen so much energy from a bunch of people soaked from rain and covered in mud as I did from these fans. This year and last! I’m glad you all made it out and had a great time. Savor this concert, because Dave won’t be back out on the road in 2011! Although, here’s hoping that in 2012 when he finally makes his way to Riverbend we’ll have some sunshine.
Photos by Scott Preston
More photos can be seen HERE.
Later that week on June 18 we had another great country concert, Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum! Lady A has blown up recently and Tim McGraw is a country legend, so really…how could this show not be great?! I have to admit, I was very impressed with the talent that Lady Antebellum brought to the table. They are truly amazing performers. This is one of the few shows that I’ve seen the pavilion and lawn packed to watch an opening act. They deserved it. They put on a great show which was soon taken to the next level with Tim McGraw! I went through a big country kick when I was younger and Tim McGraw was always one of my favorites. This was my first time seeing him live and he is a spectacular performer! In addition to that he seems like a very humble, nice guy. He took the time to shake hands and sing to people in the crowd. He also spent a lot of time with his fans at the pre show party before the concert started. I love seeing artists that are so great to their fans, and Tim truly is. This was such a great night, I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did!
Photos by Amy Harris
More photos can be seen HERE.
The last group of photos I have for you are from the Jeff Beck concert at PNC Pavilion two nights ago. I always tell people the thing I love most about my job is getting to see so many legendary performers. Jeff Beck is an extraordinary guitar player and definitely an honor to see play. One of my favorite classes in college was History of Rock and Roll. In this class I learned about so many influential musicians in rock and roll history and The Yardbirds was one of the most important bands we discussed. I am so lucky that I’ve gotten to see such an amazing musician live. And to top it off, we’ll have Eric Clapton, another legendary guitarist who’s career was launched by The Yardbirds, here in a few days! If you missed Jeff Beck on Wednesday, you absolutely must come hear Clapton this Wednesday, June 30.
Photos by Scott Preston
More photos can be seen HERE.
We’ve got 311 coming up tomorrow and Eric Clapton on June 30 and that will finish out June! But don’t worry we’ve still got July, August, and September packed with concerts. Check out our website at www.riverbend.org for all the info!
We’ve got some great photos from our friends at Cincy Groove Magazine from the Earth, Wind & Fire concert last week. The music was great and the crowd was up and dancing literally all night! We had our second pre show Cook Out before this concert which was a great prelude to the evening. We got one burst of rain, but luckily everyone was already inside and it passed pretty quickly. EWF always puts on a great, energetic show so I know everyone had a great time on June 2!
Our next concert is Harry Connick, Jr. This Saturday, June 12! We have a great night planned! For those of you who attended the Tony Bennett concert on May 14, you’re in for a similarly great evening. We will be having a FREE Wine Tasting provided by Ohio Valley Wines starting at 6:30pm. Playing live music during the Wine Tasting will be local favorite, Ian Ross Trio. The event before Harry Connick, Jr. will take place on the west side of the concourse in the Time Warner Cable Party Plaza. Be there at 6:30! Check out the great photos from Tony Bennett of the Wine Tasting and Ian Ross Trio performing that evening.
The main event, An Evening With Harry Connick, Jr. begins at 8:00pm sharp. Tickets are still available for the whole evening and start at just $35. Get them HERE.
Last Friday, May 28, we had our first ever Cruise In before the Happy Together Tour! It was a hot and humid day but we had a great turnout! Lots of great cars came to join us for a great evening of music, food, and 60’s fun! Special thanks to our friends at Cincy Custom Street Machines for getting the word out and attending, and definitely a thank you to all the others that cruised in with their great cars! We had our friends from WDJO playing music and raffling off prizes at the Cruise In all day until doors opened. Someone even walked away with $250! What’s better than coming to a concert at Riverbend and getting paid?! It was a such a great evening. I think we’ll even try to make this an annual event. Which makes me look even more forward to seeing what shows we will get in 2011!
Here are some photos from the event:
The evening then continued inside for the first Blue Grass Quality Meats pre show Cook Out! This was the first of six free Cook Outs we’ll be having this summer. For more information on these Cook Outs please visit our webpage HERE. After the cookout was the Happy Together Tour! The evening featured some great artists from the 60’s including Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams, and The Turtles! It’s really amazing to see these older performers that have been around for decades. They all sounded just as great as they did years ago! Truly amazing. All in all it was an amazing evening.
Tonight we have Earth, Wind and Fire and this is also another pre show Cook Out beginning at 6:30pm. Tickets are still available for the whole evening so if you’re reading this right now, head on down tonight for a great time! There’s barely a cloud in the sky so it looks like we’ll have another beautiful night!
Last Friday we had the first ever Country Throwdown Tour at Riverbend! The tour is put together by the same people who do the Vans Warped Tour each year and is in the same style as the popular annual punk festival. There were three stages of music that began at 1:00pm, including the Bluebird Cafe Stage which featured up and coming singer songwriters that gave “in the round” style performances. The rain came and went all day but the dreary weather definitely didn’t stop thousands of country fans from having a great time at this all day festival! Just like Warped Tour, there were vendors set up all along the concourse selling cowboy hats, boots, jewelry, and so much more! Bands also made stops at their tents throughout the day to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures. The best fan/band moment though, was definitely a wedding at Little Big Town’s “Little White Church”. The wedding was held on site by the band’s manager with the entire band attending as witnesses. The rain even held off for the whole ceremony! Finally, in the evening the most anticipated acts of the night went on on the main stage including, Jack Ingram, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, and Montogomery Gentry. Here are some photos that our friends at B105 took throughout the day.
To view more photos from B105 at Country Throwdown click HERE.
We hope you had a great time at the first ever Country Throwdown Tour! Be sure to visit us again June 6 for the Brad Paisley concert! And in case you’re wondering, YES, the lawn will be resodded so it’s fresh and new before the concert! In fact, I believe I saw the first truck of new sod arrive this morning! See you soon!
