On Stage: Summer is here, so are music festivals

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

Memorial Day Weekend is here. That means the unofficial start of summer has arrived.

With summer and warm weather comes outdoor concerts. Fortunately for area music fans, the summer schedule of live outdoor shows features a plethora of great music.

The most ambitious series – the one with the most heavy hitters – is the 2025 Concerts Under the Stars series in King of Prussia, which has returned for its 39th season.

Presented and produced by Rising Sun Presents, the team behind the Philly suburbs’ premier music venues Ardmore Music Hall and 118 North in Wayne, the summer-long series will again take place at the scenic Upper Merion Township Building Park (175 West Valley Forge Road, King of  Prussia, www.concertsunderthestarskop.com) and will include a mix of ticketed and free concerts.

The series will get underway this weekend with a show by the Wood Brothers on May 23 followed by “An American Classic: Bruce vs. Petty” on June 6, Tommy Conwell & The Young Rumblers on June 8 and Steve Earle on June 13.

One of the highlights of the season will be on June 14 when Concerts Under the Stars presents “Aimee Mann: 22 1/2 Lost in Space Anniversary Tour.”

Aimee Mann’s “22 ½ Lost In Space Anniversary Tour” is a celebration of her critically acclaimed 2002 album, which includes the singles “Humpty Dumpty” and “Pavlov’s Bell.” The tour will feature live performances of the album’s tracks, supported by Jonathan Coulton, Mann’s longtime collaborator.

Mann’s most recent album, “Queens of the Summer Hotel” (2021), continues to showcase her distinct style, blending reflective lyrics with atmospheric sounds. The “Lost in Space” tour is expected to be a nostalgic and intimate experience, filled with both the raw emotion of her earlier work and the refined artistry she’s known for today.

Shows in Upper Merion for the remainder of June are Spafford on June 20, Jealousy Curve and Laura Shay on June 21 and Strand of Oaks on June 28.

July will start with a trio of shows at Heuser Park (694 West Beidler Road, King of Prussia,) – Lotus and Circle Around the Sun on July 3, Indigo Girls, Dar Williams and Milk Carton Kids on July 5 and railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain Stringband on July 6.

July’s schedule will also feature: 9, Leftover Salmon and Infamous Stringdusters; Phosphorescent, 10; Legendary Wailers and Jeffrey Gaines, 11; Trevor Hall, 19; The California Honeydrops, 20; The High Kings, 23; Grace Potter, 24; Tom Hamilton, 25; “Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew: Remain in Light,” 23; and Rachel & Vilray, 30.

August gets off to a booming start with local/national favorites Low Cut Connie on August 1, Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets on August 2 and “Paul Simon’s Graceland Experience” on August 8.

The rest of August includes: 13, Andy Frasco & the U.N.; 17, John Oates and Mutlu; and 30, Splintered Sunlight.

Two shows are listed for September – Mdou Moctar on the 13th and Robert Randolph on the 14th.

Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shows will be the lid lifter for the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts (9 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com) on May 31 with Jesse Ruben as the opening act.

The June schedule is: Over the Hillbillies, 6; Rhett Miller, 15; Livingston Taylor, 20; Chris Smither 21; and The Point 20 Year Reunion, 27.

The lineup for July features Steve Forbert on July 12, Trout Fishing in America on July 20, Downingtown native and Nashville luminary Liz Longley and Lucy Kaplansky on July 18, and Cheryl Wheeler and David Wilcox on July 25.

August will get underway with a “Folk Fest Preview Show” on August 1 followed by Darlingside on August 8.

There will be a welcomed return to the area by Stephen Kellogg on August 15 and an eagerly anticipated concert by Susan Werner on August 23.

The season will conclude with shows by Vienna Teng on August 30 and Ron Sexsmith on September 5.

East Whiteland Township (https://www.eastwhiteland.org) is presenting “The Chill on the Hill,” its free summer concert series presented by Rising Sun Presents!

Guests are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and friends for an evening of great music and community fun. All concerts take place at Valley Creek Park, which is located at 361 North Morehall Road in Malvern.

The series starts with Dean & Company with special guest Matt Santry on May 28 (not May 21 as on poster).

On June 18, WXPN welcomes Billy Allen & The Pollies with Sophie Coran.

The show on July 16 will be “Newport Folkfest – A Celebration of Newport ’65,” featuring performances inspired by Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and more.

The series finale on August 20 will feature Hermitage Green & Eddie 9V.

The Eagleview Town Center (Wharton Boulevard, Exton, www.ineagleview.com) will host its Summer Concert Series every Tuesday from June 3-August 26.

This series, which is in its 24th year, features a variety of performances, including the return of Entrain and Seth Walker. Concerts will take place from 7-9 p.m. Attendees can enjoy local food and drink vendors, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and the 50/50 raffle.

The series starts on June 3 with the concert by Entrain with Seth Walker while the July edition features Dale Hollow with Caroline Cotter on July 15.

On August 8, the twin bill features a national act – Cracker – and a local favorite — Cliff Hillis.

Cracker is an American rock band formed in 1990 by lead singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman.

The band’s first album, “Cracker,” was released in 1992 on Virgin Records. It included the single “Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now),” which went to Number 1 on the U.S. Modern Rock chart.

Rising Sun Presents! (risingsunpresents.com/outdoor-events) has three other outdoor concerts/concert series going this summer.

The Summer Sounds Concert Series at Spruce Street Harbor Park (301 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia).

On the last Saturday of each month, there will be a free concert featuring emerging and established bands from the Philadelphia region and beyond.

The 2025 schedule is:

May 31 – Rubblebucket;

June 28: TBD;

July 26 – Bartees Strange;

August 30: TBD;

September 27: The Dead Milkmen.

The concerts run from 7-10 p.m. and all ages are welcome.

There are also two Rising Sun Presents! one-day events – the Wayne Music Festival and “Ardmore Rock’N’Ride.”

The 10th Annual WXPN Wayne Music Festival (North Wayne Avenue, Wayne) will be held on June 7 starting from 1-10 p.m.

The free festival will feature live music on four stages along with a variety of food vendor options, beer gardens and family-friendly activities.

The performance schedule is:

Highmark Stage –

The Ocean Blue — 9 p.m.

Karina Rykman — 7 p.m.

Marielle Kraft — 5 p.m.

BlocoFunk — 3 p.m.

West Avenue Stage — Black Joe Lewis — 8 p.m.

Honey Island Swamp Band — 6 p.m.

Athensville — 4 p.m.

Fat Mezz — 2 p.m.

Xfininty Stage —

Wild Pink — 8 p.m.

Native Harrow — 6 p.m.

Wood Flower — 4 p.m.

Zoe Lemon — 2 p.m.

118 North —

Judah Kim — 6 p.m.

Ndichu — 4 p.m.

Reggae Thunder — 8 p.m.

There will also be the Wayne Music Fest After Party at 118 North at 10:30 p.m. with the Honey Island Swamp Band.

The “Ardmore Rock’N’Ride” is scheduled for August 10 starting at 10 a.m.

“Ardmore Rock’N’Ride – Main Line Bike Race & Music Festival” is a Community Fundraiser supporting Narberth Ambulance.

Featured acts at this year’s event are The Record Company, Nicole Atkins, Tommy Conwell & The HouseRockers, Oh He Dead, Nik Greeley & The Operators, Friends of Jerry, Andorra, Mighty Mystic, and Ocean Avenue Stompers.

The Rose Tree Summer Festival (Rose Tree Park, Route 252, Media, www.delcopa.gov/departments/parks) returns with a summer-long series of free outdoor shows from June 11-August 10 at the scenic park just north of Media.

The following is the season schedule for Delaware County’s 50th Annual Rose Tree Concert Series:

JUNE – 11, Delaware County Symphony; 12, The Fabulous Greaseband; 13, Minas Brazilian Jazz; 14, Rose Tree Pops; 15, Sensational Soul Cruisers; 18, Jimmy & the Parrots; and 19, Philly Gumbo; 20, Steve Pullara & Cool Beans; 21, Three Fourteen; 22, Chico’s Vibe; 25, Chester County Concert Band; 26, Four Lean Hounds; 27, Gilligan Yacht Rock; 28, Class of ’84; and 29, 22 Park Avenue.

JULY – 2, Variable Elements; 3, The Plants; 5, Tupelo Honey; 6, Blackbird Society Orchestra; 9, Angry Young Band; 10, Triple Rail Turn; 11, FuseBox; 12, Upper Darby Summer Stage; 13, Jersey Beach Boys; 16, Eco del Sur; 17, The Rockdale Boys; 18, Live Wire; 19, PA Symphonic Winds; 20, The Beat Tells; 23, Jamison Celtic Rock; 24, Merion Concert Band; 25, Barry Harris; 26, Van Halen Nation; 27, The Discoteks; 30, Lolly Hopwood & Friends; and 31, Mysterious Ways U2 Tribute.

AUGUST – 1, New Orleans Fish Fry; 2, Lonnie Shields & Jesse Loewy; 3, The Core – Music of Eric Clapton; 6, Reggae Thunder; 7, Cool Confusion; 8, Del’s Groove; 9, Barbershop’s Best; and 10, Six-String Soldiers.

Media’s Twilight Music Series offers a free evening of music once a month on The Green (The Community Center Lawn, Monroe Street between 3rd & 4th streets, Media, www.mediaartscouncil.org/twilight-music).

Sterling Pig Brewery is sponsoring the beer tent and you can bring a lawn chair or blanket or just relax on the lawn.

The 2025 schedule opens with Brian Kors & The Lone Star Revue on May 31.

The June edition will feature Steve Guyger & The Excellos and will take place on June 13 from 6-8 p.m.

On July 11, The Green will host Ensemble Novo.

The concert on August 1 features Little Red Rooster and the show on September 13 will have bluegrass music (band TBD).

The season finale, which is slated for October 18, has a double feature with Stackabones and Cordelia Blue.

Now through July 71, Bristol Riverside Theatre (120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, www.brtstage.org) presents another edition of its “William Penn Bank Summer Music Fest.”

The first show will be “Beatles vs. Stones; A Musical Showdown” from June 25-29.

The second show, which runs from July 16-20, will be “Purple Xperience” from July 16-20.

The final show in the 2025 series will be “Oy Vey! It’s The Calamari Sisters” from July 23-27.

There are also many indoor concerts on the schedule for May.

Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) will present Drivetime on May 23.

Then, it’s Clarence Spady’s turn to step into the spotlight.

The Clarence Spady Band will be the headline act on May 24 and the Spady will perform with the Philly Blues Kings at the Sunday Blues Brunch & Jam on May 25.

This event features many of the top regional and national players every week and welcomes amateurs and weekend warriors to join on stage to celebrate the beautiful heritage of the blues.

The open mic jam runs from 1-3 p.m. with the featured band playing a set from noon-1 p.m.

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) is presenting “A Night of Rock” featuring Hive Mind, Ephemera and Sam & the Vampire.

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, www.ardmoremusic.com)

22, Matteo Mancuso; 23, The Innocence Mission on May 23, Melt With You on May 24, David Cross on May 28 and Gimme Gimme Disco on May 30.

This weekend, the Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, www.elktonmusichall.com) will host Red Birds on May 23 and Bostyx on May 24.

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com) will present OMD on May 24, Corinne Baily Rae on May 28 and Let’s Sing Taylor on May 31.

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) has a busy schedule at the end of May — 23, Darrel Scott with Chris Rafter; 24, Mikey Junior Band; 25, The Levin Brothers; 27, Bywater Call; 28, The Sweet Remains; 29, The Machine; 30, Nellie McKay; 3and 1, Home Again.

World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, www.worldcafelive.com) also has an ambitious the remainder of May — 23, Carsie Blanton; 23, Alaina Stacey; 24, The Quincy Jones Experience; 28, West 22nd; 28, BeauSoleil; 29, Mei Simones; 30, Maggie Mae; 30: The Session R&B Jam; and 31, Heartless Bastards.