(Courtesy: Des Moines Register)
▶ Metallica
Iowa Speedway in Newton (June 9)
Bang your head and
support a good cause by catching metal icons Metallica perform as part
of a fundraiser concert for the Ashton Kutcher and Dallas Clark
Iowa-centric non-profit The Native Fund.
Metallica returns to Iowa to perform at the disaster relief fundraiser
for the first time since 2008. The stadium tour, “WorldWired 2017,”
comes in support of the group’s 10th studio album, “Hardwired … to
Self-Destruct.” Also slated to perform is metal staple Avenged Sevenfold
and breakthrough hard rock act Volbeat. $59.50-$249.50.
More information at iowaspeedway.com.
While you’re there: Stay an
extra night and take in a movie at the Valle Drive-In cinema. The
double feature drive-in costs $8 and gates open for each show at 6:30
p.m.
▶ Willie Nelson and Family
Battery Park in Sioux City (June 10)
A country legend and American pop culture icon, Willie Nelson returns
to Iowa less than a year after headlining Hinterland Music Festival in
2016. Fighting off rumors of illness earlier this
year, Nelson, a Grammy Award and Gershwin Prize winner, is set to
release his latest studio album, “God’s Problem Child,” this spring.
Bonus: A copy of the record comes with each ticket to the Sioux City show.
$49.50-$99.50. More information at tickets.hardrockcasino siouxcity.com.
While you’re there:
Stay close to the venue and spend the night at the Hard Rock Hotel and
Casino, which features a rock ‘n’ roll dose of restaurants and bars.
▶ Diana Ross
McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids (July 9)
The queen of the Supremes, Diana Ross returns to Iowa as part of the
“In The Name Of Love” tour. A Kennedy Center honoree, Ross is known for
lending her iconic vocals to tracks such as “Endless Love,” “Stop! In
The Name Of Love” and “I’m Coming Out.” Ross last released a studio
album, “Diana Ross Sings Songs from The Wiz,” in 2015. $57-$147.
More information at mcgrathamphitheatre.com.
While you’re there: Visit
Lion Bridge Brewing Co., home of the Great American Beer Festival gold
medal-winning English mild ale Workmen’s Compensation. The Lion Bridge
taproom is open Wednesday-Sunday and special events are scheduled
throughout the summer.
▶ Kesha and the Creepies
Stir Cove in Council Bluffs (July 20)
Council Bluffs’ premier outdoor venue meets one of pop music’s most
spirited stars as Kesha returns to Iowa for a one-night-only show. Known
for pop anthems such as “Die Young,” “Tik Tok” and “We R Who We R,”
Kesha unveiled her backing band, The Creepies, in 2016 before embarking
on an intimate venue tour. Support on the bill comes from Atlas Genius.
$39-$128. More information at caesars.com/harrahscouncil- bluffs/shows.
While you’re there:
Cross over the Missouri River into Omaha (which, make no mistake, is
forever inferior to Des Moines) and go record shopping at Drastic
Plastic or Homer’s Music in the Old Market.
▶ Dawes
Codfish Hollow Barnstormers in Maquoketa (Aug. 2)
Indie rock outfit Dawes makes a return to Iowa’s favorite barn for a
show in the heat of summer. The 80/35 alum appears at the one-of-a-kind
eastern Iowa venue after the release of its third studio album, “We’re
All Gonna Die,” which folk publication American Songwriter named one of
the 50 best of 2016. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show is scheduled to
begin at 8 p.m.
$35-$40. More information at codfishhollow barnstormers.com.
While you’re there: Head outside and spend a day at the eye-opening Maquoketa Caves State Park, located about 13 miles from the venue.
Music legend Willie Nelson performs during Hinterland on Aug. 6, 2016, in St. Charles.
Diana Ross, pictured at home in April 1971, was the top-selling female
vocalist of 1970, the year of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
