This year of 2016 has been an interesting year of music. Beyonce, Rihanna, Kanye West, and Drake all released albums this year, Prince was sent to musical heaven and Frank Ocean is no longer in hiding but WE AIN'T GOT THE ALBUM! In the bliss of all this new music glory, I have my five summer concerts that I'm dying to go and/or already going to. I'm planning to get them summer work hours up and get the money for these tickets.
5. Boyz II Men & En Vogue (Stir Cove-Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel)
This is such a big deal for me because one, they both are coming to my state siblings, (Nebraska and Iowa are very different, yet close) and two, both groups are legends and I will probably never get the chance to see them live ever again. These are the groups that I hear my mom and her girlfriends talk about when they reminisce about their teen years. To add more icing on the strawberry cake is that both still vocally have it and I'm going to relive what my mom experienced. The show is on Friday, Sept. 9 at 8:00pm rain or shine. Tickets are around $38 and you can purchase them at Ticketmaster and it is an all ages show. (For anyone who has never been to a show at the Stir Cove, you'll be outside on the fake grass by the casino part of the hotel.)
4. Diana Ross (Orpheum Theater)
The Queen herself is coming to Omaha and will grace us with her presence. I'm beyond excited for this since she is in my hometown and again, this experience will never happen again for a very long time. The Orpheum Theater has selected seats and they range from high to low from the balcony to the lower bowl seats. The prices are for level one, $129.50, level two, $89.50, and level three, $69.50. Rumor has it that he level one seats are close to being sold out. So, get them while you can.
3. Drake & Future Summer Sixteen Tour
The leaders of the sensitive rappers/singers committee decided to join as a duo for this Summer Sixteen tour. It makes sense from the quick success of their "What a Time to be Alive" mixtape. I'm a fan of both, more Drake than Future (If we're being honest) but I would be interested in seeing how the show would go. I'm still deciding if I'm for Drake's new album, "Views" but Future's "Dirty Sprite 2" became an instant fave for me. Their tour dates are a wide range of cities and they are coming close enough for me to drive (Still no Nebraska yet)! They just recent;y added new dates and the closest shows to me are July 23rd in Kansas City and October 4th in Des Moines. Add this to your calendars!
2. Bae, The Creator AKA Tyler, The Creator (Sokol Auditorium)
I've seen this man twice already, both in San Antonio, TX, and him coming to my hometown has been a big deal for me. He rarely goes to the Midwest and when he does, it's more towards Texas or a little to west/east. My friends finally get to see what I always talk about. His shows are ful of energy and he has amazing props on stage. You can't miss this one!
Caution for all the new fans or anyone who is seeing him for the first time: it will be hot as hell because you're sharing a venue with pre-teens and majority of his shows are general admission. His shows are similar to punk/rock shows so be prepared for the mosh pits, little kids punching and kicking and if you can't deal with that, go in the far back or move towards the far sides. For the ladies, dress comfy, you can still be cute, but with all the chaos, you do not want to bust your tail in heels, or lose any part of your outfit. Dress as if your going to a festival but knock that down two notches. The tickets are $30 and you can get them online at etix or physically at Homer's Music & Gifts.
1. The Formation World Tour
Y'all I'm still sipping on that lemonade like:
This is my favorite era of Beyonce and I'm determined to see her perform live. I've cheated and have seen some footage on tumblr, which gets my hyped up. She always puts on a damn amazing show and I know she will have surprises that I'll die for; and her merchandise!
Look at the shade! She's selling boycott Beyonce t-shirt!
The show that is somewhat the closest to me is the St. Louis show but she is continuing to add more dates and I will take what I can get! I'm going to make sure to get tickets and y'all better get yours!
Those are my 5 summer concerts that I'm going to/trying to go to. Enjoy this summer with some lemonade and treat yo' self to these concerts!
