Take advantage of one of the perks of living in Dayton and explore some of the entertainment our sister cities have to offer.
12 Concerts Worth The Drive
As a transplant to Dayton, one of the biggest advantages to living here that I noticed right away is one of the things I rarely hear people discuss when extolling the virtues of the Gem City - the location. Dayton is located in a fantastic place for entertainment, sports and food... if you are willing to drive a bit to experience them.
Maybe it's because I came from a city where it can take you an hour to drive ten miles, but I have never found the trek from Dayton to any of the major cities that surround it to be much of a bother. Dayton is practically a suburb of Cincinnati and Columbus, and Indianapolis isn't much further. I have even attended events in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and driven back to Dayton the same day. I like being able to experience the hustle and bustle of a bigger city, but leave the chaos behind and sleep in my own peaceful small-town bed.
Take advantage of one of the perks of living here and explore some of the entertainment our sister cities have to offer. These are some concerts I think are worth checking out:
1. AC/DC
March 23rd - Nationwide Arena - Columbus
Nothing really needs to be said about these guys right? They are an iconic rock band and may not tour again after this. Tickets
2. Billy Joel
April 5th - US Bank Arena - Cincinnati
The quintessential American song writer and story teller. Tickets
3. Bruce Springsteen
April 12th - Schottenstein Center - Columbus
It's The Boss! Enough said. Tickets
4. Garth Brooks
April 15th-17th, 22nd-24th - Schottenstein Center - Columbus
5. Picking up where he left off with his first tour in 13 years, this is one of the fastest selling concerts of the year. Tickets
5. Kiefer Southerland
April 26th - A and R Music Bar - Columbus
Did you know Kiefer had a band? Me either, but for twenty bucks you can be the one person and the party who has seen him perform. Think of the conversational value. Tickets
6. The Bunbury Music Festival
June 3rd-5th - Sawyer Point - Cincinnati
Ohio's premier music festival this year featuring The Killers, Florence and the Machine, Mudcrutch (a super group with Tom Petty and many others), Ice Cube, Tears for Fears and others. Tickets
7. Flight of the Concords
June 14 - Palace Theater - Columbus
Stars of the cult classic HBO comedy show of the same name. If you like musical comedy, these guys are two of the best. Tickets
8. Buckeye Country Superfest
June 18th and 19th - Ohio Stadium - Columbus
This is a two-day mega concert headlined by Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. Tickets
9. Jimmy Buffett
June 21st - Riverbend Music Center - Cincinnati
"She came down from Cincinnati"... Jimmy Buffett credits much of his success to the town of Cincinnati. The term Parrot Head was coined there. If you've never seen Buffett in Cincy, it's unlike anywhere else. Tickets
10. Sting and Peter Gabriel
June 21st - Nationwide Arena - Columbus
Two iconic rock front-men who went on to have mega successful solo careers, together on one stage! Tickets
11. Def Leppard
July 5th - Riverbend Music Center - Cincinnati
You don't realize how many hits these guys have had until you hear them live. If you enjoy 80's music, they are the soundtrack for the decade. Tickets
12. The Dave Mathews Band
July 8th - Nationwide Arena - Columbus
The Dave Mathews Band is one of the best live bands in the world. If you are a fan of great sounding "jam bands" you won't want to pass this up. Tickets
These are some of my favorites, but this list doesn't even really scratch the surface of the entertainment available right here within driving distance of Dayton. Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Rihanna, Nick Jonas, Guns N' Roses, and tons and tons of other artists are performing near us. Where else can you see Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen in the same week? Are you going to (or wish you were going to) any events in other cities this summer? We would love to hear about them!
