Those local to the Dirty T know all too well that even though Tucson does have occasional moments of greatness, there isn’t a whole lot to do around here a lot of the time. Newcomers to this oh-so-glorious city will come to realize this soon enough.
Due to Tucson’s miserably hot weather and occasionally depressing nature, individuals looking for a way to pass time must take part in such unique activities as hiking, going to the movies and attending concerts.
One thing about the Dirty T is that even though we may not get the household names that tend to grace the Phoenix concert scene, a surprising amount of high-quality shows and performers still make their way to Tucson. So, if you find yourself in desperate search of something to spend money on at any time during these next few months, give one of these concerts a try.
Alice Cooper
If you’re in the mood for some good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll and maybe a shock or two, check out Alice Cooper at the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol this Friday, Aug. 26. Some consider Cooper “The Godfather of Shock Rock,” and you just never know what you may get to see at one of his shows.
Coheed and Cambria
No better venue exists in the entire country to see a concert than Tucson’s own historic Rialto Theatre. On Sept. 18, check out Coheed and Cambria, a progressive rock band from New York , at the historic venue. They’ll surely bring down the house.
Thrice
That may do it for September, but the Rialto does not let up in October as rock band Thrice hits the stage Oct. 5. Their high energy combined with frontman Dustin Kensrue’s beautiful vocals will surely give the audience something to remember.
YG
If you’re in the mood for a little bit of rap, West Coast hip-hop artist YG will have you covered when he spits his way onto the Rialto stage Sept. 24.
Mac Miller
Now, this is a big one, especially for Tucson, and even more especially for the Rialto. Mac Miller will take the stage Nov. 15 in what will surely become a sold-out show. Besides, as the presidential election goes underway, Miller’s song “Donald Trump” may begin to take on a whole new meaning.
The Naked and Famous
Mosey your way on down to the Rialto to see indie-electronic New Zealanders The Naked and Famous in concert—the perfect way to satisfy your thirst if you happen to be one of those people eagerly awaiting some good-old-fashioned New Zealand-inspired electronic-indie music. Look no further.
AWOLNATION
If The Naked and Famous could not quite satisfy your electronic-indie desires, make sure to check out AWOLNATION at the Rialto on Oct. 12. If your thirst hasn’t been quenched at that point, there may be no hope for you.
Neil Young
All of these young musicians may be too much for some people to handle, which is alright because Tucson also loves classic musicians. Neil Young will perform at the AVA Amphitheater Oct. 6. The classic songwriter, known for hits like “Old Man” and “Heart of Gold,” has been around for a while, but will definitely prove that he is still worth seeing.
There you have it. Hopefully, this will keep both the concert junkies and one-time attendees at bay for the next few months. Apart from these, Tucson will see many other worthwhile concerts, so make sure to check those out, too. Tucson may not have everything bigger cities can offer, but we can still make the most of it.
Follow Alec Kuehnle on Twitter.
