August is here, and it’s the busiest month in concerts in the Garden State. With artists like Ice Spice, Slipknot, Shinedown, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and Sublime with Rome coming to New Jersey, it’s set to be one of the most diverse music months in the state as well.
August 1: Ice Spice at Wellmont Theater, Montclair
The Wellmont Theater is pulling a huge star in the pop world here, with Ice Spice performing in Montclair on her ‘Y2K! World Tour’ as part of the release of her new record. The album features many songs about farting, which I didn’t want to write, but it’s the truth.
August 1: Highly Suspect at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park
That’s better – Highly Suspect is hitting the Indoor Pony to start the month, along with Weakened Friends, for their ‘Summertime Voodoo’ tour. Tickets are still available at the door for $45.
August 1: Train & REO Speedwagon at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
The amphitheaters are in full swing in Jersey with Train and REO Speedwagon coming around with a co-headline for their ‘Summer Road Trip’ tour.
August 1: Backyard Superheroes at Crossroads, Garwood
Crossroads is getting another good one here as Backyard Superheroes, The Schwamm, Eye Defy, and Beat Brigade are teaming up for a ska night. You might remember Backyard Superheroes from their times at Skanksgiving at Starland Ballroom.
August 2: Iration & Pepper at Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park
There are a ton of Summer Stage shows this month, and they start with a huge reggae one featuring a co-headline between Iration and Pepper, who just headlined the Great South Bay Music Festival, along with guests DENM and Artikal Sound System.
August 2: Hootie & the Blowfish at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
Hootie & the Blowfish are stopping by the heart of New Jersey on their ‘Summer Camp with Trucks’ tour. They’ll be at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden on August 16th.
August 2: Jason Aldean at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden
Camden is getting on the board with a country show to start off the month – the first of many country shows in New Jersey heading down the stretch.
August 3: Earth, Wind, and Fire & Chicago at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
A great co-headline is swinging by Holmdel as Earth, Wind, & Fire, along with Chicago, continue on their ‘Heart & Soul’ tour.
August 3: The Doobie Brothers at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden
Tough choice, however, with The Doobie Brothers performing the same night in Camden. They’ll be at the PNC Bank Arts Center on August 6.
August 4: Sad Summer Festival at Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park
The Sad Summer Festival is stopping in New Jersey for its fifth anniversary, this time back to smaller GA-only venues. Mayday Parade and The Maine are sharing the headlining bill, with support from The Wonder Years, We the Kings, Real Friends, Knuckle Puck, Hot Milk, Daisy Grenade, and Diva Bleach. A full preview is coming this weekend.
August 4: Black Eyed Peas at Ovation Hall, Atlantic City
A blast from the past, I guess, as the Black Eyed Peas are hitting up Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino in AC.
August 5: Five Finger Death Punch at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
A fun show from FFDP is coming to Holmdel on Monday night!
August 5: Green Day at Citi Field, NYC
It’s not New Jersey, but Green Day are coming to Citi Field in Queens with a huge tour featuring The Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, and The Linda Lindas.
August 6: The Beach Boys at Ocran City Music Pier, Ocean City
The Beach Boys are headed back to Ocean City for the second straight year on the ‘Endless Summer Gold’ tour. They have already played multiple shows in the state, including PNC Bank Arts Center and Barefoot Country Music Festival.
August 7: Creed at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
Creed is back, performing in NJ on their reunion tour! The ‘Summer of ‘99’ tour is one of multiple stops they’ll be at in the area, including a show at Madison Square Garden later this year.
August 8: New Kids on the Block at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
PNC is getting all the reunions with New Kids on the Block also returning, along with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
August 9: Missy Elliott at Prudential Center, Newark
First arena show of the month is Missy Elliott at the PruCenter on her ‘Out of This World’ tour.
August 9: Whiskey Myers at Etess Arena, Atlantic City
Told you there’d be more country and southern rock. Whiskey Myers, along with Blackberry Smoke, are hitting Etess Arena at the Hard Rock in AC. They’ll also be at the Stone Pony Summer Stage on August 21st.
August 10: Emo Night Brooklyn at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park
Feels like I have to put this on here every month, it’s a great show. 21+ only at the Indoor Pony.
August 10: Slipknot at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden
Freedom Mortgage seems to get some of the more unique shows in the state, including this one: Slipknot’s ‘Here Comes the Pain’ 25th anniversary tour.
August 10: Shrek Rave at House of Independents, Asbury Park
This is not a huge show, but I feel like I needed to put this one in here for some reason. It’ll probably be a great time.
August 14: Donavon Frankenreiter at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park
Donavon Frankenreiter is bringing Texas to The Stone Pony with Goodnight, Texas. Tickets are still available.
August 14: Thirty Seconds to Mars at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden
Thirty Seconds to Mars are bringing their ‘Seasons World Tour’ to Camden this August, along with AFI. One of those shows where the opener is the star – or is it? I’m not supposed to say that on such a prestigious news outlet.
August 16: The Gaslight Anthem at the Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park
Not far from Red Bank where The Gaslight Anthem’s lead singer, Brian Fallon is from, this hometown show is set to be one of the best all year. The ‘History Books’ tour show is the first to sell out on tour, and features openers Joyce Manor and Pinkshift.
August 16: Boyz II Men at Borgata Event Center, Atlantic City
Boyz II Men are stopping in AC at the Borgata! They’ll also be at Soundside Festival this September.
August 17: Dierks Bentley at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden
More country is coming to Camden with Dierks Bentley on the ‘Gravel & Gold’ tour.
August 17: Gwen Stefani at Etess Arena, Atlantic City
Gwen Stefani, lead singer of No Doubt, who recently came back together at Coachella Festival, is doing a solo show at Etess Arena at the Hard Rock!
August 17: Kenny Chesney & Zac Brown Band at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
When we said country is coming to New Jersey this month, this is really what we meant. Kenny Chesney and the Zac Brown Band, along with Megan Moroney and Uncle Kraker, are coming to the Garden State for the ‘Sun Goes Down’ tour.
August 20: Lake Street Dive at Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park
Lake Street Dive are coming back to the Stone Pony Summer Stage after their North2Shore performance in June was rained out. Alisa Amador will also be returning.
August 20: Gin Blossoms & Toad the Wet Sprocket at Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Red Bank
Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket are playing the biggest show this venue has seen in a while, which is great because it’s an awesome venue to see a show! Vertical Horizon are also joining them on tour.
August 21: Bush at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
Bush, along with BONES (who just played at the PNC), Jerry Cantrell, and Candlebox are coming to Holmdel on Bush’s greatest hits tour.
August 23: Something Corporate at Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park
Yes, Something Corporate is back, and they sold out the 4500-person Summer Stage in about five minutes, if that. This show is the start of the biggest weekend on the Summer Stage this year. Hidden in Plain View is also back, opening up this show.
August 24: New Found Glory at Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park
New Found Glory, along with Sincere Engineer, are coming to Asbury for the 20th anniversary of ‘Catalyst,’ which New Found Glory will be playing in full.
August 24: Cage the Elephant at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
One of the most stacked bills this month is coming to Holmdel: Cage the Elephant, Young the Giant, and Bakar – three must-see bands.
August 25: Sublime with Rome at Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park
The weekend closes out with Sublime with Rome’s final show in New Jersey, now that the original Sublime is back with Bradley Nowell’s son.
August 29: Avril Lavigne at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden
Avril Lavigne is playing her greatest hits in Camden along with pop-punk group Simple Plan for a great billing.
August 30: Tramps Like Us at Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park
New Jersey’s #1 Bruce Springsteen tribute, Tramps Like Us, are headlining Asbury Lanes this August.
August 30: Koe Wetzel at Etess Arena, Atlantic City
Koe Wetzel, who just released a great new album, is coming to Etess Arena at the Hard Rock on the ‘Damn Near Normal’ tour.
August 31: Deep Purple at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
Deep Purple, who just released a new record, are coming to Holmdel, celebrating 50 years of their biggest hit, ‘Smoke on the Water.’
August 31: Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park
What better way to end the month than Southside Johnny? Oh right, there isn’t. Labamba & the Hubcaps are opening the annual Southside Johnny show.
NJ Music Festivals 