Rock out this summer

Big band names to appear in Van Andel Arena and surrounding areas in next few months

Summer Rocking: Several bands will be around Michigan this summer, including the American Idol Live! Tour, which will be at Van Andel Arena on July 3. Courtesy of MCT Photos

For students staying in Big Rapids this summer who are looking for something to do, there is a star-studded lineup this concert season in the surrounding area.

Nickelback will be bringing their Dark Horse World Tour to Van Andel Arena on May 19. Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, and Sick Puppies will accompany them on the tour.Daughtry is currently on the second leg of their U.S. arena tour. The tour also has special guest Lifehouse and opening band Cavo. They will be at Van Andel on May 28.

For those willing to drive a few hours out of town, several big- name concert venues are occurring in the Detroit and Chicago areas.

For American Idol fans, the American Idols Live! Tour kicks off its 49-city spree on July 1 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills. The tour then heads to Van Andel Arena on July 3 and then the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 30.

The annual trek will feature the show’s top 10 finalists: Didi Benami, Crystal Bowersox, Lee Dewyze, Andrew Garcia, Casey James, Aaron Kelly, Michael Lynche, Siobhan Magnus, Katie Stevens, and Tim Urban.

Vans Warped Tour features over 170 different bands and will be at Comerica Park in Detroit on July 30 and at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill.

For more information about which bands will be playing at each location, visit vanswarpedtour.com/warpedtour/index/asp.

The Bamboozle Music Festivals are a series of concerts that take place in various cities. Bamboozle Chicago included bands such as Something Corporate, Cobra Starship, and 3Oh!3. The concert took place on May 15 at the Charter One Pavilion.

The Bamboozle Roadshow will be in Clarkston, Mich. at DTE Energy Music Theatre on June 15. Performing bands include All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Forever the Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, and Hellogoodbye.

For more information on the Bamboozle Music Festivals, visit thebamboozle.ning.com.

Country music fans are going to have to travel a little farther for concerts. Country U.S.A. Music Festival will take place in Oshkosh, Wis. June 22 through June 26. Featured artists include Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, Lonestar, and many more.

For more information, visit countryusa.oshkosh.com/index.cfm.