Lady Gaga's tour inspires Monster size pop concerts

Call it the Gaga Effect.

It wasn't until Lady Gaga unveiled her wildly ambitious Monster Ball Tour that her fame reached monstrous levels. The massive production numbers, augmented by dance troupes, enormous stage props and, of course, dramatic costumes, took her from singer with a pop hit to queen of pop culture faster than you could say, "Ga ga, ooh la la."

So it's no surprise that a whole flock of stars are super-sizing their concert experiences this summer to latch onto some of that buzz. Gaga promises a whole new show that's "more of a musical and less of a concert" for this summer's tour, which includes stops at Madison Square Garden July 6, 7 and 9. (Gaga is so hot that she's already sold out return dates in February.)

But she will find far more competition in terms of big-production shows this time around, even after the high-profile postponement of the Christina Aguilera tour, which was set to stop at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater July 28, and the U2 360 Tour, which was set for New Meadowlands Stadium July 19. The U2 tour, postponed to 2011 so Bono can recover from emergency back surgery, had been billing itself as "the largest rock and roll touring production ever" and was 2009's biggest tour (it grossed $311.6 million).

Rihanna is also pulling out all the stops for her Last Girl on Earth Tour, which is scheduled for Madison Square Garden Aug. 12 and Nikon at Jones Beach Theater Aug. 15. "We've never done a tour to this capacity," she says in a statement. "The production is unbelievable and the costumes, we just took it to a whole new level. Visually and sonically it's going to be a big step up from the last time. We just keep growing, and this time it is a massive production that I cannot wait for."

And Sting's "Symphonicity" Tour, which stops at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater July 27, will feature him backed by 45 members of the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

The bigger-is-better model fits into the current state of the concert business, even though so many other industries are scaling back. Music industry experts say that, despite the tough economic times, people still need to have fun. And though many music fans may be cutting back this summer, they're willing to spend some cash on the one big, can't-miss show, even if they might not attend their usual two or three shows for the season.

SEE PHOTOSLady Gaga through the years

Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino says he expects his company to sell more tickets this year than last year, even though the number of concerts will be about the same. In a recent conference call, Rapino said the company, which recently merged with Ticketmaster, and owns Nikon at Jones Beach Theater and the Theatre at Westbury, is focusing on how to set prices for these big shows that reflect what fans are willing to pay ticket brokers for prime seats, while not setting prices for other seats so high that they keep fans away. "It's much more important to figure out how to capture the $1 billion in up-sell on the face value of tickets - whether it's seat maps, dynamic pricing or just convincing the band that the front row is worth $400, not $100," Rapino says. "Our first goal is to figure out how to price the house right."

The quest for bigger concert draws is also leading to a growth in the number and size of package tours this summer. In addition to perennial powerhouse the Vans Warped Tour - which stops at Nassau Coliseum July 17 and includes All-American Rejects and the Rocket Summer - the Honda Civic Tour, featuring Paramore, Tegan and Sara, and New Found Glory, comes to Jones Beach Aug. 6. The new Bamboozle Road Show, featuring Boys Like Girls, Good Charlotte and LMFAO, among others, will make its Nassau Coliseum debut June 26.

However, not all packages are doing well. Last week, Sarah McLachlan admitted to Billboard that ticket sales for Lilith Fair - which returns this summer after an 11-year break and will stop at the PNC Bank Arts Center July 31 - have been "pretty soft."

Her solution is to add more star power, including Mary J. Blige, Rihanna and Selena Gomez.

SEE PHOTOSChristina Aguilera now and then

Make it bigger? Gaga would, no doubt, approve.

This summer's hottest headliners 

Dixie Chicks (June 10 at New Meadowlands Stadium)

Though the Eagles are the headliners, the Chicks will certainly get a lot of attention for their first tour since 2006, as well as for the new material that Martie Maguire and Emily Robison did as Court Yard Hounds this year, while singer Natalie Maines remained on hiatus.

James Taylor and Carole King (June 15-16 and 30 at Madison Square Garden)

Two legends performing a set of each other's classics - from "Sweet Baby James" to "It's Too Late" - together. What could be more magical than that?

The National (June 16 at Radio City Music Hall)

The Brooklyn-based quintet is set for a grand homecoming to celebrate the release of one of the year's best albums, "High Violet," and what should be its breakthrough single, "Blood Buzz Ohio." The National also plays July 27 at the Prospect Park Bandshell.

New Pornographers (June 19 at Terminal 5)

The indie-popsters mix things up on the new "Together" album. Will the group's single, "Your Hands (Together)," still sound like their phalanx of great singers sweetly harmonizing over a Black Sabbath track when done in concert? Isn't that possibility reason enough to go?

Taking Back Sunday (June 23 at Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza)

Reuniting the "Tell All Your Friends"-era lineup of Taking Back Sunday has sparked a lot of new material, which the Rockville Centre-based band is eager to try out for fans before heading into the studio to record it.

"The Bamboozle Road Show" (June 26 at Nassau Coliseum)

With headliners Boys Like Girls, Good Charlotte and LMFAO and a dozen other bands, The Bamboozle Road Show will have the indie-leaning pop-rock market cornered, guaranteeing a day of irresistible hooks and guitar riffs.

Maxwell and Erykah Badu (June 26 at Madison Square Garden)

The crooner re-established himself at the head of the neo-soul class with his fluttering falsetto on "Pretty Wings" and his exquisite "BLACKsummer's Night" album. Badu ignited controversy with her "Window Seat" video, meaning both halves of the tour will be must-sees.

Passion Pit (June 29 at Prospect Park)

The deluxe edition of the band's "Manners" album released last month should boost the band's profile for this tour enough to bring the synth-pop anthems "Sleepyhead" and "The Reeling" to a wider audience. They also play Water Taxi Beach on Governors Island June 30.

Lady Gaga (July 6, 7 and 9 at Madison Square Garden)

Lady Gaga has crafted a completely different tour from her last pass through town in January. The bigger venue lets Ga and her Haus of Gaga cohorts play on an even grander scale, which they will, no doubt, exploit, as they did on the epic video for "Telephone."

Rufus Wainwright (July 11 at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center)

Though the making of his "All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu" album will always be tied to his mother's illness and death, Wainwright taps into lighter moments in the songs' live performances. He plays Prospect Park Bandshell July 20, as well.

The Hard Fest (July 24 at Governors Island)

With M.I.A. headlining and buzzed-about breakthrough artists Sleigh Bells and Rye Rye among the openers, Hard Fest will be one of the summer's most-anticipated shows. Expectations are already running high for her upcoming album, after the radical departure "Born Free" and its ultraviolent video and the groovy single "XXXO," but as M.I.A. has in the past, she will likely surpass even the highest hopes.

The Black Keys (July 27-28 at SummerStage)

With its new album "Brothers," the Akron, Ohio, duo has broken new ground - both in its sound, which now includes some lovely '60s soul, and in its popularity. This summer tour should cement both gains and help establish the Black Keys as one of the breakthrough artists of the year.

Rihanna (Aug. 12 at Madison Square Garden)

With her "Last Girl on Earth" tour, Rihanna promises her biggest production yet, as she gets set to uncork her latest single, "Rock Star." To add to the buzz, Ke$ha is set to open. The tour is also scheduled for Nikon at Jones Beach Theater Aug. 15. 

The lineup of summer concerts

POP

La Roux (June 7, doors open at 7 p.m.). Terminal 5, $25, terminal5nyc.com, 212-260-4700

Backstreet Boys (June 10 at 8 p.m.). Hammerstein Ballroom, $42.50-$72.50, ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000

New Kids on the Block (June 17-19 at 8 p.m.). Radio City Music Hall, $59.50- $99.50, radiocity.com, 212-247-4777

Mat Kearney (July 17 at 7 p.m.). Hiro Ballroom, $25 advance, $30 day of show, ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000. Also, July 24 at 8 p.m., at YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, $22, boultoncenter.org, 631-969-1101

Cyndi Lauper (July 23-24 at 8:30 p.m.). Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, $125-$175, whbpac.org, 631-288-1500

Justin Bieber (Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.). Madison Square Garden, $29.50-$69.50, thegarden.com, 212-465-6741

'IDOLS'

Jordin Sparks (June 10 at 8 p.m.). Nokia Theatre Times Square, $30, nokiatheatrenyc.com, 212-930-1950

Adam Lambert (June 22-23 at 8 p.m.). Nokia Theatre Times Square, $35, nokiatheatrenyc.com, 212-930-1950

American Idols Live (July 7 at 7:30 p.m.). Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, $50.50- 70.50, livenation.com, 516-221-1000

Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard (Aug. 11 at 8 p.m.). Hammerstein Ballroom, $42.50-$72.50, ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000

ROCK

Stars (June 4 at 8 p.m.). Music Hall of Williamsburg, $25, musichallofwilliamsburg.com, 212-260-4700

Broken Bells (June 5 at 8 p.m.). Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, $35, livenation.com, 212-777-6800

Gaslight Anthem (June 15 at 7 p.m.). Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, $26.50, livenation.com, 212-777-6800

Silversun Pickups and Against Me! (June 25 at 6:30 p.m.). Williamsburg Waterfront, $35, ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000

Weezer (July 16 at 7 p.m.). Williamsburg Waterfront, $54, ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000

Warped Tour with All-American Rejects, Rocket Summer, We the Kings and more (July 17 at noon). Nassau Coliseum, $36.50, nassaucoliseum.com, 516-794-9300

MGMT (Aug. 17-18 at 8 p.m.). Radio City Music Hall, $39.50, radiocity.com, 212-247-4777

R&B / HIP-HOP

Patti LaBelle (June 3 at 8 p.m.). B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, $152, bbkingblues.com, 212-997-4144

50 Cent (June 22 at 8 p.m.). Hammerstein Ballroom, $55-$75, ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000

OkayAfrica featuring The Roots and Talib Kweli (July 11 at 4 p.m.). Prospect Park Bandshell, $3, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate, 718-855-7882

Nas and Damian Marley (July 31 at 7 p.m.). Williamsburg Waterfront, $39.50, ticket master.com, 800-745-3000

Sharon Jones & Dap Kings (Aug. 7 at 7 p.m.). Prospect Park Bandshell, free ($3 suggested donation), bricartsmedia.org/celebrate, 718-855-7882

COUNTRY / FOLK

Dave Rawlings Machine (June 2-3 at 8 p.m.). Bowery Ballroom, $25, boweryballroom .com, 212-260-4700

Patty Griffin (June 8-9 at 8 p.m.). Town Hall, $28.50- $68.50, the-townhall-nyc.org

Steve Earle and Allison Moorer (July 8, 16 and 29, Aug. 5 at 9 p.m.). City Winery, $45-65, citywinery.com, 212-608-0555

Great South Bay Music Festival (July 9 at 5 p.m., July 10-11 at noon). Shorefront Park, $16-$24, greatsouthbaymusic festival.com, 631-331-0808

Willie Nelson (July 28 at 8 p.m.). Radio City Music Hall, $49.50-$129.50, radiocity.com, 212-247-4777

Lyle Lovett (Aug. 14 at 8:30 p.m.). Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, $125-$200, whbpac.org, 631-288-1500

CLASSIC ROCK

Psychedelic Furs (June 4 at 7:30 p.m.). Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, $36.50, livenation.com, 212-777-6800

'SummerStage Gala: The Music of Simon and Garfunkel' featuring Aimee Mann, Shawn Colvin, Dean and Britta (June 8 at 8 p.m.). Central Park SummerStage, $69-$2,500, summerstage.org, 212-360-2777

Sting (July 13-14 at 8 p.m.). Metropolitan Opera, $20-$350. Also July 27 at Jones Beach

John Waite (June 17 at 8 p.m.). YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, $45, boultoncenter.org, 631-969-1101

Ringo Starr (June 30 at 8 p.m.). Theatre at Westbury. Also, Radio City Music Hall, $44.50-$84.50, radiocity.com, 212-247-4777, on July 7

Crowded House (July 19-21 at 7:30 p.m.). Bowery Ballroom, $56, boweryballroom.com, 212-260-4700

JAZZ / BLUES

Holmes Brothers (June 6 at 8 p.m.). City Winery, $18-$25, citywinery.com, 212-608-0555

Norah Jones (June 9 at 8 p.m.). Prospect Park Bandshell, $325-$1,000 gala, free to the public concert, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate, 718-855-7882

'Herbie Hancock, Seven Decades' featuring Bill Cosby, india.arie and Terence Blanchard (June 24 at 8 p.m.). Carnegie Hall, $35-$100, carnegiehall.org, 212-247-7800

Harry Connick Jr. (July 15-19, 21-26 at 8 p.m.). Neil Simon Theatre, $50-$135, neilsimontheatre.com, 212-757-8646

Riverhead Blues Festival (July 17-18 at 11 a.m.). Downtown Riverhead behind East Main Street and Peconic Avenue along the Peconic River, $16 two-day pass, $10 one-day pass, riverblues.org, 631-727-5782

WORLD

A.R. Rahman (June 11 at 8:30 p.m.). Nassau Coliseum, $46.50-$246.50, nassaucoliseum.com, 516-794-9300

Baaba Maal (June 14 at 7 p.m.). Central Park SummerStage, free, summerstage.org, 212-360-2777

Buena Vista Social Club (June 24 at 7:30 p.m.). Prospect Park Bandshell, $3, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate, 718-855-7882

Ozomatli (July 9 at 7 p.m.). Prospect Park Bandshell, free ($3 suggested donation), bricartsmedia.org/celebrate, 718-855-7882

FREE

Apples in Stereo (June 26 at 8 p.m.). South Street Seaport, rivertorivernyc.com

River to River's Bang on a Can Marathon (June 27 at noon). World Financial Center Winter Garden, artsworldfinancialcenter.com, 212-945-0505

Beth Orton (June 30 at 7 p.m.). Rockefeller Park, rivertorivernyc.com, 212-417-2000

Mose Allison (June 30 at 7 p.m.). Madison Square Park, madisonsquarepark.org, 212-538-1884

Jen Chapin (July 23 at 8:30 p.m.). Heckscher Park, huntingtonarts.org, 631-271-8423

Who's coming to Jones Beach?

June 11 - 8 p.m. Jethro Tull

June 19 - 7 p.m. Foreigner and Styx

June 22 - 7:30 p.m. Scorpions

June 26 - 7 p.m. Yes / Peter Frampton

July 7 - 7:30 p.m. American Idols Live

July 9 - 7 p.m. 311 and the Offspring

July 10 - 8 p.m. Chicago and the Doobie Brothers

July 14 - 7:30 p.m. Meat Loaf

July 18 - 7:30 p.m. Santana with Steve Winwood

July 20 - 7 p.m. Sublime with Rome

July 21-22 - 7:30 p.m. John Mayer

July 24 - 8 p.m. Rush

July 27 - 8 p.m. Sting featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra

July 30 - 7 p.m. Goo Goo Dolls with Switchfoot

Aug. 6 - 8 p.m. Paramore

Aug. 8 - 6 p.m. KTU's Beatstock (lineup TBD)

Aug. 11 - 7:30 p.m. Maroon 5

Aug. 14 - 6:30 p.m. KISS

Aug. 15 - 8 p.m. Rihanna with Ke$ha

Aug. 17-18 - 7:30 p.m. Phish

Aug. 19 - 7 p.m. David Gray and Ray LaMontagne

Aug. 20 - 8 p.m. Crosby, Stills and Nash

Aug. 21 - 7 p.m. Jonas Brothers with Demi Lovato

Aug. 24 - 7:30 p.m. Creed

Aug. 31 - 8 p.m. Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band

Tickets are available at the theater box office, through Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com. For more information, check livenation.com or call 516-221-1000.