Summer 2014 concert season could be record-breaker

Get ready for the biggest concert season in decades.

Combine a growing economy, a bunch of new venues and a long line of superstars hitting the road, separately and in package tours, and you have the makings for quite the summer.

According to Billboard, the 2014 summer season is shaping up to be the biggest since 1994, when 9 million fans hit 214 stadium concerts that grossed $337 million. With Beyoncé and Jay Z, Rihanna and Eminem, One Direction, and Romeo Santos all set for area stadium shows, and Billy Joel, Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan all set for other stadium dates, that record could fall this summer. After all, Beyoncé and Jay Z's "On the Run" tour sold 500,000 tickets in three days earlier this month.

Michael Rapino, Live Nation's president and CEO, said stadium concerts are up 50 percent this year over last year. He said concert revenue is up overall because there have been more arena shows and higher attendance at those shows. "Coming off a record year in 2013, we are off to a strong start," he said in a statement. However, the growth isn't limited to major players like Live Nation, which handles Nikon at Jones Beach Theater and NYCB Theatre at Westbury, as well as providing shows to Nassau Coliseum and the Paramount.

Jim Faith, producer of the Great South Bay Music Festival at Shorefront Park in Patchogue, said he plans to expand L.I.'s biggest music fest this year, enlisting Rockville Centre's Taking Back Sunday as the headliner for opening night.

"It seemed pretty clear we weren't reaching the younger people on Long Island, aside from the jam band community," Faith says. "We wanted to change that this year by bringing in someone big. I'm really excited about that."

The fest is going for an even younger crowd by bringing in kids' music superstar Laurie Berkner for a pre-fest concert before the regular festival opens, marking another addition that will draw more people.

Like most promoters, Faith says people have only so much disposable income they are willing to spend on concerts. However, in times like these, when the economy is relatively strong and gas prices aren't a major worry, people may be willing to spend a little more.

Whether that means fans will go to four concerts instead of three or whether they will splurge on one of those $250 tickets to see Beyoncé and Jay Z, or Rihanna and Eminem, remains to be seen.

That kind of competition has led to plenty of collaborations for the season.

"At some point, it really becomes important to give everybody bang for buck, something more than perhaps other bands are," Kiss' Paul Stanley said, explaining why the group is touring with Def Leppard. "Summer is a great time to go out, enjoy yourself ... But, in any case, you want a full night."

That sentiment has led to many double bills, including Fall Out Boy and Paramore, Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden, and Rod Stewart and Santana -- all showing off a greater spirit of cooperation. That spirit is behind the scenes as well, with acts like Joel and Aldean sharing a basic stage setup on their stadium tour that helps them keep costs down.

"The idea of having two shows by different acts on the same stage, 48 hours apart, would not have occurred to anybody in 1994," Brian O'Connell, president of Live Nation Country, told Billboard.

And maybe that's why the summer of 2014 could become the biggest concert season ever.

14 concerts to see

Governors Ball (June 6-8, Randalls Island). The area's biggest festival is set with its biggest lineup yet, featuring the reunion of OutKast on Friday, the return of The Strokes on Saturday and a victory lap for Vampire Weekend on Sunday, as well as loads of newcomers, including Bleachers and The Internet.

Hoodie Allen (June 7-8, Bowery Ballroom). The Nassau County rapper winds up his national "Hanging With Hoodie Tour" at home in New York, just as he releases his new single, "Show Me What You're Made Of," from his still-untitled new album.

The National (June 17-19, Prospect Park Bandshell). The Brooklyn indie-rock heroes wrap up the American leg of their "Trouble Will Find Me" tour with a string of hometown shows to benefit Prospect Park, with Phosphorescent, Lord Huron and MS MR each getting a turn in the opening slot.

Fall Out Boy and Paramore (June 21, Nikon at Jones Beach Theater). The bands responsible for powering rock back onto pop radio team up for the "Monumentour," which should help Paramore's great single "Ain't It Fun" up the charts and get Fall Out Boy's "Young Blood Chronicles" more attention.

Morrissey (June21, Barclays Center). I know it's over -- the wait, that is. Moz's often-delayed American tour pulls into the area in June, and his long-awaited new album "World Peace Is None of Your Business" finally arrives in July, after years of stops-and-starts. The even better news is that the title track suggests the wait may have been worth it.

Melanie Martinez (June 24, Marlin Room at Webster Hall). The Baldwin singer-songwriter brings her first tour with a full band to the area to support her major-label debut EP "Dollhouse."

The Hold Steady (June 28, the Paramount). The Brooklyn band is channeling its recent "Teeth Dreams" album into a hard- hitting tour with The Drive-By Truckers.

Beyoncé & Jay Z (July 11, MetLife Stadium). Guarantee: Once the Mr. & Mrs. Carter Tour gets rolling and people are freaking out about seeing them do "Drunk in Love" and "Crazy in Love" together, the elevator-fight-with-Solange talk will be all but forgotten.

The Band Perry (July 11, Pennysaver Amphitheater). The Perry siblings may have been "Done" last year, but their album "Pioneer" is far from finished pumping out new country hits. Their latest, "Chainsaw," should keep fans coming back for more.

James Taylor (July 16, Nikon at Jones Beach Theater). Sweet Baby James says the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time. Well, time certainly passes much more sweetly watching him play his classics like "Fire and Rain" again and again and again.

Great South Bay Festival (July 18-20, Shorefront Park, Patchogue). Long Island's biggest music festival continues to grow, bringing the pride of Rockville Centre, Taking Back Sunday, in to headline the first night and landing B.B. King and more for the rest of the weekend.

Brand New & Modest Mouse (Aug. 9, Forest Hills Stadium). The historic venue that hosted The Beatles and Bob Dylan is open for business once again and is calling on Levittown's Brand New as a co-headliner, as the rockers' fans continue to hope for signs of the band's follow-up to 2009's "Daisy" album.

Eminem & Rihanna (Aug. 16-17, MetLife Stadium). One of the summer's oddest couples also will be one of the biggest, as the "Monster" collaborators try to join together their very different styles and fanbases for a night. Will their partnership extend beyond "Love the Way You Lie"? We'll see.

Arcade Fire (Aug. 22-24, Barclays Center). The ever-ambitious Canadians use costumes and performance art, as well as a huge rocking ensemble, to bring the anthems from their "Reflektor" album to life with a spectacle built for arenas.

... and keep in mind

POP

DigiFest NYC (June 7, 3 p.m.) Citi Field, $39.65-$84.98, 718-507-6387, digifestnyc.com

Duncan Sheik (June 12, 8 p.m.) Boulton Center, $45, 631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org

Idina Menzel (June 16, 7:30 p.m.) Radio City Music Hall, $85-$125, 212-247-4777, radiocity.com

Tegan and Sara (June 24, 8p.m.) Hammerstein Ballroom, $39.50, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

Michael Bublé (July 7-8, 8 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $80-$140, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com

'The Voice' Tour with Tessanne Chin, Dia Frampton and more (July 7, 7:30 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $48.50-$68.50, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

Katy Perry (July 9, 7 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $29.50-$165.50, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com.Also, July 11-12 at 7:30 p.m., Prudential Center, $29.50-$155.25, 973-757-6600, prucenter.com.And, July 24-25 at 7 p.m., Barclays Center, $29.50-$155.50, 917-618-6700, barclayscenter.com

'American Idol Live' (July 11, 8 p.m.) Nassau Coliseum, $28.50-$60, 516-794-9300, nassaucoliseum.com

Bruno Mars (July 14-15, 7:30 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $54.50-$155, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com

Sara Bareilles (July 19-20, 8 p.m.) Theater at Madison Square Garden, $40-$75, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com

Sarah McLachlan (July 22-23, 8 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $46-$116, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

Miley Cyrus (Aug. 1, 7 p.m.) Nassau Coliseum, $20-$89.50, 516-794-9300, nassaucoliseum.com

One Direction (Aug. 4-5, 7 p.m.) MetLife Stadium, $39.50-$99.50, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

Passenger (Aug. 10, 3 p.m.) Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

Austin Mahone (Aug. 20, 7 p.m.) Izod Center, $29-$61.50, 201-935-3900, izodcenter.com

ROCK

Rufus Wainwright (June 20, 8 p.m.) Westhampton Beach

Performing Arts Center, $60-$140, 631-288-1500, whbpac.org

Scott Stapp (June 21, 8 p.m.) The Emporium, $25, 631-627- 8787, theemporiumny.com

Phish (July 11-13, 7 p.m.) Randalls Island, $60, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

Winery Dogs (July 28, 8 p.m.) Revolution, $25, 866-468-7619, ticketweb.com

3 Doors Down (July 29, 7p.m.) The Space at Westbury, $45-$65, 516-283-5566, thespaceatwestbury.com

Offspring (Aug. 4-5, 6:30 p.m.) Terminal 5, $45, 212-582-6600, terminal5nyc.com

Panic! At the Disco (Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m.) Theater at Madison Square Garden, $45, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com

Bob Weir & Ratdog (Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m.) JBL Live at Pier 97, $49.50, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

CLASSIC ROCK

Zebra (Saturday, 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $39.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

Joe Satriani (June 7, 7 p.m.) The Space at Westbury, $59.50-$99.50, 516-283-5566, thespaceatwestbury.com

Gary U.S. Bonds (June 4, 8 p.m.) B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, $25, 212-997-4144, bbkingblues.com

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band (June 11, 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $79.50-$99.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com Also, June 17-18, Beacon Theatre, $59.50-$129.50, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

Mark Rivera (June 13, 7:30 p.m.) Cutting Room, $20, 212-691- 1900, thecuttingroomnyc.com

Lynyrd Skynyrd (June 12, 8p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $40.50-$60.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

Billy Joel (June 21, July 2, Aug. 7, 8 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $64.50-$124.50, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com

Crosby, Stills & Nash (July 8, 9 and 11, 8 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $46-$156, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

Yes (July 9, 8 p.m.) Radio City Music Hall, $40-$125, 212-247-4777, radiocity.com Also, July 12 at 8 p.m., NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $39.50-$69.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

Procol Harum (July 12, 7 p.m.) The Space at Westbury, $40-$75, 516-283-5566, thespaceatwestbury.comAlso, July 13 at 8 p.m., Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, $75-$100, 631-288-1500, whbpac.org

Queen + Adam Lambert (July17, 7:30 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $49.50-$149.50, 212-465-6741, thegarden.com Also, July 23 at 7:30 p.m., IzodCenter, $36-$126, 866-858-0008, izodcenter.com

Deep Purple (Aug. 26, 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $69.50-$89.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

COUNTRY/FOLK

Patty Griffin (June 5, 8 p.m.) Town Hall, $34.50-$69.50, 800-982-2787, thetownhall.org

Willie Nelson with Kacey Musgraves (June 10, 8 p.m.) Radio City Music Hall, $65-$130, 212-247-4777, radiocity.com

Zac Brown Band (June 21, 6 p.m.) Forest Hills Stadium, $79.50-$104.50, 877-987-6487, ticketfly.com. Also, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, $31.50-$77, 866-558-8468, livenation.com

Lucinda Williams (June 19, 7 p.m.) The Space at Westbury, $40-$60, 516-283-5566, thespaceatwestbury.com. Also, June 21 at 8 p.m., Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, $85-$135, 631-288-1500, whbpac.org

The Mavericks (June 20, 7 p.m.) The Space at Westbury, $35-$65, 516-283-5566, thespaceatwestbury.com

Valerie June (June 27, 7 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

'My Country 96.1 FM Fest' with Brantley Gilbert, Cole Swindell and more (July 3, 2 p.m.) Pennysaver Amphitheater, $30-$175, 631-648-2500, pennysaveramp.com

'New Songs of Justice: An Evening Honoring Pete Seeger' featuring Steve Earle (July 21, 6 p.m.) Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

Nickel Creek (July 24, 7:30 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Darius Rucker (July 26, 5 p.m.) Pennysaver Amphitheater, $34.50-$79.50, 631-648-2500, pennysaveramp.com

Blake Shelton (Aug. 1, 7 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $49-$89, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

Crystal Bowersox (Aug. 14, 8 p.m.) Boulton Center, $35, 631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org

Little Big Town (Aug. 16, 5 p.m.) Pennysaver Amphitheater, $34.50-$79.50, 631-648- 2500, pennysaveramp.com

Lyle Lovett (Aug. 17, 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $49.50-$69.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.comAlso, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m., Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, $125-$200, 631-288-1500, whbpac.org

R&B

Lee Fields & The Expressions (Thursday, 8 p.m.) Bowery Ballroom, $20, 212-260-4700, boweryballroom.com

John Legend (May 31, 8 p.m.) Brooklyn Academy of Music, $59.50-$110, 718-636-4100, bam.org

Janelle Monáe (June 4, 8 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Smokey Robinson (June 6, 8 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $40-$129.50, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

Aretha Franklin (June 14-15, 8 p.m.) Radio City Music Hall, $55-$150, 212-247-4777, radiocity.com

Diana Ross (June 21, 8 p.m.) Theater at Madison Square Garden, $59.50-$149.50, 866- 858-0008, thegarden.com

New Edition (June 29, 7 p.m.) Barclays Center, $57.50-$153, 917-618-6700, barclayscenter.com

Anthony Hamilton (July 16, 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $49.50-$69.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

Musiq Soulchild (Aug. 17, 7 p.m.) Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

HIP-HOP

Hot 97 Summer Jam with 50 Cent, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and more (June 1, 6:30 p.m.) MetLife Stadium, $63-$250, 800-745- 3000, ticketmaster.com

Future (June 3, 8 p.m.) Best Buy Theater, $30-$35, 212-930-1940, axs.com

Ty Dolla $ign (June 3, 7 p.m.) Red Hook Park, free, 212-360- 2777, summerstage.org

Talib Kweli (June 11-12, 8 p.m.), Brooklyn Bowl, $15-$20, 718- 963-3369, brooklynbowl.com

Kelis (June 13, 7 p.m.) Webster Hall, $25, 212-353-1600, websterhall.com

INDIE

The Menzingers (Friday, 6 p.m.) Webster Hall, $17, 212-353-1600, websterhall.com

Ben Watt (June 11, 9:30 p.m.) Joe's Pub, $25, 212-697-7555, joespub.com. Also, June 12 at 7p.m., Joe's Pub.

Tune-Yards (June 22-23, 8 p.m.) Webster Hall, $26, 212-353-1600, websterhall.com

Dum Dum Girls (June 21, 7 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Warpaint (June 26, 7:30 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Guided By Voices (July 11, 7 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $35, 212- 777-6800, livenation.comAlso, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m., the Paramount.

Hurray for the Riff Raff (Aug. 2, 3 p.m.) Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

'80s

Billy Idol (June 1, 8 p.m.) The Space at Westbury, $65-$95, 516-283-5566, thespaceatwestbury.com

Dead Kennedys (June 19, 7 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $22.50, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

Devo (June 19, 8 p.m.) Best Buy Theater, $40-$45, 212-930-1940, axs.com

Elvis Costello (June 24-25, 8 p.m.) Carnegie Hall, $50-$150, 212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org

Natalie Merchant (July 20, 8 p.m.) Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, $95- $150, 631-288-1500, whbpac.org

Quiet Riot (July 23, 8 p.m.) the Paramount, $25-$50, 631-673- 7300, paramountny.com

Marshall Crenshaw (Aug. 6, 8 p.m.) City Winery, $22-$35, 212-608-0555, citywinery.com

Echo & The Bunnymen (Aug.16-17, 8 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $39.50, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

'Retro Futura Tour' Tom Bailey, Howard Jones, Midge Ure (Aug. 21, 7:30 p.m.) Best Buy Theater, $37.50-$40, 212-930-1940, axs.comAlso, Aug. 23 at 4 p.m., Pennysaver Amphitheater, $25-$75, 631-648-2500, pennysaveramp.com

ALTERNATIVE

Damon Albarn (June 8, 9:30 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $45, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

Everclear (June 17, 6:30 p.m.) Irving Plaza, $35, 212-777-6800, livenation.com Also, June 22 at 7:30 p.m., the Paramount, $32-$55, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

Kaiser Chiefs (June 20, 7 p.m.) Webster Hall, $30, 212-353-1600, websterhall.com

Beck (June 30, 8 p.m.) Hammerstein Ballroom, $59.50-$80, 800-745- 3000, ticketmaster.com  Also, July 1 at 7 p.m., Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield), $59.50, 212-360- 2777, summerstage.org

Neutral Milk Hotel (July 22-23, 7 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, $39.50, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (July 26, 7 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, $59.50, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Sugar Ray (July 29, 7 p.m.) the Paramount, $56.50-$89.50, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

Tori Amos (Aug. 12-13, 8 p.m.) Beacon Theatre, $42.50-$77.50, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

DANCE/EDM

The First Annual Bell Bottom Ball with The Trammps, Bonnie Pointer, Tavares and more (Friday, 8 p.m.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, $49.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com

French Horn Rebellion (June 13, 6 p.m.) Watermark Bar, $20, 866-468-7619, ticketweb.com

Avicii (June 28, 8 p.m.) Barclays Center, $25-$125, 917-618- 6700, barclayscenter.com

'103.5 KTU's KTUphoria' with Jennifer Lopez, Calvin Harris and more (June 29, 7:30p.m.) Izod Center, $41.50-$121.50, 201-935-3900, izodcenter.com

St. Vincent (Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

'Mad Decent Block Party' with Diplo, Flosstradamus (Aug. 9, 3 p.m.) MCU Park, $43.50, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

Steve Aoki (Aug. 16, 8 p.m.) Madison Square Garden, $29-$150, 866-858-0008, thegarden.com

Royksopp & Robyn (Aug. 20, 6 p.m.) JBL Live at Pier 97, $55, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

'Electric Zoo New York' with David Guetta, Jamie xx. Zedd, Armin Van Buuren (Aug. 29-31, 1p.m.) Randalls Island, $369 for three-day pass, 888-512-7469, electriczoofestival.com

WORLD

Matisyahu (June 2, 7:30 p.m.) Mercury Lounge, $30, 212-260-4700, mercuryloungenyc.comAlso, June 21 at 4 p.m., Pennysaver Amphitheater, $35, 631-648-2500, pennysaveramp.com

Romeo Santos (July 11-12, 8p.m.) Yankee Stadium, $43.50-$249.50, 800-745- 3000, ticketmaster.com

Cibo Matto (July 13, 6 p.m.) Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, free, 212-360-2777, summerstage.org

Gogol Bordello (July 18, 7p.m.) The Space at Westbury, $35-$55, 516-283-5566, thespaceatwestbury.com

'Soulshine Music & Yoga Tour' with Michael Franti (July21, 6 p.m.) JBL Live at Pier97, $45.50, 212-777-6800, livenation.com

Yanni (Aug. 7, 8 p.m.) Barclays Center, $55-$155, 917-618- 6700, barclayscenter.com

JAZZ/BLUES

Buddy Guy (June 11, 8 p.m.) the Paramount, $39.50-$79.50, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

Amos Lee (June 20, 7:30 p.m.) Prospect Park Bandshell, free, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org/celebrate

Jane Monheit (June 27, 8p.m.) Boulton Center, $40, 631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org. Also, Aug.18-19 at 9:30 p.m., 54 Below, $35-$45, 646-476-3551, 54below.com

Charles Bradley (Aug. 10, 5p.m.) Damrosch Park, free, 212-875-5000, lcoutofdoors.org

Cassandra Wilson (Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m.) Damrosch Park, free, 212-875-5000, lcoutofdoors.org

CLASSICAL

Lindsey Stirling (June 21, 7p.m.) The Space at Westbury, $35, 516-283-5566, thespaceatwestbury.com

Il Volo (June 25, 8 p.m.) NYCB Theater at Westbury, $59.50-$89.50, 516-334-0800, livenation.com