SOUNDS OF SUMMER (AND THEIR SIBLINGS)

What’s up, Mt. Hood students & staff? I hope you’re all having an amazing week and if you’re not, let’s find a way to turn it around.

If you’re anything like me (and I know some of you are), you’ve been just itching to get back out there (safely!) to socialize, see some new or even some old sights, and just enjoy the beauty that has always been Oregon. Well, wait no longer, because this summer is going to be a pretty major turn from the last two that we have had, and not in a negative way but in the best way possible.

Since we are again able to see concerts and other live performances in person with the necessary COVID precautions and procedures (always make sure to check those out beforehand!), I’m going to share my list of some of the prominent live music events that will be happening this summer. To start us off, I’m going to highlight the popular Waterfront Blues Festival, taking its place at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This year’s festival is set to return to the previous format last seen in 2019, with four stages and over 8 acres of park to enjoy. The event will start July 1 and end on the Fourth of July (organizers are planning to do fireworks but stay tuned for updates). Tickets will go on sale in March as the festival’s initial lineup is announced, with more being added on as the festival grows closer. If you plan on going, I would try to grab a ticket before they sell out fast!

This next event is coming up soon and I plan on scoring a ticket ASAP because – I don’t know about you, but I am a big fan of Billie Eilish – this performance is actually happening three days before my birthday, so you know your boy has to be there! For the first leg of her “Happier Than Ever” world tour, Ms. Eilish will be doing shows in Seattle on Friday and Saturday, March 25-26, both at 7:30 p.m. in the Climate Pledge Arena.

Each show will focus on climate action and climate justice and other efforts like hosting and also supporting BIPOC and women-led environmental organizations. These are collective efforts in order to make the Happier tour climate-positive, trying to reduce its environmental footprint and, all in all, eliminating more emissions than the tour will create. I think that what the promoters are doing is inspiring and will definitely be there to show my support and also to see one of my favorite musical artists, live! Next on my list is Dua Lipa, who performs in Portland’s Moda Center at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29. Even though I’m not a huge fan of hers and that’s just because I don’t really listen to her music, I know a lot of people would love to see her live. And honestly what I have heard from her is pretty catchy, so I have a feeling her concert is going to be a blast. Olivia Rodrigo, for her “Sour” album tour, will perform in Portland, then Seattle, on April 5 and 6. Something tells me these performances will be pretty awesome and one that no one will want to miss. (Unfortunately, tickets are sold out already – so, hit up that friend who might have some if you really wanna go, and soon!).

Now, this one I know will turn some heads, and not in shock but in excitement, because either you heard them growing up yourself or you heard them via your parents – but either way, we all know who Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison, and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts are (or you know at least one of these bands). Their stadium tour will include Seattle at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, Aug. 31, starting about 4:30 p.m.

If I were you, I would definitely buy my ticket soon because I know this will most likely sell out fast. I know I definitely will be trying to score a few tickets because I have always wanted to see

Joan Jett live, along with Def Leppard, and know some people close to me that will love to tag along. AJR, the indie pop trio, will be at the White River Amphitheater near Seattle on on Tuesday, June 14 – and then come to Ridgefield, Washington (just 20 minutes from Portland) and its RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater the next night, June 15. Sticking again to Portland, Twenty One Pilots will stop at the Moda Center as part of “The Icy Tour” Thursday, Sept. 22. I am a huge Twenty One Pilots fan and have always wanted to see them live but have never been able to and will definitely be there for what I will call a night to remember!

Finally – this last one isn’t a concert, but I figured there would be a good amount of interest in it. Gabriel Iglesias, aka “Fluffy,” is going back on tour and will be performing at the Moda Center on Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets to see the comedian will definitely be a hot item and worth the purchase for a night of side-splitting laughter and a story to tell those who couldn’t make it.

There are many, many other events, concerts and the like scheduled for Oregon/Washington in the months ahead but there are just too many to write out myself. With so much already going on, I have hope that the 2022 scene will be a huge change from last year!