Live in the OC: Concerts and Music Festivals

With some of the best music venues in the area, including the House of Blues Anaheim, the Grove of Anaheim and the Honda Center, Orange County is a great place to see a live show.  Musical acts big and small tour through the OC regularly, so finding a show that piques your interest won’t be hard to do.  And if all day music festivals are more to your liking, then you won’t be disappointed either.  Here are some of the best upcoming live shows in the area.

Doheny Blues Festival (5/16 – 5/17): Two days of the best blues music you’ll ever find takes place at Doheny State Park in Dana Point, CA.  This year’s headliners include the legendary 15-time Grammy award winner B.B. King, Brian Setzer & The Nashvillains, and The Derek Trucks Band.

Hootenanny (7/4): An eclectic mix of outlaw country, rockabilly, and swing music, this festival is an uncompromising celebration of all things retro.  Hot rods and a variety of vendors surround the three stages set up at Oak Canyon Ranch for a day of rock ‘n’ roll revelry.  This years performers include Rev. Horton Heat, Los Lobos, Big Bad VooDoo Daddy, and the Supersuckers.

Billy Joel and Elton John (3/28 & 3/30): Billy Joel and Elton John, the most successful and longest-running concert pairing in pop history, will reunite for their Face 2 Face tour March 28 & 30, 2009 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

Robert Cray (4/9): Winner of five Grammy awards, Robert Cray, one of the blues’ best, will bring his soulful vocal and instrumental artistry to the Grove of Anaheim.

Fab Four (4/10): Although there are many bands paying tribute to the Beatles, The Fab Four have elevated far above the rest with their precise attention to detail. The Fab Four’s performance at the Grove of Anaheim will include three costume changes saluting every era of The Beatles’ ever-evolving career.

Newport Beach Jazz Festival (5/15 – 5/17): Southern California’s most famous smooth jazz festival will feature three spectacular days of world class performances by 25 top jazz artists, including Nick Colionne and Tim Bowman

Britney Spears (4/19): Britney Spears will make her highly anticipated return to the stage with The Circus Starring Britney Spears 2009 Tour, which makes a stop at Honda Center on April 19.

For more concerts and events please download our Spring 2009 Events Calendar.