Spectacular Summer On Tap at PNC Banks Arts Center

Concerts Galore in Holmdel This Spring and Summer

By Brian Aberback

For fans of everything from classic rock, heavy metal and punk to country, alternative and hip-hop, all roads this spring and summer lead to the PNC Bank Arts Center here in Holmdel.

The schedule is filling up fast and new dates are being announced daily. In fact, late yesterday country favorites the Zac Brown Band announced a special show on Friday, July 11, after its July 10 show sold out.

Here’s a look at some of the big shows on tap.

For more information and tickets, call 732-203-2500  or visit http://www.livenation.com/venues/14235/pnc-bank-arts-center

Cornucopia of Country

Country acts rule the roost at PNC this season, with superstars and up-and-comers ready to bring a taste of the south and midwest to central Jersey.

The Arts Center season kicks off on Sunday, May 18, with Dierks Bentley headlining a four-act bill. Bentley, who broke into the business in 2003, is supporting his latest release, “Riser,” which hit store shelves in February. The album hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country charts and No. 6 on the Billboard 200. Support comes from Chris Young, Chase Rice and Jon Pardi. On Sunday, June 1, it’s Luke Bryan’s turn to entertain, with opening acts Lee Brice and Cole Swindell.  

It’s two-for-the-price-of-one on Sunday, June 22, when Rascal Flatts and Sheryl Crow each will be performing. One of the hottest names in country, Rascal Flatts are a bonafide hit machine, with 12 No. 1 country singles and nearly 25 million albums sold. The band’s hit singles include “Bless the Broken Road,” “Why Wait,” and crossover smash “What Hurts the Most,” which also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. 

Crow, an acclaimed singer-songwriter, exploded onto the scene 20 years ago with her debut album, “Tuesday Night Music Club,” which sold more than 5 million copies. Her latest album, “Feels Like Home,” was released in Septemer. The country hit parade continues with modern-day legend Toby Keith and Colt Ford on Friday, July 25, Keith Urban on Friday, Aug. 15, and Brad Paisley on Friday, Aug. 22.

Always in Style

A number of classic rock bands are coming to Holmdel to play their all-time hits well as new material.

Sing along to “Don’t Stop Believin,’” “Faithfully,” “The Joker” and more on Wednesday, June 11, when Journey, the Steve Miller Band and Tower of Power take the PNC stage. Peter Frampton had audiences holding their cigarette lighters in the air during the 70s to classics like “Show Me the Way.” The lighters are now cellphones, but the classic songs remain as powerful as ever. Frampton and the Doobie Brothers perform on Thursday, June 26.

Between them, Boston and Cheap Trick have sold nearly 50 million albums and ruled rock radio with megahits like “More Than a Feeling” and “Surrender,” respectively. The two bands join forces on Sunday, June 29. Through his work with Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a solo artist, John Fogerty is a true American treasure. Don’t miss your chance to see him, along with Jackson Browne, on Monday, Aug. 4. The classic rock season closes out on Saturday, Aug. 16, with Chicago and REO Speedwagon.

The Rock Brigade

An army of guitars and drums invades PNC beginning on Saturday, June 28, with a show by modern-rock heroes Fall Out Boy. The band’s latest effort, last year’s “Save Rock and Roll,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts. Support comes from Paramore and New Politics. On Sunday, July 6, more than 50 punk bands gather for the annual Vans Warped Tour. Check out Princeton’s Saves the Day, whose self-titled eigthth album was released in September.

Newly-minted Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Kiss and English legends Def Leppard are sharing the stage for what promises to be a spectacular show on Saturday, July 26. Kiss are celebrating their 40th anniversary, a career that has spawned such hits as “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Detroit Rock City,” “Lick It Up,” and  “Heaven’s On Fire.” And they’re still going strong. The band released its 20th studio album, “Monster,” in 2012.

Def Leppard are by no means an opening act. The band’s at times gritty and smooth hard rock has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. The band’s 1987 album, “Hysteria,” moved more than 12 million copies in America alone. From “Photograph” and “Rock of Ages” to “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and “Armageddon It,” the band never fails to deliver the goods.

Alternative favorites Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden arrive on Saturday, Aug. 2, for a night of hard-edged, atmospheric rock. Led by mastermind Trent Reznor, NIN released its eighth album, “Hesitation Marks,” in 2013. Soundgarden’s heady rock features elements of alternative, pyschedelic rock and straight-ahead rock. The band, one of the early movers in the grunge scene, won a grammy  for its pysch-tinged single,  “Black Hole Sun” and released “King Animal,” its first studio album in 16 years, in 2012.

Jared Leto is primarily known as a star of the silver screen for his roles in “Fight Club,” “Requiem for a Dream” and “Panic Room.” He’s also a musican, and his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, opens for modern rock superstars Linkin Park on Monday, Aug. 18. Nashville rockers Kings of Leon are next up, on Thursday, Aug. 28. Don’t miss what may be your last chance to see party rockers Motley Crue on Saturday, Aug. 30. The band has embarked on its farewell tour, and its unknown whether they will return to the area later on. Shock-rock icon Alice Cooper opens the festivities.

Pop, Hip-Hop and More

Summer jam-band favorite the Dave Matthews Band and O.A.R. arrive on Tuesday, June 6, and Saturday, July 12, respectively. It’s a pop/rhythm and blues/rap double-bill on Friday, June 27, with Lionel Richie and CeeLo Green, while Wiz Khalifa and Young Jeezy headline a hip-hop extravaganza on Sunday, Aug.  3. Pop-rockers One Republic perform on Sunday, Aug. 10.

We’ll be announcing more shows as they’re announced, so check this page often!