~ Jon James
Summer’s Biggest Soundtrack: July Is Packed With Major Concerts Across Central and Eastern Maine
If your idea of summer includes lawn chairs, cold drinks, and thousands of fans singing along under the stars, July might be your favorite month of the year.
From country superstars and classic rock legends to heavy metal, Americana, and classical performances by the ocean, central and eastern Maine are welcoming one of the busiest concert months in recent memory.
The biggest stage, of course, is Bangor’s Maine Savings Amphitheater, where the lineup barely lets up all month long.
Country star Jason Aldean rolls into town on July 16. The following week brings Caamp, followed by the always entertaining “Weird Al” Yankovic. Then comes a whirlwind stretch featuring Five Finger Death Punch, TOTO, Christopher Cross, The Romantics, Billy Currington, Kip Moore, Mötley Crüe, Tesla, Extreme, Men At Work, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and blues guitar master Joe Bonamassa. The waterfront has become one of New England’s premier outdoor concert destinations, drawing fans from across the region throughout the summer.
The music doesn’t stop in Bangor.
In Waterville, the Waterville Opera House continues its impressive summer schedule with performances by Steve Earle, The High Kings, Patty Griffin with Kathleen Edwards, Mike Campbell and The Dirty Knobs, and Classic Stones Live, giving central Maine concertgoers plenty of reasons to stay close to home.
Meanwhile, Bar Harbor is proving there’s much more to Mount Desert Island than breathtaking scenery.
The historic Criterion Theatre has assembled an outstanding July lineup, featuring Jammy Buffet, a Jimmy Buffett tribute, Masters of the Telecaster with guitar legends G.E. Smith, Larry Campbell, and Jim Weider, the acclaimed acoustic group Punch Brothers, singer-songwriter Patty Griffin, Rhiannon Giddens, and Badfish, the popular tribute to Sublime.
Throughout the month, the Bar Harbor Music Festival celebrates its 60th season with a mix of classical music, opera, jazz, chamber performances, and special concerts at venues around town, including the Criterion Theatre and Acadia National Park. Many performances are free for young music lovers, making it one of Maine’s premier cultural events each summer.
For those looking for an evening that’s a little more laid-back, the Bar Harbor Town Band continues a tradition dating back more than a century with free concerts on the Village Green several nights each week throughout July. Bring a lawn chair, grab some ice cream downtown, and enjoy one of Maine’s most cherished summer traditions under the stars.
Whether you’re chasing arena rock on the Bangor waterfront, Americana in Waterville, or live music with an ocean breeze in Bar Harbor, there’s no shortage of reasons to hit the road this month.
One thing is certain: July is turning central and eastern Maine into one giant concert venue, and music lovers won’t have to travel far to find a show they’ll remember long after summer ends.
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