July 25, 2010 – These days, there’s a little extra spring in the steps that Carlos Santana takes on stage, and a wide smile on his face as he plays. Why, you ask? Well to put it simply, the legendary guitarist who introduced the world to latin fused rock music is in love. Santana is on tour billed as Universal Tone with Steve Winwood, so he’s riding not only a high of performing in front of fans, but the high of proposing to his now finacee on stage just earlier this month. Ever since, there’s been a renewed spirit in Carlos that’s quite noticeable.

Sunday evening’s concert in Washington, DC at Jiffy Lube Live was no exception. In a performance that lasted over two hours, Santana showed the crowd (with a little help from Steve Winwood) that there’s still a whole lot of life in the songs that defined a different time, but there’s room for new experimentation, too.

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July 21, 2010 – There are few bands that can seamlessly combine wacky humor and seriously stunning musicianship into one epic performance. But Rush makes it look natural. Yes, the three hour shows, the thousands of dedicated fans, and the chefs on stage – it’s all happening once again. The trio is back on the circuit with a couple new twists: time machines and moving pictures.

It was a true celebration of all things Rush at the Susquehanna bank Center on Wednesday night, both the humorous and the meaningful. The band took a break from touring last year, and judging by the sheer amount of Rush t-shirts being worn and lyrics being sung, they were missed. A lot.
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Def Leppard has set 2010 aside for some much needed rest and relaxation after non-stop touring for nearly a decade, but fans will be glad to hear that the wheels for 2011 activity are already turning. In a recent interview with Billboard.com, Joe Elliot revealed that the band is at work on their first true live album – ever.

“There’ll be stuff from this century on it — “Rock On“, “Nine Lives“, “C’mon C’mon“,” Elliott notes. “Vivian [Campbell] has been in the band 17 years, so I think he deserves a shot at being on a live record.”

New material may be in the mix as well. “We’ve got tentative plans to do a four- or five-track EP of new songs as part of it,” Elliott adds.

A tour of stadiums and arenas is likely in the works for next year as well. Who do you think Def Leppard will tour with?

July 16, 2010 – The ’90s may be a decade come and gone, but that’s not to say that a brief revival can’t take place (at least for a few hours). Alternative and punk rock’s highest chart toppers from the era – 311 and The Offspring – have teamed for a summer tour, and nothing’s going to get in the way of the nineties nostalgia. The Offspring grounded themselves on the strength of their popular radio material for a largely predictable but entertaining set, while 311 sought out the fans’ attention with stage moves that begged to be photographed.

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July 14, 2010 – The crowd is dancing and the sound of sonar is in the air. It can only mean one thing – The B-52s are in concert. But what else if not fun beats and strange sounds would be expected from the infamous party band. At Vienna, Virginia’s Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, the group arrived with their signature hits and some new material, along with plenty of animation.

Opening act Supercluster may share the same hometown as the headliner, but they don’t share much talent; the set was a disappointment. But fortunately the B-52s were standing by to set things straight, and soon went about their duties with catchy riffs reminiscent of a more fun, zany time. “Wig” and “Mesopotamia” set a danceable tone for the rest of the show as both the band and the crowd were on their feet and moving to the music.

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Legendary rock icon Paul Rodgers has announced that during his concert tours this year, both Solo and Bad Company, he will be donating rare personal stage items, autographed memorabilia and collectables for a nightly draw. All of the proceeds will be given to the Fender Centers ‘Kids Rock Free’ national music education initiative in efforts to raise money and awareness. Plus Rodgers and his wife, Cynthia, will match all monies raised.

“Without music in schools curriculum there is a void for young people to express, explore and experience music.  We are on a mission to set up this music program across the U.S.  If not for music in my life as a young person who knows where I would have focused my energy,” said Rodgers.
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By: Justin Beckner, Rock Concerts Correspondent

Jethro Tull has tiptoed behind the scenes of mainstream rock music for almost 50 years. They brought an element of class and sophistication to popular music and won over their audiences with witty lyrics and an original sound that blended elements of nearly every style of music. Throughout the years they dared to be different and became something great. The following is an interview with charismatic frontman, Ian Anderson.
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As they prepare to release their thirteenth studio album, World Gone Crazy, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of their first album release, the Doobie Brothers have signed with HOR Entertainment, a full-service imprint and entertainment services company led by a team of deeply experienced music industry professionals.

The Doobies are a quintessentially American rock-n-roll band who have combined elements of rock, blues, soul, country, jazz and more into one of the most appealing blends of popular music of the last half-century.

Their indelible contributions to the American songbook – from “Listen To The Music” and “China Grove” to “Black Water” and “Long Train Runnin’” – remain as beloved and relevant as ever. But Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston, John McFee and Mike Hossack are far from resting on those considerable laurels.
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July 11, 2010 – 35 years into his diverse musical career, there aren’t too many things that Sting hasn’t tried. But touring across the country with a full orchestra – yes, that just might be one of them. Although the concept may seem foreign at first, the implications of such a show are quite clear – it surely means Sting’s classics reworked with a full instrumental twist. Although the “Symponicity” concert at Bristow, Virginia’s Jiffy Lube Live lived up to those expectations, the performance was not without its surprises.

Singing proud with joyful movement and expressions at the start of the show, Sting was quickly in command of both the crowded stage behind him and the thousands of fans in front of him. He playfully danced and tapped percussion as the orchestra and backup band pumped out the peppy tones of “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You”. The delicate acoustic blend of Sting and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra rippled through the amphitheater, and a great evening of music had begun.
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Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey are bringing back The Who next year for a world tour, on which the band will perform songs from 1973′s Quadrophenia album. After bringing their spectacle of hits to this year’s Super Bowl, the two have decided to take the show out on the road once again.

Roger Daltrey told Billboard.com: “We definitely don’t want to stop. We feel it’s the role of the artist to go all the way through life ’til you can’t do it anymore.”

Brief tours have taken place in recent years, but the group’s last major tour was all the way back in 2007. Plans are far from being complete for next year’s run, but Daltrey says things are progressing. “We’re just working out what to do next,” he told Billboard.com. “We’ve got ideas, we’re looking on probably being out there, hopefully if all goes well, in the spring of next year.”