Our 2nd annual look at the best summer shows in Western New York, include some of the biggest names in music! We’ve included shows all over the area from Buffalo to Rochester, Lewiston to Canandaigua and of course Darien Lake. All of the shows on this list will be under the summer sun with one HUGE exception, which we’ll get into shortly. But first…
Honorable Mention:
Brad Paisley with Chris Young & Lee Brice at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Friday July 12th -Tickets
Steely Dan at Constellation Brand Performing Arts Center, Saturday July 20th -Tickets
Allman Brothers Band with Steve Winwood at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Friday August 23rd -Tickets

10. Tragically Hip at Buffalo Outer Harbor, Friday July 19th - A Buffalo area and Southern Ontario favorite, the Hip will be rocking the new Outer Harbor Festival site in Buffalo. Right on the water, this venue provides a beautiful backdrop that will add to any concert experience. For the Tragically Hip not being a household name across the States, they are pretty popular in Western NY! The phones at VIP Seats ring off the hook each and every time these guys come around! -Tickets

9. fun. With Tegan and Sara at Constellation Brands Performing Arts Center, Saturday July 13th – This show is an Indie music fan’s dream. The band Fun has been on a meteoric rise ever since the 2013 Grammy Awards. They have been touring relentlessly since then and it’s nearly impossible to flip on a radio without hearing them. Supporting Fun is the Canadian duo Tegan and Sara, who boast an impressive following of their own! -Tickets

8. Dave Matthews Band with Fitz and the Tantrums at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Wednesday July 3rd – The usual Dave Matthews Band summer concert rolls into Darien Lake in 2013 as it does most other years. With this show kicking off the 4th of July holiday; expect this to be a hot ticket! Many people will be camping out or staying over at Darien Lake to make the most out of the day off on Thursday. Any Independence Day show is usually a big deal, but throw in thousands of passionate “Dave” fans, and you have a recipe for a great time! -Tickets

7. Billy Idol at Artpark Mainstage, Tuesday June 4th – Billy Idol is a blast from the past that will play gorgeous Artpark in Lewiston. A pioneer of the new wave sound in rock back in the 1980’s, Billy Idol will bring his endless list of hits to you! Checking out the beautiful scenery in Lewiston and catching an old favorite like Billy Idol is a win-win! -Tickets

6. Kenny Chesney with Eli Young Band & Kacey Musgraves at Constellation Brands Performing Arts Center, Wednesday August 21st – Kenny Chesney will be stopping by CMAC with a few friends in August for a great show. Chesney will be touring nonstop from now until the end of August, playing some of the biggest ballparks and football stadiums in the nation. It’s a little surprising to see him go to Canandaigua instead of Darien Lake, but the great acoustics coming out of the shell at CMAC will make for a terrific show! -Tickets

5. Guns N Roses at Buffalo Outer Harbor, Wednesday June 5th – Ok, so maybe people aren’t as excited that Slash is no longer in GNR. The fact remains however that Axl Rose and Guns N Roses don’t hit the road very often. There are not a lot of chances to see these guys in person! With what is sure to be a HUGE set-list on the shores of Lake Erie, this is one concert not to miss! -Tickets

4. John Mayer with Phillip Phillips at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Tuesday August 13th – John Mayer is back from his recent health and voice issues, so there will be a lot of people in the area excited for this concert. John Mayer was supposed to come to Shea’s Performing Arts Center in 2012, but was forced to cancel his tour days after the show was announced. Along with former American Idol Phillip Phillips, John Mayer will be one of the most anticipated tours, not only in Western New York, but across the country! -Tickets

3. Luke Bryan with Thompson Square & Florida Georgia Line at Constellation Brands Performing Arts Center, Thursday May 30th – One of the biggest outdoor tours of the summer will be coming to CMAC in just a few days. Luke Bryan, along with rising acts, Thompson Square and Florida Georgia Line, have been playing to sold out crowds all across the world. Quickly becoming one of the bigger names in music, Luke Bryan will bring the party with him to Canandaigua. Don’t miss out! -Tickets

2. Maroon 5 with Kelly Clarkson at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Wednesday September 4th – Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson will bring an amazing double bill to Darien Lake! Just after the Labor Day Holiday, concert-goers will have a chance to catch two of the bigger names in pop music over the last decade on the same night! Tickets would be hard to get if you wanted to see either act, but both of them together? Unheard of! -Tickets

1. Justin Bieber at First Niagara Center, Monday July 15th – Now come on… either you saw this coming from a mile away, or you tried to block this show from your memory. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but there is no denying the star power Justin Bieber brings to the stage. One of the most talked about people on the planet, Justin Beiber will bring his world tour through Buffalo’s First Niagara Center. Tickets for this show sold out in less than 10 minutes back in December and excitement has yet to die down. It’s the only indoor concert on our list, but Justin Bieber is the top summer concert for WNY in 2013! -Tickets