Summer is finally here. And as the days get hotter and the nights get longer, the music in Detroit gets louder. Because if Detroit knows how to do one thing well, it’s music. And who doesn’t like to spend the afternoon listening to their favorite artists, with a beer in hand, and giving it their all on the dance floor (or just rocking out in your beach chair)? That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best concerts happening this summer in Detroit so you don’t miss a single one. Ready to dance till you drop?
Table Of Contents
Summer Music Series – The Village of Rochester
Concerts are great but free summer concerts in Detroit are better. So, head to The Village of Rochester and ease into the perfect summer vibe with their Summer Music Series. Spend your day shopping and your evening dancing to the rhythm of Detroit-based artists. Concerts usually start at 5 p.m.
🎵 June 20 & 27: Zenagain
🎵 June 21: Trio Grande
🎵 June 22: Robyn Marriott
🎵 June 23: R+D Band
🎵 June 28: True Blue
🎵 June 29: Highway 29 Band
Candlelight concerts
If this summer you’re looking for a more laid-back atmosphere, then you’ve got to check out Candlelight’s Open Air concerts. This year they’ve turned The War Memorial into a dreamy concert venue filled with their staple sea of candles. Listen to your favorite artists, from Beyoncé to Aretha Franklin, classically rendered by Michigan-based musicians the Kalkaska String Quartet—One of the best concerts in Detroit to experience this summer!
Ford House summer concerts
From June 28 through August 23, the iconic Ford House transforms into one of Detroit’s most beautiful concert venues. Its annual outdoor summer concert series promises to fuse the historic setting with tantalizing tunes under the open sky. The concert series is composed of four acts ranging from the best of the ’80s to Disney’s Cars soundtrack.
🎵June 28: Gabriel Brass Band
🎵July 19: Killer Flamingos
🎵August 9: Dave Hamilton Band
🎵August 23: Michigan Philharmonic presents “CAR-TUNES!”
Summer in Sosnick
Back for another round, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra kicks off July with their annual Summer in Sosnick concert event. Over two weeks, eight concerts will take over the Sosnick Courtyard with performances from Detroit-based musicians and beyond. All concerts are free, however prior registration is needed to attend.
🎵 July 10: Dancing Down Woodward
🎵 July 12: Poetry & Music: A Star Lit Night
🎵 Jul 13: Urban Art Orchestra: Summer Madness
🎵 July 14: Miss Paula and The Candy Bandits
🎵 July 18: 32nd Annual Concert of Colors
🎵 July 19: An Evening with Opera Modo
🎵 July 20: NOVA ZAII
🎵 July 21: Yoga & Music
SummerFest Concert: Air Margaritaville
Transport yourself to the Caribbean without leaving Detroit with SummerFest at The War Memorial. On August 21, lay back and jam to the tunes of Jimmy Buffet at the hands of tribute band Air Margaritaville. Bring your chairs and blankets and have fun with the whole family on the lakefront lawn. Come in at 6:30 p.m. to enjoy delicious treats at food trucks and drinks at the bar. The concert is free entry, however prior registration is needed to attend.
Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
Think cozy vibes and big names. Meadow Brook’s covered pavilion and spacious lawn let you get up close or relax with a view. From indie darlings to rock legends on their final tour, this spot offers an intimate concert experience in Detroit.
🎵 June 25: Roger Daltrey
🎵 July 5: The Beach Boys
🎵 July 16: Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
🎵 July 20: The Warren Haynes Band
🎵 July 26: Totally Tubular Festival (‘80s bands)
🎵 July 28: “The Music of ABBA” with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
🎵 August 10: Classic Albums Live Performs “Purple Rain”
🎵 September 23: Vampire Weekend
Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
The Michigan Lottery Amphitheater is where the best concerts in Detroit happen! From Bryson Tiller to Deep Purple rock out with iconic bands and stars at this unique concert venue. They offer everything from premium seats to general admission on the lawn, so you can catch the show without breaking the bank.
🎵 June 26: Bryson Tiller
🎵 July 6: Whiskey Myers
🎵 July 12: Mother Mother
🎵 July 18: Jamey Johnson
🎵 July 27: 311
🎵 July 28: Tate McRae
🎵 August 10: Lamb of God, Mastodon
🎵 August 11: Tedeschi Trucks Band
🎵 August 16: Bush
🎵 August 17: Cody Jinks
🎵 August 20: Lindsey Stirling
🎵 August 22: Deep Purple
🎵 August 24: O.A.R.
🎵 August 25: The Roots
🎵 August 31: Wallows
🎵 September 20: Clutch and Rival Sons
🎵 September 21: Conan Gray
Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre
Named after the Queen of Soul herself, this historic venue on Detroit’s riverfront is a must this summer. The Aretha Franklin Amphiteatre celebrates Detroit’s musical heritage while bringing in today’s hottest artists. Plus, the stunning river views make for a truly unforgettable concert experience in Detroit.
🎵 June 21: Robert Glasper
🎵 June 26: Rose Royce
🎵 July 3: Regina Belle
🎵 July 6: We Up Now
🎵 July 10: Damien Escobar
🎵 July 17: Peabo Bryson
🎵 July 20: Southern Soul on the River: King George
🎵 July 24: Cassandra Wilson: A Tribute to Ed Love with Ralphe Armstrong
🎵 July 31: PJ Morton
🎵 August 2: Kem with Chante Moore
🎵 August 7: Gerald Albright
🎵 August 21: Kirk Whalum
🎵 August 23: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Acoustic Set
🎵 August 28: Keyon Harrold & Cory Henry with Cassowary
🎵 September 4: After 7 with Ready for the World
Pine Knob Music Theatre
This legendary open-air venue in Clarkston has seen it all. This summer swaying under the stars as your favorite artist belts out their hits. With plenty of lawn space and tiered seating, Pine Knob Music Theatre has great view no matter where you stand. Ready to experience the best concerts in Detroit?
🎵 June 21: Maroon 5
🎵 June 22: Hank Williams Jr.
🎵 June 23: James Taylor and His All-Star Band
🎵 June 25: Santana and Counting Crows
🎵 June 26: Dave Matthews Band
🎵 June 28-29: Luke Bryan
🎵 July 2: Janet Jackson
🎵 July 6: KIDZ BOP
🎵 July 7: Third Eye Blind
🎵 July 10: Niall Horan
🎵 July 13: I Prevail and Halestorm
🎵 July 16: Alanis Morissette
🎵 July 17: Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago
🎵 July 21: Train and REO Speedwagon
🎵 July 23: Limp Bizkit
🎵 July 31: Creed
🎵 August 1: Dan + Shay
🎵 August 2: Sammy Hagar
🎵 August 4: John Fogerty
🎵 August 6: Thirty Seconds to Mars
🎵 August 7: Five Finger Death Punch
🎵 August 10: Barbie the Movie: In Concert
🎵 August 12: Imagine Dragons
🎵 August 15: The Doobie Brothers
🎵 August 23: Bret Michaels
🎵 August 24: Glass Animals
🎵 August 30: Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper
🎵 September 4: Pitbull
🎵 September 7: Avril Lavigne
🎵 September 10: Cage The Elephant
🎵 September 11: Staind, Breaking Benjamin
🎵 September 13: Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top
🎵 September 15: Outlaw Music Festival: Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp
🎵 September 19: The Marley Brothers
🎵 September 21: Megadeth