The Northwood’s Band performed an outdoor show last week at Eveleth’s Timber Edge Bar and Grill, bringing a large crowd out to enjoy a pre-summer concert. (Photo by Izabella Zadra)

Put on those short shorts and tank tops, the summer concert season is upon us. The Twin Ports area is always bumpin’ with outdoor shows featuring a vast array of music styles on a variety of mostly temporary or makeshift stages. Take a dive with us into some of the best, don’t-wanna-miss concerts happening in the area over the hot months ahead.

Outdoor shows tend to fall into four categories — weekend festivals, summer-long series, featured events at neighborhood block parties and county fairs, and of course the numerous shows on patios, in courtyards and on the grounds of places that host music regularly.

In the realm of the weekend festival, there are many well-established annual events ranging from single-day affairs to four-day campouts. There’s the face-melting Rock Fest in Cadotte, the downhome Hodag Country Music Festival in Rhinelander, the Grand Rapids Riverfest the swingin’ Great Northern Squash Festival in Chaffey, the poppin’ Superior Porchfest, the lovely Lutsong Music Festival in Lutsen and the Radio Waves Music Festival in Grand Marais to name a few.

Not feeling the Woodstock vibes? Smaller concert series taking place include Bayside Sounds offering low-key tunes in different parks around Superior, Glensheen’s Concerts on the Pier where it is encouraged to chill both in the water and on land, Courtside Concerts at Pier B which offers live music with a beautiful Duluth harbor view and Silver Bay Music in the Park which includes all types of music from July through August. Lucius Woods, Music in the Park at Olcott Park, Reif Arts Boat-in Concerts and Live Music at Bennett Park are also all amazing places to catch local music on a smaller-ish scale.

There are also numerous community parties throughout the summer that feature live music, like the Summer Solstice Block Party in West Duluth featuring Gaelynn Lea and Rock the Bayfront where everyone … well, rocks the Bayfront.

Larger venues in Duluth and Superior that feature lengthy lists of shows are Bayfront Fest Park, Earth Rider Brewery and Big Top Chautauqua. These big three have large events going on most nights during the summer season. The Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheater is another outdoor venue with large-scale shows, though not as many shows.

Finally, the bars and breweries of the Twin Ports have you covered when it comes to enjoying some music this summer without having to fight your way through the crazy crowds of an outside show. Places like Bent Paddle Brewing and Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake frequently have local artists and musicians performing.

Below are some of Perfect Duluth Day’s most anticipated summer shows and musical events.

Shenandoah and Rafe Carlson at Lake County Fairgrounds — June 14
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you, calling with your rolling rivers … but wait is that Rafe Carlson we hear too? Alabama bread band Shenandoah is sharing the stage with Hermantown native Rafe Carlson. Get your cowboy hats and spurs for this night of back-to-back country out on the Lake County Fairgrounds in Two Harbors.

Mae Simpson and Mark Joseph & the American Soul at Earth Rider Brewery — June 28
This firefly redhead and her band are sure to bring a crowd with them. Simpson’s unique mix of rock, soul and country takes the human brain to a whole new universe and trust us … you’re not gonna wanna come back down to Earth. Mark Joseph & the American Soul are warming up the stage because things are going to get hot.

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway at Big Top Chautauqua — June 30
Molly Tuttle and her band, Golden Highway, are bringing their whimsical sound to the Big Top. This bluegrass babe uses her music to tell strong stories about different times, places and people that hold an unforgettable presence. From upbeat rolling roots-rock to emotional and moody tunes, Tuttle and Golden Highway create art that all audiences can enjoy.

Miranda Lambert at Grand Casino Hinckley — July 5
You don’t want to add more damage to your mama’s broken heart, do you? Take her to see Miranda Lambert at Hinckley Grand Casino’s outdoor amphitheater. Lambert is a Grammy-winning girlboss with a fearless attitude that shines through in her songwriting and storytelling.

Trampled by Turtles and Houndmouth at Bayfront Park — July 6
They say turtles always return to the beach they were hatched on. Every summer the members of Trampled by Turtles remember how to get back to their home beach at Bayfront. This year they will be joined by their Indiana-based rock and blues buddies, Houndmouth.

Twin Ports Monsters of Rock Festival at Earth Rider Brewery — July 6
If Trampled by Turtles is not your speed — may be too slow — kick it into high gear for Earth Rider’s first Twin Ports Monsters of Rock Festival. Rock out with Discord at Dawn, Deterioration, Frag, Shadows of Me, Maul and Torment.

Brantley Gilbert at Bayfront Park — July 18
Platinum country star Brantley Gilbert will not be playing at the St. Louis County Depot for this concert … because he is going off the rails. Gilbert will be at the Bayfront Park with opener Rafe Carlson.

Lake City Smokin’ Section at Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center — July 20
Jam with the Lake City Smokin’ Section no matter what generation you come from. This big band caters to all by playing classics from the 1960s to the present time. Their music can be enjoyed by youngsters and by people who remember sitting in the “smokin’ section.”

Big Wave Dave and the Ripples at Lincoln Park — July 23
Formally known as the Chester Creek Concert Series, Duluth’s Music in the Park series now includes performances at Lincoln Park in addition to the traditional run of shows at Chester Bowl Park. Bring a lawn chair and grab your friends for unforgettable nights of music and memories. The first Lincoln Park show features the local heavy hitters Big Wave Dave and the Ripples.

JJ Gray & Mofro at Big Top Chautauqua — Jul 25
Shut the funk door and kiss my grits. JJ Gray & Mofro create a funky yet country southern soul experience with their music, and their performance at the Big Top will be no exception.

City on the Hill Music Festival at Bayfront Park — Aug. 2-3
The City on the Hill Music Fest is two days of faith-based music in Bayfront Park. The fest gathers Christian communities from all over the country to celebrate a weekend of worship, good music and heartfelt praise.

Atmosphere at Earth Rider Brewery — Aug. 9
Get fresh this summer with Twin Cities band Atmosphere. Members Slug and Ant have been running this hip-hop gig since the mid-1990s, but are still kicking and making their way up to play in Superior.

Heart at Grand Casino Hinckley — Aug. 16
Grab your magic man or little queen for an evening with Heart. Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson have been rocking since 1973 and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon — the last time Heart played as many shows as they are expected to for this tour was in 2011 with 91 shows throughout the year. In 2013, the duo was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for its success over the past four decades.

Ice Cube at Grand Casino Hinckley — Aug. 31
Ice Cube’s career started in the rap group N.W.A and eventually grew into a solo project that brought him even more success with hits like “Check Yo Self” and “It Was a Good Day.” On top of his rap roots, Cube has appeared and starred in more than 30 films.

Martin Zellar & the Hardways at City Center Park in Silver Bay — Sept. 6
The Music in the Park Series at Silver Bay’s City Center Park concludes with alt-country favorites Martin Zellar & the Hardways. Zellar has a new solo album, Head West, and is best known as the lead singer of the Gear Daddies.