Raised in Michigan and now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Billy Strings is known as one of music’s most compelling artists and will continue to build upon that reputation with live performances into the fall. 

The star’s trek comes in support of his first live album release, aptly titled Billy Strings: Live Vol. 1, set for release on July 12. 

In an interesting marketing move, the tracklist for the album is being kept secret. Beginning July 1, fans will have the chance to try to guess the tracklist, with winners being rewarded with free Strings tickets for life “and more.” 

See what the buzz is about when Strings stops at the Buckeye Country Superfest in Columbus, Ohio, June 22-23, Pine Knob Music Theatre near Detroit, Oct. 4-5, and Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Oct. 11-12.

Lost Lands brings the beat

Near Columbus, Ohio, Legend Valley hosts several festivals each year and will once again welcome bass music’s premier festival, Lost Lands, Sept. 20-22. 

Organizers of the festival have just unveiled this year’s lineup with Apashe, Boogie T, Deathpact, Dirt Monkey, DJ Snake, Excision, Level Up, Levity, Mersiv, Subtronics, and Zeds Dead topping the names of the three-day event. 

This year marks the seventh year of the festival that already lists more than a hundred artists set to perform with more expected to be announced this summer. 

John Crist returns to area

Skyrocketing comedian John Crist, who performed at Embassy Theatre this year, will criss-cross the country on his 22-date Jokes For Humans tour of this fall. 

Crist kicks off his run Sept. 26 in Florida and will make his way back to our area when he visits Crouse Hall in Lima, Ohio, on Oct. 3, followed by a two-night stay at Shipshewana’s Blue Gate Performing Arts Center on Oct. 4-5, and a stop at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on Dec. 7. 

Widely known for viral videos like “Honest Football Coach,” “Every Parent at Disney,” and “Brands That Need To Be Cancelled,” Crist has accumulated more than a billion video views and more than 5 million fans on social media, so these shows will likely sell out quickly. 

Jane’s Addiction reunites

Jane’s Addiction will head out on the road with Love and Rockets for a co-headlining tour in August and September.  

The 23-date trek will mark the first time Jane’s Addiction’s classic lineup — vocalist Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro, bassist Eric Avery, and drummer Stephen Perkins — have toured together since 2010. 

Farrell recently put his other band, Porno for Pyros, into the retirement home and is reportedly re-energized for this run with Jane’s Addiction. 

The bands will be in our region at the end of the trek, stopping at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre outside Detroit on Sept. 20, Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on Sept. 24, and Everwise Amphitheatre in Indianapolis on Sept. 26.

Heavy-hitters at Superfest

Buckeye Country Superfest is a two-day festival June 22-23 at Ohio Stadium at Ohio State University. 

Not only will you be on the field of one of the greatest college football teams, but you will get to see a couple of the biggest artists in country music in Zach Bryan and Billy Strings as they headline both Saturday’s and Sunday’s shows. 

Also scheduled to appear are Turnpike Troubadours, Charley Crockett, Levi Turner, Charles Wesley Godwin, and 49 Winchester

Road Notes covers concerts within driving distance of Northeast Indiana. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.