Even before we carve into the Thanksgiving turkey, the summer 2024 tour announcements have come flooding in.
To begin, “The Red Rocker,” Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar, is embarking on the long-awaited The Best of All Worlds 2024 tour. But he is not hitting the road alone.
In what should be a Van Halen fan’s dream come true, Hagar will be joined by longtime Van Halen, Chickenfoot, and The Circle bandmate bassist Michael Anthony, Chickenfoot bandmate Joe Satriani — one of the best guitar players in the world — and The Circle bandmate Jason Bonham, son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham.
Featuring Loverboy, the 28-date trek will commence in mid-July, stopping at Blossom Music Center outside Cleveland on July 29, Pine Knob Music Center outside Detroit on Aug. 2, Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre outside Chicago on Aug. 3, Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati on Aug. 27, and Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville on Aug. 30.
In case you were wondering, yes, the band plan to celebrate the Van Halen legacy all summer long.
“We’re gonna go deep into the Van Halen catalog,” Hagar told The Howard Stern Show. “If you’re gonna go deep into the Van Halen catalog, you need Joe Satriani.”
“There’s stuff we’re going to do on this next tour that we haven’t played since that tour in 2004,” Anthony added.
Hagar even mentioned he’d be all for drummer Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth even coming aboard if they’d like.
Pantera in Grand Rapids
Heavy metal icons Pantera will return to the stage this February on the second leg of their North American headlining tour.
With a massively successful 20-date run this year, vocalist Philip H. Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown, alongside guitarist Zakk Wylde and drummer Charlie Benante have decided to keep the train rolling as they celebrate the lives of late founding members, drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell.
Unfortunately, there is only one date scheduled in our region, Feb. 20 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, but I’d expect the band will continue to play sporadic dates through the summer festival season as well.
Mellencamp extends tour
John Mellencamp has announced new dates for his 2024 Live and In Person Tour.
Mellencamp will bring his North American trek to 27 cities this time around, including Stranahan Theater in Toledo on March 17, Wharton Center in East Lansing, Michigan, on March 19, and Emens Auditorium in Muncie on March 22.
The proud Hoosier released his 24th studio album, Orpheus Descending, in June.
Judas Priest hitting road
Heavy metal legends Judas Priest have announced they will hit the road next year for the Invincible Shield Tour with opening band Sabaton.
The run of dates will start a little more than a month after the release of their latest album called, you guessed it, Invincible Shield, due out March 8.
The tour includes 20 dates with Everwise Amphitheatre (formerly TCU Amphitheatre) at White River State Park in Indianapolis on the docket April 28, followed by Rosemont Theatre near Chicago on May 1, and Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo on May 4.
Invincible Shield marks the band’s first album since 2018’s Firepower.
Road Notes covers concerts within driving distance of Northeast Indiana. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
