If you’ve got a hankering for some 90s music this summer, you’re in luck. A number of quintessential alternative and grunge bands from the era have announced plans to hit the road, with a handful of bands expected to reveal their travel plans soon. Here are a few tours of note to get excited about this summer…
- Weezer & The Pixies
Two alternative rock legends, albeit from slightly different times and spheres of influence team up for a seven-week co-headlining tour spanning coast to coast. The aforementioned differences is what makes this tour so intriguing. Weezer, fresh off the release of their 11th studio album will likely bring in a bit of a younger crowd, while Pixies devout following of pre-grunge rockers will continue to support their band in earnest. Pixies frontman Black Francis seems excited for the start of the tour stating “we’re really looking forward to this summer. We have a lot of a respect for Weezer, they are not afraid to take risks in their music.” See full dates here.
2. Smashing Pumpkins “Shiny and Oh So Bright” Tour
There’s been a lot of hype and drama surrounding this “reunion” tour which will see original guitarist James Iha join mastermind Billy Corgan for their first tour together since 2001. Notably evident however is the exclusion of original bassist D’arcy Wretzky, preventing this from being a true reunion. Original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin is also back in the fold, which while is undoubtedly exciting, perhaps a bit anti-climatic given he’s been a “touring” drummer for the band for much of the last two years. Still, this tour which sees the band take on arenas across the US beginning July 12th has big time potential. The band already promised shows full of their older material, implying they will go light on 21st century material, which both Iha and Chamberlin were not a part of anyways. The tour could be a bit of lightning in a bottle, as the band seems focused and psyched up about being back together which should create some great energy onstage. But while the future seems bright now, one can’t help but wonder if it’s only a matter of time before the same demons that split up the band in the first place rear their head again, leaving Corgan once again to a band of hired hands under his iconic Smashing Pumpkins name. View all tour info and dates here.
3) Everclear, Marcy Playground, & Local H “Summerland 2018” Tour
Some bands try to stray away from nostalgia, convincing themselves they are more than “just a 90s band” and even attempt to distance themselves from that time to avoid becoming a novelty. Fair enough. But Everclear is not one of those bands, and since 2012 they have been rallying their peers to join them on their annual “Summerland Tours” that blatantly celebrate the decade’s music. Marcy Playground, who joined Everclear on that inaugural tour are back once again along with Local H. Anytime you can hear “Father of Mine”, “Sex & Candy” and “Bound to the Floor” all in the same show makes for a great night. See all the tour dates here.
4. Foo Fighters
No surprise here, Dave Grohl and company are hitting the road for massive tour beginning April 18th in Austin that will see them hop over for a European trip sandwiched between two big US runs. Their recently released album, Concrete Gold, provides a solid foundation for some new material to keep the shows fresh, while the Foos extensive catalog can keep any 90s kid satisfied for their epic 120 minute + marathon shows. There aren’t too many rock bands who can pack full arenas these days and then create enough energy and to back it up, but Foo Fighters are one of them. Check out all the tour dates here.
5. Pearl Jam
Sure they may only be playing 7 shows here in the US this summer compared to the 14 they have slated over in Europe, but Pearl Jam’s shows in Seattle (2), Chicago (2), Boston (2) and Missoula (1) will surely be worth the trip for those who make it. Their Seattle homecoming at SafeCo Field will be their first hometime shows in over 5 years, while their trip to Missoula, Montana will see the bassist Jeff Ament feel right at home in his native state where the band last played 6 years ago. The grunge legends will also make their much anticipated return to Chicago’s Wrigley Field, filming site of their recently released concert film, “Let’s Play Two.” Much like Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam are truly the cream of the 90s crop who are able to fill baseball stadiums with ease. Full info here.
6. Barenaked Ladies & Better Than Ezra “Last Summer on Earth” Tour
Toronto meets New Orleans for this tasty 90s pairing. Kicking off June 1st in Prior Lake, Minnesota, the “Last Summer on Earth Tour” will see Better Than Ezra open for Barenaked Ladies, who’s styles clash enough to create a unique dynamic from one set to another while feeling like a natural fit in the process. Much like the 1-2-3 punch of the Summerland tour, this will see a night full of sing-alongs and unbridled nostalgia. Full dates can be found here.
7. 3 Doors Down & Collective Soul “Rock & Roll Express” Tour
Fans hoping for a headlining Collective Soul will have to wait yet another year to see if that will happen. However, joining a bill with 3 Doors Down isn’t a bad consolation. Two bands from southern states will tour the country together beginning in Collective Soul’s native Georgia on July 6th, before moving up and across the country for a nearly 10 week run of shows. While their breakthrough big hit “Kryptonite” was actually released in January of 2000, 3 Doors Down was founded in 1996 and can be grandfathered into the era, especially when they tour with the purveyors of smash hit songs like “Shine” and “The World I Know.” The real gem here is the *select* dates that Soul Asylum will also be on the bill. See full dates here.
We expect more tour announcements to roll in throughout the next few weeks. Sources tell After the Grunge Rush that Counting Crows are finalizing a tour with fellow alt-rockers Live, while habitual summer touring bands such as Third Eye Blind and Gin Blossoms are yet to announce and substantial touring plans for the summer. Stay tuned here for news on that front!
(Feature Photo from Woodstock Festival 1994)
