East Bay Concert Guide
More than a dozen musical legends are performing in the region this month. Take Diablo’s quiz to find out which concert is right for you.
Start
How many acts do you want to see in one show?
One Headliner
What’s your preferred musical genre?
A. Parody pop, with a classical twist.
A symphony orchestra accompanies the incomparable “Weird Al” Yankovic on August 9 at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre. thegreekberkeley.com.
B. Modern jazz, with a hint of funk.
Pioneering pianist Herbie Hancock descends upon the Greek Theatre on August 23. thegreekberkeley.com.
C. Southern rock, with a bluesy edge.
Get transported to “Sweet Home Alabama” as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s farewell tour stops at the Concord Pavilion on August 24. livenation.com.
D. R&B and soul, with a horn section and local ties.
Oakland’s own Tower of Power brings down the house at their hometown Fox Theater on August 24. thefoxoakland.com.
E. Classic pop/rock, performed by a member of the most famous rock band of all time.
Catch the one and only Ringo Starr on August 28 at the Paramount Theatre. paramounttheatre.com.
F. Art pop/rock, with a flair for fashion.
Roxy Music frontman and style icon Bryan Ferry plays the Fox Theater on August 31. thefoxoakland.com.
Co-Headliners
Which era do you feel more connected to?
A. 1960s and ’70s Motown.
Sing along with The Temptations and The Four Tops atLivermore’s Wente Vineyards on August 6. wentevineyards.com.
B. Late 1970s and ’80s new wave.
Alt-rock progenitors Elvis Costello and Blondie share the stage at the Concord Pavilion on August 8. livenation.com.
The More, The Better
How old are you?
A. Over 40.
In celebration of its golden jubilee, the 50th Anniversary Concord Jazz Festival lights up the Concord Pavilion on August 3, with performances from musical icons including Chick Corea (pictured), Poncho Sanchez, and The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra—as well as more recent jazz greats, such as Dave Koz and Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding. livenation.com.
B. Under 40.
Mingle among millennials at San Francisco’s Outside Lands music festival on August 11 to witness headliner Paul Simon (right)—who’s currently on his Homeward Bound farewell tour—play classic hits such as “Graceland” and “The Sound of Silence.” Kacey Musgraves, Leon Bridges, and Mavis Staples also take the Golden Gate Park stage that day. sfoutsidelands.com.