Summer tends to be a choose your own adventure situation,

as bands decide to hit the road and flood markets with good music, sometimes all on the same night. This week is no exception to that rule, with more happening this Friday than we see around here in an entire week or two come fall and winter.

But first a word about Thursday evening. As far as I know the Smashing Pumpkins show at the Norva is sold out.  If you got a ticket already, enjoy Billy Corgan and his new line-up. He’ll likely be playing a lot of classic Smashing Pumpkins tunes, plus new arrangements of songs he’s put together with his current bandmates. Also, according to their MySpace page, if you’re one of the first 20 people in line, you’ll be allowed in early to hear a 5-6 song soundcheck, which will be a special treat for the lucky few.

The Hot Seats in colder times.

If you don’t have a ticket and you’re really itching for some live music that night, no worries, check out Richmond bluegrass group, The Hot Seats (formerly called Special Ed and the Short Bus) at the Taphouse in Norfolk, or if you live at the beach, The Dead Kenny G’s (Brad Houser, Skerik, and Mike Dillon) performing at Doc Taylor’s.

Moving on, Friday is a musical beast. Now, I know a LOT of people are probably sweating the Brushfire Records party taking place at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater, and deservedly so. You’ve got Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO) bringing their roots rock and jamband sounds to the area for the first time. Followed by G. Love and the Special Sauce, who plays the NorVa at least once a year, but his sound is meant for summertime and the outdoors so catching him here will be a treat. And then headlining, of course, you’ve got Jack Johnson bringing his flip flop wearing, laid back, chill in a hammock summer vibe to the area for only the 2nd time, in support of his new album, To The Sea. It’s going to be one hell of a party. No doubt.

BB, the master.

But, the issue I’m having here is that B.B. King is playing at NTELOS Pavilion that same night. Now, B.B. King is a blues guitar legend and how can you let a living icon like that pass through the area and NOT see him? Rolling Stone ranks him as #3 on their list of greatest guitarists of all time, only behind Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman. So essentially you have the greatest living guitar player of all time visiting your neighborhood. Let that sink in for a moment. Now, I hate to say this and don’t mean to sound morbid, but he is 84 years old and honestly, I don’t know how many more opportunities you might have to catch him, making this my show of the week, done and…. done.

But, that’s not all that’s happening this one magical musical summer evening. If roots reggae and dancehall is your thing, you’ve got Barrington Levy playing at the NorVa! He’s got one of the most recognizable voices out of Jamaica, and this is a show that will definitely get your hips moving and your mind elevated.

But wait, there’s more! For one night only, you can get, not one, but three, count ‘em 1-2-3 other choices of live music! Don’t feel like traveling too far, or just trying to not spend too much and lay low in the Ghent area, you’ve got local jamband Octopus (formerly 8-Track) playing at 37th and Zen, and the Taphouse is hosting Miss Tess and the Bon Ton Parade, a NYC outfit specializing in swing and ragtime tunes. Or if you live in the Virginia Beach area, you can see local alternative band, The Influence at Jewish Mother. With the other three “big” shows likely ending between 11 and 12, you could probably catch the 2nd sets of one of these groups on your way home if you haven’t had your musical fill.

The Influence.

So there you go, singer/songwriter, roots rock, alternative, blues, reggae, swing and ragtime, or jamband. Any genre of music you could want, at any price level, all within 5 to 30 minutes of your doorstep. Honestly, I can’t think of any reason why this Friday night you wouldn’t be at a concert checking out live music. Unless you’re working. Or laid up in the hospital. But other than that, I fully expect everyone to be at a show. No excuses. You’ll look back on this night and realize there was more music going on than you’ll see in two weeks come winter time. Take advantage. See live music. Your soul will thank you.

Concert Going Tip:
Ntelos Pavilion is celebrating their 10th anniversary season with $10 lawn tickets for the following summer concerts: B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Slightly Stoopid & Cypress Hill, O.A.R. & Citizen Cope, Counting Crows, Heart, Fresh Fest (feat. EPMD, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, and Chubb Rock), George Jones, The Irish Tenors Reunion, Train, Billy Idol. Save money on Ticketmaster service charges by buying directly from the box office (open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm).

Other Shows of Interest:

Monday 07/12
The Dangerous Summer, The Morning Of, Go Radio @ Jewish Mother (Pop/Indie/Rock)

Tuesday 07/13
Pat McGee Band @ Jewish Mother (Acoustic Rock)

Wednesday 07/14
Jesse Chong Band @ 7th Street Stage (Folk Rock/Reggae)

Cory Daniel Band @ 37th and Zen (Southern Rock)

311, Offspring, Pepper @ Virginia Beach Amphitheater (Rock/Punk/Reggae)

Thursday 07/15
Hot Seats @ Taphouse (Bluegrass)
Smashing Pumpkins @ Norva (Alternative Rock)
Dead Kenny G’s – Brad Houser, Skerik, Mike Dillon @ Doc Taylors (Jazz/Punk)

Friday 07/16
Miss Tess and The Bon Ton Parade @ Taphouse (Swing/Ragtime)
Octopus @ 37th and Zen (Jamband)
The Inluence @ Jewish Mother (Alternative Rock)
Barrington Levy @ Norva (Roots Reggae)
B.B. King/ Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real @ Ntelos (Blues)
Jack Johnson, G. Love and Special Sauce, ALO @ Virginia Beach Amphitheater (Folk Rock/Roots Music/Blues)

Saturday 07/17
Unabombers, Lost Tribe @ 37th and Zen (Punk)
Jackmove 9 @ Jewish Mother (Ska/Punk/Reggae)
Shortwave Society @ Taphouse (Orchetral/Electronic/Americana)
Brian McKnight, Robin Thicke @ Chrysler Hall (R&B)
Dave Cynar @ NorVa (Country)

Sunday 07/18
John Mayer@ Virginia Beach Amphitheater (Pop/Acoustic Rock)
Rain Over Battle @ Jewish Mother (Rock/Punk)