I'm embarrassed at how many times I say, "I should really get tickets soon," and proceed to not even so much as look up the tour dates for a band or musical artist. So, instead of opening my notebook for finals reviewing, I made this list. Don't be like me. Go find your favorite artists and bands and buy some nose-bleed tickets right now.
1. Coldplay
This rock-turned-pop band is always evolving with the current trends of music and yet they have never lost their authenticity. Coming back with an album full of joy after their beautiful but depressing “Ghost Stories,” Coldplay will tour “Adventure of a Lifetime” this summer. At this year’s Superbowl halftime show, Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin along with Beyonce closed the show with the incredibly uplifting “Up&Up,” singing “We’re gonna get it, get it together right now, gonna get it, get it together somehow,” backed by thousands of fans in the stands. This is absolutely the perfect time to see Coldplay live. You get a night of beautiful, upbeat tunes along with the best of the past as they are sure to include classics like “Yellow,” “Fix you” and breakout song “Viva La Vida.” Something to sway to, something to soothe the heart and plenty to dance to.
2. The 1975
This alternative rock band is incredibly diverse. In fact, rarely to they fit into one category. Sometimes electronic, other times rock, inspirations coming from '80s pop to cinematic scores. Their 2016 album, “I like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet unaware of it,” is lush in sound and debuted at #1 in both the US and the UK. The band's lead singer jokes, "we're a post-modern pop band that references a million things. I don't even know what my band is half the time." From fun tracks like, “The Sound,” to the acoustic and charming, “Nana,” there is plenty to enjoy for everyone.
3. Adele
One of my biggest regrets is not seeing Adele on her 21 tour when she was in my hometown. What was I thinking? With vocal talents leading music critiques to calling her “the new Amy Winehouse,” and star power next to that of Beyonce, she’s simply a once-in-a-lifetime type of artist. 21 was one of those albums that was so perfect, you knew it couldn’t be topped. And yet, Adele still managed to surprise fans with new sounds and important subjects. From a new pop sound in “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” to the highest note of “Hello” and the lowest note of “River Lea” to the heartbreaking “When We Were Young,” in which she pleads, “Can I have a moment before you go?” Adele shows us that she didn’t peak at 21 and still has lots to offer. She is that artist you want to be able to tell your kids you witnessed.
4. Imagine Dragons
Let’s first address the fact that one of their openers will be singer Halsey, who I was fully prepared to add to this list on her own. Halsey’s breakout song “Colors” quickly jumped to a radio hit and stuck around. The alternative-rock band Imagine Dragons followed their hit debut album “Night Visions” including “Radioactive,” from 2012 with “Some + Mirrors,” in 2015 with singles, “I Bet My Life” and “Shots.” Another band that doesn't fit neatly into one genre, the group's blended sound continues with energy and passion in new songs.