Let’s start with the bad news: If you were waiting around to buy tickets for Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s performance at the Kennedy Center in July, you’re too late. Tickets have already sold out for that concert, but there’s still tons of other stuff to look forward to. Here are the concert tickets you really should buy now.
1. Aretha Franklin
May 13, 8 PM
$65 to $195
The Queen of Soul comes to Washington to sing classics, as well as songs from her latest album, Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics.
2. Sheryl Crow
May 26, 8 PM
$35 to $55
So many song lyrics to quote here. Do you want to “soak up the sun”? “Have some fun”? Check out Crow’s show at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center.
3. A. R. Rahman
May 29, 8 PM
$45 to $175
The mastermind composer behind Slumdog Millionaire’s score is on his first US tour in five years.
4. Florence + The Machine
June 9, 8 PM
$45 to $65
The band’s new album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, comes out on June 2.
5. Mumford and Sons
June 10, 7 PM
$55
RIP, banjo. Mumford and Sons has leapt away from their characteristic bluegrass/folk and shifted toward rock and electric guitar in their latest album, Wilder Mind.
6. Lana Del Rey
June 11, 7:30 PM
$25 to $79.50
Not only do you get Lana Del Rey, but you also get Grimes, who will be opening for the tour.
7. Belle and Sebastian
June 11, 7 PM
$45
In June, the Scottish indie pop band will be on the US leg of a world tour, playing gigs all the way from New York to Minneapolis.
8. Best Coast
June 16, 7 PM
$25
Made up of singer Bethany Cosentino and guitarist Bobb Bruno, this duo will release its third album, California Nights, on May 4.
9. Romeo Santos
June 25, 8 PM
$44 to $122
Don’t have a clue who Romeo is? To get an idea of how big this bachata singer is, all you need to know is this: His “Propuesta Indecente” video has three times as many views as Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney’s “FourFiveSeconds.”
10. Taylor Swift
July 13 to 14
$54.50 to $134.50
Swift fans are in luck: A second show at Nationals Park was added for the mega star’s “1989 World Tour.”
11. Neon Trees
July 20, 7 PM
$25
Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees made headlines when he came out last year as a gay Mormon in Rolling Stone. With two double-platinum singles under its belt, the band is likely to pack the house when it performs in Washington.
12. Sam Smith
July 24, 8 PM
$45 to $97.50
Sam Smith won big at the Grammys this year, receiving four awards. If you missed his January show at the Patriot Center, score tickets now for his summer gig.
13. Madonna
September 12, 8 PM
$93 to $358
Not only is Washington getting the Queen of Soul this year, it’s also getting the Queen of Pop. Madonna will be in town promoting her 13th album, Rebel Heart.
14. Kelly Clarkson
September 13, 7 PM
$45 to $125
Tickets are already sold out for Clarkson’s performance on September 12, but you’re still in time to grab a few for her second show on Sunday.
