CitySurfing Orlando

May 2012 is a busy month for musical artists bringing their tours through Orlando. Here’s our picks for shows to check out:

May 3 – The Fray – Hard Rock Live – $41.50-$76.50
This American band is often compared to England’s Coldplay due to the use of the piano as the lead instrument in their sound. They are currently touring for their third CD, Scars andStories.

..|: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

May 3 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Amway Center – $35-$85
Hailing from nearby Gainesville, Florida, Petty and his band have spent the last several decades helping to shape the sound of American rock’n'roll. In 2002, they were inducted into the Rock’n'Roll Hall of Fame for doing so. They don’t tour very often anymore, so this is a rare chance to catch them live.

May 4 – All American Rejects – The Beacham – $25/$40
This pop punk band behind hits like “Gives You Hell” is back together and touring. Opening forthem is A Rocket To The Moon.

May 4 – Nickelback – Amway Center – $44-$88.50
Everyone claims to hate them, but their songs still dominate the charts and radio airplay, so they are laughing all the way to the bank. Also on this tour are Bush, Seether and My Darkest Days.

May 4 – Rusted Root – Plaza Live – $20 advance/$25 day of
One of the biggest jam bands to come out of the 90s, Rusted Root just celebrated their 20th anniversary together. They’re still going strong, with a new CD called Fortunate Freaks, due in stores this summer.

May 6 – Megadeth – Hard Rock Live – $30-$60
Forming Megadeth after a short stint with Metallica, frontman Dave Mustaine elevated his band to the top ranks of the metal genre. Don’t miss your chance to rock out to one of the original masters of the mosh pit. Lacuna Coil opens

May 7 – Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – Hard Rock Live – $30-$45
He rose to fame as lead guitarist of bands like Guns ‘n’ Roses and Velvet Revolver, but even on hisown, Slash has command of the six-string that makes others weep in envy. He has a brand new CD due in stores later this month.
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Every month, except November and December, the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando hosts a live concert called Velvet Sessions. It’s a 21 and over event that features classic rock and pop artists performing in an intimate club-like atmosphere.

For April 2012, the band tapped to play is Lit, which has had a string of hit singles including “My Own Worst Enemy” and “Miserable.”

This month’s Velvet Sessions takes place on April 26, 2012.

Tickets are $29 in advance online or $35 at the door. This not only gets you in the door, but free specialty drinks, finger foods and warm-up tunes from 6:30 pm until show time. Complimentary valet parking is also included.

For $50, you can upgrade to VIP, which in addition to the above perks, gives you access to a special viewing area with a private bar serving those free specialty drinks all night.

Here’s some of our picks for shows not to miss at neighboring venues The Social and The Beacham for April 2012:

...|: Drive By Truckers

April 6 – Andrew W.K. – $20/$35
Andrew brings his high energy level rock show to The Beacham on this year’s tenth anniversary tour. Expect lots of headbanging.

April 13 – Drive By Truckers – $20/$25
The jam-band rock of Drive By Truckers rolls their country-soul-blues sound into The Beacham for a show on Friday the 13th.

April 14 – Los Amigos Invisibles – $20/$25
This Grammy-nominated band blends salsa, funk and acid-jazz into a wild blend that has gotten people dancing in over 60 countries. Their show at The Social should be no different.

April 19-22 – Florida Music Festival – $25
Held across several downtown venues, this year’s installment includes the llikes of Filter, Candlebox, The Dirty Heads, Seven Nations and more. Each night’s wristband grants you clubhopping access to all 10 venues participating. For more info check out the floridamusicfestival.com website.

For more information on these and other upcoming shows, visit thesocial.org. The Social is located at 54 North Orange Ave in Orlando.The Beacham is located right next door.

Here’s some of our picks for shows not to miss at Plaza Live for April 2012:

April 6 – Pink Martini – $28.50 and up
From jazz to classical to pop and more, Pink Martini loves to explore the boundaries of music. They’ve collaborated with a roster that includes such diverse talent as Carol Channing and DJ DIMItri from Paris, and it’s not unusual to see more than a dozen musicians onstage at any point in time. They’ve been known to sell out Carnegie Hall, so here’s your chance to see them in a more intimate venue.

April 11 – Tower of Power – $26.50 and up
They formed in Oakland, California, in 1968, and spent the early 70s releasing a string of hits. They’ve also performed on hits from the likes of Huey Lewis, Rod Stewart, Smokey Robinson and David Sanborn. If you like classic soul and R&B, this is the show to catch.

...|: Jimmie Vaughan

April 13 – Jimmie Vaughan – $20 advance/$22 day of
Vaughan is a well respected and well loved bluesman, who, on his own and as a member of bands like the Fabulous Thunderbirds, has recorded a legacy of great music. On his newest release, Blues, Ballads and Favorites, Vaughan has covered tunes he loves that were written by others. It’s his first CD in nearly nine years and he says, ““I just wanted to do these songs and that was it, really. And like all of my albums this one is 100% totally selfish. I want people to like what I do but at the same time I have this strong feeling that if I don’t like it, I can’t expect them to.”

April 20 – Rick Springfield – $45 and up
Rick Springfield is a multi-hyphen entertainer whose resume includes actor and author. But music has always been his first love and he has a string of hits to prove it. Songs such as “Jessie’s Girl” and “I’ve Done Everything for You” are still radio staples, even more than 30 years after their release. Don’t miss this chance to see Rick perform live – he always puts on a great show.

April 27 – Chris Burns – $15 gen admission/$20 admission + CD
This show is a CD release party for Orlando’s own Chris Burns. This singer-songwriter has spent the last two years writing and recording his newest release, Out of the Well, so come on out and celebrate its release. $20 preferred tickets even get you a copy of the CD – that’s a deal!

For more information on these and other upcoming shows, visit plazaliveorlando.com. Plaza Live is located at 425 N. Bumby Ave. in Orlando.

Every month, except November and December, the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando hosts a live concert called Velvet Sessions. It’s a 21 and over event that features classic rock and pop artists performing in an intimate club-like atmosphere.

For March 2012, the band tapped to play is Tonic, which has had a string of hit singles including “If You Could Only See” and “You Wanted More.”

This month’s Velvet Sessions takes place on March 29, 2012.

Tickets are $29 in advance online or $35 at the door. This not only gets you in the door, but free specialty drinks, finger foods and warm-up tunes from 6:30 pm until show time. Complimentary valet parking is also included.

For $50, you can upgrade to VIP, which in addition to the above perks, gives you access to a special viewing area with a private bar serving those free specialty drinks all night.