The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the place to see all your favorite bands on the beach this summer.
With two free shows every Friday evening at 6:30 and 8:30 on the Beach Bandstand, you can bring your beach blanket and chairs to settle in for a night of family-friendly entertainment starting with Nineties radio-darlings Smash Mouth on June 14.
This year’s lineup has something for everyone. On June 20, eighties icon Greg Kihn (“Jeopardy”, “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em)”) takes to the stage with The Greg Kihn Band.
It is back to the Nineties on June 27, with Blind Melon, who enjoyed critical and commercial success with their neo-psychedelic take on alternative rock, topping the charts with their 1993 hit, “No Rain.”
On July 3, celebrate Independence Day early with classic rock group The Tubes featuring Fee Waybill. The Tubes emerged onto the San Francisco music scene in 1969 and had hits in the Eighties with classic rock songs “She’s a Beauty” and “Talk To Ya Later.”
Grammy-award winning artist, Macy Gray performs on July 11. Known for her distinctive raspy voice, Gray has released seven studio albums, including her multi-platinum debut, On How Life Is. Gray’s new album, The Way, is due out later this year.
Get ready for The Fixx on July 18. With hits like “One Thing Leads to Another,” “Red Skies,” and “Saved By Zero,” The Fixx continues to influence and stand-out amongst the thousands of artists filling the airwaves.
On July 25, see Santana original lead singer Gregg Rolie belt out classics including Black Magic Woman. Rolie also co-founded super group Journey.
The following week is Y&T (“Summertime Girls”) on August 1. With a discography of 18 albums and three greatest hits collections, Y&T has sold over four million albums since forming in 1974.
August 8 sees Starship starring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”) take the stage. Thomas joined Jefferson Starship as lead vocalist in 1979, when the group was renamed Starship. The show will feature an expanded set list that includes multiplatinum hits of Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship and Starship.
August 15, Eddie Money (“Take Me Home Tonight”) performs his blue-collar brand of rock-in-roll on the Beach Bandstand.
Hard rock band Great White (“Rock Me,” “Save Your Love”) performs on August 22. The Grammy-nominated group’s Once Bitten, Twice Shy album went double-platinum.
Closing the summer concert series on August 29 is local favorite, Papa Doo Run Run, who returns to the Boardwalk to perform tunes from the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean and many of your beach party favorites!
