Riverbend summer shows span every genre
When pulling together the artists performing for the Riverbend Music Center’s 40th anniversary season, organizers wanted to create a live music playlist that appeals to fans of everything from alternative to yacht rock. With 34 shows scheduled from May through September, music fans have a wide range of choices to enjoy live entertainment at the area’s only amphitheater.
“This year really spans every genre,” said Rosemarie Moehring, Vice President of Marketing for Music & Event Management, Inc. (MEMI), the company that oversees several Cincinnati area venues including Riverbend Music Center, The Andrew J. Brady Music Cen- ter, PNC Pavilion and the Taft Theatre. “We have reggae with The Marleys and The Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp, which should be a great show.”
Fans of 80s and 90s music may enjoy a night listening to Janet Jackson, the New Kids on The Block, Hootie & the Blowfish, and many other artists from these influen- tial decades.
Riverbend’s location along the banks of the Ohio River makes it a popular location for music acts and lovers.
“It’s summertime; people are excited to be outdoors and listening to live music,” Moehring said. “We have a great reputation with the artists, who say Cincinnati fans are some of the best anywhere.”
For fans looking for a more affordable night on the town, Riverbend offers several ways to save money.
First, fans can avoid high ticket fees by buying tickets directly from the box office at Riverbend Music Center, The Andry J. Brady Music Center, or the Taft Theatre.
Cash-paying customers will not pay any ticket fees. There is only a $2 fee per ticket for customers using a credit card.
Many of this season’s Riv- erbend concerts have a lawn seat package deal with 4 tick- ets and free parking for just $92, not including fees if ordering online.
When preparing to come to a Riverbend Music Center show, visit the venue’s official website at riverbend.org to get your questions answered. You’ll find everything you need to know about visit- ing Riverbend, from what food is served at the venue to what items are prohibited on the grounds.
Mohering said the crowds have returned to Riverbend Music Center after a long hia- tus thanks to the pandemic.
“Before the pandemic, people thought if we don’t see [our favorite artist] this year, we can just do it next year,” she explained. “Now, people realize they need to seize the day and not take things like that for granted.”
Nostalgia also plays a sig- nificant role in attracting crowds to Riverbend. Many people saw their first concert there and are now bringing their children. And with a new amphitheater coming to Cincinnati in 2026, time is running out to experience outdoor concerts at Riverbend, as they are today.
“This year and next sum- mer will be the last full seasons of shows at Riverbend,” Mohering said. “We antici- pate a lot of nostalgia will bring people in over the next two years.”
Ticket prices and availabil- ity vary by show. You can go directly to the box office to purchase your tickets or visit Ticketmaster.com to find available seats.
RIVERBEND LINEUP FOR 2024
■ Wednesday, May 22
21 Savage: American Dream Tour with Special Guests J.I.D, Nardo Wick and 21 Lil Harold. Show time: 7 p.m.
■ Friday, June 7
Hootie & the Blowfish – Summer Camp with Trucks Tour with Special Guests Collective Soul and Edwin McCain. Show time: 7 p.m. This is a mobile-ticket only event; tickets will be delivered 72 hours before the show.
■ Saturday, June 15
Dierks Bentley: Gravel & Gold Tour with Special Guests Lee Brice and Graham Barham. Show time: 7 p.m.
■ Friday, June 21
New Kids on the Block: Magic Summer Tour 2024 with Special Guests Paula
Abdul and D J Jazzy Jeff. Show time: 7 p.m.
■ Saturday, June 22
Janet Jackson: Together Again with Special Guest Nelly. Show time: 8 p.m.
■ Tuesday, June 25
Niall Horan: “The Show” Live on Tour 2024 with Spe- cial Guest Del Water Gap. Show time: 7:30 p.m.
■ Friday, June 28
Santana and Counting Crows: Oneness Tour 2024. Show time: 7 p.m.
■ Tuesday, July 2
Third Eye Blind – Summer Gods Tour 2024 with Special Guests Yellow Card and A R I Z O N A. Show time: 6:30 p.m.
■ Friday, July 5
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Unlimited Love 2024 Tour with Special Guest Irontom. Show time: 7 p.m.
■ Friday, July 12
Train & REO Speedwagon – Summer Road Trip 2024 with Special Guest Yacht Rock Revue. Show time: 6:25 p.m.
■ Saturday, July 13
Luke Bryan: Mind of a Country Boy Tour 2024 with Special Guests Alana Springsteen, Larry Fleet and Dil- lon Carmichael. Show time: 7 p.m.
■ Thursday, July 18
Dan + Shay: Heartbreak on the Map Tour with Special Guests Jake Owen and Dylan Marlowe. Show time: 7 p.m.
■ Friday, July 19
Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire. Show time: 7:30 p.m.
■ Wednesday, July 24
Alanis Morissette – The Triple Moon Tour with Spe- cial Guests Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Morgan Wade. Show time: 7 p.m.
■ Thursday, July 25
Hardy: Quit!! Tour with Special Guests Kip Moore and Travis Denning. Show time: 6:45 p.m.
■ Saturday, July 27
Totally Tubular Festival featuring Thomas Dolby, Thompson Twins’ Tom Bai- ley, Modern English, Men Without Hats, The Romantics, Bow Wow Wow, Tommy TuTone and the Plimsouls. Show time: 5:45 p.m.
■ Friday, Aug. 2
Creed: Summer of ‘99 Tour with Special Guests 3 Doors Down and Finger Eleven. Show time: 7 p.m. (This show is sold out.)
■ Thursday, Aug. 8
Five Finger Death Punch with Special Guests Marilyn Manson, Slaughter to Pre- vail and the Funeral Portrait. Show time: 6:30 p.m.
■ Friday, Aug. 9
Barbie the Movie: In Con- cert. Show time: 8 p.m. This is a mobile-ticket only event; tickets will be delivered 72 hours before the show.
■ Wednesday, Aug. 14
Bush – Loaded: The Great- est Hits Tour with Special Guests Jerry Cantrell, Can- dlebox and Tim Montana. Show time: 6 p.m.
■ Sunday, Aug. 18
The Doobie Brothers: Sum- mer 2024 with Special Guest Steve Winwood. Show time: 7 p.m.
■ Friday, Aug. 23
Foreigner & Styx: Rene- gades and Juke Box Heroes Tour with Special Guest John Waite. Show time: 6:45 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 25
■ Human Musical Group Sensations Glass Animals: Tour of Earth with Special Guest Kevin Abstract. Show time: 7:45 p.m.
■ Tuesday, Aug. 27
Sammy Hagar: The Best of All Words Tour with Special Guest Loverboy. Show time: 7 p.m.
■ Friday, Aug. 30
Cage the Elephant – Neon Pill Tour with Special Guests Young the Giant and Bakar. Show time: 6:30 p.m.
■ Saturday, Aug. 31
Kidz Bop: Live 2024. Show time: 6 p.m.
■ Wednesday, Sept. 4
Meghan Trainor | The Timeless Tour with Special Guests Paul Russell and Chris Olsen. Show time: 6:30 p.m.
■ Saturday, Sept. 7
Ohio is For Lovers Festivals featuring Hot Mulligan, Hawthorne Heights, Senses Fail, The Devil Wears Prada and more. Show time: 1:30 p.m.
■ Tuesday, Sept. 10
John Legend: A Night of Songs and Stories with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Show time: 7:30 p.m. This is a mobile-ticket only event; tickets will be delivered on Sept. 3
■ Wednesday, Sept. 11
Outlaw Music Festival featuring Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, and Southern Avenue. Show time: 5 p.m.
■ Saturday, Sept. 14
Parker McCollum: Burn It Down Tour 2024 with Special Guests Chayce Beckham and Elvie Shane. Show time: 7:30 p.m.
■ Tuesday, Sept. 17
Megadeth – Destroy All Enemies with Special Guests Mudvayne and All that Remains. Show time: 6:30 p.m.
■ Wednesday, Sept. 18
The Marley Brothers: The Legacy Tour 2024 with Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley and Damian Marley. Show time: 7:30 p.m.
■ Thursday, Sept. 19
Pitbull: Party After Dark Tour with Special Guest T-Pain. Show time: 8 p.m.