Every State's Best Outdoor Concert Venue

Outdoor concerts are a beloved summer rite in the USA and this year they are set to be some of the first live events to return to the stage. Sometimes, the natural surrounds of the venue can be almost as memorable as the setlist, and the following list contains more than a handful of truly remarkable settings. Have a great summer and remember to never, ever leave before the encore just to beat the traffic.

This venue sits nestled within 15 acres of land beside the scenic Black Warrior River-just a few minutes from the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The amphitheater will be marking its 10th anniversary in 2021, and will be celebrating with scheduled shows from the likes of Jon Pardi, Brad Paisley and Lady A.

Not only does Moose's Tooth serve some of the best pizza north of the 49th Parallel and brew their own excellent Broken Tooth beer, each summer their concert stage comes to life with big names across a wide spectrum of music. Past acts have included Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Incubus, Wu-Tang Clan and Modest Mouse. Keep an eye on their social media channels for any announcement about this summer.

There's no question that you can find bigger outdoor concert venues in the Valley and when that A-list name rolls through town you're going to want to head out to Ak-Chin to see them do their thing. But, when you want a truly unique night of music in an intimate environment surrounded by bewitching Southwest scenery, head for the Desert Botanical Garden.

Fresh off an upgrade and expansion in 2020, the AMP is ready to reclaim its title as the place to be on a summer night in the Natural State. Live music will return in late June with the likes of Chicago, Lindsey Sterling, Phish, Luke Bryan and Alanis Morissette taking the stage.

Rarely is a venue as famous as the artists that perform on its stage, but that's most certainly the case with the Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl and its iconic white bandshell. Shows will return to the stage this summer with an eclectic mix of artists performing with the LA Philharmonic (everyone from Christina Aguilera and Cynthia Erivo to Carlos Vives), classical concerts, musical sing-a-longs and special reggae & mariachi nights.

Watching a show at Red Rocks is one of the most quintessential concert experiences in America and this summer this stunning stage set against burnt red boulders will be back in a big way. In addition to a host of movie nights, expect to see artists like Michael Franti & Spearhead, Grace Potter, String Cheese Incident, Slightly Stoopid, Widespread Panic and a host of other artists take the stage.

On a typical summer night, up to 30,000 people can take in a show at XFINITY, making it one of the largest venues in the nation. This year, the stage is expected to host artists like Luke Bryan, The Black Crowes, Dead & Company and Florida Georgia Line.

This grand bandstand has been the spot for fun summer concerts that put a smile on your face since 1963. This year will feature a July 4th concert from the United States Navy Concert Band, awesome local bands and an assortment of excellent tribute acts.

This venue sits at the heart of Miami and features views of the city's skyscrapers as a backdrop. That's enough to make it stand out from the crowd, but it also attracts A-list talent, with pre-pandemic acts including Kanye West, Dua Lipa and Bastille.

The corporate sponsorship of the name may change, but Lakewood is always the spot to catch excellent shows on a summer night in Atlanta. This year's roster includes Kings of Leon, Chris Stapleton, Jason Aldean and KISS.

Located directly across from Waikiki Beach and featuring views of swaying palms and majestic Diamond Head, the Waikiki Shell has been a staple of Honolulu nights since the 50s. This summer sees a classical music series and a food & drink festival.

The Idaho Botanical Garden is the best place in Boise to get out and smell the roses. And during the summer, it's also the best place to feel the tunes. This year will see the Avett Brothers and Primus take the stage, but you can expect many more rescheduled shows in 2022.

All you really need to know about Grant Park is that it's the home base of one of America's most iconic annual concert festivals: Lollapalooza. In addition, the park annually hosts the Grant Park Music Festival which sees a parade of top classical music talent take to the stage at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

One of the star attractions of wild and wonderful White River State Park, this stage is Indy's most state-of-the-art summer concert venue. This year is expected to see Jamey Johnson, 3 Doors Down, 311, Machine Gun Kelly and a Yacht Rock tribute act take the stage.

There are a few solid outdoor venues in the Hawkeye State, but none can match the setting of McGrath in Cedar Rapids. This venue fits perfectly into the natural setting of the Cedar River's west bank and the stage hosts big names from all musical genres and a full calendar of family entertainment, too.

You'll find this lively venue in the heart of Wichita's Old Town district and you'll leave blown away with the level of the national touring talent showing off their skills on stage. Don't sleep on Wichita, and whatever you do, don't bypass the Brickyard when you're there.

This venue isn't just the most beloved venue in Louisville, Iroquois been recognized as the official amphitheater of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Since 1938, folks have been filling its seats during the summer to take in musicals and concerts and this year will see everything from the Wizard of Oz to the Brothers Osborne, Reo Speedwagon and Indigo Girls delight the crowds.

This urban green space is a beloved gathering place for the residents of New Orleans and each autumn it becomes the setting for the Voodoo Music & Arts Experience, one of the best concerts on the city's festival calendar. Shoutout to Alexandria's riverfront amphitheater, which is currently undergoing renovations and could soon see itself on this list.

Maine has a few waterside stages, but this one is all set for the best summer of the bunch. Set right on the water in Bangor, the magnificent Darling's Waterfront Pavilion is a point of pride for all local music lovers and late summer 2021 sees KISS, Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett take the stage.

Nestled within Columbia's Symphony Woods and encircled by greenery, this revered outdoor venue has been entertaining music fans since 1967. This year's season will start a little later than usual but will feature huge names like Wilco, Zac Brown Band, Dave Matthews Band in addition to the Capital Jazz Fest.

An icon of summertime in Boston, you'll find the "hatch shell" tucked away in Back Bay but atop everyone's must-see list on July 4th each year when it hosts a patriotic performance by the Boston Pops. Most summers, the venue plays host to a series of free concerts, too.

Originally the home for the Detriot Symphony Orchestra, Meadow Brook offers a relaxed concert-going experience on the leafy campus of Oakland University. Opera will start this season this year and in August both Jason Mraz and Modest Mouse are scheduled to appear on stage.

Summer is a spectacular time to be in Duluth and each year the stage at this waterfront park springs to life to breathe life into those long, warm Minnesota nights. This year kicks off with a Reggae and World Music festival then is scheduled to see 80s tribute band Hairball, the Avett Brothers and For King & Country delight the crowds.

One of the newest outdoor concert venues in the country, Brandon Amp' has already become beloved in Mississippi. The venue will pick up right where it left off in 2019 this summer with scheduled appearances by Brad Paisley, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit and Kane Brown among others.

In addition to having the most perfect name for an outdoor venue, Starlight owns an illustrious history dating back to 1950. This enchanting venue located in Kansas City's Swope Park hosts Broadway musicals and a broad range of concerts, with this season seeing the Doobie Brothers, Jason Mraz and Lindsey Stirling scheduled to perform.

Sometimes it's all about the setting, and Kettlehouse definitely falls into that category. Located on the scenic banks of the Black Foot River in Bonner, taking in a show here is to appreciate all that is great about Montana-but that doesn't mean the acoustics and facilities aren't excellent because they most certainly are. This summer sees Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, The Marshall Tucker Band, Rebelution and a host of others scheduled to rock the stage.

Owning a delightful spot among the evergreens of Lincoln's Pioneer Park, this venue hosts a series of concerts and a cherished annual community musical each summer. Slated to take the stage this year are Styx & Collective Soul, Chicago and home-state favorites 311.

Could there be any better way to top a day spent out on the waters of Lake Tahoe than a night under the stars at the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena? Highly unlikely. The schedule starts in July this year and includes such big names as Old Dominion, Eric Church, Phish and Train.

A handful of reduced-capacity, socially-distanced shows from artists like Greensky Bluegrass and Brantley Gilbert will get things going in June at this wonderful venue on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. Later in the summer, such names as Darius Rucker, Dave Matthews Band, Alice Cooper will take the stage in addition to a fun Yacht Rock tribute band.

Asbury Park is one of the coolest seaside towns on the East Coast, and each summer its most iconic music club The Stone Pony takes things outside for a remarkable concert series by the sea. Rise Against will kick off its return in late July and that show will be followed by scheduled performances by Billy Strings, Brothers Osborne, Deftones and Rebelution.

For over 60 years, Santa Fe residents and visitors have flocked to this stunning space to hear some of the world's finest opera performed under an enchanting New Mexican sky. This summer is scheduled to include performances of A Midsummer's Night Dream, The Marriage of Figaro, The Lord of the Cries and a concert by Angel Blue.

With a setting that features views of the sea (often filled with sailboats), Jones Beach Theater is the crown jewel of the summer paradise that is Jones Beach State Park. This year's events will kick off in July and are scheduled to feature shows by Jason Aldean, Hall & Oates, Alanis Morissette and Mr. Margarita himself Jimmy Buffett.

Unlike many of the theaters on the list that are located in rural or urban park settings, this venue is located directly in the heart of Raleigh. See Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Lindsey Stirling and Blackberry Smoke among others at Red Hat, then paint the town red afterward.

Yes, you technically have to cross over the border into Minnesota to see a show here, but Bluestem remains the favorite outdoor venue of music lovers who live in Fargo and its surrounds. This year, Cody Johnson, Cole Swindell and NEEDTOBREATHE are scheduled to light up the summer night.

The Buckeye State has a plethora of high-quality albeit cookie-cutter amphitheaters, and that's partly why this intimate stage in downtown Cleveland is so special. This summer's season will start a little later than usual, but when it kicks in it will rock with Primus, 311, Nine Inch Nails, and Glass Animals all scheduled to perform.

Located adjacent to the city's esteemed zoological park, Zoo Amp' has been entertaining Oklahomans for over 75 years. This summer, this striking venue carved out of red sandstone will see a return to live music featuring Foo Fighters, Styx and Shinedown.

There may be bigger venues in Oregon, but you won't find anything as atmospheric as The Cuthbert. Set among the landscapes of Alton Baker Park, the stage will see a return to live music this August in the form of Rebelution, The Beach Boys, Louis The Child and Porter Robinson.

The nation's premier non-profit outdoor performing arts venue, The Mann is situated inside verdant West Fairmount Park and is the finest place to be on a summer night in Philly. This season is scheduled to begin with a bang by way of several modern ballet shows by Ballet X before seeing a long list of A-list talent like Brothers Osborne, The Struts, My Morning Jacket and Glass Animals perform.

You'll find Bold Point Park right next to the water in Providence Harbor and you'll find its stage typically filled with the biggest stars to grace the Ocean State each summer. This year things are scaled back, but will still see 3 Doors Down & Blackberry Smoke in addition to Brothers Osborne.

Located in idyllic upstate South Carolina, this stage hosts heavy hitters in the world of music all summer long. Past artists have included Wu-Tang Clan, Clint Black and Collective Soul, with this summer promising an abbreviated, later-starting season that will offer more of the same in the form of 3 Doors Down and Lady A.

The Buffalo Chip Campground is so very much more than just a place to crash during Sturgis each August. In fact, this spot has become an attraction in its own right, and each year their stage comes alive with top-end talent from around the world of rock. So far, they've announced Kid Rock, Anthrax, Stone Temple Pilots, ZZ Top and Shinedown for 2021 with more to come.

Shoutout to Mud Island Amphitheater in Memphis, which owns a remarkable setting on an island in the Mississippi, but this spanking new venue in downtown Nashville has quickly become the standard-bearer for the state. This summer will see John Legend, Phish, The Black Crowes, Lindsey Stirling, the Nashville Opera and a host of others perform.

The largest permanent stage in Central Texas, this amphitheater is still short of its 10th birthday but it has already received enough accolades for its sound system and sightlines to make it one of the nation's top spots for outdoor music. Scheduled to appear in 2021 is The Outlaw Music Festival featuring hometown favorite Willie NelsoAlanis Morissette, Korn, Megadeth and Maroon 5.

Surrounded by some of Park City's finest mountain scenery, this venue at Deer Valley Resort provides one more reason why the city is a four seasons destination. In the summer, Snow Park springs to life, with this year's scheduled shows including Kool & The Gang, The Temptations, and Kristin Chenoweth all performing with the Utah Symphony and an ode to the enchanting music of Harry Potter.

Spend a summer day at the Shelburne Museum learning about American art, history and pop culture and follow it up with a concert under the stars during Ben & Jerry's Concerts on the Green. This year sees Old Crow Medicine Show, Tedeschi Trucks Band and Guster scheduled to perform.

Made of Douglas Fir and Southern Pine, the Filene Center blends seamlessly into its atmospheric wooded surroundings in Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts near the nation's capital. As per tradition, this summer will feature performances by the United States Marine Band in addition to shows by Max Weinberg, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Amos Lee, Aoife O'Donovan and a host of others.

There are sweet backdrops for a show and there are stunning ones and The Gorge falls into the latter category. Wide, panoramic views of the jaw-dropping Columbia River Gorge will greet you as you grab your seat before the stage comes to life thanks to some of the biggest names in music. This summer sees the Watershed Festival, Brandi Carlile & Sheryl Crow, Phish and Dave Matthews scheduled to take the stage.

Located on a scenic bend of the West Fork River, Clarksburg Amphitheater opened in 2009 and has quickly become the king of the local summer events scene. This year will see Jameson Rodgers & Niko Moon perform.

As the name would suggest, Alpine Valley boasts a bucolic setting that shows off Wisconsin's natural beauty, and for over 40 years, it has been a must-stop for nearly every American summer concert tour. This iconic spot does not currently have any shows scheduled for this year, but 2022 looks set to rock with a performance from Rage Against the Machine.

You already know that Cheyenne's Frontier Days is the world's largest outdoor rodeo and celebration of Western culture and one of the biggest summer soirees in the nation (you did know that, right?), but did you know that the evening concerts at Frontier Days Arena are just as impressive? This July's roster includes Kane Brown, Maren Morris, Blake Shelton, Eric Church and country legend Garth Brooks.