For some, summers mean camping and long hours in the pool. For others, summer is for going to as many concerts, live events and festivals as possible -- and with two regional amphitheaters in full swing and an upcoming fair mid-August, concert-goers will have plenty to choose from in Mid-Missouri.
Below is a listing of artists and acts coming to Jefferson City's Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater, Camdenton's Ozarks Amphitheater and the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Schedules are subject to change as more updates are added.
Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater
Happening May 27, two-time No. 1 Billboard Country Album debut artist Aaron Lewis and The Stateliners will take the stage at the Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater. Lewis, a Vermont native who grew up with country roots, will make the stop in Jefferson City as part of his nationwide tour following the January release of "Frayed at Both Ends," the singer's "most personal and unplugged work" yet. The acoustic album also includes Lewis' song "Am I the Only One," which was released in July 2021 as the lead single for the album and debuted on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart at No. 1. Tickets for the show are $36 on Ticketmaster, and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Come out for a night of local music from bands SR-22, Toasterbath, New Car Scent and Ruby Lane on May 28 as part of the amphitheater's "Live Under the Sun" event. The youth bands will perform original and cover songs, spanning genres from pop and rock superstars. SR-22 is a familiar face -- having performed at the 2021 End of Summer Jam -- and Toasterbath is a local name often seen at Porchfest and The Mission. Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster. The show starts at 6 p.m.
The summer is jam-packed for rock band Gov't Mule, but they're making a stop in Jefferson City. Led by vocalist and guitarist Warren Haynes, known as being one of the "most formidable guitarists and vocalists of the modern era and a prolific songwriter and producer," the band will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. June 7. Tickets are $36-$59 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
Veteran musician and awarded fiddler Ricky Skaggs is bringing his own taste of country and bluegrass to the amphitheater June 17. The "cross-cultural, genre-bending" artist last month played the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as well as in the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, so the performance is not one to miss. Tickets are $31-$59 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Fifteen-time Grammy winner Béla Fleck, Sam Bush and The Jerry Douglas Band will bring another bout of bluegrass, banjos and bold, innovative music to the city this summer as part of "Bluegrass Happening." The Jefferson City stop is part of Fleck's first bluegrass tour -- "My Bluegrass Heart," titled after his 2021 album -- in more than two decades. It's the third chapter of a bluegrass trilogy that started in the late 1980s and continues today, hitting three locations in Missouri and many more across the nation. Tickets are $39-$79 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster. The show starts at 7 p.m. June 21.
Just recently announced, mid-July will see the thrill of California-based rockers Buckcherry, who are fresh off of a tour run with "shock rocker" Alice Cooper. The show will take place at 8 p.m. July 16 and is part of the band's support of their ninth studio album, "Hellbound." Tickets are $30-$55 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
All Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater entertainment events can be found at www.crmuamphitheater.com/events/concerts. The amphitheater is located off of Ellis Porter Drive in Ellis-Porter Riverside Park.
Ozarks Amphitheater
Next up at the Ozarks Amphitheater is Chicago-formed alt rock band Smashing Pumpkins on May 18, who will be stopping in Camdenton as part of their "Rock Invasion 2" tour. The four band members will fill the venue with their signature gritty vocals and guitar-charged performances. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $45 and above on Ticketmaster. Seating near the pit are VIP Merch Packages, and the venue also offers Premium Table Seating (four individuals) for $180 each.
Sharing the stage May 27 at will be Tracy Lawrence and Clay Walker who come together with a full band and special guests Tracy Byrd and Jared Hicks. The show starts at 7 p.m., and the co-headliners and long-time friends are set to perform some of their greatest hits for loyal country fans. Tickets start at $45 on Ticketmaster and are selling fast. Premium Seating for the show is currently sold out. Concertgoers can also buy a 30-minute pre-entry VIP Package for $150 each that includes an exclusive Q&A session with the artists, early access to the merchandise table and more. These add-ons must be accompanied by a valid event ticket.
Iconic country singer and lauded veteran artist Willie Nelson will be coming to the Ozarks. The artist recently had to postpone tour dates due to a positive COVID-19 test among the Willie Nelson Family Band, but he'll be back on the road for his June 3 appearance at the Ozarks Amphitheater. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45-$175 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster along with Premium Packages that include exclusive merch and an MP3 digital audio download of the live show. Premium Seating is sold out.
Spend the evening with Jackson Browne at 8 p.m. June 4, and join the artist in supporting his Grammy- nominated album "Downhill From Everywhere." A day prior, Browne will have kicked off his "An Evening With" tour in Maryland Heights. Tickets are $46-$150 on Ticketmaster, and several VIP packages with exclusive merch are available. Premium Bar Seating is also still available for $180 but going fast.
Whiskey Myers, Shane Smith and The Saints, and 49 Winchester will all be coming to the amphitheater June 10 for a night of country, rock, roots and soul fusion. The six-piece Whiskey Myers, led by singer and guitarist Cody Cannon, makes the stop in Camdenton as part of their "Tornillo" tour ahead of their July 29 album release. Tickets are $35-$65 on Ticketmaster. Premium Seating is sold out.
Country pop singer Brett Young and special guest Chris Lane play the amphitheater stage June 17. Young, who has seen success on country album and airplay charts with his music since late-2016 and 2017, will deliver his signature emotion-laced and acoustic-heavy tracks. Lane, too, brings his own sound and accolades; three of his singles since 2015 have made it to No. 1 on the Country Airplay Chart. Tickets for the duo show are $35-$65 on Ticketmaster, and remaining Premium Bar Seating is $95. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Less than two months after their first ever Grammy win with song "Younger Me" and several tour stops in Europe mid-May, Brothers Osborne will be making their way to the Ozarks on June 24. The duo, who have enjoyed a wave of success in the past half-decade as they forge their own sound in country music, make the stop as part of their "We're Not For Everyone" tour. Tickets are $35-$85 on Ticketmaster, and Premium Seating is available for $115.
Late summer concert-goers will have the chance to listen to the harmonies of Little Big Town, coming to Camdenton on July 29. The group, formed in the late 1990s, is still going strong, having released their latest single, "Hell Yeah," on April 11 this year. Most recently, throughout the month of May and early June, they'll have toured with Miranda Lambert as part of their popular "Bandwagon" tour. Tickets for Little Big Town's show at the amphitheater are $45-$109 on Ticketmaster. Tickets for Premium Seating are sold out. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Other upcoming shows at the amphitheater include Jason Isball and the 400 Unit on July 1, Marie Osmond with the Missouri Symphony on July 6, Ozark Mountain Daredevils with the Kentucky Headhunters on July 9, Kansas with 38 Special on July 15, Get the Led Out on July 31, Hillsong United on Aug. 3, Jamey Johnson on Aug. 19 and the Black Crowes on Aug. 20.
All Ozarks Amphitheater concerts can be viewed at ozarksamphitheater.com/all-events/. A link to purchase tickets is included on each event. The venue is located at 2629 N. Business Route 5 in Camdenton.
Missouri State Fair concerts
Currently in the line up for live entertainment at the Missouri State Fair, concert-goers are in for a little bit of everything -- from Trace Adkins to ZZ Top to Casting Crowns. The fair runs Aug. 11-21, with a handful of live performances scattered throughout.
Trace Adkins is the star of the show Aug. 11, playing the Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for Grandstand and $45 for Track. Adkins will be joined by special guest Lonestar. Earlier the same day at 2 p.m. are the Nace Brothers then Queens BLVD at 8 p.m., both at the Budweiser Stage. Travis Martin and Members Only play Aug. 12, and The Vincents play Aug. 13. Contemporary Christian rock band Casting Crowns will play the Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 with tickets selling for $25 on Grandstand and $30 for Track. Earlier the same day, starting at 2 p.m., Twisted Fate will play at the Budweiser Stage. Come Aug. 17 are The Vincents, Mad Hoss Jackson and ZZ Top, who stop in Mid-Missouri as part of their "Raw Whisky" tour. Ticket prices for ZZ Top are not currently listed. Following ZZ Top, Clay Clear Band will play Aug. 18, and Dirt Road Addiction will play Aug. 19, both at the Budweiser Stage on the fairgrounds.
Grandstand tickets go on sale starting 9 a.m. June 28 through Etix, and all concert seats are reserved. Fairgoers can keep up with live entertainment as more details are added at www.mostate fair.com/attraction-type/live-music/. The fair will be at 2503 W. 16th St. in Sedalia.