Fans of live music can get their fill this summer without traveling very far. Bands will be taking to nearby stages Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings in the eastern end of Pierce County.
Concerts in Bonney Lake, Buckley and Sumner are free and family-friendly. Here’s a look at what’s in store.
BONNEY LAKE
The city’s longtime Tunes @ Tapps concert series is the biggest around, drawing large crowds to Allan Yorke Park for Wednesday night shows. Here is this season’s schedule.
• July 11: Chris Anderson Band. Originally from Eatonville, Anderson delivers interpretations of classic hits with a repertoire ranging from jazz standards, to Motown, to traditional pop, classic country and even gospel.
• July 18: Folsom Prism. Making another Tunes @ Tapps appearance is this Johnny Cash tribute band. The band holds true to Cash’s songs while providing a distinctive edge in their performances designed to reach out and engage the audience.
• July 25: Heart by Heart. Guests will hear tunes from the legendary band Heart, featuring two original members of the group, Steve Fossen and Mike Derosier. Both are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It’s a special “Salute to Armed Forces” night.
• August 1: British Export. This Beatles tribute band has been touring for more than a decade, playing live shows and on television both in the U.S. and Europe.
• August 8: Massy Ferguson. This Seattle band isn’t quite as country as you might expect from a group named after a farm-equipment manufacturer. The band’s songs are steeped is the “classic Americana” style, leaning more toward rock than country.
• August 15: The Beatniks. This group is a Tunes @ Tapps favorite, playing every year. Expect high energy and a huge crowd. The Beatniks play music from the 1960s and ’70s and maybe a bit of the 1980s, too. Their shows are about charisma, chemistry and a lot of fun.
• August 22: Sway. The band covers newer tunes, offering chart-topping hits from the likes of Bruno Mars, Usher, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake. There’s also a dash of retro, with songs made famous by Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, AC/DC and others.
Attendees will note the outdoor market will again operate on concert days, from 5 to 8 p.m. Vendors traditionally line the outside of the venue grounds, offering food and other items.
Boaters should be aware that the boat launch at Allan Yorke Park will be closed all day on Tunes @ Tapps Wednesdays.
BUCKLEY
Thursday evenings will be jumping in Buckley, as the small town again hosts a summertime concert series.
All shows begin at 6:30 p.m., last about 90 minutes and take place on the lawn adjacent to the Youth Activity Center. The stage is between River Avenue and the highway.
Vendors are invited to set up next to the audience and will be in business from 5 to 8 p.m.
• July 5: Wally and the Beaves. This Seattle-area band plays favorite songs from the 1950s through the ’80s, from Fats Domino and Elvis to John Mellencamp and the Rolling Stones.
• July 12: Maile Mae. A locally-born and raised singer, just celebrating her EP release, will fill the air with a unique country twang. A veteran performer, though just 23, she has performed throughout the Northwest, California and Nevada.
• July 19: Favorite Mistake. An eclectic mix of classic rock, blues and covers.
• July 26: Buddy, Ritchie and the Bopper. This group honors “the day the music died,” rekindling memories of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. It’s all about the 1950s. The city has brought back the act for a repeat performance, following last year’s appearance.
• August 2: John Hoover and the Mighty Quinns. The band perform a tribute to the songs, music and spirit of John Denver.
• August 9: The final week of the concert series is not yet scheduled.
SUMNER
Guests can pack lawn chairs, blankets and food for the 2018 season of Music Off Main in downtown Sumner. All concerts are free of charge and begin at 6:30 p.m. Fridays at Heritage Park. The summer series is hosted by the Sumner Arts Commission.
• July 6: Air National Guard Band of the West Coast. A special appearance by the military band continues the Independence Day celebration. While the band has performed all over the globe, the emphasis in on the western U.S. The band is composed of citizen-airmen with a wide range of civilian occupations.
• July 13: Lady Carter and the Gents. The play list includes acoustic country/rock with soul.
• July 20: North of 50. Formed in 2010 in Puyallup, the band’s mission is to “play what people want to hear and dance to in order to enjoy themselves to the fullest.” Influences range from the British Invasion and classic rock to funk, horn bands and the blues.
• July 27: The Shy Boys. The band provides covers of favorite hits from the Beach Boys to The Police and everything between.
