Nostalgia Tours: Throwback Shows All Summer Long

Am I getting older or are the bands of playlists past just touring more often? It’s probably some combination of both – ah, the passing of time. No complaints though, because it means there are more chances to catch your faves of yesteryear throughout the summer.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

Old School Hip-Hop Showdown
Eric B. & Rakim, Whodini, MC Lyte, Kool Moe Dee, DJ Kool and Dana Dane will all take the stage at Constitution Hall to make all your 90s hip-hop dreams come true in one convenient place. Tickets start at $44. DAR Constitution Hall: 1776 D St. NW, DC; www.dar.org

TUESDAY, JUNE 25

New Kids on the Block Mixtape Tour with Salt-N-Pepa and Naughty by Nature
Apparently, New Kids on the Block had so much fun celebrating the 30th anniversary of their album Hangin’ Tough that they decided to embark on an extensive tour. They’ll come to Capital One with all their hits and lots of friends on this tour – R&B icons Salt-N-Pepa, rappers Naughty by Nature and more guests will join the group. Tickets start at $39.95. Capital One Arena: 601 F St. NW, DC; www.capitalonearena.viewlift.com

Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Melissa Etheridge and Liz Phair
The power couple of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo bring their hits to Wolf Trap alongside two of the best modern singer-songwriters: Melissa Etheridge and Liz Phair. This lineup pretty much consists of musicians you probably rolled your eyes at as a kid but now totally love. Tickets start at $35. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts: 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; www.wolftrap.org

FRIDAY, JULY 12

Backstreet Boys
Backstreet’s back! Your favorite boyband is sweeping the nation once again with their DNA World Tour. Grab your tickets and be transported back to a simpler time, when your biggest problem in life was you and your BFF having a crush on the same band member. Tickets start at $189. Capital One Arena: 601 F St. NW, DC; www.capitalonearena.viewlift.com

SUNDAY, JULY 14

NAS + NSO Illmatic 25th Anniversary
Instead of merely touring around his iconic album Illmatic, NAS is incorporating a whole new spin on the record thanks to the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). This performance featuring conductor Steven Reineke gives a whole new spin on what’s still considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Tickets start at $30. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts: 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; www.wolftrap.org

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17

Jennifer Lopez
I would like to cordially invite you to a birthday celebration in honor of Jenny from the Block taking place this summer at an arena near you. While I obviously had no hand in planning this soiree, I still feel confident in saying I am sure it will be a ball. Tickets start at $59.95. Capital One Arena: 601 F St. NW, DC; www.capitalonearena.viewlift.com

THURSDAY, JULY 18

Sheryl Crow
Soak up the sun with one of the most iconic pop country artists of all time at Wolf Trap. Don’t miss the Grammy winner as she tours for the release of her final album to be released later this year. Tickets start at $45. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts: 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; www.wolftrap.org

FRIDAY, JULY 19

Third Eye Blind and Jimmy Eat World
This lineup makes me want to grow out my bangs and sweep them to the side, reactivate my MySpace account, and tell my parents they don’t understand me. In all seriousness, both of these bands’ catalogs have stood the test of time, especially in the era of Midwestern emo revival. And if hearing “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World doesn’t immediately hype you up, you’re a liar, so come hear it live. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD; www.merriweathermusic.com

SATURDAY, JULY 20

Dave Matthews Band
I’m willing to bet you’ll be able to find everyone in the DMV who went to UVA at this show clad in basketball jerseys. Oh, and maybe some fans of the South African-born, Charlottesville-bred crooner will be there, too. Tickets start at $49.50. Jiffy Lube Live: 7800 Cellar Door Dr. Bristow, VA; www.livenation.com/venues/14407/jiffy-lube-live

SATURDAY, JULY 27

311 and Dirty Heads
Stoners and chill people of the world, rejoice! Good vibes abound at Merriweather as 311 and Dirty Heads take the stage for a relaxing evening. Tickets start at $46. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD; www.merriweathermusic.com

Hootie and the Blowfish and Barenaked Ladies
Dubbed the Group Therapy Tour, this collaboration between two classic 90s bands is the perfect place to hang out on the lawn and jam to songs that made up your younger years, which seems like its own special form of group therapy in a way. Tickets start at $35. Jiffy Lube Live: 7800 Cellar Door Dr. Bristow, VA; www.livenation.com/venues/14407/jiffy-lube-live

TUESDAY, JULY 30

Nelly, TLC and Flo Rida
Upon reading this lineup, I was instantly transported back to teacher-supervised school dances, as I’m pretty sure some combination of all three artists soundtracked every sweaty, awkward preteen event throughout America. You should attend this concert solely to celebrate that the days of braces and leaving room for Jesus between you and your dance partner are long gone. Tickets start at $25. Jiffy Lube Live: 7800 Cellar Door Dr. Bristow, VA; www.livenation.com/venues/14407/jiffy-lube-live

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31

KoRn and Alice in Chains
If you feel like a freak on a leash (I still don’t know what that song is about and at this point I am afraid to ask), this is the show for you. A coheadlining show for twice the angsty rock. It’s not a phase, Mom! Tickets start at $36. Jiffy Lube Live: 7800 Cellar Door Dr. Bristow, VA; www.livenation.com/venues/14407/jiffy-lube-live

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

Train and Goo Goo Dolls
While Train’s more recent releases have been interesting to say the least, older songs like “Meet Virginia” and “Drops of Jupiter” still hold up as eternal bops. Paired with the similarly sensitive Goo Goo Dolls, get ready to feel all the throwback feels. Tickets start at $29.50. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD; www.merriweathermusic.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

Smashing Pumpkins, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and AFI
Two of the most curmudgeonly names in music team up for a summer tour that’s sure to be chock full of weird asides from Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan and sibling hatred – or maybe just general hatred – from the more, um, outspoken of the Gallagher brothers. Oh, and AFI will be there to play that one song from Guitar Hero. Tickets start at $35. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD; www.merriweathermusic.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22

Beck
On the heels of his 14th album (yeah, you read that right), Beck will bring two turntables and a microphone to Merriweather to help you round out your summer concert season. He’s joined by the absolutely stacked lineup of Cage the Elephant, Sunflower Bean, and the equally prolific and nostalgic Spoon (their debut album Telefono is 23 years old this year, you guys). Tickets start at $29.50. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pwky. Columbia, MD; www.merriweathermusic.com

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

UB40 and Shaggy
Legendary reggae group UB40 will be joined onstage by Shaggy for a lively evening of music from two of the genre’s best-known voices. Tickets start at $40. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts: 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; www.wolftrap.org

Knotfest (Slipknot)
If you’ve been itching to break out your Hot Topic T-shirts, chain wallet and guyliner, this is the festival for you. This angst-filled festival features Slipknot, Volbeat, Gojira and Behemoth. Get ready to mosh! Tickets start at $35.50. Jiffy Lube Live: 7800 Cellar Door Dr. Bristow, VA; www.livenation.com/venues/14407/jiffy-lube-live