One of the (many) things that I look forward to as much of our nation recovers from the impacts of COVID-19 centers around the return of live music, and soon I’ll get to start seeing some of my all-time faves live in concert!

Several blogs ago I mentioned a night out to see some live music ahead of the return of Gotham Battle of the Bands®, this time virtually. As it happened (Read Friday’s blogger’s account.), and it was not the first time, the winners included a four-member band that included three people I know for several years to several decades. In pre-pandemic times, that show would be the first or among the first of the many shows I’d get to attend each year. Last year, the pandemic cut – safety first! – the usual tours including a bunch of summer shows. Some got rescheduled to this year only to be put off again. Putting on a long tour involves a lot of moving pieces and require concert venues safe for audiences, staff and musician/performers alike.

While some opportunities to attend live show may materialize this month, I look forward to a stretch of eight shows starting next month:

♫ Squeeze opening for Hall & Oates (& also KT Tunstall) at Jones Beach

♫ Dead & Company at Citifield

♫ Tunnel to Towers Foundation's Never Forget Concert (featuring performances by Journey, The Chainsmokers, Steve Miller Band with special guest Jesse Colin Young, John Fogerty, Ann Wilson of Heart, Lee Brice, Wyclef Jean, Gavin DeGraw, Wé McDonald, Flo Rida, Danny Rodriguez, and Jax; and Guitarist G.E. Smith as musical director) at Jones Beach

♫ The Eagles at Madison Square Garden

♫ Jackson Browne & James Taylor at Jones Beach

♫ Todd Rundgren at The Paramount

♫ The musical Hamilton

♫ Richie Furay (Farewell Show)

Perhaps several more will get sprinkled in. I identified several that I may work in.

In the meantime the opportunity to see some of my fave artists exudes anticipation.

Why not Live for the Music.