Summer heats up the Coachella Valley and slows down many activities, but the live music and comedy calendar continues.
The schedule in the valley features diverse artists from many decades and genres. From rock ‘n’ roll legends to country music stars, this summer’s concert lineup provides something for every music fan.
Here’s our picks for 10 local concerts to attend this summer.
Al Jardine & the Pet Sounds Band
Former Beach Boys guitarist Al Jardine was one of the original members who played on the band’s groundbreaking album “Pet Sounds,” which was written, produced, and arranged by the band’s late co-founder, Brian Wilson. When Jardine performs on Saturday, June 6, at The Plaza Theatre, he’ll be performing the music of Wilson and selections from The Beach Boys’ mid-to-late 70’s catalog of albums, including “15 Big Ones,” “The Beach Boys Love You,” and “M.I.U. Album.”
If you go: 7 p.m., Saturday, June 6, The Plaza Theatre, 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. Tickets start at $81.50. palmspringsplazatheatre.com
Jerry Seinfeld
It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 30 years since the series finale of the hit sitcom “Seinfeld.” But comedian Jerry Seinfeld continues to sell out venues across the U.S., and he will perform at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival in Los Angeles and the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. He also has a long-standing residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Seinfeld will also perform on Saturday, June 6, at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa.
If you go: Saturday, June 6, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. Tickets $125 to $250. aguacalientecasinos.com
Gene Simmons Band
Even though the rock band KISS retired from touring in 2023, bassist Gene Simmons, “God of thunder and rock and roll,” is now performing with the Gene Simmons Band featuring guitarists Brent Woods and Zach Throne, and drummer Brian Tichy. But don’t expect to see Simmons in costume or makeup on Saturday, June 13 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, even though the band performs an entire set of KISS covers.
If you go: 8 p.m., Saturday, June 13, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. Tickets $62.50 to $132.50. fantasyspringsresort.com
Shakira
Shakira is making up with the desert after canceling her two Palm Desert concerts in 2024 when she shifted her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour to stadiums to meet the surging demand. She will finally perform at Acrisure Arena on Wednesday, June 17. The tour has set multiple global records, becoming the highest-grossing tour ever by a Latin artist, generating $421.6 million and attracting 3.3 million fans across 86 shows.
If you go: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert. Tickets start at $219.75. acrisurearena.com
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan reshaped modern music and is the epitome of an iconic songwriter. In 2016, he became the first songwriter to receive a Nobel Prize in Literature. Ten years after performing at the Desert Trip festival at the Empire Polo Club, he’s returning to the desert on Saturday, June 20, at Acrisure Arena as part of his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour. The concert will also include Lucinda Williams and The John Doe Folk Trio.
If you go: 7 p.m., Saturday, June 20, Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert. Tickets start at $77.10. acrisurearena.com
Palm Springs Symphony
If you don’t have any plans yet for the celebration of America’s 250th birthday, consider The Palm Springs Symphony’s July 4 concert at the Plaza Theatre, “Liberty: Celebrating 250 Years of America.” The concert will feature symphonic works celebrating the spirit of freedom and our nation’s history, including special recognition of all veterans.
If you go: 3 p.m., Saturday, July 4, The Plaza Theatre, 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. Tickets start at $35.55. palmspringsplazatheatre.com
Starcrawler
Los Angeles band Starcrawler blends the glam-rock aesthetic of the 1970s with punk rock energy. Extensive touring and sharing stages with bands such as Beck, Foo Fighters, and The Distillers, among others, grew Starcrawler’s fan base. Elton John is also a fan and played the 2017 single “Ants” on his Apple Music show “Rocket Hour.” Starcrawler will perform on Friday, July 17 at Pappy and Harriet’s.
If you go: 8:30 p.m., Friday, July 17, Pappy and Harriet’s, 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. Tickets $27.72. pappyandharriets.com
Cole Swindell
Country singer Cole Swindell is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his album “You Should Be Here” and released his fifth album “Spanish Moss” in 2025. Since making his debut in 2014, he has released 13 hit singles and has received one Grammy Award nomination. If you’re a fan of country party anthems and emotional songs too, check out Swindell’s show at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
If you go: 8 p.m., Saturday, July 25, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. Tickets $72.50 to $132.50.
Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire
A double bill featuring two iconic R&B artists sounds like an amazing concert, especially when it’s Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire. Both will perform on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Acrisure Arena. Aside from his time in The Commodores and writing the songs “Easy,” “Sail On,” and “Three Times a Lady,” Richie is renowned for solo hits such as “Hello,” “All Night Long,” and “Endless Love.” Earth, Wind & Fire blended R&B with soul, funk, jazz, disco and pop into one sound and created timeless hits such as “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Let’s Groove” and many more that still hold up today.
If you go: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8, Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert. Tickets start at $150.65. acrisurearena.com
Dwight Yoakam
During the 1980s, country singer Dwight Yoakam revived the Bakersfield sound made famous by Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Maddox Brothers and Rose, Bob Wills, and others with a neotraditional country feel. He and Owens even recorded a duet of Homer Joy’s “Streets of Bakersfield,” which Owens made popular in 1973. Some of Yoakam’s hits include “Guitars & Cadillacs,” “Honky Tonk Man,” “It Only Hurts When I Cry,” and more. He’ll perform on Friday, Aug. 14, at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa.
If you go: 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. Tickets $69.95 to $149.95. aguacalientecasinos.com
Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment for the Desert Sun. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 10 summer concerts to catch in the Palm Springs area
Reporting by Brian Blueskye, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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