This summer’s going to be one of the first summers back to normal since the start of the pandemic. With this comes lots of returning artists going back on tour for the first time in a while. 

Coachella coming back in April was one of the first big music events of the year, and this trend will continue in the Bay Area with multiple different artists performing, including The Weekend, Doja Cat, Rex Orange County, and 5 Second of Summer.

But the biggest festival and musical highlight of the summer should be Outside Lands in August. The annual festival in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park will be Aug. 5-7 and will feature artists such as Green Day, Post Malone and SZA. 

“I’m most excited to see SZA I guess, but there are a few other smaller artists I’m excited to see too,” junior Alexis Bebenita said.

Like other music festivals, they will be offering multiple food vendors and other entertainment.

“I’m looking forward to hanging out around the city and eating the food at the vendors and stuff,” Bebenita said.

Another big concert happening during the summer is The Weeknd on Aug. 27 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. In addition to  The Weeknd, the one and only Doja Cat opening for him.

“I think I’m going to the weekend concert in August with Doja Cat opening and I’m very excited,” Bebenita said.

Added junior Kalista Dougherty, “I’m going because I really like The Weeknd’s music. It’ll also be the first crowded event for me since covid started”

For the first time since March of 2020, Rex Orange County is going on tour this summer. On Sunday at the Greek Theater Berkeley. He will be performing in support of his new album, “WHO CARES?”`

This will be one of the biggest concerts of the summer, and if you’re going I’m very jealous.

The popular 2010’s band 5 Second of Summer will be performing at the Concord Pavilion on June 14.

“I started listening to them when they first became popular and started opening for One Direction,” junior Riley Brown said. “My first concert with them was in Illinois.”

These are just a few of the big concerts in the Bay Area that music fans can attend this summer. Other great places to check out are the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton for its lineup for their summer shows. concerts.

“I love going partially deaf after a concert,” Brown said. “You feel connected yet disconnected from everything else.”

Be safe and enjoy a rockin’ summer.