Subscribe

* indicates required
Okayplayer News

To continue reading

Create a free account or sign in to unlock more free articles.

By continuing, you agree to the Terms of Service and acknowledge our Privacy Policy

Panorama Day 2: Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak Give Ground-Shaking Sets
Anderson .Paak performs at Day 2 of the Panorama Music Festival on Saturday, July 23, 2016. | Photos by Vickey Ford/Sneakshot for Okayplayer.
Photo by Vickey Ford/Sneakshot for Okayplayer.

Live and Direct: 18 Must-See Spring and Summer 2017 Tours

Roots Picnic 2016: Anderson .Paak Absolutely Destroys Philadelphia Photo by Ginny Suss for Okayplayer

The weather's (gradually) beginning to turn and music's most sizzling entertainers are prying us out of shelter into the lovingly-loud embrace of concert halls and stadiums across the globe. But with the sheer breadth of live and direct experiences currently on the calendar, seemed only right we'd illuminate just how gratifying these spring and summer seasons could be.

Titans of r&b, hip-hop and rock, new and old, are currently or shortly gracing the road, which means in the weeks and months ahead you can come under the spell of Radiohead's howls, two-step til dawn with Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, catch infinite feels from Kehlani, Kelela,Little Simz and Sampha, scratch trap itches you didn't even know you had with the gamut of impossibly-lit ATLiens (Guwop's first-ever headlining tour is easy best-life material.) Combos and configurations galore. Jump over to the next page to peep the powerhouse bills of 2017 and how to cop those most coveted stubs. Godspeed, and happy (slightly) warmer 2017.

Hear a collection of Songs You Need To See To Believe from the stellar roster down below and subscribe to our new Spotify channel today.

Kehlani shows Philadelphia "The Way" live at Roots Picnic 2016 [Photo by Seher Sikandar for Okayplayer] [Photo by Seher Sikandar for Okayplayer]

Kehlani

With her sophomore stunner, the Bay Area singer truly hit her stride. More confident and collected than ever, Kehlani's stage show is equally-appropriate for a night out with boo or the crew.

>>>Dates and tickets


LIttle Simz Paris Mr. Mass Little Simz [Photo by Mr. Mass for Okayplayer]

Little Simz

If the Phony Ppl-assisted Tiny Desk Concert wasn't enough to catch you, perhaps the Ms. Hill co-sign'll do the trick. The tour supporting Simz's soothing and stellar Stillness In Wonderland is not to be missed if you can help it.

>>>Dates and tickets


Afropunk 2015: Lenny Kravitz Made His Brooklyn Debut Alongside GCJ, Kelela, Thundercat + More [Day 2 Photos + Recap] Photo by Vickey Ford for Okayplayer/Sneakshot

Thundercat

Brainfeeder's bass-faced genius just dropped his third studio album. What better way to celebrate the destroyer-of-all-genre than to catch him on a lengthy run of the states ahead of the cross-pond leg of his jazz-punk-and-funk-fueled romp.

>>>Dates and tickets


Run The Jewels performs at Day 3 of the Panorama Music Festival on Sunday, July 24, 2016 | Photos by Vickey Ford/Sneakshot for Okayplayer. Photo by Vickey Ford/Sneakshot for Okayplayer.

Run The Jewels

The dastardly duo of hip-hop are currently on the final night of their three-night NYC stay, but with a new European leg and festival season knocking, there's ample opportunity to get aggro as a motherfucker to the rhythms of a Run The Jewels revolt.

>>>Dates and tickets


Anderson .Paak, NAO + Chance The Rapper Ether The 2016 Pitchfork Music Festival Photo by Johnny Fan for Okayplayer

NAO

With a blazing new remix EP and a scorching debut in rotation, NAO is the gift that keeps on giving. The future funk will be of a particularly potent sort come April, when the British singer hits the road for a short sizzle of dates that could touch a stage near you.

>>>Dates and tickets


Radiohead Sets Out On World Tour This Spring

Radiohead

If you happen to be a fan of Thom Yorke, Ed O'Brien, Philip Selway and The Brother Greenwood, it's likely that this grip of dates, assisted in part by James Blake, is already on your radar. Consider this a friendly reminder to cop that stub while (if?) you still can.

>>>Dates and tickets


Oddisee Spits Pure Flame Over Jazzy Beats On Tim Westwood TV

Oddisee

On the heels of his most accessible, and frankly, danceable, album to date, The Odd One has a fresh round of ammunition for his three-month multinational marathon.

>>>Dates and tickets


Live and Direct: 18 Must-See Spring and Summer 2017 Tours

Bruno Mars with Anderson .Paak

Two electric entertainers, one insanely-long tour schedule. Make no mistake about it, this is the show of the summer.

>>>Dates and tickets


Live and Direct: 18 Must-See Spring and Summer 2017 Tours

The xx with Sampha and Kelela

The second of two powerhouse bills, The xx fished the best r&b futurists in the game for their upcoming slate of live dates. Expect feels for days.

>>>Dates and tickets 


First Look Friday: Jack Garratt Interview

Jack Garratt 

A one-man-everything onstage, Garratt is the type of stack-the-sounds musician you actually have to see to believe.

>>>Dates and tickets


Live and Direct: 18 Must-See Spring and Summer 2017 Tours

Gucci Mane 

Hard to imagine, but the risen savior of trap will be hitting the road for his first headlining tour this spring. And with as many disciples as he's garnered over the years, just about anyone could pop up on any given night.

>>>Dates and tickets


Day 1: Kendrick Lamar, Kelala, Vince Staples Tear Down The FYF Fest Photo by Ural Garrett for Okayplayer

Vince Staples with Kilo Kish

Emerging as one of the sharpest culture critics in hip-hop and well beyond, Staples' joint venture with Kilo Kish might be equal parts comedy and feels, but it'll be wholly worth the price of admission.

>>>Dates and tickets


Prince\u2019s Revolution Rock Out Third, Final Tribute Show At First Avenue Photo by Victoria Ford for Sneakshot/Okayplayer

The Revolution 

It'll be a bittersweet outing no doubt, but even sans Purple One, an opportunity to see one of the best live bands in history should be rigorously mulled over by any patron of The Paisley Arts.

>>>Dates and tickets 


Roots Picnic 2016 Photo by Averie Cole for Okayplayer

Future with Migos and Young Thug

FREEDBANDZ has been on historic run this last half of February, releasing two full-length albums in as many weeks. His upcoming tour in support of (at least) his self-titled and HNDRXX promises to be a celebration of the ATLien mothership, joined by Migos, Young Thug and the city's adopted sons, A$AP Ferg and Tory Lanez.

>>>Date and tickets 


J. Cole's Announces Plans To Take A Break From Live Performances

J. Cole

Mr. No Features isn't exactly the visible dude in the game. But if we're to take his Homecoming doc for any indication of what to expect on the 4 Your Eyez Only live run, you're gonna want this ticket.

>>>Dates and tickets 


Kanye West, Chance The Rapper, Mac Miller Rock The Meadows Festival Photo by Vicky Ford for Sneakshot/Okayplayer

Chance The Rapper 

No surprise here. The 3x Grammy-anointed golden-child of rap is equally-lauded for on-stage and on-record performances. On the follow-through of a transcendent year, you better believe Chano's schemes for these next few months will be as magnificent as the last.

>>>Dates and tickets