Lil Wayne, Toby Keith added to summer concert series lineup

BANGOR Waterfront Concerts announced Monday the addition of Toby Keith to this year's lineup. Keith will again entertain country music fans at the Darling's Waterfront Pavilion on Monday, Sept. 2 as part of his 'Hammer Down' concert tour. He last performed in July 2011 during his 'Locked & Loaded' tour.

Iconic legends rock Bangor Waterfront

BANGOR  As the old Journey song says, "the party's over." As the leaves begin to fall, the Waterfront stage is heading to the ground - but not before Bangor rocked with Journey, Pat Benatar and Loverboy on Friday night.

Loverboy, famous for the early '80s staples "The Kid is Hot Tonight" and "Lovin' Every Minute of It," started the evening. The band's lead vocalist, Mike Reno, can still knock out the vocals. They wrapped up with "Working for the Weekend," a suitable choice indeed for a crowd happily standing in a cold drizzle.

Urban, Aldean satisfy thousands of fans at the Bangor Waterfront

Jadon Aldean/Luke Bryan photos by Mike Fern, Keith Urban photo by Chris Joles

BANGOR How do you like your country music? Whether it's trucks and red Solo cups or sophisticated guitar and storytelling, the Labor Day weekend country shows at the Bangor Waterfront had it covered.

Featuring Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Cracker

This Sunday night, many concert-goers on the Bangor Waterfront will be partying like it's 1995, but for the bands involved in the tour dubbed Last Summer on Earth, it has less to do with nostalgia than it does hitting the road with old friends to give the audience some serious rock and roll bang for their buck.

In addition to a full set by headliners Barenaked Ladies, the tour includes sets by three other bands that rose to prominence in the 90s: Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd & The Monsters and Cracker.

When the tour was announced earlier this year, Barenaked Ladies' vocalist and guitarist Ed Robertson said, 'I love playing outside in the summertime. To travel and hang around with a bunch of bands, and get a chance to do some collaboration, is part of the magic of a summer tour.'

Styx, REO bring back the classics 

BANGOR The Midwest Rock'N'Roll Express Tour came to Bangor's Waterfront Pavilion Sunday to play the last date of a tour that RollingStone Magazine called one of the hottest for Summer 2012.

Ready to rock and shock, Ted Nugent and his band of heavy-hitting talent, Derek St. Holmes, Greg Smith, and "Wild" Mick Brown, started the night playing full throttle from the get-go.

The nine-song set list covered classics "Wango Tango" and "Cat Scratch Fever" as well as a great blues/Motown treat with REO's Dave Amato. After the band wrapped up with "Stranglehold," a fellow attendee announced, "I didn't know I was a Ted Nugent fan. That was incredible!"

BANGOR Rascal Flatts generated a weeklong buzz when their tour trailers showed up early at Bangor's Waterfront Pavilion. By the evening of their July 6 performance, fans were ready to show their steadfast appreciation for this brand of country music.

Eden's Edge began the night with the trio's sweet harmonies spiced with twang and mandolin. But don't be fooled this band showed some lyrical attitude with their hit single 'Too Good to Be True' and opener 'Who Am I Drinking Tonight.'

Hailing from Texas, Eli Young Band's country is more rock than cowboy hat. The crowd embraced their hits 'Crazy Girl' and 'Even if it Breaks Your Heart.' Through less flash and more melody, this band is getting traction in the industry.

Ted Nugent's drummer arrested for stealing golf cart

BANGOR - While concert goers were enjoying the sounds of Styx and REO Speedwagon Sunday night at the Waterfront Concerts, Bangor police were trying to stop Ted Nugent's drummer, 55-year-old Mick Brown, who was allegedly driving a stolen golf cart recklessly near the concert grounds. Nugent was the opening act in last weekend's Midwest Rock-n-Roll Express Tour.

Officers Steve Jordan and Jim Dearing were on duty at the concert when security personnel approached them around 9:45 p.m. and told them that Brown, who was intoxicated, had allegedly stolen a gold golf cart used by Waterfront Concerts and was driving it around the Front Street area. Although several people had attempted to stop the drummer, he reportedly sped away. A few moments later, Jordan spotted the golf cart near the Railroad Street crossing, with two women also on board. A second attempt to stop Brown failed when he accelerated past authorities. Finally, a security officer got close enough to stop the musician, but not before allegedly being shoved by Brown. The Arizona native was physically removed from the cart by authorities, placed on the ground and arrested.

Brown was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, driving to endanger, theft and assault. He was released on $4,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 15.

(and why you should be there)

Friday, June 22 promises to be a night of fun, fun, fun on the Bangor Waterfront when The Beach Boys hit town for nearly three hours of hits and rarities - one of only 50 American dates scheduled for the band's 50th anniversary tour.

Nearly 20 years have passed since The Beach Boys have performed with their leader Brian Wilson - the man responsible for most of the band's mojo. For this tour Brian is back, and I was more than a little surprised when the news broke that he agreed to do it. Brian doesn't need the money, he doesn't need the aggravation (Mike Love) and it's been decades since he appeared completely at ease on stage. So why did he did agree to be part of a lengthy reunion tour in addition to creating and producing new material for the band's 29th studio album 'That's Why God Made The Radio?' My guess is that he wants closure to The Beach Boys' saga on his terms.