Must-see concerts in and around Southwest Ohio in August

The dog days of summer are upon us, but the live shows coming to our area this month are just as hot. From the big stages to the small clubs, good music knows no bounds.

BIG SHOWS

Credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess

Credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess

If you want his body and you think he's sexy, you can swing on down to the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati Aug. 4 for Rod Stewart. His career has spanned six decades and more than 30 albums (counting his work with Faces) with plenty of hits. He doesn't kick soccer balls into the audience any more, but he has scores of fans the world over. The uber-talented Cyndi Lauper is also on the bill.

When: Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.

Where: Riverbend Music Center

Tickets: Website

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The Rose Music Center will host Graceland Presents Elvis: Live In Concert. The King is gone (or is he?), but he's not forgotten. This rather unique performance features the remastered vocals of Elvis Presley set to a live orchestra. Eerie? Possibly. Worth a listen? Definitely.

When: Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Rose Music Center

Tickets: Website

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Idina Menzel is coming to Kettering this summer to give us a wonderful performance. Let's hope it includes her famous hit from Disney's "Frozen," "Let it Go."

When: Aug. 5 at 8 p.m.

Where: Fraze Pavilion

Tickets: Website

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MTV first went on the air in August of 1981. So how fitting is it that the former music video channel's former video stalwarts will be in town this month? Howard JonesModern EnglishMen Without HatsEnglish BeatPaul Young and Katrina (formerly of Katrina & the Waves) fill up the Retro Futura Tour at Fraze Pavilion Aug. 6.

When: Aug. 6 at 8 p.m.

Where: Fraze Pavilion

Tickets: Website

Show choirs and glee clubs have become a lot more visible since the popular show Glee hit the airwaves in 2009. The natural progression of such popularity could only mean the rise of a group like Penatonix. The Grammy-winning Arlington, Texas quintet sings pop tunes while mimicking other instruments with their voices and have sold more than six million albums doing it. They perform at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati Aug. 6. At last check, tickets were sold out.

When: Aug. 6 at 8 p.m.

Where: Riverbend Music Center

Tickets: Website

Credit: Mark Metcalfe

Credit: Mark Metcalfe

Speaking of nostalgia, missing those stonewashed jeans, Zima and Behind The Music on VH1? You're in luck as the I Love The 90s tour makes its way to Kettering's Fraze PavilionCoolioRob BaseColor Me Badd, and C+C Music Factory with Freedom Williams are gonna make you sweat.

When: Aug. 8 at 7 p.m.

Where: Fraze Pavilion

Tickets: Website

Fleetwood Mac hasn't released an album of new material in 14 years, but that doesn't stop the individual members from hitting the road. Stevie Nicks recently launched a solo tour, and fellow Mac mates Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie are doing the same as a duo. They'll be at Rose Music Center in Huber Heights Aug. 8.

When: Aug. 8 at 7 p.m.

Where: Rose Music Center

Tickets: Website

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Riverbend Music Center will host rockers Foreigner as part of their 40th anniversary tour. The writers of hits like "Cold as Ice", "Feels Like the First Time" and "Double Vision" - led by guitarist and original member Mick Jones-- continue to be a staple for classic rock stations. As an added bonus- Hall of Fame rockers Cheap Trick are also a part of this package.

When: Aug. 8 at 7 p.m.

Where: Riverbend Music Center

Tickets: Website

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If you ever wondered where 90s hit makers The Wallflowers and Better Than Ezra are now, you will be relieved of that burden in the knowledge they are still writing, recording and performing live. They come to Rose Music Center Aug. 9.

When: Aug. 9 at 7 p.m.

Where: Rose Music Center

Tickets: Website

Selling 12 million albums and winning 14 Academy of Country Music Awards might inflate some, but Brad Paisley just continues his no-frills way of performing for his fans. He's joined by Dustin LynchChase Bryant and Lindsay Ell in support at Riverbend Music Center.

When: Aug. 10 at 7 p.m.

Where: Riverbend Music Center

Tickets: Website

Possibly the most recognizable smooth jazz saxophonist not named "Kenny G" is Dave Koz. He and funk bass legend Larry Graham -- who first caught attention for his work with Sly and the Family Stone, and happens to be the uncle of rapper Drake-- will play the Fraze Aug. 12.

When: Aug. 12 at 8 p.m.

Where: Fraze Pavilion

Tickets: Website

Back in the early 80s, when radio was a thing, you couldn't turn that thing on without hearing Aussie soft rockers Air Supply. You just couldn't. They were ubiquitous. The group, inadvertently responsible for a number of relationships getting started (regardless of longevity), will perform at Rose Music Center Aug. 12.

When: Aug. 12 at 8 p.m.

Where: Rose Music Center

Tickets: Website

Credit: Timothy Hiatt

Credit: Timothy Hiatt

Ohio's own O'Jays have performed more hits than many people often realize. "For The Love Of Money," "Use Ta Be My Girl," "Love Train" and "Back Stabbers" are just some of their hits. Dayton funk heroes Ohio Players are the special guests at this Rose Music Center event rescheduled from June.

When: Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.

Where: Rose Music Center

Tickets: Website

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Most know George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, who's responsible for many a spacey, funky jam. However, you may not be familiar with contemporary jazz artist Brian Culbertson, who's released 16 solo albums and worked names like Michael McDonald, Barry Manilow and Bootsy Collinsover the years. They'll both be at Rose Music Center Aug. 20.

When: Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.

Where: Rose Music Center

Tickets: Website

Green Day is one of those bands that became insanely popular in the 90s and just never stopped. The California pop punkers have won countless awards worldwide and have taken their act to the Broadway stage with American Idiot. But some of us older folks remember when they played Dayton's Brookwood Hall circa '90.

When: Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.

Where: Riverbend Music Center

Tickets: Website

Seven-time Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar recently released his fourth album, Damn, and has hit the road with fellow rapper YG to promote it. The "Swimming Pools (Drank)" artist will be in Columbus at the Schottenstein Center Aug. 22.

When: Aug. 22 @ 7:30 p.m.

Where: Schottenstein Center

Tickets: Website

Former Billboard Music Award winners Big & Rich have an over-the-top approach to contemporary country music that's earned them a lot of fans over the years. Whether it's seeing them on ESPN's College GameDay or hearing a drunken chorus of "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" in a dive bar on a Saturday night, you've heard them. Trent Tomlinson opens the show.

When: Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Fraze Pavilion

Tickets: Website

SMALLER STAGE SHOWS NOT TO MISS

Aug. 4The Company Man Retreat @ Yellow Cab Tavern -Dayton

Aug. 5Cherry Lee & The Hot Rod Hounds @ Blind Bob's -Dayton

Aug. 11Dark BackwardSecret Circle SocietyMonocle and Blackwater @ Oscar's -Vandalia

Aug. 19 -Joe Policastro Trio @ Spinoza's - Beavercreek

Aug. 24Flatfoot 56FBSThe Loveless and GeeGee's Punk Rock All Stars @ Rockstar Pro Arena - Dayton

Aug. 25 - Bearer of Bad NewsForces of NatureZuelSlaves Among Death and Strangers in Unity @ Hanks - Kettering

Aug. 25RIND Album Release Party w/ Salvadore Ross and Stella's Demise @ Yellow Cab Tavern - Dayton