The PNE announced its long awaited summer concert series today, after a couple of weeks of sizable buzz about the lineup. The lineup is the strongest its been since the start, and features a pretty good mix of genres, and artistis. Considering that the shows are included with gate admission (unless you choose reserved seating), it’s a great lineup.

I’ve always pictured the PNE lineup as a great way for people to see live music while on a family day out, and for  people to come across acts they usually wouldn’t seek out. There are a couple of odd choices in the lineup, organizers hope the nostalgia of the late 90s and early 2000s is enough to draw a crowd for Dru Hill. If that name rings a bell, it was a R&B boy band led by Sisqo, he of ‘Thong Song’ fame. There’s some real genuine nostalgia in the mix too, Culture Club plays a date, the Monkees 50th anniversary tour makes a stop, and Chris Isakk will still likely have some underwear thrown at his feet when he shows up to close the series out. There’s a couple of ‘current’ acts that stand out with hard touring, great sounding The Sheepdogs play the second day of the series, and Monster Truck bringing their incredibly popular show to the series as well. Opening the series is Alan Doyle & The Beautiful Gypsies, followed by recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Steve Miller and his band. Pretty solid mix all around, and a good break from trying to stop those mini donuts from coming back up.

Full lineup:

Aug 21
Alan Doyle & The Beautiful Gypsies

Aug 23
The Sheepdogs

Aug 24
Steve Miller Band

Aug 25
Simple Plan

Aug 26
Olivia Newton-John

Aug 27
FOREIGNER

Aug 28
Culture Club

Aug 30
MONSTER TRUCK

Aug 31
A Tribe Called Red

Sep 1
Dru Hill

Sep 2
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

Sep 3
Tim Hicks

Sep 4
The Monkees

Sep 5
Chris Isaak