As things get going for Summer 2005, some new wrinkles have been added to the Detroit concert scene. First of all, DTE Energy Music Theatre (it will always be Pine Knob, in my opinion) has added some renovations to the most popular outdoor venue in the area. According to Palace Sports & Entertainment’s press release on the summer season - there will be DRINK specials for the first time ever!

Great, that’s all the thousands of country fans need during a show… but it may help if anyone has to sit through Clay Aiken; or not.

Also, Freedom Hill has been re-christened Jerome Duncan Ford Theatre. Why? I will tell you why, the aforementioned Palace Sports & Entertainment has taken over the booking duties for the former Freedom Hill, and probably told them it was a good idea to get a corporate sponsors. Pardon me while I rename my house Chrysler Southfield Amphitheatre…

Anyways, here’s a rundown of the big (and some not so big) shows that will invade the Metro Detroit area this summer, and of course, my two cents:

May
27- Eddie Money @ DTE: Sorry, Eddie, you better play DTE in April if you want the first date of the season. Good Charlotte opened the DTE season May 13th.
28-30 - Fuse In Festival @ Hart Plaza: Hey, at least things were announced a little earlier this year. Except for a Sunday night performance by Mos Def, I still do not know any of the artists taking part in this. It’s always a good time, and oh yeah, they’re charging $10 a head at the door this year. To go against popular opinion, I applaud the organizers for charging; it will keep the bums for asking me to “support a veteran.”

June
4- Judas Priest w/ Queensryche @ DTE: Get out there and support this comeback of Judas Priest. They didn’t get back together for the first time in 15 years for no one to buy their latest album. A quality classic rock show, and get to the parking lot early. It should be a sight.
7- Modest Mouse @ Masonic Temple: Haven’t they torn this place down yet? Anyways, if you care to risk leaving your car in that neighborhood, check out the Seattle alt-rock stars at what will almost certainty be the peak of their career.
18- Oasis w/ Jet @ Meadowbrook: Oasis sold out Meadowbrook? Damn, not bad for a group that has been all but forgotten since the “Macarena” died. Oasis will meet the new Oasis, Jet, during this tour.
26- The Doors of the 21st Century @ DTE: Note to Ian Astbury; “Get back to together with the Cult right now! This Doors s---? It’s not working.”
28- Sounds of the Underground @ Jerome Duncan Ford Theatre: Lamb of God, Clutch… Will there the venue still exist after the metalheads light the place on fire? Put even money on me being there…

July
1 - Black Eyed Peas @ DTE: These people would play a freakin’ dog show or a backyard barbeque if it meant a paycheck. Pathetic, just plain pathetic.
7-8 - Creedence Clearwater Revisited @ DTE: Are you kidding me? AGAIN! Two nights of this again? You know that they sell five actual tickets and comp the rest of the 20,000 people there, right?
15- “Zooma Tour” @ DTE: Ben Harper & Trey Anastastio headline this new festival. What? The H.O.R.D.E. Festival wasn’t a good enough name for this tour? Get your hippie Patchouli stink scent and shine up your hackysacks for this one.
17- Avril Lavinge @ DTE: Is Avril trying to get hot with her new blonde hairdo? Sorry honey, you have a long way to go before that is possible.
19- Gavin DeGraw & Howie Day @ Meadowbrook: You sure this isn’t supposed to be at Clutch Cargos or something? Expect a sparse crowd in Rochester that day.
20- Tom Petty & Black Crowes @ DTE: Get there early and respect the comeback of the Black Crowes. Then get the pillows out for Tom Petty; he’ll put you to sleep live.
31- Warped Tour @ Silverdome: This is the last ever event at the Silverdome. So, get down to the Offspring & My Chemical Romance and then watch as they prepare to blow the place up, and make it a large industrial park. Ah, the memories…. I am still trying to remember them actually.

August 1 - 3 Doors Down & Staind @ DTE: I re-christen this tour the “Everything That is Wrong with Rock” tour. Simply for the music fans that really don’t explore much rock music away from WRIF.
4 - Neil Diamond @ The Palace of Auburn Hills: How this guy is still popular is beyond me? But hey, he’s been doing this for years, so I guess he’s doing something right.
4-OzzFest 2005 @ DTE: Featuring Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Mudvayne. Oh yeah, Jada Pinkett Smith’s group is on the second stage. She better wear SWAT gear, in order to put up with the psychos at OzzFest. The lineup, consisting of Rob Zombie, Killswitch Engage and In Flames lacks the bombast of last year, but still should be entertaining nonetheless.
10- Gigantour w/ Megadeth @ DTE: Can you get anymore of a generic title for a tour? Why don’t you call it the Super Tour 3000? Actually, with a lineup that contains Dream Theatre, the tour title does not surprise me.
12- Clay Aiken @ Meadowbrook: Screw that “Revelations” show, all the proof of the AntiChrist you need will be in Rochester on August 12th. Cue the locusts and tidal waves.
12- Eminem & 50 Cent @ Comerica Park: All the little thug wannabes will be getting in their Honda Accords, and making that trip from Troy, Canton, or whatever suburb to see their idols in action. Also featuring ‘Lil Jon and his 75 catchphrases.
14- Destiny’s Child @ The Palace of Auburn Hills: I will assure you this will be the last Destiny’s Child tour ever. Beyonce will make her temporary solo stint permanent after this tour.
24- Motley Crue @ DTE: I cant believe they made it this long. But the problem was, the show in February wasn’t even that good to begin with. And I don’t think the sunshine at DTE will help.
30- Coldplay @ DTE: Ok, this is the point where Coldplay either becomes the new U2 or the new Oasis. Your guess as to which way they go is as good as mine… $70 pavilion tickets don’t help their cause.
31- Rolling Stones @ Comerica Park: This has to be the last Stones tour, right? If they were Americans, they would be collecting social security. Screw it, I am gonna go watch Mick alongside Emilio Estevez in Freejack for the remainder of this article.
31- Jack Johnson @ Meadowbrook: This guy won’t be cutting into the Stones attendance, but if you want to see someone at the beginning of his career, hit this show instead.

Well, that’s the bulk of the best summer shows through the end of August. You can also expect dates from System of A Down and Kid Rock at some point during the summer. I am gonna go back to watching Freejack now. At least I can see Emilio Estevez die during this flick; which by the way, is a day I’ve been waiting a long time for. Too bad it’s only a movie…

Art can be reached at arthatesyou@detroitbuzz.com.