What’s the next best thing to seeing Paul McCartney perform in Delaware this year?
It’s probably the show-stopping McCartney Experience: The Ultimate Sir Paul Tribute at the Milton Theatre on April 16.
That tribute is more than a month away and already close to selling out. It’s a sign that people are still crazy about tribute bands.
So we rounded up a diverse mix of some of the best tribute shows touring to Delaware this spring and summer.
The Simon & Garfunkel Story, Wilmington
The tale of two juggernaut musicians, who ended up taking over the world of folk rock, will unfold in a theater setting with a concert flavor. No, this isn’t a Broadway production.
“The Simon & Garfunkel Story” is a highly touted show that uses state-of-the-art video projection, photos and original film footage of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
Fans will hear the duo’s hits like “Mrs. Robinson,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Cecilia.”
This show has been seen in 50 countries across the globe, according to its website.
The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7 p.m, Sunday, March 12. Tickets are up to $59. For more info, visit thegrandwilmington.org or (800) 37-GRAND.
Foreigners Journey, Wilmington
Since two heads are better than one, Foreigners Journey applied that same logic to creating their tribute show, which features music from the two legendary bands, Foreigner and Journey.
Both of these bands combine for hits such as “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “As Cold As Ice,” “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” and “Faithfully.”
The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Friday, March 24. Tickets are up to $43. For more info, visit thequeenwilmington.com or (302) 400-7020.
Twitty & Lynn, Smyrna
Country stars Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty live on through their grandchildren. Tayla Lynn and Tre Twitty are touring with the show Twitty & Lynn: A Salute to Conway and Loretta.
This music is literally in the duo’s blood. Not to mention, the pair are so hot they performed at the Grand Ole Opry.
Smyrna Opera House (7 W. South St., Smyrna) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1. Tickets are up to $35. For more info, visit smyrnaoperahouse.org or (302) 653-4236.
The Rock Orchestra: Talking Heads, Milton
Perhaps the greatest concert film of all time was the 1984 classic “Stop Making Sense,” which featured rockers the Talking Heads.
Respected Delaware Valley tribute band The Rock Orchestra (TRO) has “Found a Job” reproducing the setlist from the film in a theater setting.
Hopefully, the fire department is on stand-by for this show, because TRO plans to deliver a scorching set, before “Burning Down the House.”
Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Friday, April 7. Tickets are up to $28. Visit miltontheatre.com or (302) 684-3038.
The McCartney Experience, Milton
This show already has a low-ticket warning.
The McCartney Experience is different from most Beatles tributes because this gang delivers tunes from Sir Paul’s days with Wings, plus the solo songs he popularized.
At the same time, this McCartney tribute is armed with music from the early years of Beatlemania and throughout the Fab Four era.
Milton Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 16. Tickets are up to $28.
Forever Tina, Milton
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tina Turner is celebrated through an energetic show featuring 12 cast members.
Forever Tina was conceived and launched in Philly and South Jersey.
But this ambitious crew has evolved to take the program all over the world, including Japan, the Middle East and Europe, according to their bio.
Fans will hear Tina’s greatest hits, while rolling all over the dance floor with this powerful tribute show.
Milton Theatre at 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, June 10. Tickets are up to $40.
Bruno Mars Experience, Milton
Lots of “Uptown Funk” is coming downstate, courtesy of Earth To Mars: The Bruno Mars Experience.
This modern tribute show pays homage to one of the biggest singers in music.
In addition to touring the country, Earth To Mars has performed internationally. The band features professional musicians who linked up to deliver a show that’s (pardon the pun) out of this world.
Milton Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday, June 30. Tickets are up to $32.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
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