Tagged As: Elton John, Billy Joel, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, Leonard Cohen, Concert, U2

A quick look at who is touring this summer makes me realize that despite all the dire economic news the music industry is rolling out the red carpet. Seriously, the list is tremendous for every genre. If I mentioned these all these names in a single conversation I would be accused of name dropping.

If you have a nostalgic taste for the 1970s you have Elton John and Billy Joel on dueling pianos on the Face to Face tour. The two took to the road in 2003 and will take the stage again starting this month.

If you want another celebrated songwriter then look no further than the return Leonard Cohen to the U.S. stage. I did not even realize that Jeff Buckley’s tear-jerking “Hallelujah” was a cover until I read about Cohen (in my defense I was born in the 1980s). Diehard blues fans can enjoy Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood reliving their year as a part one of the first super groups, Blind Faith.

Moving on to artists who exploded in the 1980s, look no further than O2 Arena in London to watch Michael Jackson play a farewell residency that has been extended to 50 concerts. I feel that these are the only real tickets being sold because the artist is desperate. That does not mean he is going to put on a half-assed show, but it just something that needs to be said.

I think U2 is a nice bridge from the 1980s to the 1990s. The group is selling tickets for the U2 360 Tour as they come back to try and save the world with a new album. I am sad to see so few grunge acts making a comeback, but the post-grunge category is receiving a nice boost from the No Doubt reunion tour that will precede a new album for the group.

Country fans have some nice choices with Kenny Chesney on the Sun City Carnival Tour and Taylor Swift undeniably breaching stardom with her tour with Kellie Pickler and a few solo headlining dates. It is really amazing how quickly this country singer/songwriting sensation has burst forward from the cute tall blonde to the universally accepted artist across all genres.

Teenage girls get to go gaga for not only Lady Gaga, but for the Jonas Brothers and the Britney Spears comeback tour. The summer simply has tremendous opportunities to watch great live shows (who is great depends on your taste).