With the annual OC Fair returning to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa July 15-Aug. 14, the adjacent Pacific Amphitheatre is ready to kick off its 2022 Toyota Summer Concert Series.
Following a complete closure in 2020 and reduced-capacity events in 2021, the 8,000-capacity outdoor venue has brought back a full schedule of performances this year, many of which coincide with the fair and several that extend beyond its run.
It’s a stacked roster, too.
Both The Happy Together Tour and comedian Trevor Noah’s shows are back on after being rescheduled several times starting back in 2020. Promoters booked an eclectic mix of performers including R&B Legend Smokey Robinson, Southern California punk rock band The Offspring, electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling, Latin boy band CNCO, country star Cole Swindell, two evenings with reggae rockers Rebelution and more.
Here is the lineup of shows coming to Pacific Amphitheatre this season. All tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com. Advance purchase is required. Tickets to shows happening during the OC Fair July 15-Aug. 14 include same-day fair admission.
Friday, July 15
Kool & The Gang: The funk and R&B legends will kick off the summer concert series joined by Sly & The Family Stone. 7:30 p.m. $39.50-$79.50.
Saturday, July 16
Trevor Noah: Comedian and “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah will bring his Back to Abnormal Tour to the OC Fair. 8 p.m. Sold out.
Sunday, July 17
Happy Together Tour: An evening of musical nostalgia with The Turtles, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Association, The Buckinghams, The Cowsills and The Vogues. 8 p.m. $25-$42.50.
Wednesday, July 20
Live To Rock Tour: An ’80s rock fest featuring Skid Row, Warrant, Quiet Riot and Kip Winger Unplugged. 6 p.m. $25-$65.
Thursday, July 21
Lindsey Stirling: The electronic music artist, violinist and dancer will perform with support from DJ Mako. 7:30 p.m. $35-$75.
Friday, July 22
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons: The Jersey boy will return to the venue to perform hits from The Four Seasons and his solo career including “Cherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and more. 8:15 p.m. $40-$75.
Saturday, July 23
ABBA LA and Bee Gees Gold: The ABBA and Bee Gees tribute bands will come together for The Greatest Show That Never Was. 7:30 p.m. $20.
Sunday, July 24
Island Empire Festival: A reggae, soul and R&B festival featuring Sammy Johnson, Fiji, Anuhea, Eli-Mac, Analea Brown and more. 2 p.m. $25-$65.
Wednesday, July 27
Counting Crows: The rock band, known for hits like “Mr. Jones,” “Round Here” and “A Long December,” will also perform new songs off its 2021 album, “Butter Miracle.” Orange County Americana singer-songwriter David Rosales & His Band of Scoundrels will open. 7:30 p.m. $42.50-$82.50.
Thursday, July 28
The Offspring: The punk rock band from Huntington Beach will perform songs off its latest album, “Let the Bad Times Roll.” Agent Orange and Love Canal will open. 7 p.m. $45-$85.
Friday, July 29
Brett Eldredge: The country superstar with hits like “Wanna Be That Song,” “Beat of the Music” and “Don’t Ya” will headline with support from singer-songwriter Nate Smith. 7:30 p.m. $50-$90.
Saturday, July 30
CNCO: The Latin pop boy band known for songs like “Tan Fácil,” “Quisiera” and “Party, Humo & Alcohol” will headline with support with María José. 7:30 p.m. $40-$90.
Sunday, July 31
The Green & J Boog: Reggae rock acts The Green & J Boog will be joined by The Expendables and Fia. 5 p.m. $27.50-$65.
Wednesday, Aug. 3
Three Dog Night: The Los Angeles rock band with hits like “Joy to the World,” “Black and White” and “Mama Told Me (Not To Come)” will headline with support from The Grass Roots. 7:30 p.m. $27.50-$57.50.
Thursday, Aug. 4
Jim Gaffigan: The five-time Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, writer and best-selling author will return to the OC Fair with The Fun Tour. 8:15 p.m. $55-$95.
Friday, Aug. 5-Saturday, Aug. 6
Rebelution: The reggae rock band will bring its Good Vibes Summer Tour to the venue for two evenings along with Steel Pulse, Denm and DJ Mackle. $32.50-$62.50.
Sunday, Aug. 7
New Wave Night: Morrissey and The Smiths tribute act Sweet & Tender Hooligans, Depeche Mode tribute band Devotional and New Order tribute band Substance will perform. 6 p.m. $22.50.
Wednesday, Aug. 10
The Band Perry: The country and pop sibling trio will headline with support from country star Lindsay Ell and Southern California country group The Joy Reunion. 7 p.m. $25-$85.
Thursday, Aug. 11
Maxwell: The Grammy award-winning R&B star with hits like “Lifetime,” “Pretty Wings” and “Lake By the Ocean,” will headline with Jurassic 5’s DJ Nu-Mark opening. 8:15 p.m. $50-$150.
Friday, Aug. 12
Smokey Robinson: The R&B legend with decades of hits under his belt including “Tracks of My Tears,” “I Second That Emotion” and “Cruisin,’” will bring his Music & Memories show to Costa Mesa. 8:15 p.m. $40-$80.
Saturday, Aug. 13
The Fab Four: The Beatles tribute act will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the iconic rock band’s “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” 8 p.m. $22.50-$32.50.
Sunday, Aug. 14
The Psychedelic Furs: The English rock and new band will bring its Made of Rain Tour to the OC Fair with Los Angeles punk band X opening. 7 p.m. $29.50-$69.50.
Post OC Fair Concerts
Thursday, Aug. 18
Boy George & Culture Club: Singer-songwriter Boy George and Culture Club will perform all of their hits including “Karma Chameleon,” “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” and “Time.” Los Angeles new wave band Berlin will open. 7:30 p.m. $47.50-$92.50.
Friday, Aug. 19
Cole Swindell: The country singer-songwriter known for songs like “You Should Be Here,” “Break Up in the End” and “Single Saturday Night” will headline the venue with Los Angeles’ Honey County opening. $47.50-$87.50.
Thursday, Aug. 25
Steve Miller Band: The venerable rock band will bust out hits like “The Joker,” “Take the Money and Run” and “Fly Like an Eagle.” 8:15 p.m. $55-$65.
Sunday, Aug. 28
Ramón Ayala Y Sus Bravos Del Norte: The world-renowned Mexican singer-songwriter, vocalist and master accordionist will return to the OC Fair with special guests Conjunto Primavera. 7:30 p.m. $40-$80.
Wednesday, Aug. 31
Pat Benatar: Recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Pat Benatar will be joined by her musical partner and husband, guitarist Neil Giraldo. Heart’s Ann Wilson will open the show. 7:30 p.m. $45-$85.
Saturday, Sept. 3
Jackson Browne: The singer-songwriter, political activist, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriter’s Hall of Fame inductee is best known for songs like “Somebody’s Baby,” “Running on Empty” and “Tender is the Night.” He released a new album, “Downhill From Everywhere” in 2021. 7:30 p.m. $50-$90.
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