DOWNEY - With the summer season arriving in a matter of weeks, many of music's most popular artists are gearing up to hit the road for their highly anticipated summer tours.Following months of steady television appearances, music video releases and countless spins on the radio, singers and bands eagerly await the chance to bring their music to a live audience, with Southern California a key destination for artists on the road. While ticket prices for concerts can add up due to processing and handling fees, artists typically release tickets that are affordable for fans to attend their shows, some as low as $20. Several popular artists will be touching down around Los Angeles and across the country soon, and if tickets are still available for the following shows, attendance is mandatory. After releasing her highly anticipated and critically acclaimed seventh studio album, Femme Fatale, Britney Spears is bringing her tour to Los Angeles and Anaheim for the first time in two years. With hip-hop newcomer Nicki Minaj opening the show and songs like "Baby One More Time," "Toxic," and "Hold It Against Me" expected to make the set list, Spears is sure to deliver a show packed with high-energy dance moves, special effects and lots of fan interaction. Maroon 5 is making their second stop in California, following the first leg of their tour in the fall. This time, the Los Angeles based band is headlining at the coveted Hollywood Bowl, with support from Train and Gavin Degraw. With an expansive mixture of up-tempo rock songs and slower, jazz-influenced songs, Maroon 5 is expected to perform songs from their most recent album, "Hands All Over," in addition to early hits such as "This Love" and "Makes Me Wonder." Following their 10-city Memories tour in the fall, Weezer is making a stop at the Pacific Amphitheater in Santa Ana, performing songs from albums new and old at this year's Orange County Fair. Known for their consistent energy and their often humorous nature, Weezer's outdoor show will feature many of the songs that made them famous, including "Undone" and "Say It Ain't So" in addition to songs from their recent release, "Hurley." After having four songs reach number one in America, Katy Perry is bringing her colorful and outrageous California Dreams tour to Los Angeles for an entire weekend in August. Perry will perform a majority of her songs off her latest album, "Teenage Dream," in addition to songs from her first album, "One of the Boys." With hip-hop stars such as Snoop Dogg and Kanye West featured on some of Perry's biggest hits, fans are hoping for surprise appearances during the highly anticipated shows. Many other artists are expected to pass through California this summer, and with a wide variety of options, prices, and venues to choose from, music enthusiasts can experience the thrill of live music all summer long.

********** Published: June 16, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 9