The Struts and other rock bands rule the roost at beach nightspots this weekend

There is another week to go before the tourist season kicks in, but you'd never know it by the amount of high-profile concerts taking place this weekend — heavy on good old rock 'n' roll. 

In Dewey Beach, the Bottle & Cork nightclub is up and running for its 81st season, and its first ticketed concert of the year is a doozy. British rock quartet The Struts will make a return appearance Sunday, May 21 ($30). More than 600 tickets had been sold at press time, with about 300 remaining — which is impressive for a weeknight in the offseason. 

The Struts' concert is expected to sell out by show time as it did for last year's concert, which various Cork employees recall as the most entertaining of 2016. It will include sets by a pair of national openers; Nightfly at 8 p.m. will be followed by Greta Van Fleet at 9 p.m. The Struts will perform at 10 p.m. For those unfamiliar with The Struts, try to envision a high-energy mix of Queen, Jet and Oasis. 

In downtown Rehoboth Beach, the new Dogfish Head building is quietly opening its doors for a performance by rock trio Wild Adriatic at 10 p.m. Friday, May 19. New York sibling duo Jocelyn & Chris Arndt will play at 10 p.m. Saturday, May 20; admission is free both nights. As we reported here last week, the mammoth concert hall, restaurant and microbrewery will host its official grand opening Friday, June 2. 

The aforementioned Jocelyn & Chris Arndt have a double shot of Delmarva appearances this weekend, as they will also headline the annual Ocean 98 Mayday Playday event, which takes place outside on Main Street in downtown Berlin from 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 19.

In nearby Ocean City, the Alibi Room will be packed to the rafters Saturday, May 20, for a reunion of former local favorite Lower Class Citizens. The band garnered a large and loyal following with its hard-rocking original compositions. Blood Raven will open the free show at 9 p.m.

Back in Dewey Beach, The Starboard nightclub will host a free concert by Andy Frasco & the U.N. at 10 p.m. Friday, May 19. The Los Angeles touring act mixes funk, rock, blues and reggae. The group will return to Delaware to play the Firefly Music Festival on Saturday, June 17 (a day which will be headlined by the legendary Bob Dylan).  

E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com

This Week's Must-See List

The Struts at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach at 10 p.m. Sunday, May 21. $30

Lower Class Citizens at the Alibi Room in Ocean City at 9 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Free

Wild Adriatic at the new Dogfish Head brewpub in downtown Rehoboth Beach at 10 p.m. Friday, May 19. Free

Andy Brasco & the U.N. at The Starboard in Dewey Beach at 10 p.m. Friday, May 19. Free

Ocean 98 Mayday Playday in downtown Berlin from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 19. Free