Hillis: Don't quit on the beach summer music scene yet

Labor Day is just a few weeks away, and local music venues are closing out the season with a bang. Major names are coming to area stages in the days ahead.

In Ocean City, Seacrets will present its last major concert of the summer at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 20. Tickets priced at $45 sold out weeks ago for the OC stop of the reggae-themed Nice Dreams Summer Tour 2017, co-headlined by Tribal Seeds and Pepper. The show will include opening sets by Darenots and Fortunate Youth. Kudos to those who thought to score tickets in advance.

Another Ocean City nightspot also has a concert on tap. The Cowboy Coast Saloon in Ocean City will present the return of national singer-guitarist Aaron Lewis at 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 ($25). Lewis made news last month when he reunited his former rock band Staind for a charity event. His solo career, by contrast, is focused strictly on country music in the style of his heroes Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings.

In Selbyville, the Freeman Stage at Bayside will welcome throngs of patrons for various shindigs. The Weight will pay tribute to the music of Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Band on Friday, Aug. 18 ($15). Michael Jackson tribute act Invincible will get the audience dancing Saturday, Aug. 19 ($25). On Tuesday, Aug. 22, the Freeman Stage will present one of Delmarva's most anticipated shows of 2017 — blues-rock favorite Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals ($40 to $60). All of the concerts at the Freeman Stage start at 7 p.m.

In Dewey Beach, the country music concert series at the Rusty Rudder continues unabated. Country diva Maggie Rose will return Sunday, Aug. 20, following a 9 p.m. opening set by Rehoboth Beach's Clifford Keith Band. On Thursday, Aug. 24, singer-songwriter Canaan Smith will play after a set by the group Fillmore ($20); this show was originally scheduled to occur at the Rudder's nearby sister business, the Bottle & Cork nightclub.

The Bottle & Cork has a busy schedule of its own. Country star Steve Moakler will appear Friday, Aug. 18, following an opening set by Milton native Jimmie Allen ($15, $20). The Infamous Stringdusters and Dustbowl Revival perform on Sunday, Aug. 20 ($25.) Surf-rock troubadour Donovan Frankenreiter and tourmate Matt Grundy are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 21 ($25). Doors open at 9 p.m. for all of these shows, with the opening acts hitting the stage by 9:30 p.m. at the latest.

E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com

This Week's Must See List

Pepper and Tribal Seeds at Seacrets in Ocean City at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20. Sold Out

Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals at the Freeman Stage at Bayside in Selbyville at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22. $40 to $60

The Huntingtons at the Alibi Room in Ocean City at 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. Free

Maggie Rose at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach at 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20. $10

Aaron Lewis of Staind at the Cowboy Coast Saloon in Ocean City at 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24. $25