Summer concerts at a glance
Here are selected highlights of the summer pop-music season to come (along with guidelines designed to enhance the concertgoing experience).
Queen with Adam Lambert
July 3
The Forum
fabulousforum.com
Likelihood you will be mistaken for someone’s parent
Mistaken? Consider this an educational tour — a chance to show the younglings that Queen’s history runs deeper than “Glee” and “American Idol.” Oh, wait.
Possible Solange cameo
Not going to happen. Solange’s most theatrical performances happen offstage.
Fashion spirit animal
May the ghost of Freddie Mercury bless the refurbished Forum with glitter from the heavens.
People are really there to see…
Thousands of people have a communal Wayne & Garth moment during “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Tipple of choice
Drink whatever you like. Any spills will all easily wipe off your leather pants.
Arcade Fire
Aug. 1, 2
The Forum
fabulousforum.com
Likelihood you will be mistaken for someone’s parent
Low. Arcade Fire has kids now too, and they’re probably onstage as additional percussionists.
Possible Solange cameo
Slight, but not inconceivable given the band’s new NYC downtown-disco vibes.
Fashion spirit animal
Karen O. circa 2002, to judge by Win Butler’s hot-pink burglar mask look at Coachella.
People are really there to see…
Andrew Garfield wander onstage for another real-time music video shoot.
Tipple of choice
Uncut youthful joy and hope.
HARD Summer
Aug. 2, 3
Whittier Narrows
hardfest.com
Likelihood you will be mistaken for someone’s parent
Guaranteed. But just adopt a Euro lilt and say you’re “Seeing my son Martin perform, he has the song about the Animals?”
Possible Solange cameo
Minimal, unless she’s feeling a lot ravier than her bummer-disco E.P.“True” suggested.
Fashion spirit animal
His-and-hers matching “Suns Out, Guns Out” tank tops and highlighter-yellow underbutt hotpants.
People are really there to see…
If there’s an outer-orbit A$AP Mob member they can snag an afterparty wristband from.
Tipple of choice
Red Bull and Visine, or whatever it is they’re squeezing out of that eyedropper.
Beyoncé/Jay Z “On The Run” tour
Aug. 2, 3
Rose Bowl
rosebowlstadium.com
Likelihood you will be mistaken for someone’s parent
Low. There is only one transcendently beatific baby anyone cares about at this show, and it is not yours.
Possible Solange cameo
Likely, just as long as they don’t have to spend too much time in an elevator together.
Fashion spirit animal
Any selection from Beyoncé’s fabulous merch collection. We have dibs on a “Surfboard” hoodie.
People are really there to see…
A recap of their “Drunk in Love” Grammy dance duet, where Jay looked as gobsmacked by Bey as the rest of us.
Tipple of choice
D’Usse, Armand de Brignac, waking up in the kitchen asking, “How the hell did this happen?”
FYF Fest
Aug. 23, 24
L.A. Sports Arena & Exposition Park
fyffest.com
Likelihood you will be mistaken for someone’s parent
Relax, with alt-era veterans such as Slowdive and Presidents of the United States of America on the bill, feel free to rock your George Costanza fashions.
Possible Solange cameo
Red alert! The lil’ Knowles is a known collaborator with Dev Hynes, who performs sexy, modest R&B under the name Blood Orange. But the gossip is she loves him like a brother-in-law.
Fashion spirit animal
It’s time to bring out that denim vest or summer dress you’ve been saving for your Laurel Canyon recording session.
People are really there to see…
If they can run into that stranger they were eyeing during the Haim set at Coachella.
Tipple of choice
Your favorite dive bar well drinks, only now with late-summer heat and the low hum of food trucks.
Budweiser Made in America
Aug. 30, 31
Grand Park
madeinamericafest.com
Likelihood you will be mistaken for someone’s parent
If you’re excited about a festival with John Mayer at the top of the bill, chances are your son or daughter just went to FYF last week.
Possible Solange cameo
Unlikely but needed. Jay Z is said to curate the Made in America lineup, and someone should have thrown some leg-kicks when he agreed to book Sublime with Rome and Imagine Dragons.
Fashion spirit animal
Remember that gray shirt Mayer wore in the video for “Your Body is a Wonderland”?
People are really there to see…
We love Kendrick Lamar, but let’s be honest: If Jay Z is involved, you’re there to see Jay Z and Beyoncé. And Solange.
Tipple of choice
Look at the name. You don’t have a choice.
Photos: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times, Ethan Miller / Getty Images, Zach Cordner / Invision/AP, Kevin Winter / Getty Images, Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times, Felipe Trueba / EPA, Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Credits: Produced by Tracy Brown