Coldplay // The Palace / Aug. 1

by Mary Simkins

Exciting news, everybody! British rock sensations Starfish will be coming to Michigan soon! Oh, you’ve never heard of Starfish? That might be because they changed their name to Coldplay in 1998. While they’re probably still pentagonal sea creatures on the inside (where it counts!), Coldplay has gained worldwide fame and won countless music awards since the release of “Yellow” in 2000. With four MTV Video Music Awards, seven Grammy’s (20 nominations) and a place on Rolling Stones’ Best Bands of the Decade list, Coldplay has no problem packing a house. Coldplay’s show on August 1 will most likely feature some old crowd pleasers but will focus on tracks from their most recent album, Mylo Xyloto. If you haven’t heard of the album, or have no idea what the title means, it’s likely you’ve heard “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” or “Paradise,” the two most popular tracks. For more information about tickets and Coldplay’s musical guests of the evening (Marina and the Diamonds and Emeli Sande) visit coldplay.com

DJ F // LIVE / Aug. 3

Nicole Myint and Nkosi Frank present the next event in their summer series events with DJ F, Ross Federman of Tally Hall. This 80s & 90s dance party is the finest in the area and is iSPY tested and approved. Ross is known in the New York area for throwing the hottest 90s dance parties, so you don’t want to miss this event. Located at the newly owned and renovated LIVE on First Street in downtown Ann Arbor, DJ F will spin the tunes that will turn your night out into the time of your life. And come back for more on Friday August, 18 when the Ann Arbor legend DJ Chill Will will kick off the ultimate 70s disco night mixed with dance hits from today. Finally, the last event before students resume classes is Friday August, 31 with DJ Chill Will bringing all four events together into one – soul, funk, 80s, 90s, mainstream and disco. Imagine – one night, one dance floor and lots of amazing music. If you’ve got the bucks, bottle service will be available at all events.

Kaskade // The Fillmore / Aug. 4

by Paul Kitti

DJ Ryan Raddon, known worldwide as Kaskade, is one of few working DJs respected by house music purists and dance fanatics alike. His progressive, minimalist style ranges from soft and emotional to heavy and eardrum-splitting, thumping into bass-heavy dubstep before venturing back to tensive house. He’s been quite prolific: he’s released nine albums, with the most recent three landing in the top ten on the US Dance Chart, and in 2011 he was voted “America’s Best DJ” in a DJ Times poll. You could say he’s been warming up all year for his set at the Fillmore this August, having spent the past few months headlining the Ultra Music Festival, Coachella Valley Music Festival and Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. If you’ve been holding out all summer to get your dance on, this might be the moment you’ve been waiting for.

Wiz Khalifa & Mac Miller // DTE / Aug. 5

by Paul Kitti

This pair of joint-toting, hard-partying Pittsburgh rappers had bonded like brothers before their careers took off and they became pioneers within the new generation of laidback weed-rap. When Khalifa was named Rolling Stone’s “Artist to Watch” in 2006, Miller was only fourteen and just starting to get serious about music. But he’s always been within a couple strides of his big brother, and he’s come a long way since headlining at the Blind Pig in 2010. When they share the stage at DTE, it’ll be their most massive show in Michigan to date – and the party on the lawn is sure to honor the ideals of its hosts. They dubbed this “The Influence Tour” after all, and they couldn’t have stated it more …well, bluntly. Tickets available from ticketmaster.com, including VIP packages. Taylor Gang, assemble.

The Appleseed Collective CD Release Show // The Ark / August 9

by Treasure Groh

Though just two years old, the quintet that comprises The Appleseed Collective fold in together like well-kneaded dough. Andrew Brown (guitar/vocals), Sophie Tulip (bass/vocals), Katie Lee (banjo/vocals), Vince Russo (washboard/vocals) and Brandon Worder (violin, mandolin and vocals) create a unique blend of folk, gypsy-style, jangley bluegrass that speaks to the inner old-world storyteller in us all.

After a few years of touring the country, performing at festivals and playing in small town venues (and throwing in some house shows), the band is finally releasing the culmination of all that labor. Baby to Beast is a 12-track album that showcases all that The Appleseed Collective represents. Its foot-tapping melodies paired with the sing-songy, warm vocals creates an undeniably good-time atmosphere. And the best part is that the group is ready to share it with the world. Choosing the Ark (an apt choice, indeed) as the backdrop for their album release, The Appleseed Collective has promised to donate half of all the first-run profits of the record to Selma Café, a local non-profit that helped cultivate their musical beginnings.

The Appleseed Collective is joined by Magdalen Fossum, who will be opening the evening. The show is August 9, and doors are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at theark.org.

Neon Trees // The Majestic Theatre / Aug. 14

by Paul Kitti

This all-Mormon four-piece, with roots in California and Utah, got their break when a member of the Killers asked them to join the band’s tour after attending one of their shows at a small Las Vegas club in 2008. Neon Trees started making their own luck after that point, building their fan base through strong live performances and a single that seemed to catch everyone’s ears at once, 2010’s “Animal” (which reached No. 1 on the Alternative Rock Chart). They’ve since been perfecting their 80s-inspired synth pop and are traveling the country in support of album number two, entitled “Picture Show.” See why they were added to Mark Hoppus’ “Pick of the Week” list when they come to Detroit later this month.

Motors and Music // Silverdome / Aug. 18

Motors and Music is, well, a day of just that – custom and classic cars accompanied by live tunes that promises something for everyone. Music acts range from Ice T (with Coco), to Trick Trick, Shiny Toy Guns, the Stone Temple Pilots, Chiodos, Hush, Howling Diablos, The Dirty Americans, Robert James and Blane Fowler Experience. If those acts aren’t the top of your must-see list, head over to the “Detroit Rises Showcase,” which is described as a “three dimensional musical visual physical platform” and will feature the likes of local names such as IAMDYNAMITE, The High Strung, Dutch Pink, Bear Lake, Kaleido, Brae and Names Unlisted accompanied by all day long performances from the Detroit Circus. To top it all off, there will be special DJ sets performed by Dominic Raiola of the Detroit Lions, Letz Massacre and Mayer Hawthorne. The show starts at 11 a.m. Tickets are $35 general admission and $70 VIP.

Jason Mraz // DTE / Aug. 29

by Paul Kitti 

I wonder what the 23-year-old Jason Mraz would say if he were approached at one of his small coffee shop shows and told that, in twelve years, he would be headlining at venues that hold over 15,000 people. The optimistic and free-spirited acoustic rocker would say something like “that’ll be the day, brother!” and continue on doing what he was born to do. His single “I’m Yours” was summer 2009 bottled into three minutes, and he’s got a few others that I expect will become the summer oldies of tomorrow. But he’s also an engaging storyteller, as evidenced in the more daring parts of 2009’s “We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.,” and his live performances are unexpectedly high-energy and interactive. Catching up with him at DTE will be an ideal way to close the summer, as his jams facilitate the collision between old memories and new ones.