The summer concert schedule is a varied one, ranging from washed-up metal bands to washed-up metal bands, with the requisite tired classic rock acts thrown in. Don’t worry — there are a handful of bands coming our way whose members aren’t card-carrying members of the AARP. All tickets through Ticketmaster, (210) 224-9600 or ticketmaster.com.

MIXFEST ’08
WHEN: Saturday, May 10
WHERE: Sunset Station
HOW MUCH: $30 in advance; $32 day of show
THE 210 TAKE: Concerts sponsored by KXXM Mix 96.1 usually serve up a reliable bill of pop rockers, and this year is no exception. Taking the stage are Maroon 5 (performing an acoustic set), Simple Plan (pictured), Ryan Cabrera, Colbie Caillat and Secondhand Serenade.

JAGERMEISTER MUSIC TOUR
WHEN: May 28
WHERE: Sunset Station
HOW MUCH: $20
THE 210 TAKE: Hardcore metal quintet Hatebreed and goth metal giant Type O Negative (pictured) team up on the twice-yearly tour, which also features Three Inches of Blood, a power metal group from Canada. Mmm, bloody.

RASCAL FLATTS, TAYLOR SWIFT
WHEN: June 22
WHERE: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
HOW MUCH: $34.75-$78.75
THE 210 TAKE: The country pop trio Rascal Flatts skipped the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo this year, but they’re making up for it on the Bob That Head Tour to continue promoting their 2007 album Still Feels Good. The precocious Swift is coming back only a few months after a sparkling show at the NCAA Final Four’s Big Dance.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
WHEN: June 27
WHERE: AT&T Center
HOW MUCH: $45.50-$49.50 on sale Saturday, May 10
THE 210 TAKE: Could it be that the much-anticipated reunion of STP may actually go off as planned? Fingers crossed that Scott Weiland serves his eight days of jail time for a DUI conviction before the tour begins! The band known for the hits “Plush, “Vasoline” and “Lady Picture Show” last played here in 2002 before splitting up a year later. Weiland kept busy fronting Velvet Revolver while Dean and Robert DeLeo played in Army of Anyone.

WILLIE NELSON’S FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC
WHEN: July 4
WHERE: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
HOW MUCH: $27-$67
THE 210 TAKE: OK, Willie definitely qualifies for the AARP (he’s 75 this year), but he’s still the coolest guy around. This will be the first time he brings his Fourth of July picnic to San Antonio. On the bill is a who’s who of country music icons, including Johnny Bush, Ray Price, and Merle Haggard, not to mention Pat Green, David Allen Coe, Asleep at the Wheel, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Billy Joe Shaver and Los Lonely Boys.

VANS WARPED TOUR
WHEN: July 5
WHERE: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
HOW MUCH: $33.02
THE 210 TAKE: Warped Tour is one of the hottest shows on the summer calendar — both literally and figuratively. Just remember to keep guzzling that water and slathering on that sunscreen while you check out the crapload of rock, pop punk and ska punk bands, including Against Us, Paramore, The Academy Is ..... and Gym Class Heroes (pictured).

ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL
WHEN: July 26
WHERE: Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
HOW MUCH: $34.81-$61.33
THE 210 TAKE: This is sort of a Warped Tour for harder rock, and in fact the Mayhem Festival was organized by the founder of Warped Tour. More than a dozen bands are playing the inaugural 30-city tour (promoted as a “thunderfest”), including Slipknot (pictured), Disturbed, Dragonforce and Mastodon. Besides music on multiple stages, the festival will have motorcycle stunts and interactive games.
 

Other shows of note

- Jon Secada, May 15 at Graham Central Station
- Pat Benatar, May 18 at Municipal Auditorium
- Pink Martini, May 19 at Majestic Theatre
- Iron Maiden, May 21 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
- Kerrville Folk Festival, May 22-June 8 at Quiet Valley Ranch
- Los Lonely Boys, May 25 at Whitewater at the Horseshoe in New Braunfels
- Blood, Sweat & Tears, June 14 at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin
- Toadies, June 20 at Sunset Station
- Jackfest with Boston, Styx and Smash Mouth, June 21 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
- Hootie and the Blowfish, June 27 at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels
- Blue October, July 4-5 at Whitewater at the Horseshoe in New Braunfels
- Earth, Wind and Fire, July 11 at Majestic Theatre
- South Texas Rock Fest with Queensrÿche, Skid Row, Krokus, L.A. Guns and others, July 11-13 at Javelina Harley-Davidson in Boerne
- Martina McBride and Jack Ingram, July 17 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
- Crüefest with Mötley Crüe, Papa Roach and Buckcherry, July 23 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
- Bryan Adams and Foreigner, July 24 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
- Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick, July 25 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
- Judas Priest, Motorhead and Testament, Aug. 24 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Steve Winwood, Aug. 26 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
- Also, free music series every Wednesday at The County Line restaurant starting at 6 p.m. through Sept. 17, including acts such as Bob Schneider (May 28), Bruce Robison (July 2) and Cory Morrow (Sept. 17)
- And the Party on the Tower Plaza, a free summer concert series from 7 p.m.-midnight every Friday from May 9 through Aug. 29, including local acts such as Harry Wurzbach and the 410s, Red Sauce Rules and Benny Harp Blues

Jessica Belasco | 210SA contributor