2025 Year in review! Pine Knob Music Theatre 2025 highlights!

What a year it has been for the music lovin’ folks of Michigan! The Pine Knob Music Theatre, Michigan’s largest outdoor amphitheatre, has delivered the most groundbreaking shows and festivals this summer!  This incredible venue hosted major performances and historic showdowns, some of them are the biggest names in the circuit. The venue opened its doors to Grammy winning artists, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, cult favorites, and rising stars! 2025 has been an ultra dynamic year with shows ranging from country to rock, pop, hip-hop, metal, and tons more! If you’re curious just how gripping year 2025 is for concert and festival lovers, well this is your moment to learn just how exciting this venue has been for the past summer! Rain or shine, the Pine Knob Music Theatre delivered the biggest, most electrifying events to ever come to Michigan! So here are the reasons why Clarkston was totally banging with world renowned performers and zealous fans from June to October 2025!

 JUNE

June opened with an awesome pop rager. HALSEY came to town with My Last Trick Tour on June 11. The show is part of the Grammy nominated singer’s fifth headlining trek and delivered her most illustrious hits. Fans were treated to titles like “Bad At Love,” “Closer,” and tons more. The acclaimed performer delivered songs from roaring catalog and fans went wild when she belted out her encore which included “Nightmare,” “Without Me,” and “The Great Impersonator.” 

One week later, the venue opened its doors to the monster touring machine, the OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL. Headlined by legendary outlaw singer-songwriter WILLIE NELSON, the festival delivered an equally awesome line up with BOB DYLAN, NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS, and several others. On June 20, two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees shared the big stage and it was a pivotal moment for both fans and the music industry as a whole.

The month also included performances from country music powerhouses. KEITH URBAN arrived with CHASE MATTHEWS and ALANA SPRINGSTEEN. Together they set the night ablaze for Urban’s highly coveted High and Alive Tour.

JULY 

When we say July was power packed, we mean it. The month consisted of power players and heavy weights. First off, on July 2, the highly beloved WEIRD AL YANKOVIC did a co-headlining run with PUDDLES PITTY PARTY. Together they delivered the most chuckle and vibe worthy Bigger & Weird Tour. A week later in July 9, another touring powerhouse, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND arrived to deliver their mindblowing show. Of course, wherever this band goes, thousands upon thousands of fans follow. But thankfully, the venue can accommodate up to 15,000 fans at a time and Dave Matthews Band didn’t have any problems with their fans missing out on tickets. 

On July 16, the Pine Knob Music Theatre opened its gates to another music festival, the SUMMER OF LOUD TOUR. This time, the show’s a mighty metal showdown featuring head bang worthy heavweights like PARKWAY DRIVE, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, I PREVAIL,  THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, BEARTOOTH, and many more. It was a headbanger’s dream and the show totally killed and delivered.

If you thought the head banging ended when the show was over, you better guess again. The next night, the Pine Knob Music Theatre welcomed the legendary band Pantera. The band comprised original members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown with immensely talented guitarist Zakk Wylde filling in for the late and great Dimebag Darrel and Anthrax’s Charlie Bentante filling in for Vinnie Paul. 

From hard thumping heavy metal one minute to hardcore partying mode the next. Only KESHA can deliver an equally electrifying show following the ground shattering gig by Pantera. Kesha’s The Tits Out Tour was incredibly eventful. The show is reported to be a celebration of her freedom. Anyone who’s been following Kesha knows that she conquered the millennials’ era with massive hits like “Tik Tok,” “Timber,” “Die Young,” and a whole lot more but all these came at a price. In 2025, Kesha celebrated with the Tits Out Tour as an indepent artist. The show was sleazy, powerful, and the party was utterly inescapable. Fans went wild on this one for sure. 

Another wild party involved the kiddos as the KIDS BOP LIVE arrived at the Pine Knob Music Theatre on July 24th for the Certified Bop Tour. This fun, family friendly event is not just a show designed for kids. It’s a full fledged concert with a grand production and even more amazing performers. The Kidz Bop Kids certainly delivered the most electriyfing hits like “Dance the Night,” “Cruel Summer,” “Greedy,” “Beautiful Things,” and many more. The best thing about this show was that all lyrics of these hit songs were revised to create kid friendly tunes without profanity or suggestive words. It was all fun from start to finish and the Pine Knob provided a great accessible venue for the little ones and their parents. 

“It’s a great venue! The theatre was clean and big, the seats were comfortable and the stage was awesome!”

AUGUST

If you thought July was packed, August was absolutely ripping at the seams. The month approximately had up to 20 shows and some artists even delivered two night ragers at this joint. First of all, August 1 hosted the pop legend, CYNDI LAUPER who was in town to promote her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour. Yes, it was a bittersweet goodbye to fans as Lauper delivered her supposed last show ever in Clarkston, Michigan (for now). Who knows, many artists have been delivering farewell tours in the last several years. It may not be the last that fans have seen of Cyndi Lauper over in Michigan.

Speaking of lasts, 90s rock icons BARENAKED LADIES took over the venue the next day for their Last Summer on Earth Tour. No, the band is not saying farewell anytime soon. But this summer run is a great tradition where Barenaked Ladies bring in a totally diverse set of support acts. This 2025’s tour brought along Sugar Ray and Fast Ball.

On August 5, the venue welcomed Grammy winning EDM trio RUFUS DU SOL. The Inhale/Exhale World Tour brought out the biggest crowd. Ravers arrived and enjoyed the Australin born’s tumultuous set which included hits like “Innerbloom,” “You Were Right,” and “On My Knees,” among others. You betcha this show, like all Rufus Du Sol shows, delivered an exhilarating aural and visual trip. The production was breathtaking with immersive and dynamic light shows. Massive LEDs and geometric light structures were definitely the highlight of the event.  

August’s line up was just so stacked it would take forever to write them all down in this recap. Just know that the venue hosted some of the biggest names in the music world, including country powerhouses like THOMAS RHETT, LITTLE BIG TOWN, HARDY, DIERS BENTLEY, and ZACH TOP. Rap icons like NELLY, JA RULE, EVE, BONE THUGS N HARMONY, THREE 6 MAFIA,  and TECH N9NE also made their way into town. Rock and metal was also banging the walls here upon the arrival of STYX, NEIL YOUNG AND THE CHROME HEARTS, VOLBEAT,  HALESTORM, BILLY IDOL, and JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS.

“What a great place! We drove from the Twin Cities, MN to see the B52’S the closet place on their tour. DEVO was huge bonus. The venue is the most beautifully maintained and fun.” – concert attendee

SEPTEMBER

September marks the end of summer but before closing the concert season, Pine Knob Music Theatre went out with a bang. The month brought in prolific touring kings and queens TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND on Septemebr 10 who is famous for delivering the most incredible southern rock shows in North America. The next two nights, the Aldean Army filled the venue for the opportunity to see country superstar JASON ALDEAN. This two night bonanza also features special guests NATE SMITH, RAELYN, and DEE JAY SILVER. 

September 16 was a highly electrifying and chaotic night as shock rock rap kings $uicideboy$ arrived to deliver their annual tradition, the Grey Day Tour. The duo from New Orleans also brought in Soundcloud viral artists like CHETTA, BONES, NIGHT LOVELL, and GERM. A few nights later, literal heavyweights in metal FALLING IN REVERSE delivered the Popular Monstour II with SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL and POINT NORTH. Singer Ronnie Radke and company served the most visually pleasing and soul satisfying metal showdown. There was pyro, a large LED wall, a special appearance from Tech N9ne on screen for “Ronald,” and tons more surprises. It’s safe to say that Pine Knob Music Theatre ending the summer season with a bang coudn’t have been complete without Falling in Reverse arriving in town. 

The month also saw the appearance of the legendary B-52’S, DEVO, and head bang worthy performers like PAPA ROACH, BREAKING BENJAMIN, THREE DAYS GRACE, and UNDEROATH. 

“Went to the Outlaw Music Festival to see Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, etc.. Nice to see free parking. The sound quality was good, and the layout had a good flow.” – concert attendee

OCTOBER

Before the concert season officially ended, the Pine Knob Music Theatre delivered a few last ragers. The biggest one were Judas Priest and Alice in Chain’s Shield of Pain Tour. These metal heads sure know how to end the season with ground shaking, neck breaking showdown. So definitely it was worth the wait. The show was lauded for its explosive metal and shock rock qualities. The gig even had an Ozzy Osbourne tribute. It’s something every metal lover must have and a shame to miss out on. 

REVIEWS

Rob M. from Cheyenne, Wyoming loved the density of trees at this venue. He also lauded the facility for his incredible experience. “Went to the Outlaw Music Festival to see Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, etc.. Nice to see free parking. The sound quality was good, and the layout had a good flow.” Meanwhile, a couple from New York had the best time at the Pine Knob Music Theatre, “Good sound quality, video screens work well. Parking is easy. Plenty of clean restrooms. Staff is friendly.’

Moreover, Kari M. from Minnesota had a little emergency with her husband but the venue’s friendly staff were on the ball, “What a great place! We drove from the Twin Cities, MN to see the B52’S the closet place on their tour. DEVO was huge bonus. The venue is the most beautifully maintained and fun we’ve been too. A mini WE Fest( in Minnesota), which is only larger because of numerous campground but not nearly as nice. The accessible accommodations were especially welcome. My husband had a diabetic episode and the staff went over and aboard to help.”

Lastly, Samantha M. from Elizabeth, Pennsylvania had this to say about her experience, “It’s a great venue! The theatre was clean and big, the seats were comfortable and the stage was awesome!”

ABOUT PINE KNOB MUSIC THEATRE

The massive concert facility in Detroit, Michigan has been the go to place for the most exciting concerts and festivals. Every year, the 15,000 capacity venue hosts from 40 to 60 shows and is visited by over 100,000 fans. Recorded as one of the top grossing concert venues in North America, the Pine Knob Music Theatre is a facility that has a steadfast impact in Michigan’s ripe entertainment scene. The venue is also known for its excellent facilities, including reserved seating, expansive lawn space, great accessibility, and smooth entry and exit process. The venue is also equipped with top notch sound and lights technology, giving fans the ultimate concert experience. Concessionaires are also available with food and drink offerings for fans who want to get some refreshments during the show. 

If you want to catch your favorite artist at an awesome venue, the Pine Knob Music Theatre is definitely your best bet. This incredible facility has been home to the biggest shows to come to Michigan and it continues to be visited by the biggest names in the circuit. So if you missed out on 2025, there’s no need to be upset because 2026 is going to be more awesome! So watch out for the line up and prepare for that trip to the Pine Knob Music Theatre. We promise you won’t regret it!

PINE KNOB MUSIC THEATRE 2026 SCHEDULE