Are you ready to rock? Here are some big concerts coming to Columbus in 2024
A parade of popular performers is heading to Columbus in 2024, ranging from legends such as Branford Marsalis and Bruce Springsteen to new kid on the block Olivia Rodrigo and the actual New Kids on the Block, now known as NKOTB.
Leading the lineup will be Canadian rapper-singer Drake, set for two shows with fellow rapper-vocalist J. Cole at the Schottenstein Center, West Lane Avenue and Olentangy River Road. The 37-year-old, known for his sing-song delivery, will appear at 8 p.m. Feb. 20-21, after postponing shows in Columbus two times last year. Ticket prices start at $129.50 for the Feb. 20 concert and $100 for Feb. 21 at ticketmaster.com.
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A wealth of other well-known artists representing a grab-bag of genres will take the stage at the Schott this year, as well as at Nationwide Arena and other area venues. If you want to go and get your groove on to one of your favorites, we've got the 411 in the list below.
Winter Jam
Founded 20 years ago by popular contemporary Christian group NewSong, who will perform, Christian music's biggest tour also will feature Grammy-winning rapper Lecrae, as well as Crowder, Katy Nichole, Seventh Day Slumber and speaker Zane Black.
When: 6 p.m. Jan. 27
Where: Schottenstein Center
Tickets: $15 cash donation at the door (no tickets required)
Over the Rhine
The popular Cincinnatian husband-wife duo, featuring pianist-guitarist-bassist Linford Detweiler and vocalist-guitarist Karin Bergquist, will offer a Valentine's concert titled "Infamous Love Songs."
When: 8 p.m. Feb. 9
Where: Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.
Tickets: Prices start at $32 at cbusarts.com.
Sam Hunt
Hunt, whose distinctive style blends smooth, conversational talking with tenor-to-baritone crooning, scored four No. 1 hits on his 2014 debut, "Montevallo" and is known for dropping surprise singles every few months.
When: 7:30 p.m. March 2
Where: Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
Tickets: Prices start at $23 at ticketmaster.com.
Three Dog Night
Known for a string of '60s and '70s hits such as "Eli's Coming," "Easy to Be Hard," "Joy to the World," "Mama Told Me," "Black and White," and "Shambala," the band hosted and performed on the inaugural edition of Dick Clark's "New Year's Rockin' Eve."
When: 8 p.m. March 9
Where: Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St.
Tickets: Prices start at $45 at ticketmaster.com.
Pat Metheny
A 20-time Grammy Award winner and the only person to have won Grammys in 10 categories, the jazz guitarist-composer will perform personal and fan favorites from his 50-year career.
When: 8 p.m. March 9
Where: Riffe Center Davidson Theatre, 77 S. High St.
Tickets: Prices start at $37 at cbusarts.com.
Travis Tritt
Tritt, a much-lauded veteran of Southern rock-influenced country music, is already selling out venues on his 2024 Solo Acoustic Tour, which begins in March.
When: 7:30 p.m. March 14
Where: Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
Tickets: Prices start at $51 at cbusarts.com.
Dan + Shay
Country-pop chart-toppers Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney met at a party at Smyers' house in 2012 and have collaborated with many artists including Justin Bieber, Charlie Puth, Rascal Flatts and Kelly Clarkson.
When: 7 p.m. March 15
Where: Nationwide Arena
Tickets: Prices start at $29.50 at ticketmaster.com.
Olivia Rodrigo
Riding a wave of success with hits such as "Good 4 U," "Driver's License" and "Vampire," Rodrigo, 20, rose to popularity as a child star on the Disney television programs "Bizaardvark" and "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series."
When: 7:30 p.m. March 22
Where: Nationwide Arena
Tickets: Currently, no tickets are available online. Fans are advised to check ticketmaster.com as the date of the show approaches.
Tim McGraw
One of music's all-time bestsellers with more than 80 million records sold worldwide, McGraw also is known for his acting career, having appeared in movies including "Friday Night Lights" and "The Blind Side."
When: 7 p.m. March 23
Where: Nationwide Arena
Tickets: Prices start at $39.75 at ticketmaster.com.
Avenged Sevenfold
Though categorized under the umbrella term "heavy metal," the California quintet, currently on their "Life is But a Dream..." tour, has also been dubbed alternative, hard rock and progressive metal.
When: 6:30 p.m. March 26
Where: Nationwide Arena
Tickets: Prices start at $39.95 at ticketmaster.com.
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Ledisi
The R&B/jazz singer-songwriter, author and actress, whose name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba, won the Best Traditional R&B Performance Grammy Award in 2021 for "Anything for You."
When: 8 p.m. March 26
Where: Mershon Auditorium
Tickets: Prices start at $49.50 at ticketmaster.com.
Fall Out Boy
The hitmaking band, whose numerous songs include an updated rendition of Billy Joel's 1989 smash, "We Didn't Start the Fire," with lyrics chronicling world events from 1989 to 2023. Jimmy Eat World will open.
When: 6:30 p.m. March 29
Where: Schottenstein Center
Tickets: Prices start at $45 at ticketmaster.com.
Buddy Guy
The octogenarian blues icon, who is retiring from the road, will play songs from throughout his career during this show rescheduled from November. All previously purchased tickets will be valid this concert.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 2
Where: Palace Theatre
Tickets: Prices start at $44 at capa.com.
Nicki Minaj
Often referred to as "the Queen of Rap," the Trinidad-born Minaj is known for her colorful wardrobe, musical versatility and animated rap flow as both a lead and featured artist on many songs, including "Super Bass," "Starships," "Anaconda" and "Bang Bang."
When: 8 p.m. April 12
Where: Schottenstein Center
Tickets: Prices start at $79.50 at ticketmaster.com.
Branford Marsalis
The Grammy-winning saxophone virtuoso and composer will join the New Albany Symphony Orchestra to dazzle the audience with selections including John Williams’ "Escapades" from the 2002 Steven Spielberg movie “Catch Me If You Can.”
When: 7:30 p.m. April 13
Where: McCoy Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany
Tickets: Prices start at $35 at newalbanysymphony.com.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
"The Boss" was originally slated to play Columbus last year but was sidelined twice by peptic ulcer disease. All tickets for the postponed concerts will be valid for the upcoming performance.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 21
Where: Nationwide Arena
Tickets: Limited tickets remain starting at $210 at ticketmaster.com.
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Toto
Fusing elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, prog-rock, hard rock, R&B, blues, and jazz, the LA-based band is popular for chart-topping songs such as "Hold the Line," "Rosanna" and "Africa."
When: 7:30 p.m. April 21
Where: Mershon Auditorium
Tickets: Prices start at $45 at ticketmaster.com.
Melanie Martinez
Martinez, whose star rose after her 2012 appearance on season 3 of "The Voice," has released three Top 10 albums, "Cry Baby," "K-12" and "Portals," which have collectively garnered more than 14 billion streams worldwide.
When: June 13
Where: 7 p.m. Nationwide Arena
Tickets: Prices start at $59.50 at ticketmaster.com.
Buckeye Country Superfest
Marking the first time that Superfest will feature a headliner playing back-to-back nights because of high ticket demand, Zach Bryan will be joined by Billy Strings, Turnpike Troubadours and special guests Charley Crockett and Levi Turner.
When: June 22-23; tailgate area will open at 10 a.m. and stadium gates will open at 2 p.m.
Where: Ohio Stadium, 411 Woody Hayes Drive
Tickets: Limited Night 1 tickets available starting at $405.50; Night 2 tickets start at $64.49 at buckeyecountrysuperfest.com.
AJR
Founded by brothers Adam, Jack and Ryan Metzger, who busked and sang covers in New York City until their breakthrough, AJR is known for the Top 10 hit "Bang!" and other tunes such as "100 Bad Days" and "World's Smallest Violin."
When: 7:30 p.m. June 28
Where: Nationwide Arena
Tickets: Prices start at $49.50.
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Chris Stapleton
In addition to his own hits, the gravelly-voiced, multiple award-winning singer-songwriter has penned No. 1 songs for Kenny Chesney, George Strait and Luke Bryan, as well as tunes for Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, and Taylor Swift.
When: 7 p.m. July 19
Where: Schottenstein Center
Tickets: Prices start at $69.75 at ticketmaster.com
Hozier
The 33-year-old Irish musician, singer and songwriter's music often uses literary and religious themes. His compelling latest album, "Unreal Unearth," draws inspiration from "Dante's Inferno."
When: 8 p.m. Aug. 7
Where: Schottenstein Center
Tickets: The show is currently sold out. Fans are advised to check back at ticketmaster.com in case more tickets become available.
blink-182
The pop-punk trio, who cite the Descendents, the Ramones, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, U2, The Cure, and Depeche Mode among their diverse influences, are on the road in support of their latest album, "One More Time…" — also the name of this tour.
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 13
Where: Schottenstein Center
Tickets: Prices start at $50 at ticketmaster.com.
NKOTB
Also known as New Kids on the Block, the predecessors of '90s boy bands such as the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC will show fans they still have "the right stuff" as they head up an '80s lineup that includes Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 23
Where: Nationwide Arena
Tickets: Tickets start at $29.95 at ticketmaster.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Big concerts coming to Columbus music venues in 2024
