Aside from a couple of fun local events, it's all music, all the time this weekend in Dallas-Fort Worth. In fact, you could park yourself solely at Gexa Energy Pavilion and be totally satisfied with the string of entertainment that's coming to the venue.
Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Sunday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, August 20
Incubus and Deftones in concert with Death from Above 1979
To start off its extremely busy weekend, Gexa Energy Pavilion will host this co-headlining concert featuring Incubus and Deftones. Incubus will appear in support of two new EPs, while Deftones will be playing in advance of their forthcoming album, to be released in the fall. They'll be joined by opening act Death from Above 1979.
Friday, August 21
Def Leppard in concert with Styx and Tesla
Concert No. 2 at Gexa Energy Pavilion is a throwback of epic proportions. Headlining is Def Leppard, who are still going strong despite not having released any new music since 2008. They'll be joined by Styx, which also toured with Def Leppard back in 2007, and Tesla, the only band still currently making music, with Simplicity having been released in 2014.
Weird Al Yankovic in concert
Weird Al Yankovic is much more than just a parody artist, as he's one of only three people to have had top 40 singles in each of the past four decades. He'll play at Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie in support of his 2014 album, Mandatory Fun, which debuted at No. 1, making it the first No. 1 album of his career and the first comedy album to go to No. 1 in over 50 years.
Saturday, August 22
Slide the City Dallas
The idea of a 1,000-foot water slide in the middle of a city street certainly sounds like fun, although reports from the same event in Fort Worth in June were far from glowing. Let's hope organizers have gotten the glitches worked out, as the event, taking place on Hampton Road in West Dallas, has the potential to be one heck of an end to summer for kids and adults alike.
NorthPark Center’s 50th Anniversary
While many malls are either failing or well on their way, NorthPark Center continues to be a hot attraction for both retailers and shoppers 50 years after it first opened. The mall will celebrate its half-century with a variety of activities, including several fashion displays, music and dance from area arts groups and, naturally, free birthday cake.
Lone Star Beer Texas Heritage Festival
Another weekend, another festival highlighting both music and beer. The difference this time is that this one at Gilley's Dallas is only about one beer — Texas favorite Lone Star — and it's completely free on a first-come, first-served basis. Performing will be a variety of other Texas favorites like Old 97's, The Black Angels, Grupo Fantasma and Dale Watson.
Florida Georgia Line in concert with Thomas Rhett and Frankie Ballard
Country duo Florida Georgia Line has already had a big year in North Texas, winning two trophies at the 50th annual ACM Awards at AT&T Stadium. They come back to the area to play at Gexa Energy Pavilion in support of their 2014 album, Anything Goes. They'll be joined by opening acts Thomas Rhett and Frankie Ballard.
Sunday, August 23
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band in concert
Carrying on a decade-long tradition, Texas singer/songwriter Lyle Lovett returns to Bass Performance Hall for one night only. Lovett will bring along his dusty odes to Texas and stories about the left-of-center characters who populate it, along with his long-running backup band, His Large Band, and, of course, his wry and dry sense of humor.
J. Cole in concert with Big Sean, Jeremih and YG
To wrap up the heavy weekend at Gexa Energy Pavilion, Grammy-nominated and platinum-selling rapper J. Cole will bring his Forest Hills Drive Tour to Dallas. J. Cole has been one of the hottest rappers around since his 2011 debut, with each of his first three albums going straight to No. 1. This concert will also feature Big Sean with special guests YG and Jeremih.
