Love the Beach Boys and Beatles? Here’s when tribute bands will be playing the hits

The oldies just don’t get old in Olathe.

Certainly not this summer on stage at the Olathe Live! concert series.

The free 7 p.m. concerts — held at Stagecoach Park, 1205 E. Kansas City Road — begin June 9 and continue through much of July.

Four of the five headliners are tribute bands, or performers who play the music of famous pop groups and sometimes even mimic the musicians.

These types of acts are popular, said Cody Kennedy, chief communications and marketing officer for the city of Olathe.

“Tribute bands are very popular and quite often bring the largest crowds,” Kennedy said. “In general, music is a great motivator, serves as a trip down memory lane and provides comfort. Families want to go listen to music they know.”

The concert line-up is:

▪ June 9: Surfin’ USA – A Tribute to the Beach Boys, with The Instamatics, which performs music from the ’60s and ’70s.

▪ June 16: Maria the Mexican, a Mexicana/Americana fusion band, with Unfit Wives, a bluegrass band.

▪ July 7: Liverpool, a Beatles tribute band, with Mikey Needleman, a party band.

▪ July 14: The Original Silver Bullet – A Tribute to Bob Seger, with The Goddesses of Rock, a tribute band of female rock stars.

▪ July 21: Almost KISS tribute band with Brody Buster, a blues/rock/experimental performer.

Kennedy said the number of performers each summer has remained consistent.

“We make every attempt to cast a wide net to attract not only popular artists and tribute bands, but artists who reflect our community,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said a staff member researches local and regional artists and has a relationship with many traveling acts.

On average, between 1,000 to 2,000 people attend each show. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended the shows, Kennedy said.

“Since COVID, food trucks have had an increased demand,” Kennedy said. “We do have family-friendly vendors which serve hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn and cotton candy. This year, we’re looking to add a tap truck.”

The concert series also supports local charities by collecting donations throughout each show.

For more information, go to the Olathe Parks and Rec site.