Massillon's Summer Concert Series begins June 29 at downtown Duncan Plaza

Steven M. Grazier, The Independent

May 16, 2023 at 5:24 AM·2 min read

LaFlavour performs in June 2021 during the first Massillon Summer Concert Series performance in Duncan Plaza. The 2023 concerts kick off June 29 with a live show by China Grove, a Doobie Brothers tribute band.

MASSILLON – China Grove — of Doobie Brothers folklore — has been tapped to take center stage downtown to kick off the city's 2023 Summer Concert Series.

Overall, eight live shows are planned for the summer music bonanza, starting in late June at the Duncan Plaza amphitheater.

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In addition to China Grove, other performers will include Imaginary Cookies, who specialize in late 1980s pop and '90s rock, and the Tyler Reid Band, a 1990s modern country and classic-rock group.

Returning musicians to the series include 1980s tribute band, New Wave Nation, and Jersey, a Bruce Springsteen tribute act, as well as local favorite, LaFlavour.

Massillon's 2023 Summer Concert Series is scheduled to start June 29 on Duncan Plaza with China Grove. Eight bands are slated to take the downtown amphitheater stage. The final act of the summer is to be Jersey on Aug. 24.

"The city is excited for the 2023 Summer Concert Series lineup," said Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry. "It would not be possible without the generous donations of our local businesses in the Massillon community. "We look forward to seeing everyone soon."

Aqua Ohio and MCTV are among the main sponsors of the annual music festival.

The opening act the past couple of years, LaFlavour, is slated to perform Aug. 10.

"They've got us coming toward the end of summer, and that's something to look forward to," said the band's frontman, Craig DeBock.

Craig DeBock, LaFlavour's front man, jams on the saxophone during a previous Summer Concert Series show in downtown Massillon.

LaFlavour has a busy summer coming, said DeBock, noting that the band will headline 50 to 60 shows from now through September.

The free Thursday night shows have traditionally run from 7 to 9 p.m. in June through late August.

This year's concert schedule was put together by John Soptelean, owner of Johnny's Music Shoppe on Massillon's east side.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

2023 Massillon Summer Concert Series schedule

The Massillon Summer Concert Series returns June 29. All shows are free and run from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays on Duncan Plaza. Here's the scheduled lineup:

June 29: China Grove, a Doobie Brothers tribute band
July 3 (Monday): New Wave Nation, 1980s tribute band *
July 13: The Groove, classic rhythm & blues dance music
July 20: Imaginary Cookies, late 1980s pop and '90s rock
July 27: Tyler Reid Band, 1990s modern country and classic rock
Aug. 3: DJ's Rock-n-Roll Big Band, 1950s and 1960s music
Aug. 10: LaFlavour, top 40 hits from the past few decades
Aug. 24: Jersey, Bruce Springsteen tribute band

*Part of Massillon's annual Independence Day celebration on Duncan Plaza

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon 2023 Summer Concert Series Duncan Plaza June 29 start

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2023 Massillon Summer Concert Series schedule

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