Steve Martin has been one of my all-time comedic favorites since his early days of hosting "Saturday Night Live." To top that, he is an incredible banjo player and band leader. This evening is sure to contain all that is bluegrass, dancing and laughter, and at a fantastic outdoor venue in the heart of Charlottesville. The only thing better would be meeting Steve Martin after the show. Right, Steve?

--Melissa Colombo

June 3

Radiohead

Verizon Center

Washington, D.C.

The contrasting ethereal and loud elements of this iconic group's sound should be magical. Radiohead has earned their place as the brooding post-'90s hipster mustard on the Beatles-Pink Floyd rock sandwich. I hope they play "Airbag" from "OK Computer."

-- Kenny Ellinger is DJ Mudfoot.

June 12

Bonnie Raitt

nTelos Wireless Pavilion

Charlottesville

Rockin' Blues legend Bonnie Raitt will lug a trunkful of almost 50 years of amazing music into the Charlottesville Pavilion. I sincerely hope to be sitting somewhere near the front row. Bonnie's '80s hit "I Can't Make You Love Me" is, hands down, my favorite song of all time.

--Anthony Campbell

June 14

Jonathan Richman

The Camel

Richmond

Though now mostly a solo artist, the 60-year-old Richman continues to tour tirelessly, amassing a cultish legion of admirers, all without the aid of an official website or any forays into the digital age. ("You Can Have a Cellphone, That's OK, But Not Me" is a current set-list favorite.) For summer performances, he even requests that venues cut off the air conditioning. You should put up with the sweat and the stink. A lifetime's worth of musical history--from sleeping on Lou Reed's couch to producing Vic Chesnutt's last album--informs every strum of his acoustic guitar.

-- Ryan Marr is a freelance writer and local music guru.

June 14

Tinariwen

The Howard Theatre

Washington, D.C.

Tinariwen is a literal band of gypsies that plays a unique blend of Arabic and north African music. The legend is that these nomads sold their guns for guitars and stopped their migration across the desert to play music.

--John Buck

June 15

Vince Gill

The Birchmere

Alexandria

Vince Gill with his bluegrass band! You can't really find a better singer than Gill. He's an awesome guitar player as well, and the Birchmere is one of the best listening rooms, period.

--Jay Starling