*PANIC AT THE DISCO and DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL will co-headline the first Rock Band Live Tour, based on the musical video game phenomenon, which is coming to the Arena at Harbor Yard on October 28. Tickets will be going on sale for the Bridgeport show this morning (Friday, August 8) at 10 am – I would have let you guys know about this last week had the notice about the show and onsale arrived prior to deadline. Sorry about that.

Special guests Plain White T’s and The Cab are also slated to perform.

*Also on sale this weekend will be the tickets for Rock The Sound IV, which will return to Arena at Harbor Yard on Saturday, November 15. This time the line-up will feature NEWSBOYS, DAVID CROWDER BAND, SKILLET, LEELAND and NEVERTHELESS, with Mark Stuart of Audio Adrenaline serving at the evening’s emcee. Showtime is 6 pm.

Rock The Sound IV will focus on Love146, a New Haven based ministry aimed to protect, defend, restore and empower victims of child sex trafficking.

Tickets will be on sale Saturday morning at 10 through TicketMaster vendors, with seats right now set at $25, $45 and $65; there is a 20 percent early buyer discount for those who buy their tickets before October 27.

*Local bands will be playing locally this weekend. Two of my favorites will be headlining at CityCenter Danbury’s bandshell, in fact.

THE DOUG WAHLBERG band will open the weekend with a performances of its rock originals and covers tonight. Showtime is 7:30 at the CityCenter Green, which is the greenery between Ives Street and Patriot Drive. Bring low chairs or blankets for seating. Food is available from any of the nearby restaurants, or picnics can be brought in.

Tomorrow night it’ll be the blues and danceable rock of HAT CITY BLUES BAND coming from the same stage. Showtime is  again 7:30.

*Also speaking of local music, pianist ADAM CALDERONE will be at Mocha Coffee House in Sandy Hook for a 7:30 show tonight, followed by guitarist MIKE JOHNSON tomorrow night, also starting around 7:30. Both shows will run until the coffee house’s 10 pm closing.

Until next week I’ll be seeing you... on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141. Shows listed at clubs are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

UPCOMING SHOWS

AUGUST 8 —  The Doug Wahlberg Band at CityCenter Green, Danbury, Marc Huberman opening; Adam Calderone at Mocha Coffee House, Sandy Hook; John Fogerty at the Chevrolet Theatre, Wallingford; American Idols Live at the XL Center, Hartford;

August 9 — O.A.R. at Dodge Music Center, Hartford, with Ozomatli opening; Hat City Blues Band at CityCenter Danbury; Mike Johnson at Mocha Coffee House;

August 10 — Toby Keith at Dodge Music Center, Hartford, with Montgomery Gentry, Carter’s Chord, Mica Roberts and Trailer Choir opening;

August 12 — Rod Stewart at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville;

August 13 — Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers at The Ridgefield Playhouse;

August 14 — John Voket at The Brass House Restaurant & Lounge, Waterbury;

August 15 — Maroon 5 and Counting Crows at Dodge Music Center, with special guest Sara Bareilles; Judas Priest and Heaven and Hell at Mohegan Sun Arena; Herbie Hancock at The Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport;

August 16 — The Mayhem Festival at Dodge Music Center featuring Slipknot, Disturbed, Dragonforce, et al;

August 17 — Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick at Mohegan Sun Arena;

August 18 — Tony Summo and Lou Bellofatto (performing as Old School) at 100 Church Hill, Sandy Hook;

August 20 — The Allman Brothers Band and Bob Weir & RatDog at Dodge Music Center;

August 21 — John Voket at The Brass House Restaurant & Lounge;

August 22 — Rascal Flatts with Taylor Swift at Dodge Music Center; Hal Ketchum & Aztec Two-Step at The Ridgefield Playhouse; The Beach Boys at Mohegan Sun Arena; Guthrie Boys’ Night Out Tour at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo;

August 23 — John Mayer at Dodge Music Center with special guest One Republic;

August 24 — Mötley Crüe at Mohegan Sun Arena, Buckcherry opening;

August 28 — John Voket at The Brass House Restaurant & Lounge;

August 30 — Paramore at The Chevrolet Theatre, with Jack’s Mannequin and Phantom Planet opening;

August 31 — Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo at The Klein Memorial Auditorium; Kid Rock & Lynyrd Skynyrd at Dodge Music Center; John Voket and Brendan Walsh at Rosy Tomorrows, Danbury.