BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The names may not be the ones you know, but you’ll definitely recognize the music.
ArtsQuest has announced a lineup of 15 shows at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem, starting after Musikfest and continuing into February.
The shows are nearly all by tribute bands — acts who portray famed performers and play their music — or cover bands, which play an assortment of hit songs by famous acts.
Doors for the shows will open at 6 p.m., with performances at 7:30.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 21, at www.SteelStacks.org.
“From newcomers such as the Red NOT Chili Peppers, Dwayne Gretsky and The Weekenders to established favorites like the Aardvarks, Scythian and the Philadelphia Funk Authority, there's something for everyone in our upcoming lineup.”ArtsQuest Director of Music Programming Marissa Guarriello
Some new offerings include Red NOT Chili Peppers, a tribute to funk-rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers; Rock This Town Orchestra, a tribute to rockabilly favorite Brian Setzer Orchestra; and Dwayne Gretzky, which says it plays “classic pop and rock from Fleetwood Mac to Fatboy Slim.”
Others include return performances by favorites such as Start Making Sense, a Talking Heads tribute act; and Magical Mystery Doors, a tribute to Led Zeppelin, The Doors and The Beatles.
Also, Steal Your Peach, a tribute to The Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead; Damn the Torpedoes, a tribute to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers; Face 2 Face: A tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John; and Dirty Deeds — The AC/DC Experience.
Also announced were shows by area favorites The Aardvarks, Scythian and Philadelphia Funk Authority.
“The Musikfest Cafe eagerly anticipates the return of beloved crowd-pleasers and exciting new acts for our upcoming fall and winter lineup,” ArtsQuest Director of Music Programming Marissa Guarriello said.
“From newcomers such as the Red NOT Chili Peppers, Dwayne Gretsky and The Weekenders to established favorites like the Aardvarks, Scythian and the Philadelphia Funk Authority, there's something for everyone in our upcoming lineup.”
Here’s the lineup:
Start Making Sense — A tribute to Talking Heads, Sept. 20. Tickets $20-$45. The group has played several times at Musikfest Cafe.
Red NOT Chili Peppers – A tribute to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oct. 18. Tickets $15-$29. Formed in 2009, the group said it has played in Dubai, Brazil, Mexico and Japan.
The Aardvarks, Nov. 23. Tickets $10-$35. Celebrating 20 years as one of the Lehigh Valley's premiere cover bands.
Rock This Town Orchestra — A tribute to Brian Seltzer Orchestra, Dec. 6. Tickets $20-$35. The group calls itself The Ultimate and Only Brian Setzer Orchestra tribute band.
Magical Mystery Doors — A tribute to Led Zeppelin, The Doors and the Beatles, Dec. 13 and 14. Tickets $20-$40. The group has performed previously at Musikfest Cafe.
Scythian Ugly Sweater Party, Dec. 15. Tickets $25-$40. The Washington, D.C.-based band is a favorite at Bethlehem's Celtic Classic festival.
Sensational Soul Cruisers, Dec. 22. Note: doors at 5:30 p.m., show at 7. Tickets $27-$45. Eleven-man horn group plays soul, R&B, Motown and disco from the 1960s to '80s.
Steal Your Peach, Dec. 27. Tickets $15-$30. Fusing the music of The Allman Brothers Band and The Grateful Dead, the group has played Musikfest Cafe several times.
The Sofa Kings All Star Reunion Show, Dec. 28. Tickets $12-$30. A frequent area performer, a tribute band that plays dance, Motown, R&B, classic rock and current Billboard tunes.
Philadelphia Funk Authority, Dec. 29. Veteran Southeastern Pennsylvania band plays dance and party music.
The Weekenders, Dec. 30. Tickets $10-$20. The party cover band formed in 2018, but will play its first show at Musikfest Cafe.
Damn the Torpedoes — A tribute to Tom Petty, Jan. 17. Tickets $20-$45. Played previous shows at Musikfest Cafe and Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks.
Dirty Deeds — The AC/DC Experience, Feb. 8. Tickets $29-$45.
Face 2 Face —A tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John, Feb. 14 and 15. Tickets $30-$30. The show headlined at Grange Park in Upper Macungie Township in May 2023.
Dwayne Gretsky, Feb. 21. Note: doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $15-$39. Canadian nostalgia band that plays radio hits from the 1970s-2000s.
