All In On August: Our Biggest Month of Music to Date
From crowd-thumping EDM to soulful Americana, here’s your all-access pass to the most electric month of music in Bend—plus the staff picks that’ll inspire!
Written by Amanda Bird-Zimmerman
Assistant Marketing Director and Community Engagement Lead
If you’re reading this, then like us, you are curious about live music and where to find what you’re looking for in Bend. Yes, I’m referring to specific artists coming through town, but also the quest to elicit a feeling, a type of environment, exposure to a new culture, fresh lyrics, or an entertaining night out. It’s the collective experience more than simply who is on stage, right?
Well, welcome to August 2025 at Hayden Homes Amphitheater - We’re going to rock your socks off for 21 of the next 31 days. Yep. You read that correctly. Which also means you’re in the right place to find the type of experience you’re looking for!
My suggestion – Don’t hesitate. Pick an artist’s name that sounds intriguing to you and snag some tickets, even if you’ve never heard of them before. Names like LCD Soundsystem, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Japanese Breakfast, Counting Crows, and Chicago sure sound interesting to me! For those Type A planners, you’re also in good company. I’m confident our calendar has something you’re craving and can plan for this month, too. (Find the full schedule here.)
Okay, but with 21 shows in 31 days how do you choose? Well, I phoned a few work friends, and their “staff picks” might just be the nudge you need to get in on the fun this month. Check 'em out:
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TJ Hurd, Assistant Food & Beverage Manager: Joe Bonamassa Sunday, Aug. 3
“I'm looking forward to Joe Bonamassa because I love good Blues and Joe B. is a guitar God. It'd be awesome to have other artists with him so we could have a good blues-rock show."
Chris Harrison, Venue Ambassador: Tedeschi Trucks Band Thursday and Friday, August 7 and 8 (with Whiskey Myers)
“I’m looking forward to Tedeschi Trucks Band. Never thought I'd see them. God bless our booker! Susan's voice and Derek's guitar are an awesome, amazing combination.”
Peter McCaffrey, VP of Leasing and Development: LCD Soundsystem Saturday and Sunday, August 9 and 10
“I saw them last year and was blown away. Their show engages all the senses. Not typically my genre, but I’m pumped to see them again.”
Jared Gaskill, Security Manager: RÜFÜS DU SOL Tuesday, Aug. 12
“I’m most looking forward to seeing the RÜFÜS DU SOL concert and being able to see the whole energy of the crowd at an EDM show.”
Kris Ann Palacios, Assistant General Manager: Alabama Shakes Sunday, Aug. 17
"I think Brittany Howard is not only a massive talent musically and lyrically, but I also think she is one of the most important artists for music. She’s a woman, she’s black, she’s biracial, she’s queer, she’s from the south, and she’s not a Barbie doll. She’s quirky and different and never seems to present as anything except authentic. I think women need her. I think she’s paving ways for future artists who don’t fit the norm. And it sure doesn’t hurt that her music is so raw and soulful.”
Haley Harrold, Visual Content Manager: Lainey Wilson Thursday, Aug. 21
“Women in Country are the real deal. I know she’s going to bring the house down and make every cowgirl in Central Oregon feel seen.”
Cammy Fox, VP of Finance: One pick is not enough for this rad rock and roller!
Caamp Saturday, Aug. 2
Rainbow Kitten Surprise Monday, Aug. 11
Glass Animals Saturday, Aug. 16
Goo Goo Dolls Friday, Aug. 29 – can’t get enough of the 90s music!
Linda Thorgeirsson, Crowd Management: Linda offered some sage insight - she doesn’t pay close attention to the lineup. “I do this so I can really hear all the different artists’ music." This wonder woman is in the middle of all the action—day in, day out—and never misses a thing.
Who or what am I most looking forward to this August you ask? Honestly, I could tell you at least one reason why I’m excited for every – single – show.
Joe Bonamassa? Blues guitar icon. If you haven’t already, I recommend giving “Norman’s Rare Guitars” a watch on Netflix.
Tedeschi Trucks Band? Susan Tedeschi’s vocal authority, period.
Okay, okay, Derek Trucks is a phenom in his own right having been a member of the Allman Brothers Band and quite possibly one of the best living slide guitar players.
Trampled By Turtles? Who doesn’t love dancing barefoot on the lawn bouncing to the beat of mirthful mandolins?! (We see you Weber Mandolins😊).
Mt. Joy? They are living up to the self-fulfilling prophecy of their name. One lap around the venue and all you’ll see are smiling faces. It's contagious in the best way.
Glass Animals? I'm happy for everyone who gets to attend this show! I've wanted them to play Bend for years now. Their psychedelic indie rock meets electronica tunes have been on many a playlist. I'll be out of town for this one so you better dance extra for me!
Japanese Breakfast? Prior to them being announced, they were not on my radar. Often the shows I know the least about, are the ones that leave the biggest imprint on my heart.
Had enough of my stream of consciousness?! How about one more for good measure....
The band Chicago? An institution. They produced five consecutive Number One albums, can boast 11 Number One singles, and they’ve been touring for 58 consecutive years. Let’s not forget the power pop ballads sung by the inimitable vocalists Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, and Robert Lamm. That, and all those dang horns!
I’ve been known to roll my eyes when someone says, “That (fill in the blank) is a vibe!” Ask anyone on the marketing team, they’ll confirm. But folks, in regard to Hayden Homes Amphitheater I’m willing to concede. This place is a vibe. If commuting roughly fifteen minutes to get to Oregon's largest outdoor music venue that sits along the Deschutes River where you’re never more than fifty yards from your favorite artist and cotton candy sunsets illuminate your friends’ faces while you sing along to your all-time sonic crush, and you can be barefoot in the lawn, then yeah, this is place a vibe.
Head Chef and Assistant Food & Beverage Manager, Jessie St George agrees and elaborates, "Watching thousands of people come together smiling, dancing, celebrating music and unity is incredibly moving. I love that I get to be a part of these experiences.”
I was going to try to wrap this all up in a pretty little sequined bow, but our Social Media Manager, Rio Lingelbach, said it for me, “My favorite thing about our venue is that everyone genuinely cares and that shines through to the overall positivity that the patrons feel too. The location is a definite win as well. All in all, this place has a fantastic vibe and presence to it, and that helps the whole experience. Regardless of who is performing, you are in for a great night!" A vibe, indeed.
Well, what are you waiting for? We've got 21 incredible concerts on the horizon, and zero excuses for you not to experience at least one of those nights.
