Music for a new stadium: Readers, staff weigh in on concerts at Paradise Coast Sports Complex

Collier County has a shiny new outdoor stadium with concert potential in the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, and it has already been given an outdoor concert test drive with the Ben Allen Band on July 3.

With the heat of summer — and the height of hurricane season right behind it — don't expect those concerts too soon.

So when the weather cools off, who should play its expansive stadium (capacity 3,900, with a field that can add 10,000 seats and party deck and berms capable of another 700)? We asked readers and the staffs of the Naples Daily News and the News-Press to give us their idea of an outdoor dream concert. 

The responses were not only a refresher course on what bands are shaking local hips but a great introduction to music we want to hear more of. In several cases, it was a great re-introduction to music we knew we loved but had forgotten.

The online version of this story links to at least one song, wherever possible, by each band, so readers can take a ride on the musical learning curve.

Peter Frampton shows him the way

At the philharmonic in Naples, (I saw) his performance there on the acoustic/solo tour before his farewell tour. What a fantastic form of entertainment — told stories about his songs and career. He’s one of the few performers that smiles all the time like he truly loves his craft ! Amazing experience!

— David Zillinger, Naples

It does look like Peter is off the road and not singing, but he has a new instrumental disc out, "Peter Frampton Forgets the Words," with tunes like "Reckoner" that remind people what a smooth guitar player he is.

How about AC/DC?

They’re hard-rock legends and two members actually live in Florida — singer Brian Johnson lives in Sarasota and bassist Cliff Williams right here in Fort Myers. But I don’t think AC/DC has ever played Southwest Florida. If they have, it’s been at least a couple of decades.

“Back in Black” was one of the first rock albums I ever owned, but I’ve somehow never seen AC/DC live. How awesome would it be to see Angus Young strutting around in his schoolboy uniform? And to shout out the lyrics to “You Shook Me All Night Long” in an arena packed with rock fans? I need to cross this off my bucket list ASAP.

— Charles Runnells, arts and entertainment writer, The News-Press 

The last tour we found was in 2016. Still, the death of Malcolm Young in 2017 hasn't cooled touring ardor for this iconic band, and they're talking a post-COVID tour with their 2020 disc, "Power Up." This would be the perfect place to start.

Maggie Rogers

My dream star to play in SWFL is Maggie Rogers. Her folk-pop vibe reminds me of where I came from, where I’m going and all the people I’ve been between. Her voice is honey, her lyrics are magic and her live performances are world-class.

— Andrew Atkins, food & features reporter, Naples Daily News

Maggie, who sang a heartfelt acoustic version of "Back in My Body" for the opening night of the National Democratic Convention, has lots of fans but only one tour date. She's at the outdoor Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California. We're an open-air venue, too, Maggie. Just saying. 

I’m going to time-travel. I’ll take The Strokes from 2004, please. Or The Killers from 2005. Or, gasp, Kanye (West) from 2011 ("My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" is a Top 3 for me).

If the above doesn’t satisfy, just put The Strokes/Julian Casablancas. 

— Thaddeus Mast, staff writer, Naples Daily News

You can't go home again, Tad. But you can see the 2021 version of The Strokes at the III Points Festival in Miami on Oct. 22. And they're free for a couple days before that event kicks off their autumn tour for "The New Abnormal."

Kanye is doing Kanye. He was living at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta until his new disc, "Donda" was finished this month. It was just livestreamed over social media. We don't know what's next; he hasn't called us lately.

But the Killers blow into Florida for two shows, in St. Augustine on Oct. 1 and at the Panama City Sandjam Music Festival on Oct. 1-3. After that, they're touring Europe and Canada and aren't back in a U.S. venue till Aug. 20, 2022.

Bad Bunny (trap), Residente (rap) and Fiel a la Vega (rock). They all sing in Spanish and are from Puerto Rico (I may be a little bit biased here).

— Omar Rodriguez-Ortiz, staff writer, Naples Daily News

Bad Bunny — Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio on his driver license — is on tour now, and to see him you'll have to continent-hop, just as this extremely hot rapper is doing. Bunny's not back in the U.S. until February, and doesn't move past the Mississippi until March. Closest venue is Miami on April 1-3. 

Residente is only in South America for shows right now. But Fiel a la Vega is celebrating 25 years as a band — no dates booked yet —and we hope they'll be in a mood to party in Florida. 

The Four Seasons

Frankie Valli still sings with a version of the harmonizers who broke through the British Invasion to deliver hits from the 1960s ("Walk Like a Man" and "Big Girls Don't Cry" ) through the mid-1970s (“Who Loves You” and “December 1963  — Oh, What a Night”).They're in Clearwater at Ruth Eckard Hall, but not until March 18-19. We'd be delighted to drive them down for a show.

— Russell Omer, Naples

Truckin' to see the Dead 

Dead & Company would be nice, but far from realistic when they get 40,000-plus consistently at concerts.

— Alex Martin, sports writer, The News-Press

They're coming to Palm Beach on Oct. 6 and Tampa on Oct. 7 so what's to stop them from a little respite in Collier County? Well, income, we imagine, for this extension of the famous Grateful Dead tours of the 1980s and '90s. They've already sold out the 41,649-seat Wrigley Stadium in September and there's a second show there online now.

More:Hot Ticket: KISS continues farewell tour, see the Dead & Company in Florida too

I am always up for a visit from Joe Satriani. 

— David Dorsey, staff writer, The News-Press

Don't leave the light on. The epic guitarist has had to cancel a European tour twice and it is now scheduled for April and May 2022. He's not only a breathtaking virtuoso, he plans to be a live one, so Satriani has been careful about scheduling indoor concerts. But one outdoors, maybe, Joe? 

LUKE COMBS 

The country star who's known for thoughtful lyrics paired with boot-scooting tempos, ("The Great Divide,"  "Refrigerator Door") is playing Orlando, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale Nov. 28-30, so he will be in the neighborhood. We think he should stop here, too. 

— Virginia Shaffer, Naples

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

They’re childlike. They basically operate a musical circus that features different people at different times. They may have a dozen or more people in a small radio booth recording. Their music ranges from everything from surfy-feeling smooth grooves to heart-felt, haunting folk.

I just like the family feel of the band. They’re very creative and not afraid to do something that seems ridiculous to others. They bring a little theatrics and even an opera feel to their music by bringing in cellists and people who play odd things like tenor banjo. And it works. I didn’t like it when Metallica did it 30 years ago, but it works for Edward, etc.

I think they have enough talent to spin off four or five bands. But they stick together and put on a great live show.

I haven’t seen them in person but have watched lots of YouTube shows. They don’t come to our area as far as I know.

— Chad Gillis, Environmental Writer, The News-Press

If you haven't heard of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, you've still heard them. Their best known tune, "Home" has appeared in commercials for institutions as diverse as the  NFL and Microsoft. But right now, alas, there are no tour dates on the horizon for them.

The Avett Brothers! 

It's hard to find people who enjoy performing more than the Avett Brothers. That may be why they're booked everywhere from the Willie Nelson & Family Show to two dates at Wolf Trap. Infectious original music such as "Ain't No Man," a self-deprecating sense of humor and a passel of talent will keep them on the road. But after they finish a tour in Mexico Jan. 31, they could swoop into Florida. Cross your fingers. 

— Amanda Inscore, visuals journalist, The News-Press

Harriet Howard Heithaus covers arts and entertainment for the Naples Daily News/naplesnews.com. Reach her at 239-213-6091.

Music-food weekends now

Paradise Coast Sports Complex already offers casual entertainment — two hours of local music 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night at The Cove, its outdoor pavilion.

There's a bar with beer, wine and soft drinks, plus packaged snacks. And Tuesdays through Sundays, a food truck awaits the hungry. Last Friday, Pharaoh's Fusion was offering "Egyptian street food," options like chicken or beef-lamb shawarma, brisket on pita, falafel, hummus and American staples like loaded fries and guac, as well as its own richer, chewier version of baklava in pie-shaped wedges. Some customers check the food truck schedule online and order ahead to have their dinners ready when they arrive for safe outdoor socializing.

On a recent Friday, even with pouring rain, kids waiting for for football practice on a nearby field tried their skill at table tennis. Workout partners relaxed at one of its picnic tables. Service is all under roof, as is its dining area.

The  food and entertainment schedule is available online at the website sportsforceparksnaples.com. under "Explore the Park."

What: The Cove outdoor social space at Paradise Coast Sports Complex

Where: 3940 City Gate Blvd. S., Naples; once inside follow the road past the stadium turn to the next drive on the right

When: 4-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays,  4-10 Fridays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Sundays