Rock out: 10 outdoor concerts burning up Sacramento this summer

Summer might mean longer days, but the sun doesn't have to go down in Sacramento for the stars to come out at some of the region's best outdoor concert venues. From blues to country to classic rock and beyond, here are 10 shows that are worth getting out into the open for.

Isleton Cajun & Blues Festival (June 14 & 15)
The Delta town of Isleton is on a blues streak with this annual music and food festival featuring a host of blues and soul musicians like singer Marcia Ball, the Grammy-winning Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, and JD McPherson. $25 per day (free for ages 12 and under). Sat. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Delta Boat Storage at B&W Resort Marina. 950 Brannan Island Rd. Isleton. 777-4800. isletoncajunfestival.net

Gregg Allman (June 28)
Gregg Allman helped pioneer Southern rock as part of the Allman Brothers Band, writing classic songs like “Midnight Rider” and “Melissa.” Also on the bill this evening will be Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leon Russell and Sacramento-based country-rock band BlackWater. $29.75-$84.75. 6:30 p.m. Thunder Valley’s Outdoor Amphitheater. 1200 Athens Ave. Lincoln. 408-7777. thundervalleyresort.com

Kiss and Def Leppard (July 3)
Theatrical hard rockers Kiss and British heavy metal band Def Leppard will share the stage in Wheatland this summer as a part of their joint tour. The concert will feature Kiss’ signature costumes and pyrotechnics, as well as Def Leppard hits like “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Rock of Ages.” $32.50-$149.50. 7 p.m. Sleep Train Amphitheatre. 2677 Forty Mile Rd. Wheatland. 800-745-3000. livenation.com

Bret Michaels (July 21)
The bandanna-donning rocker will be one of the headlining acts at this year’s State Fair. Michaels is best known as the lead singer of the ’80s hair metal superstars Poison, which made its mark with huge hits like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and “Nothin’ But a Good Time.” Free with $12 fair admission ($22 for reserved seats). Cal Expo’s Golden1 Stage. 1600 Exposition Blvd. 263-3247. bigfun.org

Mötley Crüe (July 29)
This hard rock quartet, which cemented its legend in the ’80s with over-the-top excesses and hits like “Girls, Girls, Girls” and “Kickstart my Heart,” arrives in Wheatland this summer as part of its ongoing farewell tour. Shock rocker Alice Cooper (“School’s Out,” “I’m Eighteen”) will open for the bad-boy superstars. $25-$125. 7 p.m. Sleep Train Amphitheatre. 2677 Forty Mile Rd. Wheatland. 800-745-3000. livenation.com

Miranda Lambert (Aug. 8)
Named for Platinum, 18-time Academy of Country Music award winner Miranda Lambert’s newest record, this tour from the talented Texan comes to Wheatland this summer, bringing with it three other country acts—Justin Moore, Thomas Rhett and The Jukebox Mafia. $29.25-$54. 7 p.m. Sleep Train Ampitheatre. 2677 Forty Mile Rd. Wheatland. 800-745-3000. livenation.com

Lynyrd Skynyrd (Aug. 15)
The legendary rock band will be singing songs about the southland this August at Thunder Valley’s outdoor amphitheater, where the group's set list will span staples from throughout its storied career, including “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Freebird,” and “Simple Man.” The Brodie Stewart Band, a Nor Cal-based country outfit, will open. $44.75-$97.75. 7 p.m. Thunder Valley’s Outdoor Amphitheater. 1200 Athens Ave. Lincoln. 408-7777. thundervalleyresort.com

Rascal Flatts & Sheryl Crow (Aug. 22)
At this co-headlined concert, country outfit Rascal Flatts—who are beloved by fans for huge hits like “Bless the Broken Road” and “Life is a Highway”—will showcase Rewind, their most recent release, and be joined by singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, who released her first all-country album last year. $28-$76. 7:30 p.m. Sleep Train Ampitheatre. 2677 Forty Mile Rd. Wheatland. 800-745-3000. livenation.com

Jackie Greene (Aug. 23)
Sacramento roots-rock export Jackie Greene—who spent much of 2013 touring with The Black Crowes—returns to Fairytale Town with his band for his annual benefit concert there, which will once again go to support the park. $45. 8 p.m. Fairytale Town. 3901 Land Park Dr. 808-7462. fairytaletown.org

Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden (Aug. 27)
Co-headlined by industrial-rock group Nine Inch Nails and the seminal grunge band Soundgarden, this concert comes as a part of a joint tour marking 20-year anniversary of the release of two iconic albums from both groups: Soundgarden’s Superunknown and Nine Inch Nails’ The Downward Spiral. The concert will be opened by Sacramento-based experimental hip-hop trio Death Grips. $20-$95. 7 p.m. Sleep Train Ampitheatre. 2677 Forty Mile Rd. Wheatland. 800-745-3000. livenation.com