Guide to Summer Concerts in Boston

Catch Boston’s own Passion Pit (above) when they return to their hometown on June 22. (Photo by Moses Namkung via Wikimedia Commons)

There’s no better way to fill those warm summer nights than with music that gets you moving — and that you’re willing to drop a decent amount of cash on. The season officially begins next week, and it’s bringing plenty of concerts with it. Mark your calendar with one (or two, or three) of these dozen artists that range from household name to indie fame:

Childish Gambino. Donald Glover does it all. He wrote for 30 Rock from 2006-2009, he plays Troy Barnes on NBC’s Community, and he raps under the stage name Childish Gambino. His successful first studio album, Camp, was released in November 2011. If you haven’t heard his clever, youthful, declarative rhymes, now’s your chance. June 21, 7:30 p.m. Bank of America Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston, 617-728-1600. Purchase tickets here.

Passion Pit. The electro-pop melodies of Passion Pit are infectious, to say the least. They’ve toured the world with their soaring sounds, but let’s not forget: they got their start in an Emerson dorm room. Don’t miss the guys when they return to their hometown. June 22, 7:30 p.m. Bank of America Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston, 617-728-1600. Purchase tickets here.

Fiona Apple. At only 19, Fiona Apple exploded onto the music scene with her tender and powerful voice, and received a Grammy Award for best female rock performance. Now 34, Apple is preparing to release a new album on June 19 after a seven-year recording hiatus, and she’s stopping in Boston for a show that’s sure to impress. June 30, 7:30 p.m. Citi Performing Arts Center: Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston, 617-482-9393. Purchase tickets here.

Norah Jones. Throughout her career, Norah Jones has won nine Grammy Awards and has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. It’s already been 10 years since her monster debut album Come Away With Me was released, and her latest, Little Broken Hearts, hit stores on May 1. The soulful singer kicks off July with her new music. July 1, 3:30 p.m. Bank of America Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston, 617-728-1600. Purchase tickets here.

Sleigh Bells. There really isn’t a better way to describe Sleigh Bells than “loud.” The indie duo — Alexis Krauss and Derek Edward Miller — creates a hardcore-meets-dance-meets-pop sound that’s as unique as it is addictive. They’ve played shows with M.I.A. and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, were featured in The New York Times, and now they’re hitting the House of Blues. July 3, 8 p.m. House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583. Purchase tickets here.

Stevie Nicks. Rolling Stone got it right when they deemed Stevie Nicks “The Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll” in 1981. At 64, she’s an icon, she’s a powerhouse, and she’s coming to Boston. Catch the Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famer next month as she supports her latest solo album In Your Dreams. July 10, 8 p.m. Bank of America Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston, 617-728-1600. Purchase tickets here.

Aerosmith. “The Bad Boys from Boston” are swinging by their hometown for two shows this summer as part of “The Global Warming Tour.” Catch these legendary rockers, and get pumped for their next (and, believe it or not, 15th) studio album, Music from Another Dimension!, which will be released on August 28. July 17 and 19, 7 p.m. TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, 617-624-1000. Purchase tickets here.

LA’s Best Coast (above) will get a taste of the East Coast when they hit Boston. (Photo by Claire Thomson via Flickr)

Best Coast. “We’ve got the ocean, got the babes, got the sun, we’ve got the waves,” Bethany Cosentino sings on the title track of she and bandmate Bobb Bruno’s recently released sophomore album The Only Place. With their dreamy combination of surf-pop and garage-rock, Best Coast may very well convince you to move to California. The critically-acclaimed indie duo should not be missed when they hit Boston (or, should I say, the Beast Coast). July 18, 8 p.m. Royale, 279 Tremont St., Boston, 617-866-8933. Purchase tickets here.

Coldplay. The jury is still out on how to pronounce the name of their latest album, Mylo Xyloto, but one thing is for certain: Coldplay is guaranteed to move you. Frontman Chris Martin’s introspective lyrics, mixed with hip-hop rhythms and alternative rock sounds, make for one incredible show. Lucky for us, they’re playing two here in Boston. Not many tickets remain, so be sure to grab yours now. July 29-30, 7 p.m. TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, 617-624-1000. Purchase tickets here.

Bruce Springsteen. He’s the boss. What more is there to say? August 14-15, 6:30 p.m. Fenway Park, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, 877-733-7699. August 18, 7:30 p.m. Gillette Stadium, 1 Patriot Place, Foxborough, 508-543-1776. Purchase tickets here.

Kelly Clarkson/The Fray. Kelly is back and better than ever — as indicated by her latest album Stronger — and she’s teaming up with (no, not Justin) Grammy-nominated group The Fray as they promote their recently released album Scars & Stories. August 25, 7:30 p.m. Comcast Center, 885 South Main St., Mansfield, MA, 508-339-2333. Purchase tickets here.

Beirut. When New Mexico and Eastern Europe collide, you get Beirut. Led by singer-songwriter (and Santa Fe native) Zach Condon, the band has released three studio albums, each one with a beautiful combination of indie rock and Balkan brass. You can hear their unique sound when they stop by the House of Blues this summer. August 28, 7 p.m. House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, 888-693-2583. Purchase tickets here.