Town Tradition: Summer Concerts At The Cape Cod Melody Tent

HYANNIS, MA — As the weather gets warmer on Cape Cod, residents both part-time and full-time feel a sense of anticipation coming. That's particularly true for those residents who are musically inclined.

This is because, for the 72nd year, the Cape Cod Melody Tent will host a slate of big name acts at one of only two continuously-operated tent theatres across the country. (The second? Cohasset's Music Circus.)

The tent opened in 1950 in Hyannis as the third musical tent in the country, but has had staying power unique to Cape Cod. That first season sold tickets for as little as $1.20 and featured performances by the likes of Dizzy Gillespie.

Since, the South Shore Playhouse Associates purchased the Cape Cod Melody Tent in March 1990, and a number of legendary performers spanning the genres of country, rock, comedy and more, have graced the stage in Hyannis.

With that purchase came a number of improvements to the venue, including, according to the Melody Tent website, "including a new state-of-the-art vinyl tent with Cupola venting system, new seats, new stage and computerized lighting and sound systems."

This includes stars like Willie Nelson, Crosby Stills Nash, Carole King, Aretha Franklin, Aziz Ansari, Louis Armstrong, Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, The Beach Boys, Tony Bennett, Chuck Berry, Blondie and, if you can believe it, many more.

Tickets are officially on-sale for the Cape Cod Melody Tent's summer slate of shows in 2023.

The legendary venue had already announced summer shows from Little River Band, Jake Owen, Chase Rice, Lainey Wilson, Three Dog Night, Nikki Glaser, Stephen Marley and Ilana Glazer to the lineup.

What was once just a humble tent for cheap — but still impressive — entertainment on Cape Cod has now turned into an absolute must-see, must-watch venue for residents from across the state every summer.