Rocking in America's Playground

Atlantic City’s standing as a musical hotspot is being raised several notches this summer, primarily by one of the world’s most popular hard rock and heavy metal band’s decision to host its first-ever music and lifestyle event in America’s Playground.

Metallica’s Orion Music + More festival, featuring nearly 40 bands, is scheduled for June 23-24 at Bader Field. Metallica headlines each night’s festivities. In addition to music, the festival will also include a classic car show, horror movie and monster memorabilia exhibit, and other attractions near and dear to Metallica’s heart.

“Atlantic City is a great sight,” drummer Lars Ulrich said during a recent phone call while on tour in Serbia. “There’s a ton of fans in New York, Philly, Baltimore, the Washington D.C. area, in the eastern part of Canada, and Atlantic City is centrally located.”

Concertgoers from beyond North America are expected to descend upon the city for the festival. Some will likely make an extended stay, enjoy the boardwalk and the beach and try their luck at the slots and blackjack tables.

There’s so much to do in Atlantic City that concerts can be perceived as an ancillary activity. That would be wrong. The fact remains that first-rate performers continue to choose Atlantic City’s stellar venues as must-stops, and in some cases only area appearances, on their tour itineraries.

For instance, if you want to see Weezer around these parts this summer, your only chance is June 1 at the Borgata. The popular pop-rock band isn’t playing New York City, Philadelphia, or anywhere else in the area, further highlighting Atlantic City as the place to be for some of the summer’s best shows.

Here’s a look at some other great acts playing Atlantic City this Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer:

The holiday weekend kicks off on Friday with two shows to choose from, including British rocker Steve Winwood performing at the Borgata. Winwood, a standout solo artist, also played with Eric Clapton in Blind Faith and was a key member of classic rockers Traffic.

Friday also marks the long-awaited return of alternative rockers Garbage at the House of Blues. This month the band, fronted by spirited Scottish singer Shirley Manson, released “Not Your Kind of People,” its first album in seven years.

On Saturday, the Trump Taj Mahal is offering an eclectic evening featuring the boogie-blues of ZZ Top, modern rockers Three Doors Down and country artist Gretchen Wilson.

If you love modern and alternative rock but can’t get down to the boardwalk this weekend, don’t despair. There are plenty more opportunities to rock out this summer.

Korn brings its unique mix of nu-metal and alternative and industrial rock to the House of Blues on June 13 and rock-metal-grunge hybrid Papa Roach takes the HOB stage on July 7. Alt-rock forefather Beck and modern rockers Daughtry perform at the Borgata on June 23 and Aug. 12, respectively. The Carnival of Madness Tour, featuring rock luminaries Evanescence and newcomers Halestorm, stops at the House of Blues on Aug. 3.

The Orion Music + More festival isn’t all about heavy metal. While there is a metal stage featuring Brazilian thrashers Sepultura and hardcore-metalers Suicidal Tendencies, the majority of bands scheduled to perform sound nothing like Metallica.

Among the indie rockers on the bill: Middlesex County’s Gaslight Anthem, Modest Mouse, the Arctic Monkeys and Cage the Elephant. The Gaslight Anthem and Cage the Elephant will also perform a pre-festival show on June 22 at House of Blues.

Back at the Borgata, Jersey Boy Frankie Valli is set to deliver two nights of unforgettable classics on June 8-9, while the Jacksons celebrate their family’s musical legacy on June 29. The softer sounds of folk legends Crosby, Stills and Nash and singer-songwriter Sara McLachlan will take center-stage on June 30 and July 8, respectively.

The impressive summer lineup at the Borgata also features iconic songstress Stevie Nicks on July 15, classic rock guitar hero Carlos Santana on July 20-21, and Chicago and the Doobie Brothers on Aug. 4. There’s more classic rock at the Taj Mahal, where Boston perform on July 21, and at the House of Blues, when Meatloaf takes the stage on July 27. Soul fans will want to visit the Taj Mahal to see legends The Commodores on July 7 and Al Green on Aug. 25.

For more information on these and other shows, contact the venues at the web sites and phone numbers below:

IF YOU GO: The Borgata: www.theborgata.com/entertain/event-calendar or 1-609-317-1000. Atlantic City House of Blues: www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/atlanticcity or 609-236-2583. Trump Taj Mahal: http://www.trumptaj.com/entertainment-clubs/events-calendar.cfm or 1-609-449-1000.