Music in magical settings

No matter what brand of music it is that perks up your eardrums, summertime in New England is awash with opportunity to relax — or rage — during an evening of composing bliss.

The same roadways that bring you to dance with the mountains in the winter also can deliver you into another realm of grooving, celebrating the summer months with evenings of harmony.

The Music in the Meadow concert series in Stowe, Vermont, will feature a July 8 performance by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, in addition to blues singer Marcia Ball on July 15, roots-collective band Dustbowl Revival (recently voted best live band in Los Angeles by L.A. Weekly), and Phoebe Hunt & The Gatherers, a free show on Aug. 5, featuring foundations in jazz and swing music.

All shows are held at the expansive Trapp Family Lodge concert meadow, where seating is picnic-style and on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, as well as discovering additional concerts put on by Stowe Performing Arts this summer, visit www.stoweperformingarts.com.

The Spruce Peak green at Stowe is the place to be on Aug. 11 for the Spruce Peak Folk Festival. Featuring Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Anaïs Mitchell and Daniel Rodriguez plus some emerging Vermont musical talent, this is an all-day, family-friendly festival amid some of the state’s most beautiful scenery.

Named by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce as a “top 10 summer event,” Jay Peak Resort’s Stateside Amphitheater will present its annual Jeezum Crow Festival on Saturday, July 28. The day of live music will feature Gov’t Mule, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Seth Yacovone Band, Electric Sorcery and more. Doors for the outdoor concert venue in Jay, Vt., will open at 12:30 p.m. and music starts at 1.

The 2018 Arts Jubilee Summer Concert Series lineup, held on the festival stage at Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway, N.H., boasts a sampling of blues, bluegrass and “Sweet Caroline.” Big band revival Roomful of Blues gets things started on July 19, Carbon Leaf (Celtic and folk-infused indie rock) on July 26, the Seacoast Wind Ensemble on Aug. 2, Live at the Fillmore, an Allman Brothers tribute band, on Aug. 9, and Steve Kelly & The Cherry Cherry Band, a Neil Diamond tribute, on Aug. 16. Admission for each show is $12 for adults, $10 seniors, $5 students and free for children 12 and under.

See www.cranmore.com/Summer-Parks/Summer-Events/Arts-Jubilee-Summer-Concert-Series for complete information.

Spend the day at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, N.H. by ziplining, taking a Segway ride, or taking a run down the mountain coaster, and, in the evening, find something else to get the adrenaline buzzing at the nearby Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, recently named one of USA Today’s 10 best concert venues across the country. Beginning in June, this summer’s lineup is packed with performing artists, including bigwigs such as the Dave Matthews Band (June 12-13), Dropkick Murphys (June 23), Tedeschi Trucks Band (July 7) and Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers (July 26). Kid Rock, Counting Crows and 311 are on the bill for August, while September welcomes Sugarland and Allison Krauss. Tickets and other information is available at www.banknhpavilion.com.

The sixth season of the Mountainside Summer Music Series kicks off at Attitash Mountain Resort on June 30 and runs every Saturday through Labor Day weekend. There is limited seating and shade, so feel free to bring your camping chair. The Cantina Bar will be open with an assortment of beer, wine and elixers.

In Maine, the Seaside Pavilion at Old Orchard Beach kicks off the season with high school graduation and a family fun night before getting into the regular schedule of events. This year that includes New England Brass Band on June 23, an Independence Day Concert with Strafford Wind Symphony, the Glenn Miller Orchestra on July 10, a Patsy Cline tribute on July 17, and a Frankie Valli tribute on Aug. 14. Ticket and venue information can be found at www.seasidepavilion.org. Meanwhile, Portland will welcome bands such as Slightly Stoopid (July 8) and Dark Star Orchestra (July 29) at the Maine State Pier. (www.waterfrontconcerts.com)

The South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, Mass., will host its annual variety of acts this summer, including comedian Steven Wright on June 29, a matinee performance of “Sleeping Beauty” on July 10, and the Beach Boys on Aug. 8. The Gin Blossoms, Eddie Money and Lyle Lovett round out more of the busy calendar. Get complete schedule information at www.themusiccircus.org.

In Newport, R.I., the Great Chowder Cook-Off will scrumptiously welcome 2018 at the Newport Yachting Center before performing acts such as Michael Franti and Spearhead (July 18), O.A.R. (Aug. 17) and Kidz Bop Live (Aug. 24) take the stage. (www.riwaterfrontevents.com)

Summer also fires up a number of music festivals across the region. In Vermont, the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival welcomes back favorite local ’90’s act Belizbeha to the waterfront along with dozens of other acts throughout the city from June 1-10. Get tickets and lineup info at www.discoverjazz.com.