What a year it was for music fans in Hartford, Connecticut! Year 2023 was a plentiful year filled with groundbreaking performances and epic music festivals! Since 1995, massive music spectacles have made the Xfinity Theatre their home base, thanks to the venue’s vast concert grounds and facilities. Considered one of the largest amphitheaters in North America, the venue can hold up to 30,000 attendees for both indoor and lawn seats! A typical summer can attract over 70 concerts – many of which are the biggest names in the circuit. Meanwhile, the performers’ genres vary from country music to rock, hip-hop, EDM, and more. Needless to say, the Xfinity Theatre provided a little something for every type of listener – making it a crucial part of Connecticut’s entertainment scene. In this review, we give you the lowdown on the most exciting happenings at the Xfinity Theatre, some reviews from concert attendees, and more!
Can you imagine opening the summer season with jam-rock powerhouse Dave Matthews Band? Well, it happened at the Xfinity Theatre on Saturday, June 10th! Summer season definitely opened with a bang as the touring veterans made their way to Hartford as part of their Walk Around The Moon Tour! The trek covered only select territories, but lucky fans in Connecticut were able to bask in the band’s brand new setlist packed with their career-spanning hits and brand new staples from their latest album. The band has reportedly performed approximately 50 shows in Connecticut. The band had made the Xfinity Theatre their home even as early as 2001 when the venue was still called The Meadows.
Like most major venues in North America, the Xfinity Theatre was also visited by the Hot Summer Nights Tour. The massive outing featuring co-headliners TLC and Shaggy was a retrospective trip all the way to the late ‘90s! During their prime, TLC conquered the airwaves with phenomenal hits like “Scrubs,” “Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls,” and “Unpretty.” Meanwhile, the gargantuan success of Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me” became a cultural phenomenon. You can just imagine the excitement of ‘90s music fans as they finally heard the sensational hits live at the Xfinity Theatre on Saturday, 17th June.
In July, Xfinity Theatre was visited by big names in country and hip-hop. Sam Hunt dropped by with special guests Brett Young and Lily Rose for his Summer on the Outskirts 2023 Tour. The spectacle was definitely one for the books for thousands of country music fans who flocked to the venue on Thursday, 6th July. The show featured Hunt’s smash hits, including “Body Like a Back Road,” “House Party,” and his latest hit single, “Outskirts.” After Hunt’s unforgettable extravaganza, another country superstar dropped by the Xfinity Theatre. Multi-award-winning country singer Jason Aldean brought his much-awaited Highway Desperado Tour with special guests Mitchel Tenpenny and Corey Kent. Deemed as the hottest country music tour of the season, Aldean attracted thousands of spectators and fans, all basking in Connecticut’s fantastic summer weather, great music, and hefty concessionaires that packed the venue.
Post Malone is no stranger to country music as he has performed some iconic country staples in the past, but the platinum-selling rapper and singer’s forte is hip-hop, and he has indeed created some of the most iconic hits like “Chemical,” “White Iverson,” and “Zack and Codeine.” That night on Sunday, 23rd July, the chart-topping icon treated fans to 23 smashing hits. Post Malone’s concerts this 2023 have received wide critical acclaim from fans and critics. Lucky for fans in Connecticut, they got a taste of that top-tier performance at the Xfinity Theatre.
More hip-hop legends made their way to Hartford after Post Malone. High-profile rappers Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa embarked on their High School Reunion Tour and included a stop at the Xfinity Theatre. The duo brought in an all-star lineup comprising Warren G, Berner, DJ Drama, and Too $hort. In 2012, Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa starred in the film Mac and Devin Go to High School. To promote the song, the rappers released the single “Young, Wild, and Free.” a decade after the film, Snoog, and Warren launched the High School Reunion Tour as part of the comedy film’s anniversary.
In August, another hip-hop veteran, 50 Cent, brought along an all-star line-up comprising Busta Rhymes and Jeremih for the Final Lap Tour. Old-school hip-hop fans were finally treated to iconic hits like “In Da Club,” “Candy Shop,” “P.I.M.P.,” and more on Friday, 11th August.
After the hip-hop icons finished their sensational shows, it was time for heavy metal music to reign supreme at the Xfinity Theatre! Shock rockers Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie brought their co-headlining tour of a lifetime titled the Freaks on Parade! These quintessential shock rockers performed an outrageously excellent show. According to concert attendee Tom Bogus, the concert was “was an electrifying spectacle that left the audience in awe. With opening support from the industrial rock and metal powerhouses Filter and Ministry, the stage was set for a night of unforgettable music and theatricality.” He also described the event as a “masterclass of theatrics and showmanship.”
Before saying goodbye to the summer season, Xfinity Theatre was sure to make it worthwhile for thousands of music fans in Connecticut. September was packed with remarkable performances from Ne-Yo, Robin Thicke, and Pleasure P. It was the ultimate rager that perfectly capped off the sunny season of 2023.
Every year, music fans flock to the Xfinity Theatre to witness some of the most exciting concerts and festivals. The venue has become the go-to destination for outdoor concert enthusiasts. Tina K from Connecticut attended a previous concert and raved about her experience. “Parking was well organized. We went into the free lot, and the walk to the venue was not far. During entry, we had no problem with the line and getting in.” She also mentioned that although there was a snafu with the rented law chair, the staff was pleasant.
Meanwhile, Clare C mentioned that she has been coming to the venue since during the time it was called “The Meadows.” “I’ve been to more concerts here than I Can count. Most of the time, it’s been great.” Lastly, Christina M. raved about seeing Jason Aldean at the Xfinity Theatre. “I went here to see Jason Aldean and had a great time! I paid extra for the Premier Parking, which I HIGHLY recommend.”
The year 2023 was an excellent year for music at the Xfinity Theatre. The venue has been consistent in providing fans with the best outdoor concert experience, and it was definitely a great summer season thanks to the many top-tier artists and bands that made Hartford, Connecticut, their home for one night. If you, too, want to have the ultimate outdoor music experience, you should hurry and score tickets to the Xfinity Theatre! The year 2024 has a fantastic line-up of confirmed performers! Get your access through the Get Tickets link now and enjoy the amazing Connecticut summer weather with family and friends!
