Seventh annual free concert season kicks off at Fremont Street Experience

Every year, the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas brings in free concerts during the late spring and summer with themes such as bands from the ’70s, ’80s or ’90s. Starting Memorial Day weekend, the five-block canopied attraction continues that seven-year tradition with the Rock of Vegas concert series.

The seiries kicks off with KC and The Sunshine Band taking over the 3rd Street Stage on Saturday, May 23. The band, led by Harry Wayne Casey, brings together R&B and funk sounds with a Latin percussion groove. Their hits include “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s The Way (I Like It)” and “Shake Your Booty.”

Tonic and Vertical Horizon perform on the 1st Street Stage on Saturday, May 30. Multiple Grammy-nominated Tonic’s hit, “If You Could Only See,” came out on the group’s platinum-selling album, “Lemon Parade,” while alternative rock favorite Vertical Horizon has hits including “You’re a God,” “Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)” and “Everything You Want.”

The triple header of Martha Davis and The Motels, The Tubes and The Smithereens head to the 3rd Street Stage on Saturday, June 13. These ’80s bands feature hits such as “Only the Lonely” from Martha Davis and The Motels, “Talk to Ya Later” from The Tubes, featuring Fee Waybill, and “A Girl Like You” from The Smithereens.

Smash Mouth and Toad the Wet Sprocket play the 1st Street Stage on Saturday, June 27. American rock band Smash Mouth is perhaps best known for hits such as “Walkin’ in the Sun” and “All Star,” while alternative rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket has a string of chart-topping hits including, “Walk on the Ocean,” “Something’s Always Wrong” and “All I Want.”

Fremont Street Experience plans to bring in a band on Friday, July 10, which happens to be a UFC fight weekend, but has not announced an act yet.

Canadian rockers Theory of a Deadman plays the 1st Street Stage on Saturday, July 18. The group’s biggest hits include “So Happy,” “Bad Girlfriend” and “Not Meant to Be.”

Saturday, Aug. 1 brings Spin Doctors and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies to the 1st Street Stage. Spin Doctors are best known for “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong.” Cherry Poppin’ Daddies rose to the forefront of the neo-swing movement with the song “Zoot Suit Riot.”

The concert series wraps up with Kansas and Blue Oyster Cult on the 3rd Street Stage on Sunday, Sept. 6. Kansas scored eight gold albums, three sextuple-platinum albums and a platinum live album, as well as hits like “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind.” Blue Oyster Cult has sold more than 24 million albums worldwide since debuting in 1972. Some of the group’s most memorable songs include “Godzilla,” “Burnin’ for You” and “Don’t Fear the Reaper.”

All concerts start at 9 p.m.

Info: Fremont Street Experience