Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Returns to Epcot

Beginning June 7 through July 25, the America Gardens Theater at Epcot will once again rock out with some of the world’s best tribute bands. This year’s lineup includes the return of Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot – a Tribute to Billy Joel. Booking Director Brad Ross said this act is returning after a one-year absence from the lineup, due to the fact that Billy Joel actually made Mike DelGuidice part of his band, and hence Mike was on tour last summer with Billy.

This summer marks the 10th year of the series, which began in 2006. Brad says the concert series has grown and changed in other ways over the last nine years. “Word of mouth has built up,” he said, from around 500 people attending each set in 2006, to 750 to 1,000 per show last year. “A lot of locals come, so some of these bands have built fan bases in Orlando over time. It’s also about finding what act will inspire Guests to stop, sit down and enjoy the music.”

Another fun fact about the series involves Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles. The band has played in every Sounds Like Summer since its beginning. Brad said it actually was a Hotel California band member who inspired Brad to start the tribute band concert series, after he shared they had previously performed at Disneyland Resort!

Check out this year’s lineup below (entertainment and times subject to change without notice):

• June 7 - 13: DSB – A Tribute to Journey
• June 14 - 20: 2U – A Tribute to U2
• June 21 - 26: Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot – A Tribute Billy Joel Show
• June 27 - July 4: Don’t Look Back – A Tribute to Boston
• July 5 - 11: Fire & Ice – A Tribute to Pat Benatar
• July 12 - 18: Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to the Bee Gees
• July 19 - 25: Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles

The Sounds Like Summer concerts are included with regular Epcot admission. Show times are 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. daily.