The Freeman Arts Pavilion’s summer concert series brings a mixture of new and familiar faces to Selbyville, along with new facilities for audiences and performers.
Kicking off the summer season of performances is Italian singer/songwriter Matteo Bocelli, son of famed tenor Andrea Bocelli. His concert, on July 8 kicks off a busy first week of shows, including country music’s Little Big Town, disco/funk legends K.C. and the Sunshine Band, and Beatles tribute act 1964: the Tribute.
That first week of performances also marks the premiere of the pavilion’s new stage, says the Freeman Arts Foundation’s Alyson Cunningham.
“In 2025, we started the construction of the new permanent stage, which is about twice the size and height and width that the previous stage was,” she says. “And then we are building an actual back of house facility for the artists to enjoy as well.”
It’s not just the performers who will see the benefits of the new construction, however. Audiences will also get to take advantage of upgraded seating.
“We're adding permanent seating,” Cunningham says. “We're grading the lawn, so sight lines will be improved. We will still have areas where guests can bring their own chair, and we'll still have the lawn that everyone loves as well.”
As the season progresses, famous acts from all genres will spend time on that new stage, including the Indigo Girls, James Taylor, Trombone Shorty, the Marshall Tucker Band, comedian John Mulaney, and a triple bill featuring Gin Blossoms, Blues Traveler, and Spin Doctors.
Many of the artists coming to the pavilion this year have graced the stage before, Cunningham says.
“Some of these artists we've had more than once, and I think that's a testament to their experience here,” she says.
Whether they are a first-time visitor or a returning favorite, Cunningham says there’s a certain magic that appeals to performers, even those used to larger venues.
“We're not in an arena or a stadium, and we're not as big as some of the other outdoor amphitheaters you might see, but there's a quaintness and a beauty to Freeman Arts Pavilion that I think not only do our artists love and appreciate, but our fans do as well,” she says.
Helping to make sure the show goes on is a team of staff members, volunteers, and contractors.
“Our programming, hospitality, and backstage crew is elite, in my opinion, and all of that goes into their experience here,” Cunningham says. “I think that's what makes it so special.”
And, she adds, that crew is huge.
“We are blessed to have almost 300 volunteers, a seasonal staff of over 150, [and] a full-time staff of about 25,” she says.
Joining the nationally-recognized acts through the summer will be a number of local and regional performers. Cunningham says that it’s a good way to spotlight accessible acts that audiences may not know.
“They're being potentially introduced to a band or an artist musician that they haven't seen before, but is regional.”
Also coming to Selbyville this summer is an array of tribute bands, a perennial audience favorite according to Cunningham.
“We have Rumors, which is a Fleetwood Mac tribute band coming. We have Almost Queen, a tribute to Queen coming. We have Magical Mystery Doors, which is a tribute to Zeppelin, the Beatles, and the Doors coming this summer,” she says.
The season isn’t just about rock, pop, and country acts. Audiences can also see comedy, musical theatre, and even ballet.
“Part of the mission of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation as a nonprofit is to make the arts accessible to all, and that includes all arts,” Cunningham notes. “We are passionate about making sure that the lineup at Freeman Arts Pavilion has a wide variety and diverse offerings for people to potentially take a chance on something they have not experienced before.”
More on this summer’s schedule is available at freemanarts.org
Delaware Public Media's arts coverage is made possible, in part, by support from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
