What: Rock Never Stops

Who: Skid Row, Vince Neil, Jackyl, Tesla

When and Where: July 20, Chataqua Park – Sioux City

Why You Should Go: Do we really need to tell you? Look at the hits in this line-up: “18 and Life,” “Lumberjack,” “Signs,” plus every Motley Crue song ever.

And, you might get to see that dude from Jackyl cut stuff up with a chainsaw. Long hair, tight pants and rockin’ tunes.

What: Metalfest

Who: Susperia, Deceased, Brick Bath, Bongzilla, Pain Control, lots of other bands with one word names that conjure up dark images and scary thoughts.

When and Where: July 26th and 27th – U.S. Cellular Arena, Milwaukee.

Why You Should Go: Well . maybe you have a best friend or family member in one of the bands?

What: Lazerfest

Who: P.O.D., Rob Zombie, Drowning Pool, Adema, Hatebreed, Lostprophets, and more.

When and Where: August 18th – Waterworks Park, Des Moines

Why You Should Go: Easy . everyone bitches about how Des Moines doesn’t get anything for anybody to do, well, here is something to do.

If people don’t support these things, then central Iowa won’t get any more shows like this. It’s a mini-Ozzfest in Des Moines.

What: Warped Tour

Who: Bad Religion, NOFX, MxPx, Thursday, Thrice, Good Charlotte and a slew of other bands, most of which are either punk or like to call themselves punk. Artists vary from show to show.

When and Where: July 24 – Marcus Ampitheater Lot, Milwaukee

July 28 – Harriet Island, Minneapolis

Why You Should Go: This festival features a shitload of bands. If you are a fan of hard-rock music, Warped has it.

Punk, wanna-be punk, metal and hard-core, it’s all here. Tons of bands you like and tons of bands you have never heard of, all on one bill.

What: Rockfest 2002/Locobazooka

Who: Earshot, Audiovent, Sevendust, Filter, Mushroomhead and more.

When and Where: July 21 – Westfair Amphitheater, Council Bluffs

Why You Should Go: Many central Iowans don’t know it, but every summer Council Bluffs puts on a hell of a rock show that usually feautures an impressive roster of acts.

This year looks like no exception with up-and-comers like Earshot and Audiovent along with grizzled vets Sevendust.

What: Ozzfest

Who: System of a Down, Rob Zombie, P.O.D., Ozzy Osbourne, Drowning Pool, Black Label Society, Hatebreed, Andrew W.K. and a platoon of other metal acts.

When and Where: August 10th – Tweeter Center, Chicago

August 11 – Alpine Valley, East Troy, Wisconsin

Why You Should Go: If you are a metal fan, this is heaven.

Any and every kind of metal music is here from the nu-metal of Drowning Pool to the hard-core of Hatebreed.

And of course . Ozzy.

– Ticket info for the aforementioned concerts can be found at ticketmaster.com.