7th annual Rockin’ the River lineup features 3 free concerts in Wilkes-Barre on July 11-25
From a press release:
Today, Visit Luzerne County announced that the 7th annual Rockin’ the River summer concert series will return this July for three consecutive weeks of live music along the Susquehanna River.
The free, all-ages shows, which take place at Millennium Circle at the River Common in Wilkes-Barre, began in 2019 and have become some of Luzerne County’s most popular summer events, with crowds ranging from 3,000 to nearly 6,000 over the years.
Rockin’ the River 2025 performance schedule
Friday, July 11: Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience and Flaxy Morgan
Friday, July 18: Maybe I’m Amazed: A Tribute to Paul McCartney and Tori V & The Karma
Friday, July 25: Low Cut Connie and Aaron Fink & The Fury
For ever concert, the Millennium Circle (92 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre) gates open at 5 p.m., and the music runs from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. There will be food vendors and beverages from Susquehanna Brewing Company and Bank+Vine available to purchase. Presented by Visit Luzerne County and the Riverfront Parks Committee, major sponsors include Geisinger, DiscoverNEPA, Lewith & Freeman, Mountain Productions, Petroleum Service Company, and the city of Wilkes-Barre.
“These shows have given us some wonderful nights of great music, great food and community spirit, right along the Susquehanna, and we’re thrilled to be bringing them back again this year,” said Alan Stout, executive director of Visit Luzerne County.
“Each show is a major production, but thanks to our great committee of volunteers and partners, and our generous sponsors, we can provide these shows to the community at no cost.”
As has become its tradition, Rockin’ the River will once again feature three headliners that have never performed at the music series before.
“One of the things that we’re the most proud of is that, in seven years, we haven’t repeated a tribute act as a headliner, and this year will be the first time we’re presenting the incredible and explosive music of Led Zeppelin and the timeless sounds of Paul McCartney,” Stout noted.
“His body of work outside of The Beatles is incredible, which is why we wanted a McCartney act. You don’t hear those huge Wings hits played out in the clubs very often, and we’re looking forward to hearing songs such as ‘Band on the Run,’ ‘Silly Loves Songs,’ ‘With a Little Luck’ and ‘Live and Let Die,’ mixed in with a few Beatles classics.
“And, as has also become our tradition, the final show will feature original music. This year, it’s Low Cut Connie, who has a sizable following in Philadelphia and has earned the praises of people such as Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. And opening each show will be very talented local acts. We look forward to seeing everyone in July.”
Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience
Celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, Zoso has become one of the most iconic and respected Led Zeppelin tribute experiences in the world by playing over 4,800 shows across the globe. Known for their unparalleled dedication to faithfully recreating the legendary band’s live performances, Zoso has earned accolades from both critics and fans alike.
Zoso’s live performances focus on the raw energy and intricate musicality of Led Zeppelin’s best-known hits and deeper tracks, with a particular emphasis on recreating their live show experience. The group’s commitment to authenticity has earned them praise from major outlets, with the LA Times calling them “head and shoulders above all other Led Zeppelin tributes,” and the St. Petersburg Times describing them as “the most exacting of all the Led Zeppelin tributes.”
The band was founded in 1995 by Matt Jernigan and Adam Sandling, both of whom are renowned for their exceptional musicianship and passion for Led Zeppelin’s music. Jernigan, who takes on the colossal role of Robert Plant, has a commanding stage presence that rivals the icon himself. Sandling, who brings John Paul Jones to life, masterfully plays bass, keyboards, and mandolin, replicating the multifaceted talent of the musical legend.
In 2015, Bevan Davies joined Zoso on drums to master the part of John Bonham. An accomplished touring and studio drummer with a resume that includes playing with such artists as Danzig, Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, Static-X, and many more. Davies brings an unmistakable power and precision to Zoso’s live shows, helping the band recreate Bonham’s legendary drum sound. His performance of Bonham’s legendary “Moby Dick” is something to behold.
In 2025, at the age of 24, Holston Rainero joined the band, taking on the monumental guitar role of Jimmy Page. A fan of Zoso, Rainero didn’t let an opportunity slip away when he learned of an opening in the band’s lineup. His story reads like something straight out of a movie script; Rainero reached out directly to the band through social media to request an audition. While dozens of musicians had already contacted the band with no success, Rainero’s determination set him apart.
Refusing to take no for an answer, he began uploading videos of himself playing classic songs from the band in his bedroom. It didn’t take long for the band to recognize his extraordinary talent. His playing was not just skilled – it was a truly inspired performance, with the technical mastery and soul that made it clear he was something special.
The band immediately got him to Atlanta for an in-person audition. Rainero, ever ready, arrived with his bags packed, knowing he was prepared to seize the moment. His live audition exceeded all expectations and, within days, he was on tour with the band, stepping into one of rock history’s most iconic roles.
After starting the year touring with Zakk Wylde on the Zakk Sabbath tour, they have now embarked on their 30th anniversary headlining tour. New dates for the tour are being added every week, with the hopes of reaching 150 shows this year.
Maybe I’m Amazed: A Tribute to Paul McCartney
Maybe I’m Amazed is a rock ‘n’ roll tribute to Paul McCartney featuring an all-star lineup of world-class studio musicians – CPO (McCartney) on bass, piano, and guitar; Dicki Fliszar (Abe Laboriel Jr.) on drums; Chris Jagich (Paul “Wix” Wickens) on keys and guitar; Cory Clark (Rusty Anderson) on guitar; and Scott Harrah (Brian Ray) on guitar and bass. They are dedicated to bringing the feel and sound of a McCartney live show with 90 minutes of Sir Paul’s hits from The Beatles, Wings, and his solo efforts, all set to a backdrop of multi-media and lighting that leaves the audience amazed.
CPO has been playing Macca in national touring acts Beatles vs. Stones and Abbey Road for the past 10+ years, as well as other Beatles acts across the world, including The Liverpool Beatles, Beatleshow at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Hard Days Night, 4 Lads From Liverpool, Sgt. Pepper, Beatlemaniacs, and several others. He has also done several Wings and Beatles tribute shows with former Wings guitarist Laurence Juber. In addition, CPO has fronted Boingo Dance Party, featuring Johnny Vatos and a rotating cast of former Oingo Boingo band members, and released several albums as a singer/songwriter, including “Wonderlove” (with MIA drummer Dicki Fliszar), “LPFM,” “Faul!,” “CPO & Co.,” and several solo albums as Chris Paul Overall.
Low Cut Connie
Low Cut Connie is a wild rock ‘n’ roll band based in Philadelphia. Frontman, pianist, and songwriter Adam Weiner has been the group’s only constant member since its formation. Beginning as an impromptu recording session in 2010, the project gradually evolved into a vehicle for Weiner’s songwriting and onstage persona.
Dubbed “the essence of what rock ‘n’ roll should be” by Greg Kot of Chicago radio show “Sound Opinions,” the band has earned praise for its high-energy live performances, which Los Angeles Weekly described as “unmatched in all of rock right now.” NPR Music described Weiner as “masterfully fluent in the foundational languages of Western pop,” and The New York Times has said “their live show is a phenomenon.”
Playing major festivals like Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon, BottleRock, and XPoNential, Low Cut Connie has also gained notoriety for attracting high-profile celebrity endorsements, such as Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Howard Stern, Rob Thomas, Nick Hornby, and even former President Barack Obama, who included them on his Spotify Summer Playlist in 2015 and met Weiner personally at the White House. The band was featured twice on Elton John’s radio show “Rocket Hour” and on Stern’s “Wrap-Up Show,” and they also performed in “The Howard Stern Tribute to David Bowie.”
On Aug. 13, 2018, LCC made their network television debut, playing their song “All These Kids Are Way Too High” on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” which was lauded by Rolling Stone, saying they delivered “energy and swagger” in their “rollicking performance.”
On Sept. 12, 2018, Elton John dedicated a song to Low Cut Connie at his sold-out show at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Before performing “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” he announced, “There’s a band that I love at the moment so much called Low Cut Connie, who are also from Philadelphia. And I’d like to dedicate this song to them right now because I love them very much, and you should check them out. Buy their records, go see them.”
See NEPA Scene’s photos of Low Cut Connie performing at the 2016 XPoNential Music Festival in Philadelphia here and the Bowery Ballroom in New York City later that year here.
Photo by Jason Riedmiller Photography/NEPA Scene
