Summer. Running a close second to barbeques, summer concerts are one of the greatest pleasures of summer break. Whether you are working, attending classes, or just chillin’ over the summer, treat yourself to a great show! While not all concerts have been listed here, I have painstakingly taken the job of seeking out the biggest concerts of the summer, and tracked down all relevant info. I’ve also given you a quick reference guide to some shows you might be interested in, depending on what you like. If you’re like me, you probably fit into every category, or maybe you hate everything I suggest-either way, take this as a loose guide to a great summer of entertainment!

For the Hip-Hop crowd? mtvU’s Campus Invasion Tour featuring Wyclef Jean, Flo Rida, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and the Spill Canvas-May 4 @ UMass Boston! Tickets start at $8.00 during presale, and are more after that.? Erykah Badu and The Roots-May 8 @ Orpheum Theatre, Boston; 7:30 p.m. $46-$56.? Kanye West with special guests Rhianna, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D-May 15 @ Tweeter Center, Mansfield, MA; 7:00 p.m. $30-$86.? JAM’N 94.5 Summer Jam 2008: featuring Lil’ Wayne, Ray J, Lloyd, Rick Ross, The Dream and more-May 31 @ Tweeter Center; 4:00 p.m. $25-$94.50.? Alicia Keyes-June 11 @ TD Banknorth Garden, Boston; 7:30 p.m. $47-$122.50? Snoop Dogg and 311-July 18 @ Tweeter Center; 6:30 p.m. $27.50-$37.50.

For the rock/alternative crowd? Jimmy Eat World and Paramore-April 30 @ Tsongas Arena, Lowell, MA; 7:00 p.m. $28.50.? WFNX presents Death Cab for Cutie-May 10 @ Bank of America Pavilion; 5:00 p.m. $38.00.? Panic at the Disco-May 11 @ Bank of America Pavilion, Boston; 7:00 p.m. $27.50.? WBCN River Rave featuring Stone Temple Pilots, Everlast, Pennywise, Filter and more-June 1 @ Tweeter Center; 4:00 p.m. $25-$45.? The Raconteurs-June 3 @ Bank of America Pavilion; 8:00 p.m. $25-$35.? REM with Modest Mouse-June 13 @ Tweeter Center; 6:30 p.m. $25-$75.? Iron Maiden-June 20 @ Tweeter Center; 7:00 p.m. $35-$49.50.? Dave Matthews Band-June 24 and 25 @ Tweeter Center; 7:00 p.m. $40-$75.? Pearl Jam-June 28 & June 30 @ Tweeter Center; 7:30 p.m. $42-$62.? Projekt Revolution featuring Linkin Park, Chris Cornell, The Bravery and more-July 16 @ Tweeter Center; 2:00 p.m. Tickets on sale April 24.? Vans Warped Tour featuring All American Rejects, Gym Class Heroes, Paramore, Story of the Year, The Academy is… and more!-July 23 @ Tweeter Center; 1:00 p.m. $26.00.? Radiohead-August 13 @ Tweeter Center; 7:30 p.m. $30-$55.? CrueFest feturing Motle Crue, Buckcherry, Papa Roach and Trapt-August 22 @ Tweeter Center; 5:00 p.m. $29.50-$95.00.

For the older crowd (or anyone who appreciates good music from back in the day)? Cindy Lauper with the B-52’s-May 31 @ Bank of America Pavilion; 6:00 p.m. $76.00.? Eric Clapton-June 4 @ Tweeter Center; 7:30 p.m. $49.50-$125.00.? Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers-June 13 @ TD Banknorth Garden and June 14 @ Tweeter Center; 7:30 p.m. $29.50-$95.00.? Rush-June 15 @ Tweeter Center; 7:30 p.m. $28-$110.00.? Crosby, Stills and Nash-July 25 @ Bank of America Pavilion; 7:30 p.m. $36-$51.00.? The Police with Elvis Costello-July 31 @ Tweeter Center; 7:30 p.m. $40-$225.? Boston-August 3 @ Tweeter Center; 7:00 p.m. $25-$60.? Jethro Tull-August 4 @ Bank of America Pavilion; 7:30 p.m. $30-$60.? Poison-August 7 @ Bank of America Pavilion; 7:00 p.m. $25-$45.? Rod Stewart-August 15 @ Tweeter Center; 8:00 p.m. $49.50-$125.00.

For the Pop-loving crowd? Kiss Concert 2008 featuring New Kids on the Block, the Jonas Brothers, Sean Kingston, Boys Like Girls, Baby Bash and more-May 18 @ Tweeter Center; 2:00 p.m. $35-$200.? Feist-July 8 @ Bank of America Pavilion; 7:30 p.m. $25-$35.? John Meyer-July 12 @ Tweeter Center; 7:30 p.m. $29.50-$59.50.? Jonas Brothers-August 8 @ Tweeter Center; 7:00 p.m. $25-$75. Be sure to check the venues’ websites for updated announcements regarding these shows and any other additional shows they are hosting! All tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster (www.ticketmaster.com). Have a fun summer, enjoy the music and be safe!