It's in August. It's at night.
It's also indoors and air-conditioned. But you get the picture.
Neil Diamond's concert Monday night at Sacramento's Power Balance Pavilion will continue a tradition tracing back to the recording of "Hot August Night."
That classic live double album, recorded 40 years ago at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, increased Diamond's popularity and inspired listeners to seek out the live Diamond experience themselves. Those fans still seek it, as do a few generations of younger fans.
Some younger fans came on board for the kitsch factor, or because they heard a Diamond tribute band. They stayed for the song craft and showmanship.
Or they stayed because they are female, and thus captivated by the magic of Diamond's slightly gritty, I-know-you-girl baritone. Diamond always has thrilled the Kentucky women, the Carolines sweet and tart.
Now 71, Diamond still plays arenas and other big venues.
"He has consistently toured on an arena level on a worldwide basis," said Gary Bongiovanni, editor-in-chief of Pollstar magazine, which covers the concert business. A Diamond show offers "a nonstop parade of hit singles," Bongiovanni said.
Diamond has sold nearly 5 million concert tickets worldwide, Pollstar data shows. And that's just going back to 1999.
Take a look at Diamond through the years, from his days as a songwriter in New York's famous Brill Building to his current tour in the graphic at right.
NEIL DIAMOND
WHEN: 8 p.m. Monday
WHERE: Power Balance Pavilion, One Sports Parkway, Sacramento
COST: $66.20-$135.10
INFORMATION: www.ticketmaster.com, (800) 745-3000
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