Train's Monahan heads festival

It's the year of the comeback when it comes to concert series. First the Central Valley Indie Fest comes back, and now B93.1 FM's SummerFest.

SummerFest returns June 14 to Modesto's John Thurman Field after a two-year hiatus. Headlining will be Train frontman Pat Monahan. His performance should have a full-circle feel to it.

Monahan played the first SummerFest in 1998 with his up-and-coming band Train. The group went on to have hits with "Meet Virginia," "Drops of Jupiter" and "Calling All Angels." It also won a best-rock-song Grammy for "Drops of Jupiter."

In September, Monahan released his first solo album, "Last of Seven." Its debut single, "Her Eyes," landed on the top 10 of the Hot AC Billboard charts and the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown. In October, he will launch a full solo U.S. tour.

The rest of the SummerFest lineup is San Diego rockers Augustana, Bay Area favorite Matt Nathanson, "One Tree Hill" singer/actress Kate Voegele and Scottish native Ben Jelen.

Augustana, whose hit "Boston" cracked the top 10 of the Hot AC Billboard charts, will release its follow-up album, "Can't Love, Can't Hurt," on Tuesday. Its first single, "Sweet and Low," is currently getting airplay.

Nathanson has performed at various B93.1 FM Acoustic Christmas shows over the years. His cover of the James hit "Laid" got him national airplay. His songs have since been heard on "NCIS," "Private Practice" and "Scrubs."

Voegele is one of the roster of artists on the new Myspace Records. The Ohio native released her debut album, "Don't Look Away," last year. In January, she began a recurring guest-star appearance on the teen drama "One Tree Hill" as a young singer and keyboardist.

Jelen was born in Scotland and went to high school in Texas and New Jersey. His music has appeared on "One Tree Hill," "Smallville" and "Las Vegas," as well as in promotions for movies like "Finding Neverland" and "The Bucket List."

Tickets are $22.50 and go on sale Saturday through Tickets.com. For more, visit www.b931.com. This show has historically sold out early, so get your tickets quickly.

Elsewhere around the Scene:

Oakdale native Brett Dennen is going back on tour this summer with superstar John Mayer.

Mayer's 2008 summer tour will feature Colbie Caillat and Dennen. Tickets are on sale now for the amphitheater dates across the U.S. The tour begins July 2 in Milwaukee and ends Aug. 2 in Houston.

For the past two summers, Dennen has gone on tour with Mayer, performing mainly on the smaller side stages.

For more, visit www.brettdennen.net. ...

Tonight, pick your poison when it comes to live music in downtown Modesto.

Check out the Sun of a Beach Party at the Fat Cat Music House & Lounge. The evening kicks off with comedy, followed by the Filthy Gorgeous Presents beach-themed party with area hip-hop and DJ talent. Performing will be DJ Black Oliv3 and Modesto rapper StarrZ and Manteca rapper Matt G. Also performing will be the Rehab Crew featuring DJ Risq, DJ Ekspoe, DJ Hot Rod, DJ Action and Jay Smith with DJ Ace. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. Call 524-1400.

If indie is more your scene, hit the latest Off the Air show tonight at the Deva Cafe. Playing will be Modesto's Sapo Sueño, San Francisco's Low Red Land and Merced's Deriva. The event is open to all ages. Tickets are $5. Visit www.offtheair.net.

If you just want to get your rockabilly on, head out tonight to Hero's Sports Lounge. Playing will be Santa Cruz's The Chop Tops, Hawaii's The Hell Caminos and Lockeford's Simmerhorn. Music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $13 at the door to the all-ages show. Call 524-2337. ...

And finally, mark your calendars and your dance cards for the next Olé Productions Latin Music Dinner-Dance on May 2 at The Seasons.

The event will feature the Chicano All Stars, an eight-piece group that mixes Latin rock, classic rock and Santana tunes. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $20. Admission includes dance lessons. Call 573-1710.

Bee entertainment writer Marijke Rowland can be reached at mrowland@modbee.com or 578-2284. Read her blog SceneIt at thehive.modbee.com/sceneit.