By Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

It's officially spring, and all you music-lovers know what that means: a slew of the biggest tours of the year riding through New Jersey yet again.

A heap of great rock, pop, R&B and hip-hop shows are on the schedule already (surely with more to come) and so we are rolling out our largest concert guide in years. Here are 50, count ‘em, 50 of the best mega-shows landing around the state between now and Labor Day.

And the best of the bunch is saved for the end of our list — a rock legend coming for what will be a very special show in Newark.

Tell us in the comments which shows you’ll be attending this year!

Don't Edit

New Found Glory

March 25-26, The Stone Pony, Asbury Park; March 28, Starland Ballroom, Sayreville

Why it's worth it: The Florida pop-punk stalwarts set out on a 20-year anniversary tour this spring and each night will play two of their most fan-beloved straight through — which two LPs depends on the night. For fans of the early-2000s pop-punk era and hits like "My Friends Over You," this is a dream tour.

Don't Edit

Anthrax + Killswitch Engage

March 29, Wellmont Theater, Montclair

Why it's worth it: We checked out Anthrax in 2015, with classic-era singer Joey Belladonna back in the group, and the thrashers still rip. Co-headliner Killswitch Engage, also back with its original singer, are maybe the best band borne from the 2000s metalcore boom, and openers The Devil Wears Prada have headlined similar-capacity Jersey venues by themselves — this is one stacked metal lineup.

Don't Edit

Bon Jovi

March 31, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia; April 7-8, Madison Square Garden, New York

Why it's worth it: Bon Jovi is re-energized and ready to roll, on the strength of the new November LP "This House Is Not For Sale," which is markedly better than its predecessor "Because We Can." Even if you only go for the hits, Bon Jovi still plays a mean arena show and are working in plenty of older tunes this tour, which kicked off last month.

Don't Edit

Chris Brown + 50 Cent

April 1, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: This is the hottest hip-hop show to hit New Jersey this spring. Chris Brown is a consummate entertainer, and with New York rap hitmakers 50 Cent and Fabolous opening, this gig in Newark will play like an appetizer for the main-course Hot 97 Summer Jam that comes to the Meadowlands in June.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

April 1, State Theatre, New Brunswick; July 1, The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park

Why it's worth it: You go to a Southside show for one reason: to have a whole mess of fun with the Jersey Shore's king of blues-rock. Johnny and the Asbury Jukes released "Soultime!" in 2015, but for most this is a "play the old stuff!" show.

Don't Edit

Stevie Nicks + The Pretenders

April 2, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: We caught this tour late last year in Philly, and this was unlike any other Stevie tour in that she digs deep into her gothic toy chest for some very obscure tunes, and has plenty of stories to tell in between. And The Pretenders are a huge plus; Chrissie Hynde is as cool a rock frontwoman as ever.

Don't Edit

1

April 7, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: Canadian DJ DeadMau5's live show is a sight to behold — he spins from inside a chameleonic, LED-screened cube, which makes his performance unlike anything else in the EDM genre. To boot, he doesn't tour regularly.

Don't Edit

Robert Randolph and The Family Band

April 21, The Stone Pony, Asbury Park

Why it's worth it: Jersey's own pedal-steel virtuoso Robert Randolph just released what marks the first great New Jersey album of 2017 in the sizzling "Got Soul." He and his band are headlining the Pony for the Asbury Park Music and Film Festival, so if you make the ride down, there will be plenty to see, do and hear.

Don't Edit

Christian McBride + Esperanza Spalding

April 23, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: Remember when jazz songstress Esperanza Spalding beat out Drake, Justin Bieber and Mumford and Sons for Best New Artist at the 2011 Grammys? No? Well, she's a tremendous musician, and backed by Montclair's own upright bass master Christian McBride, this is a can't-miss show.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tim McGraw + Faith Hill

May 4, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: The couple's new Soul2Soul tour will bring what each of their previous dueting roadshows have: a lot of love and even more country hits, from two of the most prolific stars in the genre's recent history. McGraw released "Damn Country Music" in 2015, and Hill released the compilation "Deep Tracks" in November.

Don't Edit

McDonald's GospelFest

May 13, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: Gospel fans come from far and wide for this annual event in Newark, headlined this year by California's Israel Houghton and Erica Campbell, as well as New York Gospel vet Donnie McClurkin. Worship aside, the event reminds just how vital gospel music's message and energy is to music culture as a whole.

Don't Edit

Future

May 12, BB&T Pavilion, Camden; May 18, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel

Why it's worth it: With five releases in just the last three years, Atlanta emcee Future has quickly become one of the most coveted and prolific rappers in hip-hop. His 2016 tour with Drake was a huge hit, and now he's headlining amphitheaters on his own — he's the rapper on the rise to catch this Spring.

Don't Edit

Kings of Leon

May 13, BB&T Pavilion, Camden; May 20, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel

Why it's worth it: It seems the Grammy-winning alt-rockers have settled in as festival headliners each summer, at Firefly in Delaware, Made in America in Philadelphia and elsewhere, but with their own show and own crowd, the four Followill boys comprising the well-liked group will be in their element. If the weather is nice this should be a smooth, groovin' rock show.

Don't Edit

Metallica

May 14, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

Why it's worth it: Well, it's Metallica, for starters. The thrash-metal titans will play their first New Jersey tour show since 2009, and on the strength of their new, well-received LP "Hardwired … To Self-Destruct" their new WorldWired tour should be an epic, head-banging experience, with plenty of hits to boot.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Brad Paisley

May 19, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: Nearly 20 years in the country spotlight and West Virginia-bred songwriter Brad Paisley is still burning red-hot, headlining amphitheaters around the country and set to release another LP, "Love and War," in April. Paisley always backs himself with a stellar band, and this is a country gig checking out.

Don't Edit

Godsmack, Bush, Live and more

May 20, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: The Philly rock radio station WMMR's "MMRBQ" roars back to Camden with a meaty hard-rock lineup: Godsmack never disappoints, Bush is revitalized and touring on a new LP, and further down the bill is British retro-rockers The Struts, who blew us away in Sayreville late last year. This should be a big, fun day of rock n' roll.

Don't Edit

Mumford and Sons

May 25, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: If you were lucky enough to attend the town-usurping Gentlemen of the Road festival put on by British folk-rock stars Mumford and Sons in summer 2015, then you already know how terrific the four-piece is in the live setting. If you haven't seen the group, even if you didn't love its most recent, change-of-pace album "Wilder Mind," the intensity with which they play is an enriching experience.

Don't Edit

Dierks Bentley

June 4, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel

Why it's worth it: Just over a year from his last headlining show at PNC, the country star returns to Holmdel for his What The Hell tour, this time with the popular, baseball-capped star Cole Swindell opening. Bentley has a slew of country hits in his back pocket and his 2016 release "Black" was one of his strongest LPs to date.

Don't Edit

Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival

June 10-11, The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park

Why it's worth it: The bowling goes on down the street in Bradley Beach, but there's a heap of punk-rock to be had in Asbury Park over two days, where storied punk acts like NOFX, The Specials, Buzzcocks, Jersey's own Lifetime and more will rage on the Summer Stage. With one band after another for eight hours at a clip, this event separates the diehards from the punk posers.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

The Weeknd

May 19, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City; June 4, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: Canadian R&B/pop crooner The Weeknd barely gave us a chance to forget his stream of "Beauty Behind The Madness" hits, and dropped "Starboy" in November, unleashing a new crop of very popular jams. The artist born Abel Tesfaye returns to New Jersey riding a huge high — his latest single "I Feel It Coming" is inescapable on radio right now — and he's quickly become one of the most unstoppable pop forces today. His live show should pack in all the bells and whistles.

Don't Edit

Idina Menzel

May 20, Borgata Event Center, Atlantic City; July 16, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: We saw Idina on her first solo world tour in 2015 and her vocal prowess, expectedly, blew us away. The Broadway star mixes in stage classics from her roles in "Rent" and "Wicked" with other covers — she does a killed "River" by Joni Mitchell — and original pop songs from past solo records. An impassioned show through and through!

Don't Edit

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds

June 7, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel

Why it's worth it: Who needs the whole Dave Matthews Band? Dave and lead guitarist Tim Reynolds hit their old haunt PNC Bank Arts Center this spring with an acoustic act, that mixes in DMB songs, as well as Dave and Tim's solo stuff. For diehard Dave Matthews Band fans, this should be a treat.

Don't Edit

Iron Maiden

June 7, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: Run to the hills! Or Newark, and see the metal legends, who 35 years into their prolific careers are still one of the genre's top draws — and have somehow kept most of their classic-era lineup intact. "The Book of Souls" was the last LP, in 2015, but if you're one for "Number of the Beast" or "Fear of the Dark," go headbang with the best of 'em!

Don't Edit

Jack Johnson

June 10, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: Because laying on a lawn in June, sipping a drink and listening to Jack Johnson's folksy acoustic jams sounds far better than the wild March weather we've endured so far.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

The Killers, Kaleo and more

June 11, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: This the birthday show for Radio 104.5, Philly's best alternative station, and the lineup is loaded, from arena-worthy rockers The Killers and Icelandic newcomers Kaleo to Jersey's electro-rock destroyer Bleachers and pop-rockers Foster The People. The station always mixes in a great smaller stage, too; definitely worth the price of admission.

Don't Edit

Summer Jam

June 11, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

Why it's worth it: We don't know who will play the largest hip-hop festival on Earth quite yet (Hot 97 usually announces in early April), but every year this gargantuan fest is full of mega-stars and surprises. All the top names are in play here: Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Nicki Minaj — all are possibilities, with plenty of throwbacks sure to be mixed in.

Don't Edit

Tom Petty

June 16, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: This is a special tour, 40 years of rock for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. And on this anniversary tour, there should be a laundry list of bells and whistles, from hits and obscure vault tracks to plenty of stories and good-natured hearty rock for the masses. Who knows how many arena tours Petty's got left in the tank — don't miss this one.

Don't Edit

Daryl Hall and John Oates

June 17, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: Hits, hits and more hits. We were underwhelmed last year when Hall and Oates came to PNC, but that only leaves room for an energetic redemption this time. Plus, new-wave faves Tears for Fears is opening, and who doesn't want to rule the world?

Don't Edit

John Legend

June 22, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: John Legend seems to perform at every televised awards show, and he is always the most talented player in the room. A full headlining show will be magic, between his silky vocals, wondrous piano-playing and the tracks off his strong 2016 LP "Darkness and Light." Hearing thousands sing "All of Me" should be epic as well.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

NKOTB + Paula Abdul + Boyz II Men

July 2, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: If you were a pop-loving teenager in the early '90s, this is the ultimate throwback show. You'll hear "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Straight Up" and "I'll Make Love To You" all in the same night — not sung by a lame cover band.

Don't Edit

U2

June 28-29, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

Why it's worth it: U2 will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band's monster-hit LP "The Joshua Tree" by playing the album in its entirety, before 55,000 people in the Meadowlands. For those who can't recall, the album opens with "Where the Streets Have No Name," "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and "With or Without You" in succession. All three tunes are built for shows like these.

Don't Edit

James Taylor + Bonnie Raitt

July 6, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: Two legendary singer-songwriters on the same stage, trading hits and sprinkling in some duets you'd never hear otherwise? Why wouldn't you go to this?

Don't Edit

Zac Brown Band

July 7-8, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel; July 14-15, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: Zac Brown loves Jersey so much he's playing four shows here this summer. He and his band are a barrel of fun, and with the new LP "Welcome Home" on the way, he will be ready to play a few new tracks between summer staples "Toes" and "Chicken Fried." Crack a beer and take to the lawn!

Don't Edit

Rod Stewart + Cyndi Lauper

July 12, BB&T Pavilion, Camden; July 25, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel

Why it's worth it: Another awesome pairing of classic rock and pop dynamos comes through this summer in Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper, who will, of course, play everything you want to hear and more — both have released new LPs in the last two years.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Incubus + Jimmy Eat World

July 14, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel; July 20, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: Incubus is back, with the anticipated album "8" coming this spring and the hot new single "Nimble Bastard" raising eyebrows. The hard-rockers are multi-faceted in the live setting and opening act Jimmy Eat World is a consistently strong alt-rock group. If your music interests were piqued most in the early 2000s, this is the gig for you.

Don't Edit

Chris Stapleton

July 20, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel; Aug. 12, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: Folks went wild for Stapleton's double-platinum, Grammy-winning solo debut "Traveller" in 2015, and now we get to check the gritty country songwriter out in person. His voice cuts like a sawblade, and hearing him wail his now-famous cover of "Tennessee Whiskey" should be a treat.

Don't Edit

Chicago + The Doobie Brothers

July 21, BB&T Pavilion, Camden; July 23, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel

Why it's worth it: I don't believe it's too far a stretch to assume that if you are a Chicago diehard, you also fancy the Doobie Brothers, and vice versa. Come for the hits, sit back and let Robert Lamm and Tom Johnston bring you all the '70s soft rock you can stomach.

Don't Edit

Streetlight Manifesto

July 21, Starland Ballroom, Sayreville

Why it's worth it: The Garden State's ska-punk kings return to their regular stomping grounds in Central Jersey. These shows always pack full, so if horn sections and very fast guitar music are your thing, get your tickets soon.

Don't Edit

Queen + Adam Lambert

July 26, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: Of course Queen will never quite be Queen again without Freddie Mercury, but with the gifted wailer Adam Lambert at the helm, as the group has toured its last few years, this is still a huge, arena-worthy show. Lambert's versions of "Somebody to Love" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" are still very, very strong.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

]V

Aug. 1, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

Why it's worth it: If you missed Coldplay's vibrant, wildly colorful MetLife affair this past summer, here's your shot to to see Chris Martin and the guys, on the strength of their Head Full of Dreams album, an LP built for massive audiences.

Don't Edit

Rancid + Dropkick Murphys

Aug. 4, The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park

Why it's worth it: If you can't make it to Asbury Park's Punk Bowling Festival in June, this August gig is the next best thing on the Summer Stage, with punk veterans Rancid and The Dropkick Murphys romping through. Both bands put on rollicking sets and to boot, Jersey punk nobles The Bouncing Souls will open.

Don't Edit

Shawn Mendes

Aug. 17, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: Your teens will thank you greatly for the tickets to see Mendes, the latest teen-pop megastar who is inescapable on radio right now. Think Justin Bieber, but with a more unassuming, singer-songwriter side.

Don't Edit

John Mayer

Aug. 18, BB&T Pavilion, Camden; Aug. 19, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel

Why it's worth it: The Connecticut singer-songwriter every girl loved in the early 2000s is back in a big way in 2017, with a new LP "The Search for Everything" he's been rolling out little by little online (set for full release in April) and his first full-size U.S. tour — without members of the Grateful Dead — in a while. Grab a ticket and check out the new tunes, plus some big singalongs to "No Such Thing" and "Daughters."

Don't Edit

Lionel Richie + Mariah Carey

Aug. 18, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: After Mariah's major lip-sync faux pas on New Year's Eve, this is her chance to remind why she was the pop artist on the '90s — and that she can still sing. Of course, the ever-silky Lionel Richie will be along as co-headliner, and whichever duets they choose should be awesome (or awesomely bad, which could be even better)!

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Morristown Jazz and Blues Festival

Aug. 19, On the Green in Morristown

Why it's worth it: Though we don't quite know who will play the event yet, this free festival On The Green in Morristown is always a day full of tremendous talent from New Jersey and beyond. Last year the pedal-steel virtuoso Robert Randolph headlined and blew the place away. Who will try to top him this year?

Don't Edit

Santana

Aug. 20, Borgata Event Center, Atlantic City

Why it's worth it: One of the greatest guitarist to ever strap on a six-string is still touring. And in a venue as small as Borgata's Event Center, you'll have a great view no matter where you sit. Mark your calendar!

Don't Edit

Justin Bieber

Aug. 23-24, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

Why it's worth it: Again, a ticket to this show will earn the adoration of your teen daughter. And Bieber has made the full transition from bubblegum heartthrob to massive adult pop star. This is his first full run of stadium shows — let's see how the Biebz handles it.

Don't Edit

Gary Clark Jr.

Aug. 26, The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park

Why it's worth it: Blues-rock and an Asbury Park summer gig are the perfect warm weather match. Clark Jr. does a banner job of incorporating hip-hop and R&B into his sound, and with a powerful band behind him, the Texan's gig is a can't miss.

Don't Edit

Green Day

Aug. 31, BB&T Pavilion, Camden

Why it's worth it: Green Day is, as the band's new album "Radio Revolution" puts it, still breathing, and ready to rock on another huge tour. The band's 2016 LP is a hearty comeback with big, sing-able singles to match the classics like "Basket Case" and "American Idiot." We saw the punkers in the fall and they seemed re-energized.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Roger Waters

Sept. 7, Prudential Center, Newark

Why it's worth it: This is as close to a true Pink Floyd show as you'll see in 2017, with Waters, 73, promising to play mostly old favorites. Though his Us + Them Tour does seem a bit pretentious; Waters bills himself as "the creative genius of Pink Floyd." David Gilmour might have something to say about that …