All Of The Big Concerts in Portland, Maine, Back in 1996

It's about that time of the year in Maine where big tours roll into Vacationland and thousands of people pile into venues to live the music through a concert.

These days, big concerts are spread out between Portland and Bangor, Maine.

Portland's largest venues are Thompson's Point and the Cross Insurance Arena. Bangor has the Maine Savings Amphitheater, which serves as Maine's largest concert venue.

30 years ago, it was a much different story. If you had a big tour and you wanted to play in Maine, there was only one choice.

The Cumberland County Civic Center.

In 1996, the venue welcome some massive headliners for memorable shows.

Bush - February 1

Riding the success of their massive album Sixteen Stone, alt-rockers Bush visited the Cumberland County Civic Center on February 1.

The band delivered a 16-song setlist that night, including debuting a song called "Greedy Fly" that would later become a hit on their sophomore album Razorblade Suitcase.

Rod Stewart - March 6

30 years ago, Rod Stewart embarked on a massive nationwide tour behind his new album A Spanner in the Works which included a stop in Portland, Maine.

Steward wowed the audience at the Cumberland County Civic Center with a 24-song setlist and closed the show with "Sweet Little Rock & Roller".

AC/DC - March 18

The day after St. Patrick's Day in Portland, Maine, felt like a party when rock legends AC/DC plugged in and tore the Cumberland County Civic Center down.

The band delivered a 20-song setlist and fittingly closed with "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)".

Reba McEntire - April 11

Reba McEntire played 61 shows in 1996, including a one-night-only event at the Cumberland County Civic Center on April 11.

Reba delivered a 17-song set, featuring a pair of new songs that would later be released as part of a new album called What If It's You.

The Cure - July 6

The Cure brought their international The Swing Tour to Portland, Maine, on July 6 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

The tour was heavily scrutinized as frontman Robert Smith struggled throughout the dates with his appearance and a reliance on drinking.

Dwight Yoakam - July 18

The classic country sounds of Dwight Yoakam came to the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine, on July 18, 1996.

Yoakam dazzled the audience with a 25-song setlist and closed with "Long White Cadillac".

Jackson Browne - August 3

Jackson Browne hit the road extensively in 1996 behind his new album Looking East which included a stop in Portland, Maine, on August 3.

Browne wowed the crowd with a mix of old and new and closed his 23-song set on that Saturday night with "For A Rocker".

Meat Loaf - August 16

Meat Loaf spent much of 1996 on the road bringing his Born To Rock tour across multiple continents.

Meat Loaf returned to the states in the summer and delivered an unforgettable performance at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Friday, August 16.

Melissa Etheridge - August 25

Melissa Etheridge was at the peak of her mainstream popularity in the mid-90's behind her Your Little Secret album.

As she always does, Etheridge played a lengthy setlist at the Cumberland County Civic Center that night and she still frequently returns to Maine to play shows to this day.

Garth Brooks - August 27 through 31

In 1996, Garth Brooks embarked on a unique world tour where he would visit various cities and spend several nights playing shows at the same venue.

Brooks played 5 consecutive nights in Portland, Maine, during this tour, sending fans home on the final night with his rendition of the song "American Pie".

Dave Matthews Band - October 11

Dave Matthews Band has also been a furious touring band but in 1996, it was a different animal.

The band spent most of the year on the road in support of their massive Crash album, including a date at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Friday, October 11.

Smashing Pumpkins - November 4

1996 was an unforgettable year for Smashing Pumpkins. The band embarked on a tour that brought them to 118 cities worldwide where they played 151 shows.

Despite the death of a band member and the arrest of another earlier in the year, the Pumpkins rocked Portland, Maine, with a 16-song setlist on November 4.