Campus Rock: 20 Legendary Bands That Have Played at the University of Maine

When talking about music venues in the state of Maine, two typically come to mind. The first is the massive outdoor venue in Bangor, the Maine Savings Pavilion. The other is the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. Both venues host a wealth of concerts, plus many other events.

While these two facilities gain a lot of attention, there's another venue in the state that should certainly gain attention, considering its great rock history. Actually, it's probably best to explain it as a campus, not a venue, because there are numerous venues to include. Of course, I'm talking about Maine's flagship university UMaine at Orono.

You can't discuss the history of rock 'n roll without discussing the impact that college campuses have had. They are a breeding ground of fans just dying to spend the money they don't have on rock shows, albums, and merch.

UMaine at Orono is a great example of this. The campus has a great history with shows and venues, including years of the popular outdoor festival Bumstock. Heck, even my band back in the day got a few sets at this legendary event, and it was incredible. UMaine has also had various performing arts centers utilized by bands over the years, which made it an attractive option to play.

Believe me when I say we are talking about truly legendary acts. Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, and Phish are just some of the names that have performed on UMaine's campus. These are some of the most influential rock bads ever. That's quite a legacy for UMaine.

How about a closer look at some of the biggest acts that have come through UMaine at Orono.