Raleigh Downtown Live has certainly taken its lumps in recent years for how many retreads and burnouts play the series. But they just confirmed a terrific headliner for July 11 -- the ageless Joan Jett, in her first Triangle performance since the 2006 Vans Warped tour. Yes, her commercial peak was three decades ago. But she still brings it.

also, if you've got a local act in mind to open this or any other RDL show, vote here.

More acts are popping up on the Raleigh Downtown Live schedule, most notably the Charlie Daniels Band (featuring Wilmington native Daniels) on July 25. Gee, how many times you think he'll play his biggest hit?

Also new to the schedule is another alt-rock band that peaked in the mid-'90s, Filter on June 13; alongside the similarly vibed Candlebox, still down for the season-opening show on May 30.

Well, how about that. Not only does the Raleigh Downtown Live free-concert series already have its 2009 dates on the books, but the first act is lined up. That will be Seattle grunge band Candlebox (a triple-platinum act back in 1993) on May 30.

Raleigh Downtown Live wrapped up its 2008 season on Saturday, with an announced crowd of 16,400 (!) at Moore Square for Puddle of Mudd. The free seven-show series drew a reported total of 71,050 people. And lo and behold, RDL producer Deep South Entertainment has already set dates for 2009 (which didn't happen this year until February). So if you want to mark your calendar:

May 30
June 13
June 27
July 11
July 25
Aug. 8
Aug. 22

Maybe that new downtown amphitheater will be ready to go by then?