Editing 1997 in music (section)

===July–August===
*[[July 1]] – [[Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong]] to China: [[Tan Dun]]'s ''Symphony 1997: Heaven, Earth, Mankind'' for orchestra, biānzhōng bells, children's chorus and solo cello is premièred as part of the official ceremony.
*[[July 5]] – The first [[Lilith Fair]] tour kicks off at [[The Gorge Amphitheatre]] in [[George, Washington]]. [[Sarah McLachlan]], [[Tracy Chapman]] and [[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]] are among the performers.
*[[July 15]]–20 – The second [[Yoyo A Go Go]] punk and indie rock festival opens in [[Olympia, Washington]].
*[[August 3]] – [[The Black Crowes]] perform their last show with [[Johnny Colt]] and [[Marc Ford]].
*[[August 4]] – Nigerian [[afrobeat]] pioneer and dissident pop star [[Fela Kuti|Fela Anikulapo-Kuti]] dies in [[Lagos]], Nigeria, of HIV-related illness.
*[[August 7]] – [[Garth Brooks]] performs to an estimated 800,000 to one million people during a free concert given in [[Central Park]], New York City.
*[[August 11]] – The [[Backstreet Boys]] release their second international album, ''[[Backstreet's Back]]''.
*[[August 12]] – The [[Backstreet Boys]] release their U.S. debut album, [[Backstreet Boys (1997 album)|''Backstreet Boys'']].
*[[August 14]] – [[Godspeed You! Black Emperor]] releases debut album, [[F♯ A♯ ∞]] 
*[[August 16]]–17 – [[Phish]] perform at the two-day music festival, [[The Great Went]], at [[Loring Air Force Base]] in [[Limestone, Maine]], US. They play 500 minutes of music, six sets and two encores. There is an estimated attendance of between 65,000 and 70,000, and it is the top-grossing concert of the season, making over $4,000,000 in box office receipts.
*[[August 19]] – The reunited [[Fleetwood Mac]] begin a concert tour in the United States.
*[[August 30]] – "[[Mo Money Mo Problems]]" reaches #1 on the Hot 100 singles chart, making [[Notorious B.I.G.]] the first artist to achieve two posthumous #1 singles.