Atlanta’s Zac Brown Band will play a pair of hometown shows at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta on May 8-9. Photo: Danny Clinch.
BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
Forget about the annoying aspects of spring — the pollen, the rain, then more pollen and more rain — and remember that it’s the start of another glistening concert season, both indoors and out.
There is a glut of festivals in April and May, but those will be detailed in their own stories. Also excluded here are some artists who will receive their own preview stories closer to their shows — so you’ll soon be reading more about Bryan Adams, Brandy Clark, Steve Winwood, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow and some others.
Make sure to check out Live Music Picks and Hot Tix every week in Go Guide and on the Music Scene blog for complete listings of updated concert information.
All tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000 unless otherwise noted.
The Bangles. With their combination of sunny harmonies (“Manic Monday”), New Wave inflections (“Going Down to Liverpool”) and dusky dabblings (their cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Hazy Shade of Winter” is superbly moody), the Bangles offered much to love in their ’80s heyday. A trio since bassist Michael Steele departed in 2005, the band is anchored by the mellifluous vocals of Susanna Hoffs, combined with the guitar and drums, respectively, of sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson. 8:30 p.m. April 11. $35. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta.
Diana Krall returns after postponing her tour last fall due to illness.
Diana Krall. A lengthy bout with pneumonia sidelined the jazz singer-pianist last fall when she originally planned to hit the road. But now she’s ready to unleash her soulful contralto on her “Wallflower” tour, named after her most recent album of covers by artists including Paul McCartney, Elton John, the Eagles and Bob Dylan, whose song gives the album its namesake. 8 p.m. April 19. $49.50-$125.50. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta.
The Waterboys. A couple of weeks after the release of their first new album in eight years, “Modern Blues,” Waterboys leader Mike Scott will embark on a nationwide tour that includes bassist David Hood (father of Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood) on his first tour since playing with Traffic in 1972. Other musicians joining Scott include longtime Waterboys fiddler Steve Wickham and drummer Ralph Salmins. 8 p.m. April 19. $35. Variety Playhouse.
Denny Laine. With a pedigree that includes being an original member of the Moody Blues and the guitarist in Wings, no doubt Laine will have an extensive catalog of songs to choose from during his live performance. He also maintained a robust solo career, releasing more than a dozen albums between 1973 and 1999. 8 p.m. April 20. $20 (advance general admission); $40 (general admission and meet and greet); $100 (reserved table for four); $200 (front row reserved table for four plus meet and greet). Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 1-877-725-8849, http://ift.tt/1a74Wvt.
Sleater-Kinney. The heralded punk rock trio from the ’90s is enjoying a resurgence with this reunion tour. Corin Tucker, Janet Weiss and Carrie Brownstein (now also a TV star thanks to “Portlandia”) earlier this year released “No Cities to Love,” their first album of new material in a decade. With THEESatisfaction. 8 p.m. April 21. $30. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta.
The Who. The band’s hit list is extensive enough to guarantee that a Who song is always playing on some classic rock station somewhere in the world. “The Who Hits 50” tour will launch April 15 in Florida and will feature, according to Pete Townshend, “hits, picks, mixes and misses.” With Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. 7:30 p.m. April 23. $39.50-$139.50. The Arena at Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 1-888-929-7849, http://ift.tt/1gci9F7.
Newly minted MusiCares Person of the Year, Bob Dylan, will perform at the Fox Theatre April 24. Photo: Getty Images.
Bob Dylan. At his recent christening as the MusiCares Person of the Year, Dylan unfurled a fascinating, insightful speech (read all of it here) that reiterated his intriguing eccentricity. He’ll bring his unique voice and timeless songs on a 19-city tour with his band in support of his new album, the Sinatra homage, “Shadows in the Night.” 8 p.m. April 24. $64.60-$137.30. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 1-855-285-8499, www.foxtheatre.org.
Death Cab for Cutie. The Washington state-based indie-alt rockers just released the new album “Kintsugi,” their eighth. Joining them on this tour to support the release are Dave Depper (guitar/keyboards) and Zac Rae (keyboards), who replace guitarist Chris Walla, who left the band last year after 17 years. 8 p.m. April 27. $32-$38. Fox Theatre.
The Doobie Brothers. The band now falls into that “perennially touring” category, but hey, as long as fans keep coming to hear well-worn radio classics such as “China Grove” and “Long Train Runnin’,” the band will keep flexing its muscles. This summer, they’ll be joined by former Eagles guitarist — and one of the nicest guys in rock ‘n’ roll — Don Felder. 7:30 p.m. May 2. $19.50-$99.50. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta.
The Whispers with Stephanie Mills and Angela Winbush. It’s a dream bill for fans of classic R&B. The Whispers recently released the gospel album “Thankful,” but will surely break out hits including “And the Beat Goes On” and “Rock Steady,” while Mills, the voice behind “Never Knew Love Like This Before” and “(“You’re Puttin’) A Rush on Me,” has her own heady catalog from which to draw. 7 p.m. May 2. $35-$90. Wolf Creek Amphitheatre, 3024 Merk Road S.W., Atlanta. 1-877-725-8849, http://ift.tt/1a74Wvt.
Zac Brown Band. The band’s impending fourth album, “Jekyll + Hyde,” might be the most appropriately named album this century. The Atlanta country superstars haven’t abandoned their breezy harmonizing, but a whiplash-inducing grinder with Chris Cornell (“Heavy Is the Head’) and the James Taylor-esque “Dress Blues” suggest interesting detours lie ahead. 7 p.m. May 8-9. $36.50-$89.50. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.
Georgia native Butch Walker will visit Atlanta Symphony Hall this spring.
Butch Walker. The Georgia native has never shied from digging deep while remaining accessible, whether on his own songs or the trove he’s written for artists including Pink and Keith Urban. But “Afraid of Ghosts,” written following the death of his beloved father, finds Walker exploring mortality. Ryan Adams produced the album, which features guest shots from Johnny Depp and Bob Mould. 8 p.m. May 15. $25.50-$59.50. Atlanta Symphony Hall.
Todd Rundgren. What is more impressive — Rundgren’s career as a producer (Grand Funk Railroad, Meat Loaf, XTC), as a songwriter (“Hello, It’s Me” “I Saw the Light”) or his regular stints as a multi-instrumentalist on Ringo Starr’s “All Starr Band” tours? You can marvel at his musical gifts during this tour to support his new album, “Global,” coming April 7. 8 p.m. May 20. $26-$31. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta.
Diana Ross will launch the 2015 Live Nation Chastain concert series on May 22.
Diana Ross. Miss Ross the Boss can always be counted on to produce a slick, brisk show stocked with hits. For her “In the Name of Love” tour, she’s been rolling out a 22-song set list that ranges from a Billie Holiday cover (“Don’t Explain”) to Supremes classics (“You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Baby Love”) to aching ballads (“Theme From Mahogany [Do You Know Where You’re Going To]”). 8 p.m. May 22. $46-$76. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive N.W., Atlanta.
Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet. Their zippy mixture of zydeco, Cajun and folk music has been enlightening listeners since the mid-’70s. Since then, the band has released more than two dozen albums, most recently “From Bamako to Carencro” in 2013. 8 p.m. May 22. $20-$25. Red Clay Music Foundry, 3116 Main St., Duluth. 404-478-2749, http://ift.tt/1Jbsdtg.
Billy Idol. The most famous sneer in ’80s rock was supposed to launch his tour in January with dates in New Orleans and Atlanta, but a chest infection postponed those plans. But no worries — William Broad is back in top form and, along with longtime guitar sidekick Steve Stevens, will trot out the meaty fist-pumpers that enthralled a generation, as well as some new songs from his robust new album, “Kings & Queens of the Underground.” With Broncho. 8 p.m. May 26. $38.50-$46.50. The Tabernacle.
New Kids on the Block with TLC and Nelly. Although NKOTB are the rightful headliners of this nostalgia blast, the homecoming of Atlanta’s TLC is what will pique the interest of many local fans. In a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, TLC’s Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas said of her and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins’ tour mates, “They have crazy hits and we share that same thing. Once you have surpassed a certain number of sales, we’re all sharing the same fans.” 7 p.m. June 6. $29.50-$105. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta.
Al Jarreau. The silky voice behind such timeless R&B-jazz gems as “We’re in This Love Together,” “So Good” and the theme from “Moonlighting” last year released the tribute album, “My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke.” 8 p.m. June 6. $45-$100. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, 201 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. 1-877-725-8849, http://ift.tt/1a74Wvt.
Kenny Chesney will take over the Georgia Dome in June with some friends.
Kenny Chesney. Chesney’s “Big Revival” bash launched last week in Nashville, Tenn., and the three-hour blowout didn’t even include Eric Church, who will join Mr. “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.” The Atlanta date will mark Chesney’s third visit to the Dome in four years. With Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Chase Rice and Old Dominion. 5 p.m. June 13. $39.50-$199.50. Georgia Dome, 1 Georgia Dome Drive N.W., Atlanta.
Lana Del Rey. Last fall, Del Rey performed a set at Music Midtown, a perhaps too-large stage for her ethereal voice. She’s opting for large amphitheaters for her 18-city tour — her first official headlining outing — to support her second full-length studio album (as Lana Del Rey), “Ultraviolence.” The singer is expected to release another album, “Honeymoon,” sometime this year. 7:30 p.m. June 14. $25-$79.50. Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta.
“Weird Al” Yankovic. The parody master with the distinctive mane nabbed his fourth career Grammy this year for his No. 1 album, “Mandatory Fun.” At a pre-Grammy event, Yankovic discussed his tour, which starts in May. “It’s not just being on stage with the guys rocking out,” he said. “There are costume changes and film on a big screen. I’m working with a stylist to come up with costumes. There are a lot of moving parts.” 8 p.m. June 20. $39.50-$89.50. Chastain.
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