By Q. McElroy

More than once Saturday night, Academy-Award winner Jamie Foxx said he was told that Chastain Park would be a laid-back crowd. But thanks to his wooing of the single ladies and his naturally comedic manner, the stylish group proved that rumor wrong even as tea candles, flower centerpieces and wine bottles dotted the amphitheater.

Jamie did a rocked out version of "Blame It" for his finale. Photo by Q. McElroy

Foxx set the tone when he hit the stage about 8:45 p.m. decked in black leather pants and a red-and-black leather jacket that reminded us of Michael Jackson – and Eddie Murphy, circa “Raw.” And by the way, he was rapping. After joking about tossing the $2K jacket into the crowd (he said maybe on the next tour, when we’re out of the recession), he slowed things down by channeling baby making music by Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, Prince – and even a snippet of the Eurhythmics “Sweet Dreams.”

He reenergized when he morphed into his award-winning performance …

Continue reading Jamie Foxx sets stage for flirty romance in Atlanta »

SEE THE FULL PHOTO GALLERY:  Britney’s ‘Circus’ revisits Atlanta

Britney Spears brought her Circus Tour to a near capacity Philips Arena for the second time Friday night, September 4, 2009. Opening acts included Jordin Sparks, One Call and Kristina Debarge. After the Big Apple Circus opened with a 14-minute performance of acrobatics, Britney sang “Circus”, “Piece Of Me” and “Radar.”

BRITNEY STATS: According to Zomba Label Group and Sony Music, Spears has sold over 83 million records worldwide. In addition, she is ranked as the eighth best-selling female recording artist in the U.S. with 32 million copies of her albums certified by the RIAA, and is currently the fifth best selling artist act of the decade in the country, as well as the top selling female artist. Spears is also ranked by Forbes‘ 2009 issue as the 13th most powerful celebrity and the 2nd most top-earning young musician with over $35 million dollars in earnings this year. She is listed by the Guinness World …

Continue reading Britney Spears & Jordin Sparks Light Up Philips Arena »

Show times have finally been confirmed for the free concert in Centennial Park Sept. 5 when ESPN’s College GameDay comes to Atlanta. Gates open at 3 p.m., Drivin N Cryin starts at 3:45 p.m. and Collective Soul goes on at 5 p.m.

Continue reading Times confirmed for free D’n'C, Collective Soul shows »

SEE THE FULL PHOTO GALLERY: Taylor Swift performs at Gwinnett Arena

Nineteen year old Taylor Alison Swift, born in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania on December 13, 1989, has quickly become a superstar country-pop, singer-songwriter, guitarist and actress. She sold out the Arena at Gwinnett Center Thursday night, September 3, 2009, on her Fearless tour 2009. Kellie Pickler and Gloriana opened the show.

In 2006, Taylor Swift released her debut single “Tim McGraw”, which peaked at number six on the Billboard country charts. Later in October 2006, at age sixteen, she released her self-titled debut album, which produced five hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and was certified triple Platinum. The New York Times described her as “one of pop’s finest songwriters, country’s foremost pragmatist and more in touch with her inner life than most adults”.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, Taylor was the biggest selling artist of 2008 in America with combined sales of more than …

Continue reading Taylor Swift & Kellie Pickler Pack Gwinnett Arena »

When you hear than B.B. King is 83 years old, battling diabetes and sits during all of his performances, it’s easy to assume that you’ll find a frail old man on his “unofficial” farewell tour. You couldn’t be more wrong.

The king of blues already had his farewell tour in 2006. And “Never say never,” says the man who three years later, still tours around the world, putting on more than 250 shows each year. Even though he turns 84 in less than two weeks, King is as frisky and fresh (on the guitar and off) as he was 40 years ago.

“Don’t be surprised if you see me shaking my boogie a little bit,” he told fans at Wednesday night’s sold-out show at the intimate Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre in Mabelton. All night long, you expected him to do just that as he jammed in his seat.

After 60 years, the blues legend has perfected charming the crowd with song, funny tales (including one about Dr. Viagra) and quips that make him even laugh:

On Michael Phelps: “A guy who swim as fast …

Continue reading B.B. King charms with songs, tales, Lucille »

SATURDAY

The Rippingtons

It may not be fall officially, but the cool and soothing sounds of the Rippingtons might make you feel autumnal. The smooth jazz outfit has been bringing the mellow vibe for more than two decades with guitarist and sole constant Russ Freeman leading the way.

8 p.m. Sept. 5. $35. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354, www.variety-playhouse.com.

Caroline Herring

“Celebrating Eudora”

Kate Campbell, Claire Holley, Decatur resident Caroline Herring and multiple Grammy winner Mary Chapin Carpenter will pay tribute to author Eudora Welty. You can’t go wrong with four singer-songwriters as talented as these women, each one a musical storyteller of remarkable talent. This show was first performed earlier this year in Welty’s hometown of Jackson, Miss., in the days surrounding the 100th anniversary of her birth. Holley, Campbell and Decatur resident Herring all grew up in Mississippi, while Carpenter’s “Halley Came to Jackson” č a song and a …

Continue reading Live music picks Sept. 4-10 »

KISS will perform at Philips Arena on Oct. 26. Tickets go on sale Sept. 19. Credit: Christopher Barth / Associated Press

LN = Live Nation, 1-877-598-8698, www.livenation.com
TM = Ticketmaster, 404-249-6400, www.ticketmaster.com
TA = Ticketalternative, 1-877-725-8849, www.ticketalternative.com

ON SALE SEPT. 4
David Cross. 8 p.m. Oct. 17. The Tabernacle. $35. LN.
Kailash Kher. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8. Variety Playhouse. $25. TM.
Leo Kottke. 8:30 p.m. Nov. 13. Variety Playhouse. $25; $22.50 advance. TM.

ON SALE SEPT. 19
KISS with Buckcherry. 8 p.m. Oct. 26. Philips Arena. Ticket prices TBA. TM.

UPCOMING SHOWS
Depeche Mode. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1. Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood. $59.50-$89.50; $35.50 lawn; $99 lawn 4-packs. TM.
Down with The Melvins. 8 p.m. Sept. 1. Center Stage. $29; $25 advance. TM.
B.B. King. 7 p.m. Sept. 2. Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. $42-$49.75; $20 lawn. TM.
The Georgia Satellites and Jupiter Coyote. 5 p.m. Sept. 3. Old Towne Tavern, Kennesaw. $10 at the …

Continue reading Hot tickets 9/1 »