’90’s R&B superstar groups Boyz II Men and En Vogue had the Chastain Park Amphitheatre jumping Friday night in a hits-filled evening of soulful ballads. Based on record sales, Boyz II Men is the most successful R&B group (male or female) of all time, having sold more than sixty million albums worldwide.  In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but currently the group is a trio, comprised of members Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman. The group won four Grammy Awards in the 1990s, and the trio was nominated for two Grammies in 2009.
En Vogue have won more MTV Video Music Awards than any other female group in history, a total of seven, along with four Soul Train Awards, six American Music Awards, and seven Grammy nominations. According to Billboard Magazine they were the 18th most successful act of the 1990s, and one of the most popular and successful female groups of all time. En Vogue have accumlated over 2,800 weeks on various …

Continue reading Boyz II Men & En Vogue Heat Up Chastain Friday Night »

Carlos Santana performs at Chastain Park Amphitheatre July 29. Click the photo for more shots from the show in our gallery. Photo: Tyson Alan Horne, thorne@ajc.com

by Jamila Robinson
jrobinson@ajc.com

Even on a night with a stifling heat index, the howling of Carlos Santana’s guitar was persuasive enough to make the audience at Chastain Park Amphitheatre sweat further. The women were breaking out their cha-cha steps, the men working themselves into frenzies on imaginary instruments.

Relying heavily on his biggest hits (“Oye Como Va,” “Black Magic Woman”) and tracks from the gazillion-selling 1999 album “Supernatural,” Santana and his cadre of musicians and singers gave hands-in-air performances of  “Maria, Maria,” “Corazon Espinado” and “Smooth.” Clearly an audience-focused, if somewhat predictable, set list.

But there was a surprise. Atlanta’s India Arie joined Santana on stage to perform passion-soaked rendition of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently …

Continue reading Santana at Atlanta’s Chastain Park Amphitheatre »

Are you ready for a tequila sunrise in Piedmont Park?

Live Nation and the Piedmont Park Conservancy confirmed today that the Eagles will be coming to Piedmont Park on Oct. 15. Rumors had been swirling that the perennially popular country-rock pioneers would be playing the park this fall, but nothing was official. Now it is.

This is the Conservancy’s third concert, with the Dave Matthews Band headlining in 2007 and Paul McCartney doing the honors last year. The concert is a benefit to “raise funds to maintain historic Piedmont Park and the new 53-acre expansion, while promoting environmental sustainability,” according to the organization’s website.

The Piedmont Park Conservancy has a special offer. If you sign up for their eNews, you  get a special code that allows you to purchase pre-sale tickets. The pre-sale tickets go on sale Saturday, July 31st at 10am through Ticketmaster.

Will you be lining up for tickets? And how about the prices: $55 ($250 for the VIP package). Is …

Continue reading The Eagles land in Piedmont Park in October »

Mat Kearney headlines at Eddie's Attic on Friday.

FRIDAY
Mat Kearney
He’s been called John Mayer with a touch of hip-hop, and there are certainly similarities between the two. They’re both appealing singer-songwriters with a gift for hooks and melodies. And if you watch much TV, you’ve probably heard his music, especially if you’re a “Grey’s Anatomy” fan. And “Closer to Love,” the first single from his latest album, “The City of Black & White,” was featured in an episode of the locally filmed TV show “The Vampire Diaries.” With Jane Carrey.
8 p.m. July 30. $20. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 404-377-4976.

FRIDAY
Boyz II Men, En Vogue
This bill offers the perfect blend of sweetness and sass. Boyz II Men are the kings of the sentimental R&B ballad and En Vogue’s biggest hits are finger-poppin’, dance-floor-filling fun. Of course, both acts can mix it up, tempo- and attitude-wise, but “End of The Road” and “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” practically …

Continue reading Live music picks, July 30-Aug. 5 »

The Grammy-winning Dave Matthews Band, along with Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule, rocked out the Southside Tuesday night at sold out Aaron’s Amphitheatre. Formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991, founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, violinist Boyd Tinsley, drummer Carter Beauford, and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. In August 2008, LeRoi Moore died due to complications from an ATV accident. Grammy Award-winner Jeff Coffin, of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, has since filled Moore’s spot as the band’s saxophonist. Trumpeter Rashawn Ross and guitarist Tim Reynolds have also become full time touring members of the band.

And while the AJC wasn’t there to review it, AJC photographer Robb Cohen was covering the show with his camera. Check out the 19-photo online gallery here. What did you think of the show? What was your favorite song? How did this concert compare to other DMB shows you’ve seen?

(Photo Credit: Robb D. Cohen/

Continue reading Dave Matthews Band Sells Out Aaron’s Amphitheatre Tuesday Night »

A second show has been added for the Budweiser Superfest, which includes Anthony Hamilton. Photo: Danny Clinch

ON SALE NOW
“America’s Got Talent.” 7:30 Nov. 6. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. $39.50-$97.50. TM.

ON SALE JULY 30
Budweiser Superfest with Anthony Hamilton, KEM, Jaheim and Raheem Devaughn. Second show added. 7 p.m. Sept. 2. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. $49.75-$89.75. LN.
Big Head Todd and the Monsters. 8:30 p.m. Sept. 18. Variety Playhouse. $28; $26 advance.  TM
CocoRosie. 8 p.m. Sept. 21. Variety Playhouse. $20; $18 advance. TM.
Jimmy Eat World. 9 p.m. Sept. 21. Center Stage. $30; $28 advance. TM.
Widespread Panic’s “Tunes for Tots” benefit. 8 p.m. Sept. 23. Center Stage. $125 general admission; $500 VIP tickets, includes cocktail party with the band, early admittance and more. TM (general admission), TA (VIP tickets).
“So You Think You Can Dance” Live Tour. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27. Gwinnett Arena. $37.50-$55. TM.

Sigur Rós vocalist Jónsi brings his solo tour to …

Continue reading Hot tickets: July 27 »

Athens’ New Wave popsters The B-52s (the apostrophe was officiallty dropped in 2008) brought boas, beehives and campy fun to the sold out Frederick Brown Amphitheatre in Peachtree City Saturday night. Formed in 1976, Fred Schneider (percussion, vocals), Cindy Wilson (vocals), Kate Pierson (keyboards, vocals), and Keith Strickland (guitar) kept the crowd on its feet as they danced through a hits-filled set including “Rock Lobster”, “Planet Claire”, “Private Idaho”, “Mesopotamia” and “Love Shack”. Opening the evening at the intimate venue in the woods were Supercluster, also from Athens, which features vocalist Vanessa Briscoe Hay, formerly of the band Pylon.

And while the AJC wasn’t there to review it, AJC photographer Robb Cohen was handy with his camera. Check out the 18-photo online gallery:   The B-52s rock Peachtree City  . What did you think of the show? Do you have a favorite B-52s-related story to share with our readers?

(Photo Credit: Robb D. Cohen/

Continue reading The B-52s Bring Beehives & Campy Fun To The Fred In Peachtree City »

Friday night , the Variety Playhouse hosted a sold out concert by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, a popular five-piece rock band from Waitsfield, Vermont. Blending elements of blues, soul and rock from the 60s and early 70s, they are fronted by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Grace Potter, who plays organ, piano and electric and acoustic guitars. In 2006, the band won the Jammy Award for “Best New Groove.” Their song “Apologies” has been featured on the  shows All My Children, Kyle XY, One Tree Hill, and Brothers & Sisters, while the song “Falling or Flying” was featured on ER and Grey’s Anatomy. Recently, the group appeared on the soundtrack for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland with a live cover version of the Jefferson Airplane classic “White Rabbit”.

And while the AJC wasn’t there to cover it, AJC’s Robb Cohen was handy with his camera. What did you think of the show and what sets Grace Potter and the Nocturnals apart from other bands?

(Photo Credit: Matt Alexandre/

Continue reading Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Pack The Variety Playhouse »

Marc Broussard opens for Chris Isaak at Chastain Park Amphitheatre on Saturday.

SATURDAY
Noot d’ Noot
Noot d’ Noot blends psychedelia and R&B as if they were natural bedfellows, and frankly, they are (just ask Funkadelic). Think a touch of OutKast and the New York-based mutant disco of the turn of the ’80s melded with modern indie rock. The Atlanta 10-piece has a new album of mind-bending soul called “From Ever Since.” Judi Chicago and DJ Gnosis join the band for this CD release gig.
9 p.m. July 23. $8. The EARL, 488 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta. 404-522-3950.

SATURDAY
Chris Isaak,   Marc Broussard
The California crooner and actor is always a favorite with the crowd at Chastain. This time, the broodingly handsome vocalist brings along talented opening act Broussard. Broussard is a soulful Louisiana singer, songwriter and guitarist who is carving out his own musical territory while maintaining an admirable reverence for tradition.
8 p.m. July 24. $19-$69. Chastain Park …

Continue reading Live music picks, July 23-29 »

On October 15, the Piedmont Park Conservancy is holding a huge concert to raise money, but how can they top Paul McCartney last year?

The non-profit group is certainly going to try. The rumored big name? We can’t say, but fans of this Baby Boomer-friendly band should have a peaceful, easy feeling about the selection.

The band name will be announced at a press conference next week.

Continue reading What is Piedmont Park Conservancy’s latest big fundraising concert draw? »