Photo credit: Adam Boatman / Rock The Boat Productions

Lady Antebellum’s sophomore album, “Need You Now,” has been certified triple platinum, with sales of more than 3 million.

The band with Augusta roots also was crowned with a distinction from Billboard: Its songs have spent more weeks at No. 1 in the past 12 months than any other country artist – a figure no doubt owed to the lengthy chart run and quadruple platinum success of the title track.

Lady A is up for five trophies at the Nov.10 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year.

The band is also in the midst of its first headlining tour, which plays the Fox Theatre Nov. 12.

Continue reading Lady Antebellum hits triple platinum »

Tom Shimura, who creates his inventive underground hip-hop under the name Lyrics Born, will be the host for the Bay Area Rap Teamup at the A3C Festival at the Masquerade on Friday, Oct. 8. His new album, "As U Were," is scheduled for an Oct. 26 release. Photo: Dylan Maddux

THURSDAY-SATURDAY
A3C Festival
Hip-hop isn’t all about chart-toppers who ride around in their Rolls-Royces swigging Cristal. Under the radar, there are artists working outside the music industry system, creating music that doesn’t easily slot into radio playlists. That doesn’t mean you won’t see a future (or even current) star at the A3C Fest, but it’s pretty much certain that you’ll hear some of the most inventive hip-hop being crafted today.
Oct. 7-9. $33 festival passes; $20 single night passes. The Masquerade, 695 North Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-577-8178.

SATURDAY
Asylum Street Spankers
The rootsy, nostalgic group is laugh-out-loud funny. It’s also packed with seriously talented musicians …

Continue reading Live music picks: Oct. 8-14 »

Indie darlings The National are a Brooklyn-based rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999. Touring behind their latest release, “High Violet”, they rocked the Fox Tuesday night, October 5, with Owen Pallett opening. The band’s lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone. The rest of the band is composed of two pairs of brothers: Aaron and Bryce Dessner and Scott and Bryan Devendorf. Aaron plays guitar, bass and piano, Bryce plays guitar, Scott plays bass and guitar, and Bryan is the drummer.

Photographer Robb Cohen was there to cover the show with his camera. Click here to view his 15-photo online gallery. And click here for a full review by AJC staff writer Katie Leslie. In the meantime, tell us: What do you like about The National? Tell us what you thought of the concert.

(Photo Credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.robbsphotos.com)  For other concert photography linked to Access Atlanta, please visit  Atlanta Concert Photography Galleries.

Continue reading The National Rocks The Fabulous Fox Tuesday Night »

Florida-born quintet Sister Hazel hits Center Stage on Dec. 11 in support of a new album called Heartland Highway, which will be released Oct. 12.

ON SALE OCT. 8
Disgrace. 8 p.m. Nov. 15. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $15 in advance. TA.
Toots & the Maytals. 8:30 p.m. Nov. 16. The Loft. $24; $21.50 in advance. TA.
Bo Burnham. 8 p.m. Nov. 21. Variety Playhouse. $25. TM.
Whynatte Second Anniversary with the Constellations. 8 p.m. Nov. 24. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $15; $12 in advance. TA.
The Swingin’ Richards. 8 p.m. Nov. 27. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $10; $8 in advance. TA.
Sister Hazel. 8:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Center Stage. $24; $20 in advance. TM.
The 12 Days of Christmas: Amy Grant and Vince Gill. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20. Fox Theatre. $25-$175. TM.
Vonnegutt. 8 p.m. Dec. 30.Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $12; $10 in advance TA.
Drumline Live. 8 p.m. Jan. 12. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. $13-$63. TM.

UPCOMING SHOWS
Foals. 7 p.m. Oct. 5.

Continue reading Hot tickets: Oct. 5 »

Mary J. Blige worked so hard onstage, you felt guilty for sitting down for a few minutes.

After all, if the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, who hits 40 in three months, can perform for 90 minutes nonstop with only the briefest of costume changes halting her momentum, her fans should be able to keep up.

But it was difficult for the crowd of more than 6,500 to match her unflagging energy, no matter how much adrenaline pumped through them.

That’s because Blige, who looked sleek and hip in a shimmery, skintight body suit and thigh-high black boots, constructed a show designed to cycle seamlessly through her 18 years of hits.

If there is a minor quibble with Saturday’s perfect-weather concert at Chastain Park – the official kickoff of her “Music Saved My Life” tour — it’s that some of the songs were performed in medley form rather than full versions.

But the pacing worked in Blige’s favor. Not only did she manage to squeeze about 30 tunes into the set, but the segues between …

Continue reading Mary J. Blige admirably tireless during tour kickoff at Chastain Park »

The Jagermeister Music tour treated heavy metal fans to ear-splitting performances Friday night by Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. Slayer seemed to have the most fans, but each band received an enthusiastic greeting.

And while the AJC wasn’t there to review it, AJC photographer Robb Cohen was covering the show with his camera.  Click on this link to view the 20-photo online gallery: Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth: Triple metal threat . What do you think of this combination of bands? Who was your favorite?

(Photo Credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.robbsphotos.com)  For other concert photography linked to Access Atlanta, please visit  Atlanta Concert Photography Galleries.

Continue reading Slayer and Megadeth Treat Metal Fans To High Energy Concert Friday Night »