Comedian, best-selling author and radio host Steve Harvey teams up with multiple Grammy Award-winning Gospel star Kirk Franklin for the inaugural 2011 Comedy Gospel tour opening night at Philips Arena on Saturday, March 19. Prescott Gilliam and Isaac Carree also entertained the enthusiastic crowd. The Steve Harvey and Kirk Franklin Comedy Gospel Tour was presented by WAMJ 107.5 FM/97.5 FM. In addition to his long-running radio show “The Steve Harvey Morning Show”, his new stint as host of “Family Feud” has proven to be very popular. Kirk Franklin is currently host and co-executive producer of the BET original series, “Sunday Best.”

AJC photographer Robb Cohen covered the show with his camera. Check out the 18-photo online gallery. What did you think  of the show? What did you think of the combination of comedy and gospel together?

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

Continue reading Steve Harvey and Kirk Franklin Opening Night of Comedy Gospel Tour at Philips Arena »

Welsh trio the Joy Formidable takes the stage at the EARL March 22, just one week after the U.S. release of debut album "The Big Roar." Photo: Big Hassle Media

SATURDAY
Al Di Meola
Di Meola, one of the most innovative jazz guitarists of the second half of the 20th century, began his career with the influential all-star fusion outfit Return to Forever in the ’70s. He reunited with former band mates Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White in 2008 for a tour, but now he’s back with his own World Sinfonia and a new album called “Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody.”
8:30 p.m. March 19. $30; $27.50 in advance. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-7354.

SATURDAY
Joe Nichols
Joe Nichols’ voice is melted country chocolate, whether he’s delivering amusing barroom odes (“Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off”) or heart-stopping ballads (“I’ll Wait for You”). He doesn’t feel any need to prove his country credentials. They’re right there in his …

Continue reading Live music picks: March 18-24 »

The B-52s will play a free post-game concert following the Braves' July 16 game against the Washington Nationals. Photo: Jeffrey Lewis

How about a little music with your baseball? That’s what the Atlanta Braves will offer in a series of post-game concerts in the coming season.

The series gets under way opening weekend with the Avett Brothers. These North Carolina siblings and their bandmates grind a little grit into that pop-infused hillbilly folk thing slicked up by groups like the Kingston Trio and the New Christy Minstrels back in the ’50s and ’60s. Next they add a big dash of authenticity with some Louvin Brothers-style harmony and heartbreak, then wallop it with a bushel-basket of punk attitude. They’re also one of the best live acts around. The band plays following the Braves’ April 10 meeting with the Philadelphia Phillies.

On July 16, Georgia Music Hall of Famers the B-52s will take the field. The Athens-born party band is still going strong nearly 35 years after …

Continue reading Atlanta Braves book the B-52s and Avett Brothers »

Motley Crue coming to Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood July 10. Tickets on sale March 19. Photo credit: JIM PURDUM/Beyond Music

ON SALE NOW
Death Is a Dialogue, Almost Legendary, Carly Krantz, 9 p.m. April 9. Vinyl. $10; $8 in advance. TA.
The Digitour 2011, featuring Dave Days, Destorm, Mystery Guitar Man, David Choi, Ricky Ficarrelli, The Gregory Bros, 8 p.m. April 25. Vinyl. $12. TA.
Eisley, The Narrative, Christie Dupree, 8 p.m. April 26. Vinyl. $20; $15 in advance. TA.
Pat Martino, 8:30 p.m. June 18. Center Stage. $45. TM.
Nick 13, 8 p.m. June 27. Vinyl. $12. TA.

ON SALE MARCH 17
Nonpoint, Hail the Villain, Surrender the Fall, 7 p.m. April 16. Masquerade. $14 in advance. TM.

ON SALE MARCH 18
Greyson Chance, Cody Simpson, 7:30 p.m. May 4. Center Stage. $17. TM.
Shai Hulud, Foundation, Venia, Endwell, Lions Lions, 5 p.m. May 8. Masquerade. $10 in advance. TM.
The Smoking Popes, Girl In A Coma, 7 p.m. May 11. Masquerade. $10 in advance. TM.
Terror, Stick To Your Guns, …

Continue reading Hot tickets: March 15 »

Photo: O-Ten

The last time O.M.D. played the U.S., it was to tour stadiums with Depeche Mode.

Monday night, the original lineup, fronted by singer/bassist/keyboardist Andy McCluskey and childhood pal/singer/keyboardist Paul Humphreys, scrunched into The Loft at Center Stage, prompting McCluskey to joke, “This wins the prize for the smallest room we’ve played.”

No matter, as McCluskey made impressive use of his eight feet or so of space, alternately flailing his arms, playing bass like a New Wave robot and snaking his hands through the air with movements reminiscent of Hugh Grant’s character in “Music and Lyrics.”

But McCluskey, in his white shirt and skinny tie (discarded by the second song), proved a self-deprecating host of this synth-fest, which adroitly balanced O.M.D.’s U.K. hits from the ‘80s – “Tesla Girls,” “Locomotion,” “Souvenir” – with some of the group’s excellent new songs.

“It is compulsory to dance as badly as I do,” he told …

Continue reading O.M.D. deftly blends nostalgia with new at Loft show »

Photo: Jenni Girtman/AJC staff, 2005

From there Here’s Something You Don’t See Everyday Files:

An email to those who purchased tickets to Lauryn Hill’s Jan. 14 show at Center Stage hit the inbox this afternoon, inviting those same ticket buyers to a free, invite-only show March 30 at the venue.

“Due to the late start, Ms. Hill felt the fans didn’t receive a proper representation of the true musical experience she intended them to have,” it said in part.

Hill, whose excessive tardiness to her shows has been well-documented, stayed true to those habits at the January concert, arriving on stage just before midnight and playing a set that had the blogosphere buzzing.

According to some reports, many in the sold-out audience walked out once Hill announced that she was tired of playing the same music every night and indulged in unrecognizable versions of her songs.

The email provides details about how to claim the free tickets (you will receive the same number of tickets …

Continue reading Lauryn Hill makes up for botched January show »

Kem headlined a night of R&B and Neo-Soul Thursday night at the nearly full Fox Theatre, with opening acts Musiq Soulchild and Ledisi providing support. Kem Owens wrote, produced, and financed his self-released debut album, Kemistry, with his American Express and singing top 40 cover tunes in a wedding band and waiting tables. He was later signed by Motown Records in November 2001, who re-released the album on February 25, 2003, and sold more than 500,000 copies nationwide. The album’s first single, “Love Calls”, became a hit at urban adult contemporary and smooth jazz radio, and USA Today pegged it early on as a “Motown classic.” His debut went gold-plus. a second show was added Friday night.

AJC photographer Robb Cohen covered the show with his camera. See the 18-photo gallery . What did you think of the show? Who shined the brightest?

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

Continue reading Kem, Musiq Soulchild & Ledisi Fill The Fox With R&B and Soul Stylings »

Derek Webb plays an all-ages show at Smith's Olde Bar March 12. Photo: INO Records

TODAY
Colin Hay
Hay has had a long solo career, but he’ll probably always be know as the frontman of Men at Work. It’s easy to think of that band as a dated ’80s relic, but put the group’s work alongside contemporaries like Kajagoogoo and A Flock of Seagulls and see which holds up better.
8:30 p.m. March 11. $22.50; $20 advance. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-7354.

TODAY-SATURDAY
The Chieftains
The multiple Grammy-winning band formed in the early 1960s and its members have become the foremost ambassadors of the Emerald Isle’s traditional music. Founder Paddy Moloney is still manning the Uilleann pipes and tin whistle, Matt Molloy is on flute, Sean Keane on fiddle and Kevin Conneff still bangs the bodhran, but the band promises more than 12 musicians on stage at all times during this tour. The spectacular is the group’s first U.S. tour since 2010’s …

Continue reading Live music picks: March 11-16 »

The Series A lineup for this summer at Chastain Park Amphitheatre includes a couple of young hot shots, a wonderfully sarcastic clan of comedians and a slew of veterans (has it really been 35 years since “Frampton Comes Alive”?).

Tickets for the series and any combination of two or more shows are on sale at 10 a.m. Sunday (March 13) and can be purchased at www.chastainseries.com or by calling (404) 233-2227.

Individual shows will go on sale at a later date.

– Paul Simon, 8 p.m. May 21 ($59.50-$99.50)

– James Taylor & His Legendary Band, 8 p.m. May 27 ($50-$86.50)

– B.B. King and Buddy Guy, 8 p.m. June 5 ($50-$80)

– Chelsea Handler with special guests Heather McDonald

Josh Wolf and Brad Wollack, 8 p.m. June 10 ($50-$84)

– Daryl Hall & John Oates, 8 p.m. June 19 ($50-$69.50)

– Jennifer Hudson, 8 p.m. July 2 ($55-$90)

– Rihanna with Cee Lo Green, 7:30 p.m. $59.50-$139.50

*Non Table Set-Up/No Coolers or Carry-Ins

– Peter Frampton, 8 p.m. July 21 ($49.50-$69.50)

– Steely …

Continue reading Chastain announces summer series »

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band come to Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood on May 24. Tickets on sale March 12. Photo: Courtesy of Live Nation.

ON SALE NOW
The Flatlanders. 7 p.m. March 25. Agnes Scott College, Presser Hall. $30. TA.
Afro-Cuban All Stars. 8:30 p.m. April 2. Variety Playhouse. $30; $25 in advance. TM.
Eulogy (A Tool Tribute), Take the Power Back. 9 p.m. April 15. Vinyl. $12; $10 in advance. TA.
Pete Yorn, Ben Kweller, The Wellspring. 9 p.m. April 22. Center Stage. $27. TM.
Diddy Dirty Money. 8 p.m. April 26. Tabernacle. $65 reserved; $40 general admission. LN.
Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals. 8:30 p.m. May 22. The EARL. $14; $12 in advance.

ON SALE MARCH 9
Elizabeth & the Catapult. 9 p.m. May 26. Vinyl. $12; $10 in advance.

ON SALE MARCH 11
Rooney, The Skybombers, Voxhaul Broadcast. 8:30 p.m. April 22. Variety Playhouse. $17.50; $15 in advance. TM.
My Life With the Thrill Kill Cult, 16 Volt. 8 p.m. May 2. Masquerade. $14. TM.
Bomba Estereo. 7 p.m. …

Continue reading Hot tickets: March 8 »