Her elusiveness is infamous.

Ever since “Your Love is King” first hit the air in 1984, Sade Adu has cultivated an air of mystery.

Between her graceful physical presence and identifiably smoky voice, the British-Nigerian singer-songwriter is a musical icon despite the rarity of her appearances.

Last year, she released “Soldier of Love,” only her sixth studio effort in more than 25 years.

Her absence clearly made her fans’ love for her stronger, as the CD defied current industry trends by selling more than 500,000 copies its first week.

It also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart – a first for Sade in the U.S.

On May 3, Sade and her self-named band begin a tour in Europe that will then snake through America from June to September. It’s their first major road outing in a decade, and, much as with “Solider of Love,” fans have demonstrated that they’ve missed her tremendously.

Already, arena stops in Chicago, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Oakland and Atlanta have sold out, …

Continue reading Sade returns with new tour, hits collection »

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit return to the EARL April 14. Photo: Joshua Black Wilkins

FRIDAY
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters have been putting a little fabulousness back into pop music since making a splash with the Elton-isms of “Take Your Mama” in 2004. The glammed-up and groovilicious quintet digs through the musical closet of the ’70s, reveling in stylistic snippets of the Bee Gees, Abba and David Bowie.
9 p.m. April 8. $30. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-659-9022.

FRIDAY
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Critically acclaimed blues-rock guitarist and singer Susan Tedeschi is a four-time Grammy nominee. Derek Trucks, guitarist for the Allman Brothers, also happens to be Tedeschi’s husband. The pair recently put their own bands on hiatus and joined together for this new project. Their debut album, “Revelator,” is set for release in June. This show is sold out, so if you can’t score a ticket to this one, the band returns to town for a gig at Chastain Park Amphitheatre …

Continue reading Live music picks: April 8-14 »

Tickets for Mumford & Sons’ June 12 show at the Fox Theatre go on sale April 8. Photo courtesy the Billions Corporation

ON SALE APRIL 8
Raphael Saadiq. 8 p.m. May 18. Variety Playhouse. $27.50; $25 in advance. TM.
Miranda Lambert, Josh Kelley, Ashton Shepherd. 7:30 p.m. June 4. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. $19-$49. TM.
Mumford & Sons. 7:30 p.m June 12. Fox Theatre. $35. TM.
Eels. 8 p.m. July 24. Variety Playhouse. $25; $22.50 in advance. TM.
A Perfect Circle. 8 p.m. July 20. The Tabernacle. $57.50. LN.

ON SALE APRIL 9
James Taylor. Second show added. 8 p.m. May 28. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. $35.50-$72. LN.
Sade, John Legend. Second show added 7:30 p.m. July 13. July 12 show already on sale. Philips Arena. $53.50-$153.50. TM.
Ke$ha, LMFAO, Spank Rock. 7:30 p.m. July 30. Gwinnett Arena. $49.50. LN.
Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Leroy Powell and the Messengers. 7 p.m. Aug. 28. Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood. $25.50-$75.50; special general admission lawn 6-packs for $99. LN.

ON …

Continue reading Hot tickets: April 5 »

(L-R) Roger Taylor, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor

How many things have been in your life for 30 years?

Barely any, since most Duran Duran fans were verging on tween-hood when the band broke in all its frilly New Wave “Planet Earth” glory.

So it’s true that for most die-hard Duranies – and they are legion – their love of Simon LeBon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor is more than a phase.

Phases don’t turn grown women, many whom have passed their adoration of the band onto the next generation in their families, into hyperventilating teenyboppers at the sight of now-50-year-old men.

Phases also don’t cause many of these same women to abandon any sense of reason and drive across multiple state lines just to spend 90 minutes in the same room as their idols.

But, much like Parrotheads count down to summers with margaritas and Jimmy Buffett and Rolling Stones worshippers cross their fingers that Mick and Keith will pull it together one more time, Duranies (and …

Continue reading Duran Duran robust and rugged at Center Stage concert »

British New Wave icons Duran Duran formed in Birmingham, England in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven “Second British Invasion” of the United States. Duran Duran has placed 14 singles in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart and 21 in the Billboard Hot 100 and have sold more than 100 million records. While they were generally considered part of the New Romantic scene along with bands such as Spandau Ballet when they first emerged, they later shed this image. The band worked with fashion designers to build a sharp and elegant image that earned them the nickname “the prettiest boys in rock.” Many artists including Barenaked Ladies, Beck, Jonathan Davis of Korn, The Bravery, Gwen Stefani and Pink have all cited Duran Duran as a key band in their formative years. Singer Justin Timberlake has openly admitted to being one of their biggest fans. Touring in support of their new album “All You Need Is Now,” the group sold …

Continue reading New Wave Rockers Duran Duran Sell Out Center Stage Theatre »

Photos: Melissa Ruggieri

For the few dozen women in the room, it was a fantasy come true – being in extremely close proximity to Duran Duran.

Oh, sure, there were some men at today’s Star 94 A-List Lounge event at the W Atlanta-Downtown. But the majority was the faithful squealing women who have followed the British band since they first asked “Is There Something I Should Know?” three decades ago.

Though the full band – all originals except guitarist Dom Brown – will play a sold-out show at Center Stage tonight, the afternoon Star event featured singer Simon LeBon, bassist John Taylor, Brown and backup singer Anna Ross.

Casual in jeans and sneakers and displaying their usual cheeky charm, LeBon and Taylor greeted the small group cheerily.

“We’re in a silly mood today. How are y’all?” Taylor asked, grinning that grin that killed millions of trees in the ‘80s while attempting his best Southern accent.

LeBon, ever the storyteller, shared an anecdote about a recent concert, …

Continue reading Duran Duran strips down for radio show »

Ludacris isn’t the only one hitting Turner Field this season.

The Avett Brothers will bring their alt-country songs to the venue for a free concert following the 1:30 p.m. April 10 game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The concert from the North Carolina-based band will begin at the conclusion of the game and is included with game admission.

Continue reading Avett Brothers to play after Braves game »