Jack White plays the Fox Theatre in October. tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 31. Photo: Getty Images

ON SALE NOW
Bangkok Fight Night. 8 p.m. Sept. 28. Center Stage. $35-$55. TM.
Dub FX. 9 p.m. Oct. 13.  Center Stage. $20 in advance. TM.

ON SALE AUG. 29
The Producers, Angie Aparo. 8 p.m. Oct. 20. Buckhead Theatre. $29-$39. TM.

ON SALE AUG. 31
Jack White. 8 p.m. Oct. 9. Fox Theatre. $39.50-$85. TM.
Please Rock Presents “Thriller” and “Purple Rain.” Both albums performed in their entirety by the Yacht Rock Revue. 8:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Variety Playhouse. $25; $20 in advance. TM.

UPCOMING SHOWS
Mary J. Blige, D’Angelo, Melanie Fiona. 7 p.m. Aug. 28. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. $85.75-$125.75; $ 55.75 lawn. LN.
Sublime with Rome, Cypress Hill, Pepper. 5 p.m. Aug. 29. Masquerade. $39. TM.
Enrique Iglesias. Jennifer Lopez, Frankie J. Aug. 29. Philips Arena. $29.50-$149.50. TM.
Otep. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30. Masquerade. $14 in advance. TM.
Jimi Cravity, Roman GianArthur. 8:30 p.m. …

Continue reading Tickets: Jack White, Yacht Rock Revue, the Producers »

Lynyrd Skynyrd's Gary Rossington (center, white jacket) will be inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in October. Photo credit: Clay Patrick McBride

As the last remaining original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gary Rossington knows about teetering on the brink of extinction.

That the iconic Southern rock band named its most recent album – its 13th studio release – “Last of a Dyin’ Breed” also speaks to the mortality of rock ‘n’ roll as a certain generation knows it.

“With the Internet, it’s mostly pop stars out there like Justin Bieber and Katy Perry and hip-hop and rap. The old blues bands and touring bands from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, we ARE a dying breed. We’re not alone,” Rossington said last week, checking in before the band’s album-signing appearance at the FYE record store in Lawrenceville.

The title track of Skynyrd’s new album, though, is actually about bikers, which the band sees plenty of when touring.

The “Skynyrd Nation,” as …

Continue reading Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Rossington keeping the flame aloft »

It’s kind of ironic that on her eighth studio album, “Havoc and Bright Lights,” Alanis Morissette displays an affinity for pithy song titles (“Empathy,” “Lens,” “Spiral,” “Numb”) because, as always, she has a lot to say.

Many of Morissette’s fans have grown up with her, from the internal volcano she proudly spewed in her 20s (vulgarity has never sounded better than on “You Oughta Know”) through her diary entry musings the past decade to now, the slightly mushier Alanis who, like many of her fans, is a mom and wife.

But don’t think for a second that she’s lost her ability to emotionally decapitate those who Just Don’t Get It.

The heavy synths and disco rhythm of “Woman Down” might have something in common with ABBA, but the perky backdrop belies the serious lyrics about the cycle of abuse. And by song’s end, you know the woman has emerged victorious.

What have always been both admirable and frustrating about Morissette are her lyrical …

Continue reading Tuesday Tunes: Spotlight on Alanis Morissette »

Rihanna will "heat up the stage" at the MTV VMAs. Photo: AP

With the MTV Video Music Awards a couple of weeks away, it’s time for a rollout of talent.

Rihanna and Frank Ocean – making his  VMA debut – have been added to the performance lineup, while Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz joins the presenter list that also includes The Wanted, Kesha, Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa and the “Fierce Five” – the U.S. Women’s Olympics Gymnastics team.

Previously announced performers are Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift, One Direction, Pink and Green Day.

 The VMAs will air live on MTV at 8 p.m. Sept. 6.

Continue reading Rihanna, 2 Chainz added to MTV VMA lineup »

Jennifer Lopez has numerous costume changes – including ones with clothes! – during the show. Photos: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Package tours are often reserved for acts that might not be able to sell out a large venue solo.

But the pairing of Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias seems more about an opportunity for two old friends to share a marquee. After all, Iglesias sold out the Gwinnett Arena last fall and the celebrity of no-longer-“American-Idol”-judge Lopez all but guarantees a strong turnout.

The duo brings their joint project to Philips Arena on Wednesday as the tour that began last month begins to wind down (it wraps Sept. 2 in Orlando).

Based on recent reviews, Lopez has been performing first — which could always change — with a 14-song set stocked with hits (“Waiting for Tonight,” “Jenny from the Block,” “On the Floor”) and frequent costume changes. Iglesias’ portion, meanwhile, features the handsome singer donning his usual attire of jeans and …

Continue reading Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias take their friendship to the stage »

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MAX BLAU

If all the signs appear to be true, Tennessean country legend Loretta Lynn may be on the verge of a late-career renaissance. She’s adamantly stated recently that she’s not done making music, and she seems to have a few plans up her sleeves (including one with Merle Haggard and possibly others). All this talk aside, none of it has phased Lynn live, as evidenced by her impressive show at Chastain Park Amphitheatre Friday night.

Her focus remained entirely on her fans’ experience, giving them the best possible, drawing an audience that nearly filled up three-quarters of Chastain Park’s capacity. Her daughters, Patsy and Peggy, showed off their talents during their first few songs, while prompting the crowd to buy Loretta merchandise.

Loretta Lynn soon took her rightful place onstage, and as she made her way through her set, she stopped in between songs, chatting with her audience and imploring them to requests songs.

“What do you want to …

Continue reading Loretta Lynn proved iconic stature at Chastain »

Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush are letting fans pick some of the songs during this tour. Photo credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.RobbsPhotos.com

In the eight years since Sugarland’s first hit (“Baby Girl”), Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush have toured small, toured big, toured snazzy production style (“The Incredible Machine”) and now, they’re just touring as themselves.

The “In Your Hands” jaunt has been on the road for a few months, and will soon wrap so that Nettles can concentrate on her impending motherhood (she’s due in November).

But for what is likely the last Sugarland road trip for a year or so, the duo with deep Georgia ties is keeping it simple and casual, with the focus lasered on their four-album catalog with a few fun detours along the way.

At Thursday’s almost completely full show at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park – admirable considering Sugarland  nearly sold out Philips Arena last October – Nettles and Bush kicked off …

Continue reading Sugarland keeps it simple and casual at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre »

I’ll admit, I’m not a huge jam band fan.

Sure, I’ll sit through a Dave Matthews Band ramble, I could listen to Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes all day and I’m one of the ones who actually likes Mickey Hart’s “Drum/Space” (then again, as a drummer, extended drum solos have a special place in my heart).

For the most part, though, I like my songs to have a shape…and an ending.

But I know there are plenty of you out there who live for the jam – and many of you will be doing exactly that Saturday when Phish takes over Lakewood Amphitheatre.

To get you pumped up, here are some notable jam moments, starting with one that my Deadhead cousin Mike sent me that took place just a few weeks ago – the “Move Me Brightly” event at Bob Weir’s TRI Studios.

I’ve embedded the entire four-hour version, but even if you comb though, you’ll find plenty of reasons to stop (Phish’s Mike Gordon is on hand, along with Weir, Phil Lesh and many, many others).

Got a favorite …

Continue reading Friday Riffs: Jam on it »

Add Brantley Gilbert to the list of chart-topping country music stars from Georgia. The Jefferson native scored two No. 1 hits last year and he’ll be opening to Toby Keith at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood on Friday, Aug. 24. Photo courtesy Big Machine Label Group

TODAY
Toby Keith, Brantley Gilbert
The two-time Academy of Country Music entertainer of the year Keith makes catchy, unapologetically country music that still appeals to a pop audience. It’s a tough balancing act, but he’s managed well. He has plenty of talent, and he gives people what they want. He scored his 29th No. 1 country single in 2011 with “Made in America,” the first track released from the album “Clancy’s Tavern.” That album’s second single, “Red Solo Cup,” became his highest charting single on the all-genre Top 40 pop chart, climbing to No. 15. Gilbert, from the Jackson County seat of Jefferson, makes easy work of a blend that eludes many mainstream country artists. His …

Continue reading Concerts: Toby Keith, Mary J. Blige, My Morning Jacket, Loretta Lynn »

One Direction (shown at Gwinnett Center this summer) will be singing a new tune in October. Photo: Robb D. Cohen

Deep breath and…squeaaaaaaal! One Direction returns with new music Oct. 1.

 The U.K.’s handsome young fivesome will unveil “Live While We’re Young” (no kidding, boys), from their upcoming second album coming in November.

 The song is described as having “immediate energy…mixing rock undertones with smooth harmonies.” While that describes about 84 percent of the music on current pop radio, we’ll take it as a simple indicator that the group isn’t straying from its successful pattern.

 This latest boy band craze is indeed a successful one, as 1D has sold 12 million records worldwide.

 The group sold out the Gwinnett Center in June and will return in June 2013 for a show at Philips Arena.

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Continue reading New One Direction music coming this fall »