Justin Bieber kept the girls squealing during his headlining set. Photo: Robb D. Cohen/www.RobbsPhotos.com.

The best thing about radio station “Jingle” shows is that they provide a sampler platter of pop.

Not an Owl City or Enrique Iglesias fan? Sit tight – in an hour or so you’ll get a few songs from Flo Rida and Kesha.

At Wednesday night’s inaugural Jingle Ball from new Top 40 station Power 96.1, the assortment of performers read like a who’s-who of the Billboard charts. Along with the aforementioned stars came newcomer Austin Mahone and headliner Justin Bieber, whom most in the ¾-full Philips Arena sounded obsessed with whenever his name flashed on the video screen during the four-hour show.

So how was the concert? Let’s get to it.

Justin Bieber: The king of the night didn’t take the stage until almost 10:30 – surely a challenge for those school-age kids with class in the morning – but if anyone was getting snoozy waiting for him, Bieber ignited the …

Continue reading Pop royalty came to play at Power 96.1 Jingle Ball »

Stipe was one of the concert's surprises. Photo: Getty Images

Shortly after a suit-clad Chris Martin of Coldplay strummed through an earnest read of “Viva La Vida” during last night’s epic five-hour plus “121212 The Concert for Sandy Relief,” he announced a special guest. Out trotted Michael Stipe, retired frontman of R.E.M. who hasn’t graced a stage to our knowledge since the band announced its dissolution in September 2011.

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A bearded Stipe, also wearing a dark jacket and pants, joined Martin for a subdued take on “Losing My Religion” and retreated without saying a word.

“He came out of retirement for that song and now he’s gone right back in,” Martin joked as Stipe disappeared backstage.

A few moments later, Brian Williams, one of the hosts of the telethon, noted that Stipe’s …

Continue reading Michael Stipe makes surprise appearance during 121212 benefit show »

There was no shortage of groovy lighting at DMB's show. Photo: Robb D. Cohen/www.robbsphotos.com.

There’s summer DMB and winter DMB.

Summer DMB calls sheds home for a few months, outdoor venues where fans can sprawl on the grass, tailgate in the parking lot and wear their khaki shorts with pride.

Winter DMB takes on a more musically serious tone – though Dave Matthews, the CEO of the Dave Matthews Band is a perennial goofball – and, at least in Atlanta, plays in venues that are more intimate, providing a crisp, corralled sound as the band rolls through its musical calisthenics.

On Tuesday, DMB played to a typically adoring, typically sold-out throng at The Arena at Gwinnett Center and even brought a special Atlanta-centric guest on stage toward the set’s end.

“How very nice to be here in ‘Doe-luth’…adjacent to Atlanta,” Matthews said with a joking touch. “I got people down here,” he continued in a humorous drawl, a line that he would repeat for effect …

Continue reading The Dave Matthews Band lights up Gwinnett »

Ann and Nancy Wilson being interviewed today after hearing the news. Photo: Getty Images.

Rush fans finally have something to celebrate, as the Canadian rock band is among the 2013 inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The band will be joined by Heart, Albert King, Randy Newman, Public Enemy and Donna Summer in the performer category, while Lou Adler and Quincy Jones will receive the Ahmet Ertegun non-performer award.

Though the hall is in Cleveland, the show will take place April 18 in Los Angeles and air on HBO May 18.

Tickets to the ceremony go on sale Jan. 25 via www.rockhall.com.

While the inductees were chosen by the more than 500 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, it was also the first time that the hall allowed fans to participate in the induction selection process by casting their own votes. The top five artists selected by the public comprised a “fans” ballot that was tallied with the other ballots to select the 2013 nominees.

Follow …

Continue reading Rush, Heart among Rock Hall nominees »

Fleetwood Mac plays Philips Arena in June. Tickets go on sale Dec. 17.

ON SALE NOW

FKi and Friends. 8 p.m. Jan. 16. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $10 in advance. TA.

Yarn. 8 p.m. Jan. 24. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $12; $10 in advance. TA.

Jerry Joseph. 8 p.m. Feb. 7. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $15; $12 in advance. TA.

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down. 8 p.m. March 18. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $15 in advance. TA.

ON SALE DEC. 14

The Yacht Rock Revue and Friends performing Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” The Soundtrack to Easy Rider” and XTC’s “Black Sea”. 8:30 p.m. Jan. 19. Variety Playhouse. $20; $15 in advance. TM.

Jim Jeffries. 8 p.m. Feb. 1. Variety Playhouse. $29.50. TM.

The Residents. 8 p.m. Feb. 5. Variety Playhouse. $27.50; $25 in advance. TM.

Steven Wright. 8 p.m. Feb. 9. Variety Playhouse. $35; $32.50 in advance. TM.

Big Mike Geier’s “Elvis Royale” with Kingsized Orchestra and Dames Aflame. 8:30 p.m. Feb. 22. Variety …

Continue reading Tickets: Fleetwood Mac, Steven Wright, Josh Ritter »

Because it’s been more than six years since Atlanta’s beloved OutKast released a new album, there might be the sense that this second solo effort from Big Boi will make do for now, giving the impression that a recording from one half of OutKast couldn’t possibly be as fulfilling as another potential masterpiece from the duo.

That perception would be wrong.

On his sophomore release, “Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors,” Antwan “Big Boi” Patton has crafted his own masterful creation, an intoxicating brew of hip-hop, soul, electronica, rock and even nostalgic glimmers of beach music. His love of music is apparent, and while sometimes “VLADR” becomes mired in its sprawling ambition, it’s often brilliant.

Granted, it’s also a raunchy affair, so if you can get past the immense pre-occupation with sex – which, to his credit, Big Boi manages to describe with humorous, clever rhymes that intend to set a scene rather than merely shock – you’ll be able to laugh …

Continue reading Tuesday Tunes: Spotlight on Big Boi »

The Stones at the O2 Arena in London last month. Photo: Getty Images

[I'm on with my rock 'n' roll pal Kaedy Kiely at 97.1 The River every Wednesday at 6:50 and 7:50 a.m. to talk about the latest rock news. Tune in to hear what's up!]

The Rolling Stones are leaving New Jersey with a pretty big bang.

The band’s Saturday show at the Prudential Center – their final date as of now – will be a pay-per-view event that should be worth the investment.

The Stones will be joined by Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga (taking over the “Gimme Shelter” part previously played by Mary J. Blige?) and The Black Keys during the event, which has been dubbed “One More Shot.”

The live telecast begins at 9 p.m. Cable and satellite prices range from $40-$50 depending upon your provider. Fans can also stream the show on Yahoo! for $40 and those who tap in early at 5:30 p.m. can view the special, “Countdown to the Rolling Stones,” which check marks the 10 greatest Stones moments in …

Continue reading Rolling Stones offering pay-per-view for Saturday show »

Flo Rida is among the headliners at the inaugural Power 96. 1 Jingle Ball. Photo: ALEX KIRZHNER

When planning began for the inaugural Power 96.1 Jingle Ball, there was one goal – to make it look like a live representation of the Top 40 station that just arrived in Atlanta in August.

That equated to a lineup at Philips Arena Wednesday that spotlights Justin Bieber, Enrique Iglesias, Kesha, Flo Rida, Owl City and Austin Mahone, a parade of radio faves that rivals similar lineups at other Top 40 radio-produced shows in major markets.

While Bieber retains an Atlanta connection, Power’s program director Rick Vaughn said the station didn’t actively court area artists, but added cryptically, “We are involving some local people. We have a couple of surprises.”

He also noted that while Power 96.1 caters to an 18-34-year-old listening demographic, the super-pop lineup offers mass appeal.

“It’s very family-friendly,” he said. “For parents to (get their kids) a ticket is …

Continue reading Flo Rida ready to jingle his way into Power 96.1 show »

Bieber performed over the weekend at a Tampa radio station show. Photo: Getty Images

Bieber-fever is reaching a pitch in Atlanta.

The pop prince is not only appearing here Wednesday for the Power 96.1 Jingle Ball at Philips Arena, but months ago he slated a Jan. 23 show at Philips as part of his “Believe” world tour.

That show is sold out, but good news if you couldn’t get a ticket – the part-time Atlantan has added 30 dates to his tour, including an Aug. 10 return to Philips, the last date of the tour. Tickets will go on sale Dec. 21.

The new round of dates kicks off June 22 in San Diego. This new leg also includes shows in Tampa and Jacksonville, Fla., and Columbia, S.C.

For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

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By Melissa Ruggieri, Atlanta Music Scene

Continue reading Justin Bieber sets new Atlanta date »

Scott at last month's American Music Awards. Photo: AP

Shortly after the news of Jennifer Nettles giving birth to her first child comes the announcement that another country-pop chanteuse, Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum, is expecting her first baby.

The singer in the trio that includes former Georgians Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, married the band’s drummer, Chris Tyrrell, in January.

Scott, 26, announced the news on her Twitter account, telling fans, “Chris & I are excited to announce that our Christmas gift has arrived a little early this year! We are having a BABY! We feel so blessed!!!”

Lady Antebellum recently wrapped a worldwide tour in support of their third, platinum-selling “Own the Night” album – including a sold-out show at the Arena at Gwinnett Center this summer – and recently released the Christmas offering, “On This Winter’s Night.”

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

By Melissa Ruggieri, Atlanta Music Scene

Continue reading A baby on the way for Lady A(ntebellum) »