Atlanta Music Scene

Whitney Houston remembered

Melissa Ruggieri — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:07:59 +0000

Photo credit: Patrick Demarchelier

She possessed an angelic voice, but performing didn’t come naturally to her, a professional shortcoming that would frequently be noted throughout her career.

Her first Atlanta stops were a double shot at Chastain Park Amphitheatre.

Peter Conlon, president of Live Nation Atlanta, remembers she was always surrounded by a phalanx of handlers and seemed like she was trying to find her live footing.

“She had incredible talent, but she was never very comfortable on stage. She wasn’t a James Brown or someone to whom performing came naturally,” Conlon said.

The last time Houston performed in Atlanta, according to Conlon, was about four years ago at the Fox Theatre. About a year ago, he looked into booking the singer at the Fox, but based on negative publicity her tour was garnering overseas, decided it wasn’t worth the risk.

“It would have been good,” Conlon said, then added, “You hate seeing anyone with that kind of talent go. We just lost …

Country Superstars George Strait & Martina McBride Sell Out Gwinnett Arena Friday Night

Robb Cohen — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:50:39 +0000

Country music superstars George Strait and Martina McBride performed for a sold out crowd in the round on Friday night at the Gwinnett Arena. George Harvey Strait, nicknamed “King George,” was born in Poteet, Texas on May 18, 1952. With 32 albums certified platinum, he has more million-sellers than anyone except Elvis Presley and the Beatles. Strait holds the world record for more number-one hit singles than any other artist in the history of music on any chart or in any genre, having recorded 58 number-one hit singles as of 2011. He has sold more than 68.5 million albums in the United States and his certifications from the RIAA include 13 multi-platinum, 33 platinum, and 38 gold albums. According to the RIAA, Strait is the 12th best-selling album recording artist in the United States overall.

George Strait began playing with a rock band in high school, but his preference turned to country music. He lists Merle Haggard, George Jones, Bob Wills and Hank Williams as his primary …

Live music picks: Feb. 10-12

Shane Harrison — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:20:11 +0000

Martina McBride comes to the Gwinnett Arena with fellow country superstar George Strait Friday, Feb. 10. Photo: Randee St. Nicholas

FRIDAY George Strait, Martina McBride Sixty-eight million albums sold and 58 No. 1 singles (the most chart-topping hits by any artist in history) attest to George Strait’s popularity. His first No. 1 was in 1982 and his current single, “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright,” sits at No. 11 on the country singles chart, bearing witness to his enduring appeal. With 33 albums certified platinum, he has more million-sellers than anyone not named Elvis Presley or the Beatles. Beloved by the music-buying public and the industry powers in Nashville, big-voiced Martina McBride probably needs a separate house just for her awards. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10.$69.50-$79.50. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-813-7500.

FRIDAY Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, Eric Benet, Kevon Edmonds This lovefest at the Civic Center is getting to be a habit. The smooth, soulful …

Hot tickets: Feb. 7

Shane Harrison — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:01:08 +0000

Drive-By Truckers head to the Tabernacle April 21. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 8. Photo: Andy Tennille

ON SALE NOW Incognito featuring Maysa, Khari Cabral. 8 p.m. April 6.Center Stage. $42.50-$49.50. TM. Mastodon, Opeth, Ghost. 7 p.m. May 12. $29.50 in advance. Masquerade Music Park. TM.

ON SALE FEB. 8 Drive-By Truckers, Megafaun. 8 p.m. April 21. The Tabernacle. $25. LN.

ON SALE FEB. 10 Robert Glasper Experiment, Chrisette Michele. 8 p.m. March 4. Variety Playhouse. $35; $29.50 in advance. TM. The English Beat. 8:30 p.m. March 23. Variety Playhouse. $22.50; $20 in advance. TM. Greensky Bluegrass. 8 p.m. March 27. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $12 in advance. TA. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. 8 p.m. April 4. Variety Playhouse. $25; $22.50 in advance. TM. Fourplay. 7:30 p.m. April 22. Variety Playhouse. $40; $35 in advance. TM. The Musical Box. The exclusive re-creation Of Genesis’ “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway,” authorized by Peter Gabriel. 8 p.m. May 6. Variety Playhouse. …

Madonna includes Atlanta date on world tour

Melissa Ruggieri — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:54 +0000

You knew that Madonna’s Super Bowl performance had to be about more than just forward-promoting a new album.

Turns out the hype generated by her dazzling production is well-timed. The queen is launching a new world tour May 29 in Israel and will head to the U.S. in late August.

Atlanta is near the end of the 26-city trip with a show scheduled for Nov. 17 at Philips Arena. Ticket prices haven’t been announced yet, but the Atlanta date is on sale March 5.

Tickets for the first American concert – Aug. 28 in Philadelphia – will be available Feb. 13.

The tour is expected to be a monster spectacle, with a few stadium dates (including Sept. 6 at Yankee Stadium) sprinkled among arenas and some outdoor sites. Madonna will also visit Australia, where she hasn’t performed in two decades, as well as 26 European cities.

Anyone doubting her continued international prowess can look to the numbers from her last tour, 2008-09’s “Sticky & Sweet” outing, which sold out four dates at Madison …

Live music picks: Feb. 3-9

Shane Harrison — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:02:30 +0000

Independent music pioneer Ani DiFranco comes to Variety Playhouse Friday, Feb. 3. Photo: Patti Perret

FRIDAY Ani DiFranco Earnest and disarmingly humorous, singer-guitarist DiFranco is the epitome of the independent artist, building a loyal following through touring and releasing her work on her own label, Righteous Babe. Her latest album, “Which Side Are You On?,” is named for the famous protest anthem by Pete Seeger, who joins DiFranco and her band on her new version. 8:30 p.m. Feb. 3. $35. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-7354.

SATURDAY Mike Doughty The former Soul Coughing frontman is touring behind his latest album, “The Question Jar Show,” which is culled from his 2009 tour of the same name. During that tour, fans wrote out questions for Doughty and put them in a jar for him to pull from during the performance. 8 p.m. Feb. 4. $21.40. Eddie’s Attic, 515 N. McDonough St., Decatur. 404-377-4976.

New Orleans' self-proclaimed "Queen Diva" of bounce …

Hot tickets: Jan. 31

Shane Harrison — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:18:46 +0000

Colorado quartet the Fray comes to the Tabernacle April 25, touring behind third and latest album, "Scars and Stories," which was produced by Atlanta's Brendan O'Brien. Photo: Danny Clinch

ON SALE NOW Idle Warship: Talib Kweli and Res. 9 p.m. Feb. 16. The Loft. $25; $20 in advance. TA. Chinua Hawk, the Shadowboxers. 8:30 p.m. March 8. Vinyl. $15; $10 in advance. TA. Good Old War, the Belle Brigade, Family of the Year. 8 p.m. March 9. Vinyl. $12; $10 in advance. TA. The Revels, the Black Cadillacs, the Floorwalkers. 8:30 p.m. March 22. Vinyl. $10; $6 in advance. TA. Gardens & Villa. 8:30 p.m. March 22. The EARL. $10. TA. Green River Ordinance, Graham Colton. 8 p.m. April 14. Vinyl. $15; $12 in advance. TA. Sharon Van Etten. 8:30 p.m. April 25. The EARL. $12. TA. Dave Barnes, Andrew Ripp. 8 p.m. April 27. Center Stage. $19; $17 in advance. TM.

ON SALE FEB. 1 Theory of a Deadman, Pop Evil, Stellar Revival. 6:30 p.m. April 15. Masquerade. $21. TM.

ON SALE FEB. 2 Set Your Goals, …

Widespread Panic Jams Out At The Sold Out Tabernacle On Saturday

Robb Cohen — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:36:27 +0000

Widespread Panic performing to a sold out crowd Saturday night at the Tabernacle on their Wood Tour 2012. This was the second of three sold out, acoustic performances for the popular Athens jam rock band.. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, keyboardist John “JoJo” Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring. Widely renowned for their live performances, as of 2010, Panic holds the record for number of sold-out performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Morrison, Colorado) at 35 and Philips Arena (Atlanta, Georgia) at 17.

AJC photographer Robb Cohen covered the event with his camera. Check out the online photo gallery: Widespread Panic at the Tabernacle. What did you think of the show? How did this show compare to previous Panic concerts you’ve seen? Who has witnessed the most Widespread Panic concerts?

(Photo Credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.robbsphotos.com) For other concert photography …

Blake Shelton Plays To A Sold Out Crowd At Gwinnett Arena On Friday Night

Robb Cohen — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:56:52 +0000

Country superstar Blake Shelton performed at a sold out Gwinnett Arena Friday night on his “Well Lit & Amplified Tour 2012.” Justin Moore and Dia Frampton were the opening acts. Shelton, of Ada, Okla., made his debut with the single “Austin” in 2001. The single from the self-titled album “Austin” propelled Shelton into fame when it spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The country star now serves as a vocal coach on NBC’s “The Voice,” alongside fellow singers Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and Cee Lo Green.

AJC photographer Robb Cohen covered the event with his camera. Check out the online photo gallery: Blake Shelton rocks Gwinnett . What did you think of the show? How did this show compare to previous Blake Shelton concerts you’ve seen? Did you like Justin Moore and Dia Frampton?

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

Live music picks: Jan. 27-29

Shane Harrison — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:50:19 +0000

James Armstrong comes to Blind Willie's Friday, Jan. 27, touring behind a new album, "Blues at the Border." Photo: Laureen Smith

FRIDAY James Armstrong This California-born bluesman began his recording career back in 1995 with “Sleeping With a Stranger,” but he was almost derailed by an attack in 1997. An intruder broke into his home and stabbed the singer, songwriter and guitarist multiple times. It left him with injuries that required many months of rehabilitation to recover his ability to play guitar. He bounced back with “Dark Knight” in 1998 and “Got It Goin’ On” in 2000. It took more than 10 years, but he’s back with a new album, “Blues at the Border,” another fine example of his contemporary yet reverent take on traditional blues. 9 p.m. Jan. 27. $12. Blind Willie’s, 828 North Highland Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-873-2583.

FRIDAY Marc Broussard This powerful Louisiana singer, songwriter and guitarist is carving out his own musical territory while maintaining an …