Chastain Park Amphitheatre. A 7,000-seat amphitheater with a self-imposed sound maximum of 85 decibels; rain and chatty fans mar some shows, but on a calm night with picnickers eating by candlelight the experience can be magical. 4469 Stella Drive N.W. at Powers Ferry Road, Buckhead. 404-249-6400, 404-233-7275, www.atlantaconcerts.com/chastain.asp

EarthLink Live. Longtime Atlanta venue that had fallen on hard times got an infusion of cash and attention from local Internet service provider EarthLink and local restaurateur Tom Cook, along with an impressive lineup of national talent. 1374 W. Peachtree St. N.W., Midtown. 404-885-1365, www.earthlinklive.com

Ferst Center for the Arts. 1,200-seat campus auditorium hosts a variety of performing artists and visual art exhibits. 349 Ferst Drive N.W., Georgia Tech. 404-894-9600, www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu

Fox Theatre. Fabulously restored 4,800-seat movie palace, an Atlanta landmark, makes any show, from rock to Broadway, seem grand. 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Midtown. 404-881-2100, www.foxtheatre.org/general.html

HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. Outdoor venue offers good sound, comfortable reserved seating and a diverting concessions midway. 2002 Lakewood Way S.W., Atlanta. 404-443-5090, www.hob.com/venues/concerts/hifibuys

Philips Arena. Downtown arena offers better acoustics, a more concert-friendly set-up than the late, unlamented Omni, which it replaced. 1 Philips Drive N.W., downtown. 404-878-3000, www.philipsarena.com

Rialto Center for the Performing Arts. This downtown movie theater has been renovated to accommodate theater, dance, pop, jazz and classical acts. 80 Forsyth St. N.W. 404-651-4727, www.rialtocenter.org

The Roxy. The facade is a Buckhead landmark. The stripped-down room inside can withstand the rowdiest show. 3110 Roswell Road N.E., Buckhead. 404-233-7699, www.atlantaconcerts.com/roxy.asp

Spivey Hall. Metro Atlanta's jewel-box venue for chamber music, from classical to jazz. A typical season features world-renowned opera singers in recital, virtuoso instrumentalists, and baroque ensembles and choirs. On the Campus of Clayton College & State University in Morrow. 770-961-3683, www.spiveyhall.org

The Tabernacle. This resplendent former Baptist church presents an impressive roster of national artists. 152 Luckie St. N.W., downtown. 404-659-9022

Variety Playhouse. 1,000-capacity venue lives up to its name, hosting everything from New Age to alternative shows. 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Little Five Points. 404-521-1786, www.variety-playhouse.com

Woodruff Arts Center. Midtown arts complex includes Atlanta Symphony Hall, the High Museum of Art, Atlanta College of Art, the Alliance Theatre and the 14th Street Playhouse (the latter located nearby at 173 14th St. N.E.). 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-733-5000, www.woodruff-arts.org

Other venues

Frederick W. Brown Amphitheater. 191 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. 770-631-0630

Clayton County Schools Performing Arts Center. 2530 Mount Zion Parkway, Jonesboro. 770-473-2875

Cobb County Civic Center. 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta. 770-528-8450

Cotton Club.152 Luckie St. N.W. 404-688-1193. Downtown's only small live music venue sits beneath downtown's best live music venue, the Tabernacle.

Marvin Cole Auditorium. Georgia Perimeter College, 555 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. 404-299-4136

DeKalb-Atlanta Centre. 4166 Buford Highway. 404-982-0989

The EARL. 488 Flat Shoals Ave. S.E., East Atlanta, 404-522-3950. Hosts touring independent and underground acts.

Echo Lounge. 551 Flat Shoals Ave. S.E., East Atlanta, 404-681-3600. Hosts live music, touring underground bands.

Emory University. Arts box office: 404-727-5050. Call for information at the Cannon Chapel, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Glenn Memorial Auditorium, Mary Gray Munroe Theatre and Performing Arts Studio

Georgia Dome. 1 Georgia Dome Drive N.W. 404-223-9200

Georgia State University Recital Hall. Gilmer Street at Peachtree Center Avenue. 404-651-4636

Georgia World Congress Center (Sidney Marcus Auditorium). 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. N.W. 404-223-4636

Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-623-4966

Hodgson Concert Hall. University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, 230 River Road, Athens. 706-542-4400 or 1-888-289-8497

International Ballroom. 6616 New Peachtree Road, Doraville. 770-936-0447

King Chapel. Morehouse College, 830 Westview Drive S.W. 404-215-2680

Masquerade Music Park. 695 North Ave. N.E. 404-577-8178

North Atlanta Trade Center. 1700 Jeurgens Court, Norcross. 770-279-9899

Sisters Chapel. Spelman College, 350 Spelman Lane S.W. 404-681-3643, Ext. 1484

Smith's Olde Bar. 1578 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Midtown 404-875-1522. Caters to post-college crowd with adult-alternative bookings.

Star Community Bar. 437 Moreland Ave. N.E., Little Five Points, 404-681-9018. Live music that tends toward rockabilly and roots music.

Stillwell Theatre. Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw. 770-423-6650

Urban Life Auditorium. Georgia State University, 140 Decatur St. N.E. 404-651-4636

Ticket outlets

AtlanTIX (half-price ticket booth):

678-318-1400