Asia returns to the Variety Playhouse this weekend with a new guitarist.
FRIDAY
Asia
The current lineup of the classic British prog-arena-rockers includes John Wetton on vocals and bass, Geoff Downes on keyboards, Carl Palmer on drums and, replacing the recently retired Steve Howe on guitar, Sam Coulson. The 27-year-old Coulson made his debut on Asia’s 14th studio album, “Gravitas,” released in March. While the band will indeed present some new tracks during their live show, they also don’t neglect the hits, with “Only Time Will Tell,” “Don’t Cry” and “Heat of the Moment” making appearances as well.
8:30 p.m. Oct. 3. $35 (advance) and $40 (day of show). Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
SATURDAY
Gino Vannelli
The hunky Canadian crooner, best known for his late-‘70s/early-‘80s swoony ballads “I Just Want to Stop” and “Living Inside Myself,” returns to Atlanta for the second time since 2013. The occasion follows the May release of his CD/DVD set, “Live in L.A.,” taken from a show recorded in Los Angeles in November, the first time he played the city in 15 years. In addition to his classic hits, the release also includes “People Gotta Move,” “Black Cars” and a couple of bonus tracks.
8 p.m. Oct. 4. $63.75-$101.75. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
St. Lucia
It’s been a busy year for the Brooklyn-based electro-pop outfit. A stint opening for Foster the People in the spring — along with a detour to play the Shaky Knees Music Festival in May — a summer full of festival performances and now their own “The Night Comes Again” tour. The quintet recently released a deluxe edition of their debut, “When the Night,” which includes three new tracks of modernized New Wave.
With Joywave. 9 p.m. Oct. 4. Sold out. Terminal West, 887 W. Marietta St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-876-5566, www.terminalwestatl.com.
SUNDAY
Yacht Rock Schooner
Along with feasting on offerings from more than 40 restaurants at the Atlanta Eats Live event, attendees at the Steak Shapiro-Mara Davis hosted event can groove to the head-bobbing sounds of Yacht Rock Schooner as well. The smorgasbord will include KR Steakbar, Gio’s Chicken and Heirloom Market. The musical contribution from the eight-piece YRS will likely include songs from Hall & Oates, Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald.
5-8 p.m. (food event), 8-10 p.m. (music) Oct. 5. $45 (general admission) and $100 (VIP). Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com (search for Atlanta Eats Live).
Sam Smith's soulful voice will fill The Tabernacle at a sold-out show. Photo: Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP
MONDAY
Sam Smith
He’s been compared vocally to everyone from Boy George to Rick Astley to a male Adele. Connect the dots with whomever you choose, but know this: Smith is a gem. His creamy soul throwback “Stay With Me” is the first most Americans heard of the 22-year-old, but he’s knocked around England’s charts for a couple of years, first as a guest on Disclosure’s “Latch” in 2012 and last year as a feature on Naughty Boy’s “La La La.” Expect Smith to command his own spotlight from this point forward.
With Broods. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6. Sold out. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.livenation.com.
TUESDAY
The Gaslight Anthem
The Jersey rockers have endured the endless comparisons to Bruce Springsteen throughout their eight-year career. But with their fifth album, “Get Hurt,” released in August, the band successfully stomped out the parallels with a collection of songs they said is largely influenced by Pearl Jam’s “No Code.” They’ve dialed up the grunge-y guitars, but fortunately, haven’t quieted their spirit.
With Against Me and TwoPointEight. 8 p.m. Oct. 7. $28.50 (advance) and $31.50 (day of show). Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
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