BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
SATURDAY
J. Cole
For the past few years, the hip-hop star has blazed a trail of No.1 albums that mix the fiery rap stylings of influences such as Eminem with the social commentary approach popularized by peer Kendrick Lamar. Cole’s third album, “2014 Forest Hills Drive,” named for his childhood home in North Carolina, debuted at the top of the charts and is the first hip-hop album without any featured guests to hit platinum status since 1989.
With Big Sean, YG and Jeremih. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 15. $33-$87.75. Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, livenation.com.
Peter Frampton and Cheap Trick
Call it ’70s rock nirvana with these two megastars of the era. Both were stadium headliners in their day and, between them, you can expect to hear a trove of classic rock nuggets, including “Show Me the Way” and “I Want You to Want Me.” You might want to keep the smartphones tucked away, however. Frampton is an artist who prefers that fans, you know, watch the performance rather than film the entire thing and block everyone else’s view in the process.
8 p.m. Aug. 15. Sold out. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, 201 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. 877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
SUNDAY
Engelbert Humperdinck
Last year, Humperdinck released an album of duets dubbed "Engelbert Calling." His collaborators spanned the obvious (Johnny Mathis, Cliff Richard), the impressive (Elton John) and the downright amusing (Gene Simmons — a development Humperdinck and I discussed in 2013). You'll likely hear some of those artists' songs — sans the actual artists — when Humperdinck performs at Symphony Hall Sunday. You also can expect to hear the biggest hits of his nearly 50-year career, including "Release Me," "The Last Waltz" and "After the Lovin'," which can't help but conjure images of silk shirts and gold chains.
8 p.m. Aug. 16. $39.50-$89.50. Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
Howard Jones
When Howard Jones arrived in 1983 with "New Song," a bubbly pop tune filled with springy synthesizers much brighter than what his New Wave brethren were contributing, most weren't sure what to make of his sound. For the next six years, Jones continued to enlighten with the sequencers and synthesizers that powered his string of hits, including "What is Love?," "Life in One Day," "Everlasting Love" and the enduring rainbow of a song, "Things Can Only Get Better." The British singer-musician and his electronic band — which he called "very modern" in our recent interview — will break out the hits this weekend.
With Marina V. 8 p.m. Aug. 16. $27.50 (advance), $32 (day of the show). Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
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