BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
FRIDAY
Phish
Two weeks after Trey Anastasio helped the Grateful Dead say goodbye at the Fare Thee Well celebration in Chicago, he resumed carrying the torch with his own band for a summer jaunt that launched in Oregon July 21. That the band almost always plays multiple-night stands in each city it visits is a testament to the loyalty of the Phish community.
7 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1. $45-$65. Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, livenation.com.
Pat McGee
In the late ’90s/early aughts, McGee fronted the Pat McGee Band, Virginia-based folk-rockers, and achieved national success with the mellifluous songs “Rebecca” and “Runaway.” McGee has released plenty of sturdy solo material since the band fizzled. But his self-titled latest, released May 12, boasts a team of legendary rockers lending their talents, including Waddy Wachtel, Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, Jeff Pevar, Little Feat’s Paul Barrere, Blues Traveler’s John Popper, Train’s Pat Monahan and Punchbrothers’ Gabe Witcher.
With Casey Buckley. 7:30 p.m. July 31 and 7 p.m. Aug. 1. $23.50-$28.50. Eddie's Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
SATURDAY
Kristian Bush
The manly half of Sugarland will bring some "Southern Gravity" to his hometown with his inaugural full-band, full-set solo show in Atlanta (he played a short set at the Shaky Boots fest in May). Bush's solo debut, released this spring, has spawned the hit "Trailer Hitch" and kept the musician on a busy road trip. The concert also will be filmed for a documentary being produced by Cumulus Media and Sinclair Broadcast group.
With Ashley Clark. 8 p.m. Aug. 1. $25 (advance), $30 (day of show). Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
SUNDAY
Nicki Minaj
For her third tour, the fiery Minaj is staying on the road for an exhausting six months. She’s been bouncing between Europe and the U.S for a handful of stateside dates, but didn’t officially start the Pinkprint run here until July 17. The “Super Bass” rapper has her own extensive hit list to offer, but don’t be surprised to hear her toss in her remixed version of Beyonce and Big Sean songs — and also share the stage with beau Meek Mill.
With Meek Mill, Rae Sremmurd, Tinashe and Dej Loaf. 7 p.m. Aug. 2. $30-$150. Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, livenation.com.
Jill Scott
While Scott has been in the news recently more for her defense — since rescinded — of Bill Cosby than for her music, let’s remember what she does best. The R&B songstress released her fifth studio album, “Woman,” last week, which has already produced the hits “Fool’s Gold” and “You Don’t Know.” Scott has described the album as “classic Philly soul meets country rhythm served with captivating storytelling.”
With Common. 7 p.m. Aug. 2. $46.50-$126.50. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive N.W., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
TUESDAY
Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire
If these two bands had unlimited time onstage, they might be there for a week trying to push through their collective songbook. As it is, fans receive a heaping dose of silky pop-soul and sinewy funk between them. The bands open and close the concert onstage together, which seems to thrill the musicians as much as the audience. Said EWF’s Ralph Johnson in a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “We’ve played many, many shows on our own. But, when both bands get together, it’s like one and one makes three.”
7:30 p.m. Aug. 4. $25-$125. Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, livenation.com.
WEDNESDAY
5 Seconds of Summer
Call them power-pop, punk-pop, rock-pop. It really doesn’t matter. All you need to know is that this quartet of Australian cuties has skyrocketed from YouTube nobodies to openers for One Direction to amphitheater headliners in the span of three years. It also wouldn’t matter if they were any good, considering their main audience is nondiscriminating teen girls. But, guess what? They are. Songs such as “She Looks So Perfect,” “Amnesia” and “Good Girls” won’t be remembered for lyrical depth, but their taut catchiness is undeniable.
With Hey Violet. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5. $25-$69.50. Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, livenation.com.
THURSDAY
Billy Currington
A Savannah native raised in Rincon, Currington will bring hits, including “Hey Girl,” ‘That’s How Country Boys Roll” and his latest single, “Don’t It,” to Turner Field for a performance after the Braves’ matchup against the Miami Marlins.
Game starts at 7 p.m. Concert is free with paid admission to the game. Fans also can purchase a Field Pit Pass ($20) to watch the performances from the infield or have a behind-the-scenes experience with a VIP backstage pass. Turner Field, 55 Hank Aaron Drive S.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, braves.com/concerts.
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