FRIDAY
STS9
The electronic rock-funk-jazz band, otherwise known as Sound Tribe Sector 9 when formed in Atlanta nearly two decades ago, will release its first full-length studio album in nearly seven years Sept. 2 (“The Universe Inside”). But, first, the band plays a doubleheader at home with a concert at the Tabernacle, followed by a three-set show — including the acoustic “Axe the Cables” set — the next night at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.
8 p.m. Aug. 26. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, livenation.com. 7 p.m. Aug. 27. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com. Tickets for Verizon Wireless are $19.99-$49.95. Tickets to the Tabernacle can be purchased only as part of a two-night pass, which runs $59.49-$89.45.
Air Supply
Last summer's Chastain Park performance by the soft-rock duo was their first in Atlanta since 1996. My review noted that a speedier return was inevitable — and here it is. Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock (a Marietta resident) still wring the magic from hits "Even the Nights Are Better," "Here I Am" and "All Out of Love."
7:30 p.m. Aug. 26. $29.50-$99.50. Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com .
Brantley Gilbert
The Jefferson native is headlining his second tour this year, dubbed Take it Outside. He's pulling out plenty of hits — including "Dirt Road Anthem," which he wrote for Jason Aldean and is performing live with opener (and co-writer) Colt Ford. But a review of his recent show in Pittsburgh noted that the beefy country star also unveiled a couple of rockin' new songs from an album due in November.
With Justin Moore and Colt Ford. 7 p.m. Aug. 26. $30.25-$55. Lakewood Amphitheatre, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, livenation.com .
SATURDAY
Sugar Ray and Gin Blossoms
This show will be a blast of ’90s nostalgia as Mark McGrath and his Ray-Bans, wit and charm remind fans of the innocuous fun the California band brought us with “Fly,” “When it’s Over” and “Someday.” Meanwhile, the Gin Blossoms — perhaps the biggest band to hail from Tempe, Ariz. – had their own impressive ’90s run with hits such as “Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About You” and “Follow You Down.”
8 p.m. Aug. 27. $45-$100. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, 201 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
SUNDAY
Rick Springfield
Though he might well have “The Guy Who Wrote ‘Jessie’s Girl’” engraved on his headstone, Springfield continues to be so much more than just his iconic ’80s hit. Last year, he starred alongside Meryl Streep in “Ricki and the Flash” and as a creepy psychiatrist on HBO’s “True Detective.” This year, he released his 18th studio album, “Rocket Science,” and inked a deal to star as Lucifer on the CW’s “Supernatural” this fall. Oh, right, and he has more than a dozen other hits on his resume (including “Affair of the Heart,” “Love Somebody,” “Souls,” “State of the Heart” and “Human Touch”), many of which he will perform live.
With Night Ranger and the Romantics. 7 p.m. Aug. 28. $25-$75. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive N.W., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com .
THURSDAY
AC/DC
It’s been a crazy year for the Australian rockers. This Atlanta date originally was slated for March, but was postponed at the last minute when singer Brian Johnson was told by his doctors to get off the road or risk permanent hearing loss. Enter Axl Rose, who has been fronting the band (and quite well, according to reports and comments from band members) in between gigs with Guns N’ Roses. AC/DC has intimated this could be their last tour, so take that for what you will.
8 p.m. Sept. 1. $75-$125. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com .
Steven Tyler
"We're All Somebody From Somewhere," the Aerosmith frontman crows as the title of his solo debut. On this intimate solo tour, dubbed Out on a Limb, Tyler is backed by the country band Loving Mary, which guides him through new songs such as "Red, White & You" and "Love Is Your Name," along with recalibrated Aerosmith hits, including "Cryin'" and "Janie's Got a Gun." The loquacious Tyler also will spend time telling stories about his musical ancestors in Calabria, Italy, and his experiences in Nashville, a place that has seduced the Boston rocker in a serious way. "There's something so magical about this town," Tyler told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution this summer. "Country is the new rock 'n' roll."
8 p.m. Sept. 1. $56.95-$146.95. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com .
About the Author
