BY MELISSA RUGGIERI/AJC Music Scene
FRIDAY
J. Cole
Born in West Germany and raised in North Carolina, the guy legally known as Jermaine Lamarr Cole has always thrived on eclecticism. His early career paired him with Jay-Z and Wale, but by 2011, the rapper-producer was ready to fly solo. This current tour, which kicked off in June and will keep Cole on the road through the end of the year, is in support of his fourth album, “4 Your Eyez Only,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard top 200 album chart in December.
With Anderson.Paak, Bas, J.I.D, and Ari Lennox. 8 p.m. Aug. 11. $29.50-$99.50. Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-626-2464, www.infiniteenergycenter.com.
Air Supply
The ace balladeers went from not playing Atlanta for 20 years to making annual appearances ( a 2015 return to Chastain and, last summer, an indoor performance at Atlanta Symphony Hall). But who can ever get enough of sumptuous singalongs such as "All Out of Love," "Lost in Love" and "Here I Am"? Marietta resident Russell Hitchcock and musical partner Graham Russell also know how to kick up the tempo, so in no way will you be lulled for the evening.
8 p.m. Aug. 11. $22.50-$65.50. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive NW, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
3 Doors Down
The Mississippi quintet roared across the pop and rock charts in the early-‘00s with hits “Kryptonite,” “Here Without You” and “It’s Not My Time.” Their Nickelback-ian sound has waned a bit over the years, but the band returned in 2016 after a five-year recording hiatus with “Us and the Night.” In addition to original singer Brad Arnold and longtime rhythm guitarist Chris Henderson, 3 Doors Down also includes drummer Greg Upchurch (a member since 2005) and relative newbies Chet Roberts (lead guitar) and Justin Biltonen (bass).
With Thomas Wynn & The Believers. 8 p.m. Aug. 11. $33-$46.50. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
American Acoustic
A collective including Punch Brothers (Chris Thile, Gabe Witcher, Noam Pikelny, Chris Eldridge and Paul Kowert), I’m With Her (Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan) and Julian Lange originated at a weekend festival curated by Punch Brothers’ Thile at the Kennedy Center in D.C. last summer. The event culminated with a collaborative performance with Punch Brothers and I’m With Her and the seeds of a tour were planted. Thile and Watkins, of course, have a 25-year history from their time in Nickel Creek.
8 p.m. Aug. 11. Sold out. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-876-5859, www.atlantabg.org.
SATURDAY
Leslie Odom Jr.
The charismatic Tony-winning star of Broadway’s “Hamilton” (as Aaron Burr, sir) re-released his self-titled debut album in 2016, adding classics such as “Autumn Leaves,” “Brazil” and the fitting capper, “The Party’s Over.”
8 p.m. Aug. 12. $56-$86. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta. 1-877-987-6487, www.ticketfly.com.
SUNDAY
Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey
After a tour postponement due to Richie requiring knee surgery, the "All the Hits" excursion with pop diva Carey resumed. By recent accounts, the show is true to its name, with Carey onstage first to deliver showstoppers "Vision of Love" and "Hero" among other fan favorites. Richie is a tireless entertainer and stocks his set list with singalongs from his formidable solo career ("All Night Long [All Night]," "Stuck on You") and timeless Commodores gems ("Easy," "Brick House").
With Tauren Wells. 7 p.m. Aug. 13. $39.95-$500. Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-626-2464, www.infiniteenergycenter.com.
THURSDAY
The Fixx
Most “classic hits” radio stations are, er, fixated on the London band’s 1983 MTV staple, “One Thing Leads to Another.” But the quintet — still the original members — had plenty of other hits, such as “Saved by Zero,” “Stand or Fall” and “Are We Ourselves?,” that they’re bound to play.
8 p.m. Aug. 17. $34-$42. City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Ave., Ponce City Market, Atlanta. 404-946-3791, www.citywinery.com/atlanta/.
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