BY MELISSA RUGGIERI/AJC Music Scene
FRIDAY
Bon Jovi
Slightly more than a year after packing the same venue, the durable soon-to-be-Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Famers return with their arsenal of melodic pop-rock anthems. Although the band re-released its current album, “This House Is Not for Sale,” with a couple of new tunes, fans will still want to hear “It’s My Life” and “Livin’ on a Prayer” — and Bon Jovi always complies.
With The Howling Tongues. 7:30 p.m. April 20. $29.50-$549.50. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
Yung Gravy
The young (no pun intended) rapper from Rochester, Minn., broke out in 2016 with “Mr. Clean,” the “Mr. Sandman”-sampling ditty which has landed more than 12 million views on YouTube. Since then, Gravy (born Matt Hauri) has pushed his sound that blends trap music with elements of ‘60s soul into the mainstream with live shows that consistently sell out. His new single, “Knockout,” is already a burgeoning hit for the University of Wisconsin graduate.
9 p.m. April 20. $15-$18 (16 and older only). The Loft at Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
SATURDAY
Pink
She’s still flying through the air with the greatest of ease — all while belting out “Get the Party Started” and “So What” — and garnering high critical praise for her showmanship during this “Beautiful Trauma” world tour. Her last Atlanta performances — in 2013 — were among the best of that year.
With Kid Cut Up. 8 p.m. April 21. $47.45-$207.45. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
Little Big Town
With their recent performances of their dreamy take on Elton John's "Rocket Man" on the ACM Awards and a John TV special, the quartet continues to nudge beyond a country-specific audience. At the Country Music Association Awards in November, LBT's Georgia native Kimberly Schlapman promised flamboyance at the group's arena shows. "We're gonna do it like Reba!" she said. "We're gonna have costume changes, boots and everything. We're gonna have a big, old time!"
With Kacey Musgraves and Midland. 7:30 p.m. April 21. $24.50-$59.50. Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-626-2464, infiniteenergycenter.com.
MONDAY
Richie Kotzen
He’s been a member of Poison and Mr. Big and since 2012, the frontman for The Winery Dogs with Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy and fellow onetime Mr. Big member (and Steve Vai/David Lee Roth bassist) Billy Sheehan. But guitarist-singer Kotzen has focused on his own work the past couple of years. He released the solo effort “Salting Earth” in April 2017 and in January unveiled a video for the song, “The Damned.”
8 p.m. April 23. $28-$36. City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Ave., Ponce City Market, Atlanta. 404-946-3791, citywinery.com/atlanta/.
WEDNESDAY
Ministry
The industrial metal band from Chicago has been riffing loud and long since the early ‘80s. The band called it quits in 2008, but reunited a few years later and has presented three albums in the ensuing years, including the new “AmeriKKKant,” their 14th studio effort which isn’t shy about its political bent.
With Chelsea Wolfe and The God Bombs. 8 p.m. April 25. $39-$42. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
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