FRIDAY
Dierks Bentley
The scruffily handsome country star released his eighth studio album, "Black," in May, branded after wife Cassidy's maiden name, and said it chronicles all stages of a relationship. Hit "Somewhere on a Beach" is another Bentley specialty that makes the best out of a sour situation (see "Drunk on a Plane" for further proof). Bentley is joined by a cast of country pals, including Randy Houser, who will play host to weddings for 10 Atlanta couples before the show.
With Randy Houser, Cam and Tucker Beathard. 7 p.m. July 15. $32.25-$57. Lakewood Amphitheatre, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
Steve Miller Band
Outspoken is one way to describe the 72-year-old rocker, who very publicly took the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to task after his induction earlier this year. (Miller called it an “unpleasant” experience and didn’t believe the Rock Hall paid proper respect to the artists.) But, hey, when your “Greatest Hits 1974-78” album has sold 13 million copies and you still rule classic rock radio with songs such as “The Joker,” “Fly Like an Eagle” and “Take the Money and Run,” it’s hard to argue with a little testiness.
8 p.m. July 15. $55-$110. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, 201 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
SATURDAY
I Love the ’90s
Salt-N-Pepa with Spinderella (perhaps the greatest female DJ name ever), Kid N Play, Biz Markie, Coolio, Tone Loc, Rob Base and Young MC will help the nostalgia-minded relive the ’90s for a couple of hours. Unfortunately, ours is not a Vanilla Ice date. But who doesn’t want to “Push It” with Salt-N-Pepa?
7:30 p.m. July 16. $19.50-$79.50. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 1-800-745-3000, concerts.livenation.com.
Melissa Etheridge and Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
Two of the most potent-voiced women in rock co-headline this summer outing, along with Benatar’s influential husband of 35 years. In fact, the couple is back on the road already after last year’s anniversary tour (some dates were canceled after Giraldo required eye surgery). This is the last of the artists’ first batch of dates, which they will resume next month. Etheridge released the live album “A Little Bit of Me: Live in L.A.” last year.
7 p.m. July 16. $30-$85. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive N.W., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
SUNDAY
Shawn Mendes
Last year, Mendes gave his multitude of female fans in Atlanta plenty to squeal about with two appearances — opening for Taylor Swift and performing at the Power 96.1 Jingle Ball. This is his second world tour — not bad for a 17-year-old — and the singer-songwriter surely will perform plenty from his debut, “Handwritten,” including the hits “Stitches” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”
7:30 p.m. July 17. $52.70. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 1-855-285-8499, foxtheatre.org.
TUESDAY
Culture Club
Last summer, the original quartet of singer Boy George, bassist Mikey Craig, drummer Jon Moss and guitarist Roy Hay ditched the bickering and reunited for a tour that brought plenty of color and zippy pop to town when it played the Fox Theatre. This current run of dates is the band's longest in years, so fans will have a bit longer to wait for that expected new "Tribes" album.
8 p.m. July 19. $39.50-$69.50. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive N.W., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
About the Author
