BY MELISSA RUGGIERI/AJC Music Scene
FRIDAY
The B-52s
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the band that will be forever tied to Athens is taking a novel approach and performing with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. In a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, singer Fred Schneider said, "We'll do our set and the symphony will be onstage the whole time and jump in." So yes, that means there is a solid chance of hearing "Rock Lobster" and "Love Shack" with cellos.
8 p.m. Sept. 15. $49.50-$125.50. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com
Bleachers
After taking a detour from Fun., Jack Antonoff lovingly embraced the music of the '70s and '80s with his side project, founded in 2013. The stomp-clapper "I Wanna Get Better" introduced the band to the charts in 2014, and "Don't Take the Money," from Bleachers' recently released third album, "Gone Now," made some noise on alternative radio. The band's spunky performance at Shaky Knees in May confirmed that they definitely would have garnered a seal of approval from John Hughes.
With Tangerine. 8 p.m. Sept. 15. Sold out. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com
The Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Their soulful blend of Americana blues-rock is well-showcased on the new albums “Anyway You Love, We Know How You Feel” and “If You Lived Here, You Would Be Home by Now.” But live is where this band thrives. Robinson, an Atlanta staple in the early days with the Black Crowes, has been a California man for years, and the new albums were recorded among the Northern California mountains. Robinson’s Brotherhood includes guitarist Neal Casal, keyboardist Adam MacDougall, bassist Jeff Hill and drummer Tony Leone.
8 p.m. Sept. 15. $26-$29. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta. 1-877-987-6487, ticketfly.com
SATURDAY
UB40
Three years ago, singer Ali Campbell, percussionist/trumpeter/singer Astro and keyboardist Mickey Virtue reunited as a touring unit and expanded their live presentation to 11 total members, including a three-piece horn section. That brass is pretty much a requirement for the band’s reggae-pop classics, such as their hit versions of “Red Red Wine” and “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You.” Fans can also check out the two-CD set, “Unplugged + Greatest Hits.”
8 p.m. Sept. 16. $39-$85. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com
Lalah Hathaway and Avery Sunshine
The golden-voiced Hathaway has been a Grammy magnet the past few years, nabbing one in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Her latest came with a cover of "Little Ghetto Boy," a hit for her father, Donny, in 1972 and a song you may well hear live, as well as her new single, "I Can't Wait." She's joined by the equally mind-blowing Avery Sunshine, a woman whose name and personality are perfectly aligned.
With Avant and Jon B. 8 p.m. Sept. 16. $36-$116. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 1-855-285-8499, foxtheatre.org
WEDNESDAY
Hanson
To celebrate their 25th anniversary — yeah, let that sink in for a moment — the brothers Hanson have embarked on the "Middle of Everywhere" world tour. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Hanson's breakthrough album, "Middle of Nowhere," which gave us the indelible "MMMBop." The sibling trio of Isaac, Zac and Taylor Hanson just released "Middle of Everywhere — The Greatest Hits," which includes that worldwide smash, as well as "Where's the Love," "This Time Around," "Penny and Me" and other favorites, as well as the new song, "I Was Born." And if that doesn't scratch your Hanson itch, there's more — the band will bring holiday cheer with "Finally It's Christmas," out Oct. 27.
8 p.m. Sept. 20. $55. Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com
THURSDAY
Arcade Fire
The sextet of Win Butler, Will Butler, Régine Chassagne, Jeremy Gara, Tim Kingsbury and Richard Reed Parry released their fifth album, “Everything Now,” this summer to a No. 1 bow on the Billboard 200 chart and polarizing reviews. But the band — who will be joined onstage by musicians Sarah Neufeld, Tiwill Duprate and Stuart Bogie — reserve the right to experiment, which will undoubtedly be reflected in their live performance.
With Wolf Parade. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21. $31-$66. Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-626-2464, infiniteenergycenter.com
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