Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
If you need the spark of live music to urge you into the Christmas spirit, you have more than a dozen opportunities to squeeze in a show in the midst of shopping and being nicer than usual to people.
Here is a look at the season’s live offerings, which span hip-hop, gospel, country and pop.
Unless otherwise noted, all tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
"Hip-Hop Nutcracker." The "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" will likely have a completely different look in "The Hip-Hop Nutcracker," which sets choreography by the artistic director of a Brooklyn hip-hop crew to Tchaikovsky's famed score. The contemporary, family-friendly show debuted last year in New York and New Jersey and this season will visit 11 cities. The Atlanta stop will also include special guest MC Kurtis Blow, a rap legend best known for his 1980 classic, "The Breaks." 2 p.m. Nov. 28. $22-$72. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 1-855-285-8499, www.foxtheatre.org.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Blind Boys of Alabama. Last year, the Blind Boys of Alabama teamed with Taj Mahal for a Christmas album, "Talkin' Christmas!" Its blend of gospel and distinctive harmonizing made it one of 2014's best — and no doubt the group will pull from that release, as well as its 2003 Grammy-winning effort, "Go Tell It on the Mountain," at its two Christmas concerts at Eddie's Attic. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27 and 7 p.m. Nov. 28. $50. Eddie's Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 1-877-435-9849, www.eddiesattic.com.
Kristian Bush. Bush's annual Thanksgiving weekend concerts at Eddie's Attic are always memorable, and for this year's gathering, he has enlisted old pal Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls (she'll perform at the 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. shows Nov. 29) and Ellis Paul (7 and 9:30 p.m. Nov. 30). Joining the festivities both nights is singer-songwriter JT Harding (aka JTX), who has written hits for Keith Urban ("Somewhere in My Car"), Blake Shelton ("Sangria"), Kenny Chesney ("Somewhere With You") and Uncle Kracker ("Smile"). 6:30 (sold out) and 9:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Nov. 30. $25-$32. Eddie's Attic.
Dave Koz. The affable smooth jazz saxophonist has become as synonymous with Christmas as a red Starbucks cup — though he stays far away from controversy. This year, Koz, who opened for Barry Manilow at his June farewell show in Duluth , is joined by tour alumni Jonathan Butler and Candy Dulfer as well as a special first-time guest — Bill Medley, he of Righteous Brothers and "I've Had the Time of My Life" fame. 8 p.m. Dec. 2. $26-$86. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Robin Meade's Holiday Round Robin. The personable and talented HLN "Morning Express" star waited until the end of the year to return to the Eddie's stage, where she sold out four performances last year, and she's bringing some notable guests — the band Sixwire. Their songs have been recorded by country greats Tim McGraw and Kenny Rogers, they've toured with McGraw and Kenny Chesney and you just might recognize them as Rayna James' band on ABC's "Nashville." Meade's fun, free-form "round robin" style show will include original songs, covers and some percussive holiday classics. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 4. $25. Eddie's Attic.
Will Downing's Soulful Sounds of Christmas. For 27 years, R&B crooner Downing has been melting hearts with songs such as "A Million Ways" and "Sorry I." For his holiday excursion, he'll be joined by Kenny Lattimore and Maysa, while hosting duties will fall to MC Lightfoot. 8 p.m. Dec. 4. $35-$89. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Brian Setzer Orchestra. The rockabilly rouser has been a staple on the holiday concert scene for years, thanks to "Dig That Crazy Christmas," the gift that has been giving since 2005. But earlier this year, Setzer realized there were "a gazillion" Christmas songs still untapped by his imaginative arranging skills, so "Rockin' Rudolph," his first Christmas release in a decade, was born. 8 p.m. Dec. 5. $35-$75. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Michael McDonald. The stately silver fox has one of the most recognizable voices in music, whether he's with the Doobie Brothers, flying solo or hanging with Donald Fagen and Boz Scaggs in the Dukes of September. In December, though, his focus is "This Christmas, An Evening of Holiday & Hits." 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. $29.50-$125.50. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta.
Jingle Jam. Star 94's Jingle Jam is going a bit bigger than last year's downsized show at Center Stage with a move to the Fox Theatre. Pentatonix, the a cappella group that just snagged a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 album chart with its self-titled album, will headline. Joining them are Andy Grammer and Needtobreathe, who will present an "intimate" performance. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. $27-$77. Fox Theatre.
Ed Roland. For years, the generous Collective Soul frontman has commandeered Eddie's Attic for a few nights in December to spread charity and cheer. Roland likes to keep his special guests close to the vest, though he did hint a few months ago that he might bring the C.S. guys onstage for some acoustic jamming. 8 p.m. Dec. 14-16. $25-$32. Eddie's Attic.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The big hair, big sounds, big effects show that is TSO's hallmark will be in place, but for the first time since it began its well-regarded Christmas tours, the band isn't featuring the albums from its popular trilogy of holiday music. Instead, it will perform "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve," the one Christmas work that had never been released or performed live. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16. $34-$74.50. Infinite Energy Center (formerly the Arena at Gwinnett Center), 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 1-888-929-7849, www.infiniteenergycenter.com.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Jingle Ball. Justin Bieber, whose career launched in Atlanta under the tutelage of Usher, will headline Power 96.1's Jingle Ball, the first of three appearances he has at Philips Arena in the next five months. Joining the singer, who recently returned with the album "Purpose," are Nick Jonas, Fifth Harmony, Shawn Mendes, Charlie Puth, Hailee Steinfeld and DNCE. Other surprise guests are expected. 7 p.m. Dec. 17. $35-$129.50. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta.
Radio 105.7 Holiday Spectacular. A double punch of festivities will rock the Tabernacle, with Awolnation and Metric — who played a spunky set at Music Midtown this fall — handling Dec. 17 duties and the Arcs and Highly Suspect pulling in on Dec. 18. 8 p.m. Dec. 17-18. $33.50 each night or $63.50 for two-day pass. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. In recent years, Grant has performed her winter wonderland show at the Fox Theatre with husband Vince Gill and/or Michael W. Smith, but this year she and Smith are going grand. The longtime pals will be backed by a full symphony orchestra and, if the script remains the same, perform their joint arsenal of Christmas classics, both original and standards. 8 p.m. Dec. 18. $39.50-$150. Infinite Energy Center.
V103 40th Anniversary Winterfest Concert. Not only is it a holiday concert, but an anniversary as well. The celebratory lineup will feature plenty of smooth grooves and moves when Keith Sweat, Tyrese, BBD, Silk, 112 and Jagged Edge take the stage. 8 p.m. Dec. 19. $33-$103. Philips Arena.
Celtic Woman. The lovely Irish lasses spend plenty of time in Atlanta, and for this Christmas return, they'll be joined by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The show will spotlight songs from the group's second seasonal offering, "Home for Christmas." 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20. $47.50-$102.50. Atlanta Symphony Hall.
Keith and Kristyn Getty: Joy — An Irish Christmas. It's always an evening full of spirit when the Gettys and a band of ace musicians spark the holiday fuzzies with their engaging mixture of Celtic, classical and bluegrass songs. This is the fourth annual tour for the couple known for crafting modern hymns. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21. $35-$75. Fox Theatre.
Oak Ridge Boys. This is the Boys' 26th "Christmas Night Out" tour, but don't think they're into complacency. The band promises a revamped stage, a mix of Oak Ridge Boys hits and Christmas classic and maybe even an appearance by Santa Claus (aka the snow-bearded Oak Ridger William Lee Golden). 7 p.m. Dec. 22. $49.50-$59.50. Philips Arena.
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