BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
Eight years ago, soft rock hitman Dan Fogelberg died, but his memory is immortalized every year as December days are ticked off the calendar and the melancholy of another year over sinks in.
Fogelberg’s “Same Old Lang Syne” is a must-play every holiday season, but if you’re more into celebrating with live music and events instead of curling up on the couch with a record player, CD player or streaming device nearby, there are several options — including some that bookend New Year’s Eve.
So “drink a toast to innocence,” as Fogelberg suggested, and have a rockin’ eve.
All times listed are for Dec. 31 unless otherwise noted.
Gregg Allman
The elder statesman of Southern rock will trot out his trove of classics at two shows at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Allman was inducted this year into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and, since the official dissolution of the Allman Brothers Band, has remained a constant presence on the road.
8 p.m. Dec. 30 and 9 p.m. Dec. 31. $35.50-$149.50. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Michelle Malone
Blues-folk-rock maven Malone enjoyed a busy 2015, with the release of a new album, "Stronger Than You Think," a cool video for the single, "When I Grow Up," written with Kristian Bush, a tour with the Indigo Girls and a performance at the 70th Anniversary Celebration for the Atlanta Pops Orchestra. Part of the proceeds of her New Year's Eve shows at Eddie's Attic will benefit NoKidHungry.org.
7:30 p.m. (with Macy Todd) and 10 p.m. (with Sonia Tetlow). $30 (general admission or table seating, which must be purchased in increments of four) and $50 (general admission to both shows). Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 1-877-987-6487, www.eddiesattic.com.
Widespread Panic
Though renowned for their live shows, the Athens-based band released their 12th studio album, “Street Dogs,” earlier this year — their first since 2010. All three of their Atlanta concerts are “Food and Fund Drive” events, which will benefit local food banks (cash or nonperishable food items will be accepted).
8 p.m. Dec. 29-30 and 9 p.m. Dec. 31. Sold out. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 1-855-285-8499, www.foxtheatre.org.
STS9
The Atlanta-rooted band — also known as Sound Tribe Sector 9 — is getting comfortable with these mini-residencies at the Tabernacle to celebrate the end and beginning of a year. Fans will have four opportunities to experience their instrumental electronic-funk-jazz-hip-hop.
8 p.m. Dec. 30 with Emancipator ($39.50); 9 p.m. Dec. 31 with Modern Measure ($75); 8 p.m. Jan. 1 with the Werks ($39.50) and 8 p.m. Jan. 2 with Jaw Gems ($39.50). Four-day pass is $150-$193.50. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.livenation.com.
The Revivalists
Combining New Orleans roots, a group of seven musicians and a sound that meshes a jam-band mindset with the soul of their city has made the Revivalists a touring favorite since their inception in 2007. Their latest album, “Men Amongst Mountains,” arrived last summer.
With Stokeswood and Wrenn. 9 p.m. $24 and $134 (VIP). Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
Perpetual Groove
The Athens-based band is beloved for its inability to stick to one genre. Its music fuses jazz-rock, electronica, R&B and big, hooky rock. But along with its eclectic original sound, the group is also known for spunky covers ranging from Michael Jackson to Rage Against the Machine.
Dec. 31-Jan. 2. Three-day pass and Dec. 31 are sold out. 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31; 9:30 p.m. Jan. 1 with Dank ($25-$28); 9:30 p.m. Jan. 2 with Kenosha Kid ($25-$28). 18 and older only. Terminal West, 887 W. Marietta St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-876-5566, www.terminalwestatl.com.
The Motet
The festival scene favorite from Denver has been around for nearly two decades and their combination of funk, jazz and afrobeat heard on six albums, the most recent being 2014’s self-titled release. Their decision to release an eponymous record this far into their career is, they said, “a reflection that the group has finally become what it has striven to be throughout its existence.”
With the Main Squeeze. 9 p.m. $30 and $99 (VIP). Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
“Dancing with the Stars: Live”
A new production will envelop this 90-minute display of boogying prowess. The tour, which is hitting 43 cities in the U.S., has a rotating cast of dancers. Among them are finalist and Army National Guard Spc. Alek Skarlatos and partner Lindsay Arnold, as well as Alan Bersten, Sharna Burgess, Brittany Cherry, Artem Chigvintsev, Jenna Johnson, Keo Motsepe, Hayes Grier and Emma Slater.
8 p.m. $37-$122. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Billy Dean
Anyone else remember when Billy Dean was on “Star Search”? Anyone else remember “Star Search”? The ’90s country hit machine behind “Only Here for a Little While” and “Somewhere in My Broken Heart” has stayed busy through this decade with songs such as “I Can’t Leave a Good Thing.” He’ll play a set of family-friendly music to ring in the new year and host a countdown to midnight as guests mingle with a dessert and coffee bar and sparkling cider toast. An optional dinner buffet is available prior to the concert.
8 p.m. $35-$40 and $29.99 for optional dinner. Mill Town Music Hall, 1031 Alabama Ave., Bremen. 1-877-725-8849, www.ticketalternative.com.
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