With a few exceptions, this is the time of the season to move indoors for your live music experiences.
This fall will witness the return of some artists long absent from the stage (Lisa Stansfield, Christina Aguilera), the emergence of upstarts (Troye Sivan, Alice Merton) and the opportunity to say goodbye to a certain flamboyant pop pianist.
Here is a glance at 18 upcoming fall shows (18 for 2018 — see what we did there?). Make sure to check Live Music Picks and Hot Tix every week in Go Guide and on AJC.com for updates and information.
Unless otherwise noted, tickets to all shows can be purchased via ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Nine Inch Nails. The industrial rock veterans, who last played Atlanta in 2014, released "Bad Witch" in June, the final album of a trilogy that began with 2016's "Not the Actual Events" and continued with 2017's "Add Violence." During the kickoff last week of this "Cold and Black and Infinite Tour," NIN surprised fans by playing its 1992 EP, "Broken," in its entirety. With the Jesus and Mary Chain. 7 p.m. Sept. 26-27. $45-$175. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 1-855-285-8499, foxtheatre.org.
Troye Sivan. The young singer, a native of South Africa who grew up in Australia, continues to earn kudos. His second album, "Bloom," boasts the hits "My My My!" and "Dance to This" — a promising follow-up to his breakthrough single, "Youth." With Kim Petras and Leland. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1. $42.50. Coca-Cola Roxy, 800 Battery Ave. SE, Atlanta.
David Byrne. Only five months after storming the Shaky Knees Music Festival, the former Talking Heads leader returns with another round of live support for his "American Utopia" album. As with that performance, he'll be joined by a 12-piece band for a show he calls the "most ambitious" he's done since the "Stop Making Sense" concerts were filmed in 1984.With Tune-Yards. 8 p.m. Oct. 2. $45-$175. Fox Theatre.
Simple Minds. Distinctive-voiced frontman Jim Kerr told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in a recent interview that fans can expect a two-set show with close to two dozen songs. "The fact that we haven't been (to the U.S.) in so long, we feel we owe our hardcore fans a few more songs than usual," he said. And yes, "Don't You (Forget About Me)" will be among them. 8 p.m. Oct. 8. $35.50-$59.50. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta.
Alice Cooper. At State Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park in August 2017 (when the venue had a simpler name), Cooper and his merry band of motley rockers enraptured the crowd with goth-gore shtick that never grows tiresome. Of course, his ability to still churn out anthems such as "18," "Poison" and "School's Out" with the gusto of a much younger Alice only adds to the energy. 8 p.m. Oct. 10. $49-$99. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta.
Maxwell. The smooth-groove machine is getting real with fans on his "50 Intimate Nights Live" tour, which launched earlier this week. Maxwell recently released the song "We Never Saw It Coming" — his first new music since 2016 — and on Sept. 28 will unveil a 20th anniversary edition of his album "Embrya." 8 p.m. Oct. 12. $40-$265. State Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Drive NW, Atlanta.
Alice Merton. Hailing from Germany and Canada, the singer behind the intoxicating "No Roots" also paid a visit to Atlanta earlier this year at Shaky Knees. She recently released the single "Why So Serious," from her upcoming debut album, "Mint," expected in January. With Foreign Air. 8 p.m. Oct. 14. $21-$56 (18 and older only). Terminal West, 887 W. Marietta St. NW, Atlanta. 404-876-5566, terminalwestatl.com.
Josh Groban. The golden-throated singer-actor-ace-Tonys-host will pair with pal Idina Menzel for the 18-city "Bridges" tour, which kicks off here. In addition to his continuing musical aspirations, Groban stars with Tony Danza in the new Netflix series "The Good Cop." 8 p.m. Oct. 18. $55.50-$205.50. Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-626-2464, infiniteenergycenter.com.
Lisa Stansfield. She's been "All Around the World" — except North America — for the past 20 years, but that changes this fall when the British dance-soul singer launches a 14-city tour in October. In April, Stansfield released her eighth studio album, "Deeper," which made an impressive chart showing in her native U.K., as well as Germany and Austria. 8 p.m. Oct. 18. $35-$135. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta.
Chris Stapleton. The hirsute country-roots-rocker is pulling off a rare feat with his "Chris Stapleton All-American Road Show" — playing two different venues in the same market on consecutive nights. But that's testament to the swift rise of Stapleton's star, which, refreshingly, isn't based on social media followers or trends, just honest, fulfilling music. With Marty Stuart and Brent Cobb. 7 p.m. Oct. 19. $34.75-$89.75. Verizon Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 7 p.m. Oct. 20. $70-$239. Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta.
So So Def 25th Anniversary. Atlanta producer-artist-record mogul-songwriter Jermaine Dupri will open the "transformed" downtown arena with an anniversary show celebrating the legacy of his record label. In a karmic twist, Dupri also helped open the venue in its original incarnation, Philips Arena, in 1999. Artists playing this musical soiree include Xscape, Anthony Hamilton, Jagged Edge, Da Brat and Bow Wow. 7 p.m. Oct. 21. $59-$150. State Farm Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta.
Lindsey Buckingham. No Fleetwood Mac? No problem. Ousted from his beloved band, Buckingham isn't remaining idle. On Oct. 5, he releases "Solo Anthology — The Best of Lindsey Buckingham," a three-disc set (on CD and in digital form) that will also be available in abridged, single-disc form. Every ticket purchase includes a CD or digital version of the album. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24. $46-$66. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, 201 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
Richard Marx. In December, Marx and longtime pal Rick Springfield unplugged for a shared show at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Marx fans can experience the powerhouse musician-songwriter (he's penned hits for everyone from Keith Urban to Luther Vandross, as well as his own trove including "Satisfied" and "Right Here Waiting") in an even more intimate setting. 8 p.m. Oct. 24. $85-$100. City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Ave., Ponce City Market, Atlanta. 404-946-3791, citywinery.com/atlanta/.
Billy F. Gibbons. The ZZ Top veteran is momentarily breaking from his longtime bandmates to champion his new solo album (out today), "The Big Bad Blues," with a band including Guns 'N Roses drummer Matt Sorum, guitarist Austin Hanks and DJ and harmonica player Elwood Francis. Gibbons penned most of the songs, but the album also includes favorites from Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley. 8 p.m. Nov. 7. $48.50. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta. 1-877-987-6487, ticketfly.com.
Ed Sheeran. It's almost unbelievable that this unassuming, shaggy-haired guy can command tens of thousands in a stadium with merely his guitar, some foot pedals and, as showcased on his last arena tour, majorly upgraded video production. But with a song arsenal including "Thinking Out Loud," "Perfect" and "Shape of You," Sheeran keeps proving the simple power of well-written songs. With Snow Patrol and Lauv. 7 p.m. Nov. 10. $34.50-$120. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 1414 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW, Atlanta.
Christina Aguilera. It's been a decade since the pop star behind such massive hits as "Fighter," "Dirrty," "What a Girl Wants" and "Beautiful" has toured, but she'll launch her "Liberation" tour — named for her new album released in June — next week in Fort Lauderdale. The iron-lunged singer last played Atlanta in 2007 at the venue formerly known as The Arena at Gwinnett Center. With Big Boi. 8 p.m. Nov. 11. $51.25-$171.25. Fox Theatre.
Drake. Mr. "Nice for What" is taking over Atlanta for three consecutive shows as part of his "Aubrey & the Three Migos Live" tour. In case you need more clarification, Atlanta rap trio Migos is opening for the tour. Drake's current release, the double album "Scorpion," has spawned the hit "God's Plan" and viral sensation "In My Feelings." 7 p.m. Nov. 16-18. $59.50-$199.50. State Farm Arena.
Elton John. At the announcement for his three-year retirement tour, the British piano-pop icon immediately clarified that his exit from the road doesn't mean an exit from public life. "When I say I'm stopping touring, I'm not stopping music. But mostly, I'll be taking my kid to soccer academy," John said. Still, these will be your last chances to warble off-key to "Your Song" with the flamboyant star in the same room. 8 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 1. $59.50-$249.50. State Farm Arena.
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