BY MELISSA RUGGIERI/AJC Music Scene
Anyone who thinks the music season doesn’t kick in until summer clearly hasn’t glanced at the head-spinning array of concerts heading to Atlanta this spring.
Here is but a smattering of the offerings.
All tickets can be purchased via www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000 unless otherwise noted
Duran Duran. Almost exactly a year after the veteran Brit poppers dazzled Atlanta with a full-scale production at Philips Arena, the band will return for a scaled-down version to kick off the season at Chastain Park Amphitheatre . Duran Duran's "Paper Gods" tour in the spring and summer of 2016 brought the band back to arenas for the first time since its "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" heyday. 8 p.m. April 8. $35-$85. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive N.W., Atlanta.
Panic at the Disco. The stylishly layered songs from frontman Brendon Urie shimmer even more on Panic's fifth album, "Death of a Bachelor," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart — a first for the band. Don't miss their live covers of Billy Joel and Queen. With MisterWives and Saint Motel. 7 p.m. April 12. $39.50-$59.50. Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-626-2464, www.infiniteenergycenter.com.
Red Hot Chili Peppers. A spring leg of the band's tour continues its support of its 11th album, "The Getaway," produced by Danger Mouse. The funk-rock connoisseurs last played Atlanta in 2013 for a headlining set at Music Midtown. 8 p.m. April 14. $53-$103. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta.
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. The singer-pianist released his second solo album, "Zombies on Broadway," in February after spending the past couple of years — after scoring the Top 10 hit "Cecilia and the Satellite" — touring with Gavin DeGraw, Weezer and Panic at the Disco. 7 p.m. April 19. $28.50. Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Country's most radiant couple is back for a third round of its "Soul2Soul" joint concert. The pair will hit 65 cities during a seven-month outing and while the hits will take precedence, expect to hear some new music, such as the just-released "Speak to a Girl," from an upcoming album. 7:30 p.m. April 22. $69.50-$119.50. Philips Arena.
Ben Folds. Although he's known for intelligent, yet sardonic, piano pop such as "Rockin' the Suburbs" and "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces," Folds is a master musician and composer. He'll demonstrate his musical muscularity with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. April 24. $42.50-$65.50. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The band is commemorating 40 years in the music business by going on an extensive tour. While Petty performed at the Tabernacle with his original band, Mudcrutch, in June, he and the Heartbreakers haven't played the area since an April 2012 show at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta. With Joe Walsh. 7:30 p.m. April 27. $49.50-$149.50. Philips Arena.
Billy Joel. The Atlanta Braves will open their new ballpark on April 14, and a couple of weeks later welcome the first concert at the stadium by a legendary piano man. Joel last played Atlanta in 2015 with a sold-out show at Philips Arena. All seats will be reserved and with seating placed on the field (which will be protected by a covering), capacity is expected to be about the same as a typical Braves game — 41,500. 8 p.m. April 28. $54.50-$139.50. SunTrust Park, 755 Battery Ave., Atlanta.
Neil Diamond. The "I Am, I Said" hit monster is celebrating a milestone anniversary of his music career by going on a world tour, which launches April 7 in California. Diamond, 75, last performed in Atlanta in 2012 at Philips Arena. 8 p.m. April 30. $35-$405. Philips Arena.
Col. Bruce Hampton. The man affectionately known as the "Granddaddy of the Jam Scene" is turning 70 and throwing a giant party that includes Widespread Panic members John Bell, Dave Schools, Duane Trucks and Jimmy Herring; Peter Buck of R.E.M.; steel guitarist Darick Campbell; saxophone player Karl Denson; Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon; Jon Fishman of Phish and numerous other jam pals. 7:30 p.m. May 1. $35-$125. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 1-855-285-8499, www.foxtheatre.org.
A Perfect Circle. It's been six years since the band last toured the U.S. and 13 since its last studio album, but founder Billy Howerdel confirmed in January that APC is working on its first new music since 2004's "eMOTIVe" and using this tour as a springboard. The current lineup includes Howerdel, singer Maynard James Keenan, guitarist James Iha, bassist Matt McJunkins and drummer Jeff Friedl. With Prayers. 8 p.m. May 2. $29-$350. Verizon Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta.
The New Pornographers. On April 7, the band will release "Whiteout Conditions," which has been prefaced by the catchy single "High Ticket Attractions." Every ticket purchased for the show will include a copy of the new album. With Waxahatchee. 8 p.m. May 2. $35. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 1-877-987-6487, www.ticketfly.com.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Def Leppard. Of course it's easy to bash these '80s hair band icons as purveyors of the shallow and superficial. But you sing along every time, don't you? Mmm hmm. That's what we thought. With Poison and Tesla. 7 p.m. May 3. $29.50-$139.50. Lakewood Amphitheatre, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.livenation.com.
Future. Is anyone more prolific than this guy? His latest album, "HNDRXX," released Feb. 24, debuted at No. 1, pushing his other new album, "Future," released a week earlier, down a notch to No. 2. The feat made Future the first act in nearly 61 years of Billboard's charts to achieve back-to-back No. 1 albums in consecutive weeks. With Migos, Tory Lanez, Kodak Black and Young Thug. 7 p.m. May 5. $26-$99.50. Lakewood Amphitheatre.
Chris Stapleton. The hirsute country-rock-soul troubadour has new music on the way to coincide with his pair of Atlanta shows. Joining the fun on Stapleton's "All American Road Show" will be Brothers Osborne, Lucie Silvas, Anderson East, Brent Cobb and Margo Price. 7 p.m. May 5-6. $30.75-$70.75. Verizon Amphitheatre.
Lil Wayne. So much for retirement. The past six months have seen Weezy perform at Music Midtown and, in December, the V-103 Winterfest. For this 13-city run, dubbed "Kloser 2 U," Wayne is playing intimate venues. As fans know, the next time could be the last time. 8 p.m. May 8. $52.50. Coca-Cola Roxy, 800 Battery Ave. S.E., Atlanta.
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Zac Brown Band. In addition to their major tour, the Atlanta country heroes are currently wrapping their album called "Welcome Home." Calling it a "return to their roots," the band will unveil the new release on May 12. Every online ticket order will include a choice of a physical or digital copy of "Welcome Home." ZBB fans who plan to visit Nashville can also check out the band's exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame through summer. 7 p.m. May 12-13. $39-$91. Verizon Amphitheatre.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
The Weeknd. The first-ever world tour for the Canadian R&B-pop singer launched in February in Sweden, and the "Can't Feel My Face" star is treating European fans to a 26-song set that incorporates the best of his three albums. With Rae Sremmurd, Belly and 6lack. 7:30 p.m. May 13. $90-$445. Philips Arena.
Funk Fest Atlanta. The festival is the first event at Wolf Creek since concert behemoth Live Nation took over operations at the beleaguered amphitheater in December. The three-day musical gathering will spotlight Erykah Badu, Ro James and Digable Planets (May 19); Bell Biv Devoe, Guy featuring Teddy Riley, Mystikal, En Vogue and SWV (May 20); and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Brandy and Joe (May 21). 7 p.m. May 19, 5 p.m. May 20 and 4 p.m. May 21. $144-$424. Wolf Creek Amphitheatre, 3025 Merk Road S.W., Atlanta.
Trey Songz. The chest-baring R&B singer embarks on a "fan appreciation" tour May 3 in support of his new album, "Tremaine The Album," the follow-up to 2014's platinum "Trigga" and 2015's reissue, "Trigga Reloaded." 8 p.m. May 21. $49.50-$66. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta.
Sigur Ros. The Icelandic trio will perform without string, brass or other musicians that have joined them on past tours (there is also no opening act). The band's show will feature two sets — with an intermission — and customized visuals by the team that handled their "Knights of Illumination" tour. 8 p.m. May 23. $36-$96. Fox Theatre.
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. The Dave Matthews Band is taking the summer off, but Matthews and pal Tim Reynolds will keep the music playing. The show will feature the pair playing stripped-down, acoustic songs. Since 1999, they've released three live double-CDs; the most recent, "Live in Las Vegas," bowed in 2010. 7:30 p.m. May 31. $40.50-$95. Verizon Amphitheatre.
Arrested Development. Atlanta's legacy hip-hoppers will always be regarded for their groundbreaking musical approach with '90s songs "Tennessee" and "Mr. Wendal." The group, still fronted by the thoughtful Speech, recently released a free, 15-song download called "Changing the Narrative" on their website. 8 p.m. June 1-2. $25-$40. City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Ave., Ponce City Market, Atlanta. 404-946-3791, www.citywinery.com/atlanta/.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Paul Simon. Shortly after his inspirational performance at the Fox Theatre in May, the musical poet told The New York Times that he might soon retire from touring. That's a hint in case you haven't seen him live before. 8 p.m. June 2. $89.50-$125. Chastain.
Muse. The British trio of Matt Bellamy, Dominic Howard and Chris Wolstenholme hasn't released an album since 2015's "Drones," which earned their first No. 1 in the U.S. and a Grammy Award for best rock album. But a lack of new material won't prevent them from presenting a typically mesmerizing show. With Thirty Seconds to Mars and PVRIS. 7 p.m. June 6. $30-$99.50. Lakewood Amphitheatre.
Avett Brothers. The North Carolina quartet is such a huge draw, they'll park at the Fox Theatre for a trio of shows this summer. The indie-folk-rockers released their ninth studio album, "True Sadness," last year. 8 p.m. June 8-10. $39.50-$59.50. Fox Theatre.
Chance the Rapper. Regardless of his future, the Chicago hip-hop star will always be regarded for making Grammy history by becoming the first act to be nominated — and win — based on a streaming-only release ("Coloring Book"). Chance took home a trio of awards — and that was likely only the start. 8 p.m. June 11. $36-$90.50. Lakewood Amphitheatre.
Hall & Oates with Tears for Fears. Prepare for a massive singalong with these two bands on the bill. Hall & Oates brought their extensive catalog of Philly soul-pop hits to Lakewood Amphitheatre last May and performed at Music Midtown in 2015. The '80s hits of Tears for Fears were last heard in Atlanta at a 2010 concert at Chastain Park Amphitheatre. With Allen Stone. 7 p.m. June 11. $35-$129.50. Infinite Energy Arena.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Paul Shaffer. Since saying goodbye to late-night TV with his boss David Letterman nearly two years ago, bandleader Shaffer has hardly been idle. He and the World's Most Dangerous Band returned March 17 with their first album in 24 years and will hit the road April 1 for a 15-date tour. With Valerie Simpson. 7:30 p.m. June 11. $42-$102. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Dead and Company. John Mayer might be returning to his solo career, but he's carved out time this summer for a third round of dates with his new heroes: Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir and drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann along with bassist Oteil Burbridge and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti. 7 p.m. June 13. $40-$149.50. Lakewood Amphitheatre.
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