From the return of Sugarland to the expected seasonal appearance by Phish to the stadium takeovers by Zac Brown Band, Def Leppard and Journey, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé and Jay-Z, this summer’s concert season fits all styles and sizes.
Here are 25 shows coming to Atlanta worth your consideration.
Tickets to all shows can be purchased via ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000 unless otherwise noted. Make sure to check out Live Music Picks and Hot Tickets every week in Go Guide and on the Atlanta Music Scene at ajc.com.
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. A little more than a year after the superstar country couple brought their "Soul2Soul" tour to Atlanta, they'll return for an encore round of shared hits and longing looks. With Caitlyn Smith. 7:30 p.m. June 23. $69.50-$119.50. Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 1-888-929-7849, infiniteenergycenter.com.
Dave Koz. For the second installment of "An Evening of Smooth Jazz," the nine-time Grammy-nominated saxophonist will headline a night of relaxing tunes with some of his other brass-adept pals. With Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun and Pieces of a Dream. 7 p.m. June 23. $55-$105. Wolf Creek Amphitheater, 3025 Merk Road SW, Atlanta.
Brandi Carlile. The astute singer-songwriter has always been passionate and outspoken about social causes. With her current album, "By the Way, I Forgive You," and visceral single, "The Joke," the Americana favorite seems to finally be gaining more mainstream traction. With Shovels & Rope and the Secret Sisters. 6:30 p.m. June 24. $29.50-$55. State Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Drive NW, Atlanta.
Geoff Tate. The original lead singer of prog-metal rockers Queensryche is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their landmark concept album, "Operation: Mindcrime," with his current band, also called Operation: Mindcrime. Tate will perform the entire album, along with a set of hits. With Till Death Do Us Part. 8 p.m. June 25. $25-$30. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta. 1-877-987-6487, ticketfly.com.
Zac Brown Band. The Atlanta-based country behemoths will play their first-ever hometown headlining stadium gig with this "Down the Rabbit Hole Live" appearance, one of 11 stadiums they're playing this summer. With OneRepublic and Nahko and Medicine for the People. 6:30 p.m. June 30. $35-$106. SunTrust Park, 755 Battery Ave. SE, Atlanta.
Def Leppard and Journey. You want hits? You can't really get a beefier combined set list than what these two classic rock powerhouses are offering. Reviews have been effusive, especially for Def Lep's fist-pumping set. And get there early enough to catch the ageless Chrissie Hynde and Co. With the Pretenders. 6 p.m. July 1. $34.50-$99.50. SunTrust Park.
3 Doors Down and Collective Soul. Following the December release of "Live," the self-explanatory album that confirmed the band's continued stage dominance, Atlanta's Collective Soul is co-headlining the 36-date "Rock & Roll Express Tour" with its fellow '90s hitmakers responsible for "Kryptonite" and "Here Without You." With Soul Asylum. 7 p.m. July 6. $35-$65. State Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park.
Jill Scott. The classic R&B singer is urging fans to "Live in the Moment" with her on this annual visit to Atlanta. Her most recent album, "Woman," arrived in 2015, so it's OK to start pining for new material. 8 p.m. July 7. $45.50-$150. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 1-855-285-8499, foxtheatre.org.
Foreigner. The aptly named "Jukebox Heroes" tour will find the trio of Foreigner, Whitesnake and Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience not only celebrating the 12th anniversary of 97.1 The River, but also the British heritage of its three frontmen — Mick Jones, David Coverdale and Bonham, respectively. 7 p.m. July 7. $29.50-$139.50. Verizon Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta.
Sam Smith. The expressive crooner topped the Billboard 200 in November with his anticipated sophomore album, "The Thrill of It All." His ensuing second tour launched earlier this year in Europe and will keep him in arenas worldwide through November. With Cam. 8 p.m. July 10. $35-$125. Infinite Energy Arena.
Erasure. The '80s British synth-pop duo of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke hit the pop charts with "Chains of Love" and "A Little Respect," and also stayed active on the dance charts through the late 2000s. On July 6, they'll release the 24-track live album, "World Be Live," to coincide with their tour kickoff. With Reed & Caroline. 8 p.m. July 10. $59.50. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta.
Jason Aldean. The Macon native, a lifelong fan of the Atlanta Braves, said his first concert at SunTrust Park will rank at the top of his career highlights list — along with his 2013 performance at Sanford Stadium in Athens. No surprise, then, that the country star has lined up a fun list of co-stars. With Hootie & the Blowfish, Luke Combs and Lauren Alaina. 5:30 p.m. July 21. $40.50-$89.75. SunTrust Park.
Smashing Pumpkins. No, bassist D'arcy Wretzky won't be joining them, but other founding members Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin and James Iha will be on the road together for the first time in nearly 20 years. The tour will highlight music from the group's inception through 2000, with material from "Gish," "Siamese Dream," "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness," "Adore" and "Machina." With Metric. 7 p.m. July 22. $33-$129. Infinite Energy Arena.
Tony Bennett. Can you get more classic than 91-year-old Tony Benedetto? He's visited Atlanta several times the past few years with a brisk set including Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" and Irving Berlin's "Steppin' Out With My Baby" — and he's still including a few impressive twirls with his hearty vocal delivery. 7:30 p.m. July 24. $59.50-$125.50. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta.
O.A.R. Has it really been 21 years since the Maryland quintet released their debut, "The Wanderer"? In the ensuing years, the band broke into the mainstream with earnest pop-rockers "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)," "Peace" and "I Go Through." A new single, "Just Like Paradise," prefaces their summer tour. With Matt Nathanson. 7 p.m. Aug. 1. $40-$53. Coca-Cola Roxy, 800 Battery Ave. SE, Atlanta.
Sugarland. At their tour kickoff in Augusta in May, the longtime duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush — back after a five-year touring hiatus — shared smiles, old hits ("Stuck Like Glue," "Baby Girl") and new tunes ("On a Roll," "Lean It on Back") from a new album, "Bigger." With Frankie Ballard and Lindsay Ell. 7 p.m. Aug. 3. $31.50-$101. Infinite Energy Arena.
Phish. It wouldn't feel like summer without a multiple-night stand by the veteran jam banders. They'll commandeer the Alpharetta amphitheater as part of their 21-show trek around the country. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3-5. $45-$80. Verizon Amphitheatre.
Janelle Monae. Now that the multi-talented Atlanta-based performer has proved her acting chops, we can all relish her return to music. If you haven't listened to her long-awaited "Dirty Computer" album, featuring "Make Me Feel," "Django Jane" and "Pynk," then you haven't heard one of the best albums of the year. With St. Beauty. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4-5. $59.50-$182.91. Tabernacle.
Jeremih. The rapper-singer-producer is hitting the road with Teyana Taylor for a 24-city tour that will spotlight the pair's new projects. Jeremih has a joint effort with Ty Dolla Sign, "MihTy," while Taylor is set to release her sophomore album on June 22. With DaniLeigh. 8 p.m. Aug. 7. $40. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta.
Slayer. After 37 years, it's officially the end of the touring road for the thrash metal icons. The "Final World Tour" will keep the quartet slashing and head-banging through December — and they'll be joined by quite a coterie of similarly roaring rockers. With Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament and Napalm Death. 5 p.m. Aug. 10. $25-$126.30. Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta.
Taylor Swift. Look what you made her do — return to the stage with an elaborate, snake-motif-filled production, all in the name of pop dominance. Fans might not have warmed to her "Reputation" album as rapidly as past work, but Swift's set list tries to squeeze in old favorites including "Love Story," "Shake It Off" and "Blank Space." With Camila Cabello and Charli XCX. 7 p.m. Aug. 10-11. $50-$350. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 1414 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW, Atlanta.
Tory Lanez. His new album, "Memories Don't Die," features cameos from Future, 50 Cent, Fabolous and Wiz Khalifa, and the Grammy-nominated singer ("Luv") born Daystar Peterson has a 53-date tour to support the release. With Davo and Flipp Dinero. 8 p.m. Aug. 12. $30-$40. Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta.
Tower of Power. Fifty years after Emilio Castillo met Stephen "Doc" Kupka, the San Francisco brass experts still haven't lost their shine. The group has collaborated with artists ranging from Huey Lewis & the News to Lyle Lovett to Luis Miguel. Now THAT is hip. 8 p.m. Aug. 13-14. $65-$78. City Winery, 650 North Ave. NE #201, Atlanta. 404-946-3791, citywinery.com/atlanta.
Jason Mraz. Powered by the bright single, "Have It All," the first studio album from the vocally pure, gentle-hearted Mraz in four years arrives Aug. 10. Hey, the guy has been busy, having recently wrapped his Broadway debut in "Waitress." With Brett Dennen. 8 p.m. Aug. 18. $30-$129.50. State Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Just when you think they've turned their attention to one thing — a massive, worldwide stadium tour — the Teflon couple do the unexpected – drop a massive, deeply candid joint album. These two are experts in keeping the conversation going. With Chloe x Halle and DJ Khaled. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25-26. $49.50-$324. Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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