FRIDAY
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band
Lovett and his well-regarded backing group will be on the road through November, pleasing audiences with their expertly delivered hybrid of blues, gospel, alt-country and Texas swing. Last summer, Lovett visited the Atlanta Botanical Garden with his acoustic group setup. Lovett's most recent album, "Release Me," arrived in 2012 and is the end of an era of sorts — it's the last under his Curb Records contract, the label he's been with since the beginning of his career. Lovett has said in recent interviews that he thinks the future will see him producing his own records and looking for distribution. He's already involved in social media; check out some of Lovett's photos from the road (as well as his obligatory ice bucket challenge moment) on his Facebook page.
8 p.m. Aug. 29. $67.50. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E. Atlanta. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
SATURDAY
Morris Day & the Time
Yeah, it will be a “Funk Party” for sure when you think of the potential set lists: “Girl,” “Jungle Love” and “The Bird” from headliners Morris Day & the Time; “Take Your Time (Do it Right)” and “Just Be Good to Me” from Atlanta disco-funksters S.O.S. Band; “Operator” and “No Parking on the Dance Floor” from Midnight Star; and a big hit from another Atlanta favorite, Brick, whose “Dazz” topped the R&B charts in 1976. Prepare to sweat.
With S.O.S. Band, Midnight Star and Brick. 7 p.m. Aug. 30. $25-$85. Wolf Creek Amphitheater, 3025 Merk Road S.W., Atlanta. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
SUNDAY
Drake and Lil Wayne
The show is technically billed as Drake vs. Lil Wayne, and if recent tour stops are any indication, the focus is on a good-natured rap battle between New Orleans MC Wayne and Drake, a former child actor now scaling the charts with his combo of R&B and rhymes. Video game maker Capcom is co-sponsoring the tour and provides attendees with an app to support superhero versions of the two stars, with a winner chosen at the end of the show. Score one for inventiveness.
7 p.m. Aug. 31. $35-$139.50. Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
Jennifer Nettles
In February, Nettles returned to her old turf with a sold-out show at the Fox Theatre. She's still touring through September to support her solo debut, "That Girl," which was released last summer. Although nothing from the release has garnered Sugarland-like attention (the title track made it to No. 37 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart), the album has sold a respectable 165,000 copies. As a solo performer, Nettles is an easygoing presence onstage, and is perceptive enough to make sure to throw some Sugarland favorites into the set list (the Fox show included "Baby Girl" and "All I Want to Do," among others).
8 p.m. Aug. 31. $35-$50. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive N.W., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
TUESDAY
Honda Civic Tour
Now in its 13th year, the tour is making some tweaks, as well as playing much smaller venues than it did in its big-amphitheater heyday. There will be three successive tours traversing the country; Atlanta is part of the first round with Grouplove and Portugal the Man headlining. (American Authors and 3BallMTY will spearhead the other two runs, which begin in October and November, respectively.) Grouplove, who broke out in 2011 with the bouncy “Tongue Tied,” played the Tabernacle earlier this year, while Alaska indie rockers Portugal the Man hit the same venue last fall.
6:30 p.m. Sept. 2. $35. Masquerade Music Park, 695 North Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
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