FRIDAY
John Mayer
For a guy who notoriously suffers from foot-in-mouth disease, Mayer has crafted a mature comeback with the relaxed, Americana-leaning “Paradise Valley.” Maybe we can now go back to admiring his guitar skills. Georgia native — and “American Idol” winner — Phillip Phillips seems like the ideal rootsy musical wingman.
With Phillip Phillips. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27. $36-$75. Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
Lionel Richie
Richie said he hasn't embarked on a major U.S. tour since touring with Tina Turner in 2000 because he never felt as if he found the right package. But now, "I could be waiting for the next 40 years, so the beauty of this is just getting in front of the audience," he said in a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With his decades of hits, both with the Commodores and solo, Richie said he's even prepared to take some shouted out requests from the audience at his inaugural performance at Chastain. See the full interview with Richie.
With Dumpstaphunk. 8 p.m. Sept. 27. $57.85-$143.50. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive N.W., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
SATURDAY
Fall Out Boy
You know it’s a good year when you sell out the Tabernacle in June and then return for another Atlanta show three months later. But the emo-alt-rockers Fall Out Boy, known for hits “Sugar We’re Goin’ Down” and “Dance, Dance” — and for bassist Pete Wentz, a onetime tabloid magnet — have made a nifty comeback thanks to a little help from Georgia native Butch Walker, who produced their latest, “Save Rock and Roll.” You can hear Walker’s touch on the booming hit single “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up).” Come on, admit it — that tune is hard to shake.
With Panic at the Disco. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28. $35.50-$39.50. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 1-800-745-3000.
Martina McBride
Though she hasn't released an album since 2011, the country songbird behind hits such as "This One's for the Girls" and "Blessed″ has reportedly been busy in the studio the past few months with plans to release a new record in 2014. Her Chastain Park Amphitheatre show is also a chance for her to showcase Team Martina and the playground they plan to build at the nearby park.
8 p.m. Sept. 28. $35-$89. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive N.W., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
MONDAY
K.T. Tunstall
It’s been a quiet past few years for the Scottish folk-pop singer, at least in the U.S., where she hasn’t rivaled the success of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and “Suddenly I See.” But her new album, the reflective “Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon,” deserves attention.
8 p.m. Sept. 30. $22.50. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-7354.
TUESDAY
Blondie
Deborah Harry and the boys can always be relied upon to placate fans with their sublime New Wave hits. But expect to hear some new tunes from Blondie’s upcoming 10th studio album, “Ghosts of Download,” due in November.
With X. 8 p.m. Oct. 1. $38-$48. Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
Jack Johnson
The super mellow guitarist, who inspired a particularly hilarious Andy Samberg imitation years ago on “Saturday Night Live,” seems to only be escalating in popularity. His From Here to Now to You Tour — named after a new album — is sold out. Now maybe the dude can afford a pair of shoes.
7:30 p.m. Oct. 1. Sold out. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
WEDNESDAY
Earth, Wind & Fire
To get into the mindset to write songs for the group’s 21st studio album, the recently released “Now, Then & Forever,” singer Philip Bailey utilized the time on a plane ride back from Japan to listen to all the EWF albums from their 1971 debut to 1980’s “Faces.” The result, percussionist Ralph Johnson said in an interview with the AJC, is “music that is about now and after we’re gone; the music will be here forever.” Don’t worry, fans, they may have a few new songs to play, but Johnson assures that when you come to an EWF show, “you’re going to get the hits.”
8 p.m. Oct. 2. $62.65-$114.90. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 1-855-285-8499.
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