SATURDAY
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
It isn’t quite true that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. It’s also pretty much a certainty that whenever Frankie Beverly and Maze are in the house there is going to be a party. The Philly soul man and the funk band that shares the stage with him haven’t released a new album in two decades. But that hardly matters to the die-hard fans who flock to their Atlanta appearances, ready to raise the roof and sing their lungs out along with “Back in Stride,” “Can’t Get Over You” and “Joy and Pain.” This is the last date on the band’s current itinerary, but it would be a surprise if there isn’t a Maze/Beverly sighting this summer.
With Keith Sweat and MC Lightfoot. 8 p.m. Jan. 4. $90-$120. Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
Wesley Cook
The Atlanta singer-songwriter — and UGA grad — knew he wanted to pursue a career in music after working a local Dave Matthews Band show in 2004. Since then, he’s released three albums; the most recent, “Heavy,” is dedicated to his brother Doug, who took his own life in 2012. “This album is about hope, life and healing,” Cook said. “And about understanding that there will always be very hard things to go through but that you can make it out alright.” He’s shared stages with Zac Brown, Edwin McCain and Drivin’ N Cryin’ and has scooped up plenty of praise from music industry bibles Billboard and Rolling Stone. Chances are, Cook won’t be playing intimate rooms much longer.
With Ryan Hickey & Ryan Cammisa and Mario Diaz & the Steady Vibes. 9 p.m. Jan. 4. $10 (in advance) and $12 (at the door). 18 and older. Smith’s Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 1-877-725-8849.
SUNDAY
Rye Rye
She’s only 23, but Rye Rye was a mere teenager when her song “Shake it to the Ground,” produced with fellow Baltimore native Blaqstarr, rocked the clubs in 2006. She then toured with mentor M.I.A. the following year (you can catch her in the video for “Paper Planes”). Rye Rye’s debut, “Go! Pop! Bang!,” arrived in 2012 and produced a trio of moderate club hits, including “Never Will Be Mine” and “Boom Boom.” In summer 2013, she could be heard as a featured guest on Asher Roth’s “Actin’ Up,” alongside the unlikely duo of Justin Bieber and Chris Brown.
With Eryn Woods, Lakeview Drive and D. Woods. 6 p.m. Jan. 5. $12. The Masquerade (Purgatory). 695 North Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
THURSDAY
Tom Rush
It's been five decades since Rush began his career as a folk singer-songwriter playing Boston-area clubs while he was a student at Harvard. He's earned praise from James Taylor to Garth Brooks and in recent years has become a viral video hit. His performance of Steven Walters' "The Remember Song" has received more than 6 million plays on YouTube. Rush joked that at first he felt terrible, "thinking I was being accused of being the musical equivalent of Ebola, but my children explained to me that (going viral) was a good thing." Rush, who turns 73 in February, is one of those American treasures everyone should make time to see live.
8 p.m. Jan. 9. $35 (advance), $40 (at the door) and $175 (reserved table of four). Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 1-877-725-8849.
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