Atlanta has morphed into Music Festival Central the past few years, evidenced by no fewer than five major, multi-act events commandeering the fall landscape. But tucked among these musical pageants are a handful of headliner concerts featuring some of the most squeal-worthy names in pop and rock. Here are some considerations.
One Music Fest. The mercurial Lauryn Hill will headline the sixth incarnation of the hip-hop/R&B festival, which also includes the high wattage of The Roots – taking a weekend break from their regular gig with Jimmy Fallon – ASAP Rocky, avowed "Seinfeld" fan Wale, Raekwon, Ghostface and Atlanta mainstays Janelle Monae and Wondaland and funky-fresh newcomer Raury. Hill most recently performed in Atlanta in February 2014 with a show at The Tabernacle, while The Roots gigged at the CounterPoint Music Festival in Rome in May. Noon Sept. 12. Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, www.ticketmaster.com.
Janet Jackson. The elusive star looked radiant at her appearance on the BET Awards earlier this summer, so expectations are high that Jackson is focused and ready. She'd better be, considering that her "Unbreakable" tour runs through November. She hasn't toured in four years – a 2011 performance at the Fox Theatre was her last visit to her one-time home city – and is framing this road trip around the release of her first new album in seven years, due this fall. If you miss Jackson this time, she'll return March 3 for another show at Philips Arena. 8 p.m. Sept. 26. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, www.ticketmaster.com.
TomorrowWorld. For its third U.S. incarnation, the electronic dance music/lifestyle festival known as TomorrowWorld has wrangled another assembly of top-name DJs/producers. Tiësto and Steve Angello will headline the three-day event and will be joined by a who's-who of the EDM world: David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Afrojack, Hardwell, Armin van Buuren, Bassnectar, Kaskade, Adventure Club, Ferry Corsten, Jamie Jones, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Big Gigantic, Paul van Dyk, Get Real (Claude VonStroke & Green Velvet), Adam Beyer and many more. Last year, more than 160,000 people flocked to the farm land outside of Atlanta. That's a lot of fans of bass drops. Noon Sept. 25-27. Bouckaert Farm (Chattahoochee Hills), www.tomorrowworld.com.
Foo Fighters. Say this for Foo frontman Dave Grohl – he's one tough dude. The band's massive North American tour – its biggest ever – was placed in severe jeopardy in June after Grohl took a serious tumble off a stage and broke his fibula. But the guys – Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett – have pounded on, with the hirsute singer/guitarist performing while seated on a rock 'n' roll throne. The Atlanta date is near the end of their "Sonic Highways" run, so perhaps by October, Grohl will be mobile again. 4 p.m. Oct. 4. Centennial Olympic Park, www.ticketmaster.com.
Parklife. The goal for Parklife music festival in its second year was simple: Go big. Or, at least bigger, as the event moves from its initial home at Atlantic Station to the Promenade at Piedmont Park. The Americana-heavy lineup topped by Jason Isbell also features bluegrass-country darling Chris Stapleton, Strand of Oaks and Natalie Prass. 2 p.m. Oct. 18. Promenade at Piedmont Park, www.parklifefest.com.
OTHER FALL EVENTS AROUND ATLANTA:
Theater: Memory, race and classic remakes take center stage
Classical music: Mahler, Schubert and virtuoso pairings on tap
Dance: Athleticism, technology and intimacy meld
Visual arts: High fashion, samurais and Andy Warhol fill galleries this fall
Pop music: Festivals, Dave Grhol, Janet Jackson rule the fall music scene
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