Along with the usual challenges of finding the time, money and energy to participate in the summer concerts bonanza comes the decision on many nights of which show to attend.
Fleetwood Mac or Sting on June 10? Heart or New Kids on the Block, both June 20? Hank Williams Jr. and Gregg Allman or One Direction, both setting up June 21? (OK, maybe that one isn’t such a difficult choice, depending upon your age and priorities.) Beyonce or Lil Wayne on July 12?
It’s a fortunate problem to have, and, while the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney might have skipped Atlanta on their current tours, you’ll see there is no shortage of other musical opportunities this season.
Tickets to all shows can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com unless otherwise noted.
Fleetwood Mac. The band's '70s hits will drive the show (it is the 35th anniversary of "Rumours"), but the Mac also just released a digital EP of four tunes and will play a pair of them live. 8 p.m. June 10. $49.50-$149.50. Philips Arena, Atlanta.
Sting. If you missed his free set at the NCAA-related concert in April, know this: The sophisticated hits will be there — some slightly tweaked to keep things interesting — and that distinctive rasp is untamed. 8 p.m. June 10. $48-$128. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta.
Billy Idol. The platinum-haired '80s rocker is still ripping out "Rebel Yell" and "White Wedding" onstage. But he's also prepping his first new album in eight years — and an autobiography. 8:30 p.m. June 11. $38.50-$46.50. The Tabernacle, Atlanta.
Joan Baez and the Indigo Girls. Atlanta's beloved Indigo Girls sounded awesome with the Georgia Symphony last winter, and this time they'll perform with their backing band, the Shadowboxers, while Baez adds her indelible folkie touch to the bill. 7 p.m. June 15. $30-$60. Chastain.
Heart with Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience. The recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will steer this natural pairing since Ann Wilson is the only singer alive who can out-Plant the Zeppelin shrieker. 8 p.m. June 20. $35-$56. Chastain.
New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men. It's called "The Package" tour (wink wink) and these onetime teen heartthrobs (who, admittedly, have all matured into handsome men) promise to bring a bundle of their '80s/'90s hits and moves. 7:30 p.m. June 20. $29.50-$93.50. Philips Arena.
Hank Williams Jr. and Gregg Allman. Allman said in a recent interview that he and Hank Jr. "have been buds a long, long time." That said, they're playing separate sets. 8 p.m. June 21. $19.50-$99.50. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta.
One Direction. Squeal. 7:30 p.m. June 21. Sold out. Philips Arena.
Brad Paisley with Chris Young and the Henningsens. The underrated guitarist is touring behind his heartfelt and pure "Wheelhouse" album. Let's hope he rips out some solos, too. 7 p.m. June 23. $30.25-$59.50. Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood.
Pitbull and Kesha. Mr. Worldwide and Ms. Hot Mess will undoubtedly instigate a few parties with their fizzy Top 40 fare. 7 p.m. June 27. $29.25-$123.75. Lakewood.
Merle Haggard and Jamey Johnson. Alabama native Johnson is no neophyte (he co-wrote Trace Adkins' "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" and George Strait's "Give it Away"), but even he has to be awed that he's sharing a bill with a legend such as 76-year-old Haggard. 6 p.m. June 28. $40. Masquerade, Atlanta.
Bob Dylan with Wilco, My Morning Jacket and Bob Weir. Dylan rounded up some like-minded pals for the Americanarama Festival of Music, which visits Atlanta as the third date of the three-month tour. 5:30 p.m. June 29. $35-$89.50. Lakewood.
Cyndi Lauper. The enduring pop singer stands to earn Tony respect for crafting the soundtrack to Broadway's "Kinky Boots," but this tour is all about performing her landmark "She's So Unusual" album in full for its 3oth (!!) anniversary. 8 p.m. July 2. $39.50-$75.50. Symphony Hall, Atlanta.
Maxwell. Last summer, the suave neo-soul man canceled his tour because of vocal cord hemorrhaging. All indications are that he's ready to croon again. 8 p.m. July 6. $50-$120. Chastain.
Harry Connick Jr. We still don't know if he'll join the "American Idol" Dysfunctional Judging Panel next season, but we do know that Connick's consummate musicianship and sharp wit are undiminished. At least one of those things can be heard on his new album, "Every Man Should Know." 8 p.m. July 7. $55-$85. Chastain.
Beyonce. Mrs. Carter is on a tear with a sold-out tour complete with see-through outfits and a cauldron of tunes including a nod to Destiny's Child, a hint of new material and her parade of solo hits. 8 p.m. July 12. Sold out. The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth.
Lil Wayne with T.I. and Tyga. The king of New Orleans and the king of Atlanta share a bill that is one of the beefiest hip-hop offerings of the summer. 7 p.m. July 12. $34-$155. Lakewood.
Luke Bryan with Thompson Square and Florida Georgia Line. What fortuitous timing that Leesburg native Bryan is not only enjoying a career plateau, but that he snagged the red-hot FGL ("Cruise") as openers. 7 p.m. July 14. Sold out. Lakewood.
Swing Out Sister. It's been 25 years since the "Breakout" of this jazz-pop duo from Manchester, England, and they're on their biggest U.S. tour in years. 8 p.m. July 16. $35. Variety Playhouse.
Boz Scaggs. This year, Scaggs leaves his Dukes of September comrades Donald Fagen and Michael McDonald behind to support his new partial-covers album, "Memphis." 8 p.m. July 19. $51.50. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Tickets: 1-877-725-8849, www.ticketalternative.com.
Robert Plant Presents the Sensational Shape Shifters with Bombino. This is the first North American outing for Plant and his Shape Shifters, many of whom played with him in his mid-2000s band, Strange Sensation. 7:30 p.m. July 19. $39.50-$79.50. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.
The Black Crowes with Tedeschi Trucks Band and the London Souls. After a triumphant return at their sold-out Tabernacle gig this spring, the Atlanta blues-rockers are heading outside with their pals in TTB. 6:30 p.m. July 20. $35.50-$89.50. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.
Mindless Behavior. These R&B-pop teens ("Mrs. Right," "My Girl") should set up a residency at the Fox, considering how frequently they sell it out. 7 p.m. July 20. $36.50-$46.50. Fox Theatre, Atlanta. Tickets: 1-855-285-8499, www.foxatltix.com.
New Order with Holy Ghost! The British synthesizer-pop maestros behind such New Wave classics as "Blue Monday" and "Bizarre Love Triangle" returned to the U.S. last year for their first tour since 2005. 7:30 p.m. July 21. $35-$55. Non-table setup, no coolers or carry-ins. Chastain.
Keith Urban with Little Big Town and Justin Lynch. One of the nicest guys in music will unleash his bubbly country rock — and some killer guitar licks — from his repertoire and upcoming album, "Fuse." 7 p.m. July 27. $26.50-$71. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.
Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band with Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves. Simply put, the powerhouse country show of the summer. 5 p.m. Aug. 3. $39.50-$199.50. Georgia Dome, Atlanta.
Icona Pop. Who knows what the shelf life will be for the Swedish electro-pop duo behind the irresistible "I Love It," but it might be worth attending just to hear that song. 7 p.m. Aug. 14. $18. Masquerade.
The Killers. The band's 2012 album, "Battle Born," didn't pack the commercial oomph of its predecessors, but any excuse to hear the band's glossy pop-rock live is fine with us. 8 p.m. Aug. 15. $32.50-$67.50.Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.
Bruno Mars with Fitz & the Tantrums. He's the hippest kid on the block and one of the most versatile singers of his generation. Plus, he knows how to put on a show. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22. $40-$94. Philips Arena.
Toni Braxton. The sometimes-reality-TV-star recently announced she was ditching music to focus on acting. Fans are happy to know she hasn't completely abandoned live performances. 8 p.m. Aug. 31. $40-$65. Chastain.
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