FRIDAY
Cody Simpson
The Australian pop star is turning down the volume for his “Acoustic Sessions” tour, which falls in line with his recently released “Acoustic Sessions” EP. He’s had minor hits in the U.S. with “Pretty Brown Eyes” and “On My Mind,” and his last full-length release, July’s “Surfers Paradise,” cracked the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. Of course, his heartthrob status doesn’t hurt, but Simpson is eager to showcase his chops in a stripped-down forum.
With Plug in Stereo. 7 p.m. Jan. 24. Sold out. The Loft at Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-885-1365.
Yacht Rock Revue
Where to begin with the awesomeness in store with Atlanta’s favorite lite-rockers this weekend? The band will begin with a re-creation of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” set against a projection of “The Wizard of Oz” (aka “The Dark Side of the Rainbow”). Then come performances of the soundtracks of “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues,” featuring plenty of Hall & Oates, Christopher Cross and Journey songs. Polyester haters, you have been warned.
8:30 p.m. Jan. 24. $15. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-7354.
SATURDAY
Big Head Todd & The Monsters
The Colorado blues rockers are now in their fourth decade of performing and have maintained a steady fan base since peaking in the H.O.R.D.E.-friendly ’90s. On Feb. 4, the band, led by Todd Park Mohr, will release its 10th studio album, “Black Beehive.”
8:30 p.m. Jan. 25. $25-$30. The Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
Yonder Mountain String Band
Their progressive bluegrass and jammy-grooves have been filling venues for more than 15 years. But for their first tour of 2014, YMSB had to make a few modifications. The band’s mandolin player, Jeff Austin, and his wife were expecting a baby, so the decision was made that Austin would sit out the January dates to be a dad, while banjoist Dave Johnston, bassist Ben Kaufmann and guitarist Adam Aijala hit the road. Rounding out the ranks as fill-ins are their pals from the Del McCoury Band, Ronnie McCoury on mandolin and fiddler Jason Carter.
With the Travelin’ McCourys. 8 p.m. Jan. 25. $25. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
SUNDAY
Amy Ray
The longtime Indigo Girl drops her first country solo album on Tuesday and recently told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she was inspired after performing at Bear on the Square last year near her home in Dahlonega. "If I go jam with people in Dahlonega who are great musicians, I can't play those guitar runs, but I can play the rhythms and sing," she said. "I love storytelling and I love that music. That's country that's old-school and traditional." Ray recorded her album, "Goodnight Tender," at Echo Mountain Studio in Asheville, N.C., and will bring her backing musicians from the album with her to the Variety Playhouse stage.
With Heather McEntire. 8 p.m. Jan. 26. $15. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-7354.
The Midtown Men
If you’re a fan of Broadway’s “Jersey Boys,” listen up. The original foursome from the show that tells the story of the evolution of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons — Christian Hoff (a Tony winner), Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and J. Robert Spencer (a Tony nominee) — are doing their own thing to celebrate the music of the ‘60s. They also recently collaborated with Steve Van Zandt — a guy who isn’t shy about his love of classic pop-rock — for the song “All Alone on Christmas.” That one might not make the cut in January, but plenty of other familiar hits will.
7 p.m. Jan. 26. $32-$62. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY
Robyn Hitchcock
The English singer-songwriter is known as one of the godfathers of psychedelic folk-pop. Mainstream success was never his thing, though his early band, the Soft Boys, made a name for itself in the U.K. (trivia alert — onetime member Kimberley Rew spun off with Katrina and the Waves). Hitchcock has released more than 20 albums in his career, the most recent coming last year with “Love From London.” You can also catch a glimpse of him on DVD in 2008’s Anne Hathaway vehicle, “Rachel Getting Married.” Hitchcock sings and plays guitar in the wedding band — an ironic placement for an artist of his renown.
With Faye Webster. 8 p.m. Jan. 28-29. $20 (general admission advance), $24 (general admission at the door) and $100 (reserved table for four). Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 1-877-725-8849.
THURSDAY
Aaron Neville
Now 40 years into a career, Neville is still synonymous with New Orleans. He and his family are generally considered the First Family of New Orleans Music, but Neville, of course, has had significant solo success as an R&B-pop singer (“Don’t Know Much” and “All My Life,” both with Linda Ronstadt, were ubiquitous on Lite-FM in the late ’80s). With the Dirty Dozen Brass Band joining him at this show, expect a rollicking evening of N’Awlins funk and bebop.
With the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. 8 p.m. Jan. 30. $26-$86. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
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