FRIDAY
Kris Allen
The 2009 "American Idol" winner recently told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Rodney Ho that he is "100 times thankful for 'Idol' for giving me the opportunity to have people listen to my music on a pretty wide scale." With his boyish appeal and breezy acoustic guitar-based pop songs, Allen achieved some radio success with "Live Like We're Dying" and his recast of Kanye West's "Heartless." An arm injury from a nasty car accident two years ago slowed him down (the limb will never be the same, he said, though he's become a better guitarist because of the limitations), but Allen is rebuilding his career. His fourth album, "Horizons," landed in August.
8 p.m. Jan. 30. $25-$30 (advance) and $30-$35 (at the door). Mill Town Music Hall, 1031 Alabama Ave., Bremen. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
SATURDAY
Bob Seger
When the Detroit rocker announced a tour last fall to support his new album, “Ride Out,” fans were ecstatic for two reasons: Seger isn’t a road monster, so seeing him live is like capturing a glimpse of an elusive animal in a forest. And the release of “Ride Out” came eight years after his last studio effort, so getting to hear some new tunes tucked between “Turn the Page” and “Old Time Rock and Roll” sounds appealing. Seger turns 70 in May and has hinted that he’s winding down his career.
With J. Geils Band. 8 p.m. Jan. 31. $68-$98. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 1-888-929-7849, gwinnettcenter.com.
Kyle Cook
Sure, Rob Thomas’ name is the one most readily associated with Matchbox Twenty, but Cook, the band’s lead guitarist, has been on board since the beginning, when he was plucked from the Atlanta Institute of Music. Cook has written outside of Matchbox Twenty for years (John Waite, Love and Theft, etc.) and recently launched the Tennessee Recording Co. Cook plans to release a solo record this year.
7 p.m. Jan. 31. $16 (general admission advance), $20 (general admission at the door) and $80 (reserved table for four). Eddie's Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
TUESDAY
Chris Brown and Trey Songz
The Virginia natives launched their Between the Sheets tour in their home state Jan. 28 and will stay on the road through March. Brown’s handful of dates last month sans Songz received middling reviews (from those who aren’t fans of singing over guide vocals or short sets), but this is a different outing, so perhaps Brown, who is up for three Grammys next month, has modified his live presentation.
With Tyga. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3. $59.75-$125.75. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
THURSDAY
Kongos
The thundering backbeat and stomping chorus of Kongos’ 2014 hit, “Come With Me Now,” calls to mind late ’70s Kiss. But then the beat changes and an accordion flutters in and, suddenly, the song twists into a crazy detour. The South African band of brothers initially released the track in 2011, just before the release of their album “Lunatic” — it just took the rest of the world a while to catch up. The album received a re-release in February 2014 and Kongos is rolling through the country for one more round of live support.
With Sir Sly and Colony House. 8 p.m. Feb. 5. $22. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
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