The humidity is rising and leaves are threatening to make an appearance on trees again, so it must be time to start pondering this season’s slate of outdoor concerts.
We’re not talking about festivals or any show that takes place in an enclosed building, just the ones that include a lawn.
Here is a look at a lucky 13 shows heading our way through May. Tickets to all concerts can be purchased via Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000, unless otherwise noted. Tickets for the Chastain series are on sale now, but note that individual shows will be available beginning at 10 a.m. March 19.
Bryan Adams. When Adams returned to Atlanta last spring, fans were drenched by showers. But the gravel-voiced rocker performed such a crowd-pleasing show of '80s hits (yep, all of those ballads made an appearance) that no one seemed to mind. This year's tour likely will lean a bit more toward songs from his new "Get Up" album.
8 p.m. April 16. $19.50-$109.50. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta.
Van Morrison. The enigmatic Irishman returns to the venue he played in May 2010. Morrison, 70, is renowned for such classics as "Have I Told You Lately" and "Moondance," but he's still hitting the studio. Last year, he released "Duets: Re-working the Catalogue," which featured new arrangements of lesser-known Morrison tracks with guests, including Mavis Staples, Michael Buble and Taj Mahal.
8 p.m. April 24. Sold out. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park.
Lauryn Hill. The mercurial R&B star didn't make many friends at the Grammys this year after ditching a surprise appearance at the last minute. But Hill wouldn't be Hill if headlines didn't include her name. She's been a regular presence in Atlanta lately — at last year's OneMusic Fest and a 2014 concert at the Tabernacle — and her appearances always suggest an interesting evening ahead.
8 p.m. May 6. Tickets $30-$75. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive N.W., Atlanta.
Stephanie Mills and Jeffrey Osborne. Between them, Mills and Osborne might be responsible for the creation of several thousand babies. Their silken R&B is a mood-setter for sure, but with a combined hit list that includes "Two Hearts," "I Feel Good All Over," "Never Knew Love Like This Before," "You Should Be Mine" and "Love Power," they manage to keep toes tapping as well. With Howard Hewett.
6:30 p.m. May 7. $35-$95. Wolf Creek Amphitheatre, 3024 Merk Road S.W., Atlanta. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
Scorpions. While most '80s rock bands relied on their cheekbones (hello, Mr. Bon Jovi) or well-coiffed hair (talking to you, Bret Michaels) to strengthen their appeal, these German headbangers relied on old-fashioned guitar wizardry and thundering drums to make their mark. Yep, they can still "Rock You Like a Hurricane," but they'll also want to "Return to Forever" to promote their latest release. With Living Colour.
7:30 p.m. May 7. $35-$55 (individual tickets on sale 10 a.m. March 19). Chastain Park Amphitheatre.
Gregg Allman's Laid Back Festival. This year, Allman is bringing his aptly named fest to several cities, but is launching it in the one that feels like home. Joining the Southern rocker at the first performance will be ZZ Top, Blackberry Smoke, the Kevn Kinney Band, Michelle Malone, Gabriel Kelley, Stonerider and Jaimoe's Jasssz Band.
4 p.m. May 7. $32-$112. Lakewood Amphitheatre, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta.
The Avett Brothers. The recently named inductees into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame released the live album "Live, Vol. Four" at the end of 2015, but fans are eagerly awaiting the band's first album of new material since 2013. It's tentatively expected this summer, and again features production work from Rick Rubin. Their extensive tour will keep them on the road in the U.S. through July. With Brett Dennen.
7:30 p.m. May 7. $39.50-$52.50. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park.
Lisa Kelly. The "Voice of Ireland" returns to a venue she frequents — likely because it's the same city that houses her Lisa Kelly Voice Academy. The former Celtic Woman songbird always spotlights her roots at her live performances, and it is more common than not to see her share the stage with some of her students.
8 p.m. May 7. $35-$65. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, 201 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
Styx. Talk about a band that never has too much time on its hands. After playing a series of dates with longtime tour pals Def Leppard and Tesla earlier this year, the lush-rock hitmakers will share the stage with 38 Special and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder. It's a good guess that not much has changed since we talked last year to the band's James "J.Y." Young, who promised a bunch of classics from Styx's four consecutive triple-platinum albums (that means "Renegade," "Come Sail Away," "The Grand Illusion" and many more).
7:30 p.m. May 15. $29.50-$110.50. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park.
Daryl Hall and John Oates. During last year's Music Midtown appearance, the Philly soul-pop stars breezed through a set that showcased their professional, if not super warm-and-fuzzy, stage demeanor, a couple of still-robust voices, one heck of a sax solo from longtime band member Charles DeChant during "Maneater," and a string of singalongs, including "Say It Isn't So" and "I Can't Go for That." Oh, and this time they've recruited the mighty and fabulous Augusta native Sharon Jones to share the bill. With Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.
7 p.m. May 19. $25-$125. Lakewood Amphitheatre.
Willie Nelson and the Family. Did you happen to catch Nelson jamming on the season finale of "The Muppets" a couple of weeks ago? Now, here is a guy who hardly needs TV exposure, but there he was, bobbing along with a group of felt puppets for an endearing version of "On the Road Again." The always-working country icon, who turns 83 in April, just released an album of Gershwin tunes that includes him duetting with Cyndi Lauper and Sheryl Crow. With Merle Haggard.
7:30 p.m. May 20. $35-$85 (individual tickets on sale 10 a.m. March 19). Chastain Park Amphitheatre.
Luke Bryan. Before he took the stage to salute Lionel Richie with his rendition of "Penny Lover" last month at the annual MusiCares gala in Los Angeles, the Leesburg native took a moment to talk with us on the red carpet and express his excitement about his Atlanta gigs. "We love the summertime amphitheaters. It's just a party," he said. "It's good to be back at Lakewood, we've got a lot of history there." With Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch.
7 p.m. May 20-21. $32.75-$81.50. Lakewood Amphitheatre.
The Monkees 50th Anniversary Tour. Hey, hey, they're still around. It's a big anniversary for the '60s pop stars, so you can't blame them for hitting the road for a 35-date tour to celebrate their 50th year together. Sadly, only Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork are representing Monkees lore (Davy Jones died suddenly in 2012 and Mike Nesmith, who toured with Tork and Dolenz the past few years, isn't participating in this run). But fans can look forward to "Good Times!" — a new album that features all three remaining members.
8 p.m. May 21. $45-$100. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com..
About the Author
