Live Music Picks: Ziggy Marley, John Legend and India Arie, Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
FRIDAY, July 3
’90s Throwback Summer Jam
Do a little time traveling back to the era of New Jack Swing with Heads of State (aka New Edition alumni Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant), SWV and Next.
8 p.m. July 3. $10.75-$69. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 404-733-5010, www.vzwamp.com.
This Atlanta musician released a brilliant and underappreciated — except by smitten musicians — self-titled debut on Capitol Records in 2004. It evoked the spirit of R&B greats such as Stevie Wonder and Curtis Mayfield, and in a just world it would have been a massive multi-platinum monster. He’ll be celebrating Independence Day as an independent artist, releasing his latest album, “Use in Case of Emergency,” on his own. It’s available through his Web site: www.vanhunt.com.
9 p.m. July 3-4. Apache Cafe, 64 Third St. N.W. 404-876-5436, www.apachecafe.info.
SATURDAY, July 4
The Omaha, Neb.-formed, reggae-tinged 311 is back with a new album called “Uplifter,” their first new work in four years. Like its two predecessors, it’s no match for the band’s 2001 high point, “From Chaos.” Even when the albums haven’t been up to par, these guys can knock it out of the park on stage, and their live show is likely to be as energetic as ever. The band shares the bill with Ziggy Marley, the son of reggae legend Bob Marley.
6:30 p.m. July 4. $38.50. Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way. 404-443-5000, www.livenation.com.
This British Columbian duo generates an awful lot of sound for a two-piece. Even more impressive is the melodic invention they add to the garage-rock clang on debut album “Post-Nothing.”
9 p.m. July 4. The Drunken Unicorn At The MJQ Concourse, 736 Ponce de Leon Place, Atlanta. 877-725-8849, www.thedrunkenunicorn.net.
SUNDAY, July 5
As good as he is, suave R&B talent John Legend is a legend in name only at this point. Give him time though. If he keeps releasing albums as fine as 2008’s “Evolver” — his third album — he’ll be just as legendary as his name proclaims. Atlanta’s neo-soul sweetheart and Grammy magnet shares the bill.
8 p.m. July 5. $39-$69. Chastain Park Amphitheater, 4469 Stella Dr. N.W. 404-233-2227, www.chastainseries.com.
WEDNESDAY, July 8
Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson
It’s hard to believe that Gladys Knight and the Pips first Top 10 single, “Every Beat of My Heart,” was released just over 48 years ago. Knight has been inducted into both the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She’ll share the stage with another Motown Records alumnus Smokey Robinson, whose first hit with the Miracles, “Shop Around,” hit the charts in December 1960, just six months before “Every Beat of My Heart.”
8 p.m. July 8. $25-$75. Chastain Park Amphitheater, 4469 Stella Dr. N.W. 404-733-5012, www.classicchastain.com.
The frontman of Philadelphia rock quartet Live quiets things down on a solo acoustic tour that brings him to Eddie’s Attic.
8 p.m. July 8. $25-$39.75. 515-B North McDonough St., Decatur. 404-377-4976, www.eddiesattic.com.
