UrbanAZ will present the 20th installment of Grown & Sexy featuring K-Ci & JoJo, Ginuwine, Kelly Price and Bobby V at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 at the historic Celebrity Theatre. The concert coincides with a landmark 50th Birthday Bash for UrbanAZ promoter, Derek Ware.

K-Ci & JoJo consists of Monroe, N.C., siblings Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey and Joel “JoJo” Hailey. The ballad specialists got their first taste of fame as half of the R&B group Jodeci. After three successful Jodeci albums, they left to do K-Ci & JoJo, topping Billboard’s Hot 100 with the soulful ballad “All My Life,” which fueled the triple-platinum sales of their debut, “Love Always.” Other hits include “Tell Me It’s Real” and “Crazy.” In 2010, they appeared in a T.V. ONE reality show called K-Ci and JoJo Come Clean.

Ginuwine was one of R&B’s preeminent love men during the ’90s heyday of hip-hop soul. Initially teamed with Timbaland, Ginuwine has released a number of multi-platinum-selling albums and singles. Hits include “Pony,” “Differences” and “So Anxious.” Ginuwine is also an actor. Movie credits include “Honey” (2003) and “Juwanna Man” (2001), as well as several episodes of TVs’ Parks and Recreation (2014).

One of R&B’s most powerful voices belongs to Kelly Price. The multi-platinum singer spent her early years lending backing vocals to stars like Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Faith Evans and Brian McKnight. She sang “Jesus Loves Me” with Whitney Houston just days before Houston’s death, and again at her memorial service. The nine-time Grammy nominee is just as revered for her own body of work with the hits “It’s My Time” and the R&B chart-topper “Friend of Mind.” In 2016, Price lent her vocal chops to Kanye West and Chance the Rapper’s “Ultralight Beam.”

Bobby Wilson — more commonly known as Bobby V — broke into the R&B music scene with his debut album, “Bobby Valentino,” in 2005. The project produced his first major single “Slow Down.” Popular hits followed with “Anonymous,” a feature on Lil Wayne’s song “Mrs. Officer,” and “Pimpin’ All Over the World” with Ludacris. “Hollywood Hearts,” his latest album, was released last year and also serves as the soundtrack for his BET original film of the same name.

Tickets are $39-$59, on sale now at Celebrity Theatre or online at www.celebritytheatre.com. To charge by phone, call 602-267-1600 ext.1. All tickets are subject to a surcharge. Celebrity Theatre is four blocks south of the 202 at 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix.

Dream Theater cancels

It’s a sad day for area prog fans.

The Dream Theater Images, Words & Beyond Tour will not, as it turns out, be making a stop in Phoenix on Oct. 28 for a performance at the historic Celebrity Theatre, citing “unforeseen technical issues.”

A statement from their management reads: “We regret any inconvenience this may have caused anyone. We will do our best to schedule Phoenix into our tour as soon as possible. Love to our Phoenix fans from – DT.”

The announcement came prior to the October 28th show going on sale.

The tour is celebrating the 25th aniversary of “Images & Words.”

12/2: Jim Jefferies

Comedian Jim Jefferies will bring his Unusual Punishment Tour to the Celebrity Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 2.

Tickets are $39.75-$59.75, going on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at ?Celebrity Theatre (440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix), celebritytheatre.com and 602-267-1600 ext. 1. All tickets are subject to facility and ticketing surcharges.

Jim Jefferies is known for entertaining audiences with controversial, thought-provoking comedy. He currently stars in the Comedy Central series, “The Jim Jefferies Show,” which features him traveling the globe to tackle the week’s top stories and controversial issues of the day.

The Unusual Punishment Tour kicked off last summer to rave reviews.

Last summer also marked the release of his fifth major standup special in seven years, “Freedumb.” The special is Jefferies’ second to air on Netflix and follows the huge success of “Jim Jefferies: BARE,” in which he delivered a now iconic routine on guns and gun control in the United States. Jefferies also created, wrote, produced, and starred in the critically acclaimed FX series, “Legit,” which ran for two seasons and has since gained a cult following.?

Doors open at 6 p.m. All ?ages welcome.

12/1: Trivium and Arch Enemy

Trivium and Arch Enemy will bring their co-headlining tour to Tempe’s Marquee Theatre on Dec. 1, with support from While She Sleeps and Fit For An Autopsy.

Trivium says, “We’ve been joining forces with Arch Enemy for over a decade now. From Ozzfest 2005 through arenas across the U.K., Europe, and Australia on The Black Crusade. This next chapter is going to be one for the ages.”

Arch Enemy guitarist Michael Amott says, “Very much looking forward to returning to North America with this tour! We are aware that it has been long overdue and we appreciate everyone’s patience while we’ve been creating our new ‘Will To Power’ album. This run will be like a family reunion with our old friends in Trivium; together we’ll be crushing city after city with the power of Heavy Metal!”

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4 at luckymanonline.com.

11/11: Thrice and Circa Survive

Thrice and Circa Survive have teamed up on a co-headlining tour that makes its way to Mesa Amphitheatre on Nov. 11.

These are Thrice’s final shows before returning to the studio to start recording their 10th album. And it’s more than a little surprising that they would be heading back into the studio this soon. Last year’s “To Be Everywhere is to Be Nowhere” was their first release in five years, to which an unqualified rave at Sputnikmusic responded with, “This is an album as cohesive and thunderous as it would have been if it had come out in 2014.”

Tickets are $29.99.

The fan club presale has begun. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Friday, July 28, at mesaamp.com.

10/21: A$AP Mob

A$AP Mob, the Harlem rap collective founded in 2006 and helmed by A$AP Rocky, will bring their U.S. tour to Mesa Amphitheatre on Saturday, Oct. 21.

They hit the Billboard album charts at No. 13 in November with “Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends” and have announced a followup.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday July 28 at asapmob.com.

MIM Music Theatre fall concert series

The MIM Music Theater has announced its Fall 2017 Concert Series sponsored in part by Sanderson Lincoln. It includes more than 45 concerts from September through December, spanning multiple genres from across the globe.

Highlights include a soulful performance by Irma Thomas and the Blind Boys of Alabama with the Preservation Hall Legacy Quintet, who are touring together for the first time. Wu Man will help celebrate MIM’s new exhibition opening in November by performing traditional, ancient, and historic music of China. The Sachal Ensemble, inspired by the acclaimed documentary film of the same name, merge Eastern and Western sounds while confronting terrorism in their native homeland of Pakistan.

Guests can look forward to the return of several MIM favorites, including American cellist and folk singer Leyla McCalla, Grammy winner Loudon Wainwright III and singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut, “A Few Small Repairs.”

New performers include acoustic-electronica trio GoGo Penguin, Galician singer Xabier Díaz & Adufeiras de Salitre, jazz quartet Fourplay, multiple award-winning Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis and Americana roots-rock band Donna the Buffalo.

The MIM Music Theater presents more than 250 concerts per year and has had more 150 Grammy-winning artists perform on its stage. Within the span of seven years, the theater has been recognized as one of the top music venues of its size. It has received praise from audiences and musicians for its unparalleled intimate atmosphere and acoustically superb sound quality.

Tickets for the 2017 Fall Concert Series will go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 20. Circle of Friends donors who give $250+ annually are eligible for pre-sale tickets on Monday, July 17. Additional artists will be added to the lineup throughout the season. To get the latest information on these announcements, visit MIM.org and sign up for their concert newsletters.

Here’s the schedule as it stands:

Radney Foster – Friday, Sept. 1

David Cook — Saturday, Sep. 2

Ana Popovic — Sunday, Sept. 3

Carbon Leaf — Monday, Sept. 4

Kaki King and Derek Gripper — Thursday, Sept. 7

Eliane Elias — Saturday, Sept. 9

Southern Avenue — Saturday, Sept. 16

GoGo Penguin — Sunday, Sept. 17

Pascuala Ilabaca y Fauna — Wednesday, Sept. 20

Leyla McCalla — Thursday, Sept. 21

The Accidentals — Friday, Sept. 22

Xabier Díaz & Adufeiras de Salitre — Sunday, Sept. 24

Debashish Bhattacharya and Derek Gripper — Monday, Sept. 25

Fourplay — Thursday, Sept. 28

Michael Kaeshammer — Saturday, Sept. 30

Cristina Pato — Sunday, Oct. 1

Bill Dutcher and Extreme Acoustic Ensembles — Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Skerryvore — Wednesday, Oct. 4.

Vieux Farka Touré — Thursday, Oct. 5

Danilo Pérez: Panamonk — Friday, Oct. 6

Marc Broussard — Friday, Oct. 6

Irma Thomas and Blind Boys of Alabama With Preservation Hall Legacy Quintet — Saturday, Oct. 7

Loudon Wainwright III — Sunday, Oct. 8

Radical Face — Tuesday, Oct. 10

Inti-Illimani — Thursday, Oct. 12

Shawn Colvin with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams — Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14

Julie Fowlis — Sunday, Oct. 15

Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge — Friday, Oct. 20

Lorrie Morgan — Saturday, Oct. 21

Jonatha Brooke — Sunday, Oct. 22

Las Migas — Tuesday, Oct. 24

Sarah Jarosz — Wednesday, Oct. 25

Regina Carter: Simply Ella — Friday, Oct. 27

Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Ségal — Friday, Nov. 3

Gypsy Soul — Saturday, Nov. 4

Arizona Musicfest YoungMusicians Concert — Sunday, Nov. 5

Donna The Buffalo — Sunday, Nov. 5

Haas Kowert Tice — Wednesday, Nov. 8

Wu Man performing traditional, ancient, and historic music of China — Saturday, Nov. 11

The Sachal Ensemble: Song of Lahore — Sunday, Nov. 12

Al Stewart: Year of the Cat with Empty Pockets — Thursday, Nov. 16 and Friday, Nov. 17

Tango Buenos Aires: The Spirit of Argentina — Monday, Nov. 20

Irish Christmas in America — Monday, Nov. 27 and Tuesday, Nov. 28

Quebe Sisters — Wednesday, Nov. 29

Sharon Isbin and the Pacifica Quartet — Thursday, Dec. 7

The Mike Stern Quartet with Tom Kennedy, Randy Brecker and Dave Weckl — Friday, Dec. 8

Phoenix Boys Choir — Thursday, Dec. 14

Cherish the Ladies: Celtic Christmas — Tuesday, Dec. 19

Jim Brickman — Saturday, Dec. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 31

2018 concert announcements

1/12-13: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons return to the Celebrity Theatre for two shows – Friday, January 19, and Saturday, January 20.

Tickets are $66-$126, going on sale at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 24, at the venue box office (440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix), celebritytheatre.com or 602.267.1600.

Valli, who rose to fame in the early ’60s as the lead singer of the Four Seasons, is a hotter ticket that he’s been in decades thanks to the success of “Jersey Boys,” the Tony-winning musical that chronicles the life and times of Valli and his group. The Four Seasons had 40 singles go Top 40 in their prime, including “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

The Four Seasons were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Valli is the only original member still touring, but the show is being billed as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

1/19/2018: Katy Perry

Katy Perry is bringing her tour in support of “Witness” to Gila River Arena in Glendale Jan. 19.

“Witness,” due June 9, finds the singer reflecting on the changes in her own life and the world around her. The lead single, “Chained to the Rhythm” with Skip Marley, hit the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. A second single, “Bon Appetit” featuring Migos, was released last month.

Each ticket purchased for Witness: The Tour includes a pre-order for “Witness: The Album.”

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Monday, May 22, at ticketmaster.com. A presale powered By Ticketmaster Verified Fan run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, May 18. 

Tickets for the tour will be available through registration using Ticketmaster Verified Fan, a fan-first technology that helps artists combat bots and get tickets into the hands of fans. Registration is open now and continues through 10 p.m. Tuesday, May 16.  For more information and to register, visit katyperry.com.

Citi is the official U.S. credit card of Witness: The Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to U.S. pre-sale tickets from 12 p.m. Thursday, May 18 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 20, through Citi’s Private Pass program. For complete pre-sale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

WITNESS: The Tour follows Perry’s sold-out, 151-date Prismatic World Tour, which concluded in 2015 and was hailed by Rolling Stone as “a show to damage retinas and blow minds.”

Katy, who will be the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” on the May 20 season finale, made her Capitol Records debut with 2008’s “One of the Boys” after signing to the label in 2007. She cemented her status as a global superstar with the follow-up album, “Teenage Dream,” in 2010. “PRISM,” her 2013 album, debuted at No. 1 on iTunes in 100 countries and has sold more than 12.5 million adjusted albums worldwide. With the singles “Firework” and “Dark Horse” each surpassing the 10 million threshold, including song sales and streams, Perry is the first female artist to earn two RIAA digital single Diamond Awards. In her 10 years with Capitol, she’s racked up more than 18 billion streams alongside worldwide sales of more than 40 million adjusted albums and more than 125 million tracks. She is the most-followed person globally on Twitter.

We spoke with the star when she headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2015 and she talked about her Scottsdale roots.

“I used to live in Scottsdale,” Perry said. “So I have little hometown vibes there. I went to Paradise Valley Christian School in kindergarten and first grade. Mrs. Dalton was my first-grade teacher and that’s when I started becoming a conscious adult. (laughs). So yeah, I have a lot of memories there. I remember it always being so extremely hot. But I also lived in Lake Havasu, actually. So I’ve lived in a couple places in Arizona. But Scottsdale has always been a really beautiful place in my mind. I have hiked Camelback Mountain. You are talking to a Super Bowl performer who has hiked your mountain. So I know about you guys a bit.”

2/3/2018: Shakira

Shakira brings her El Dorado World Tour to Talking Stick Resort Arena on Saturday, Feb. 3.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 30, but there are plenty of presales you can take advantage of.

There’s a Citi presale from 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 29, and a Viber presale beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 28. Live Nation also has a presale starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 29.

The tour is in support of “El Dorado,” which topped the Billboard Latin charts in early June, topping the iTunes charts in 37 countries.

The 12-time Grammy winner has issued a statement that says, “Thank you all so much for listening to my music in so many places around the world. I can’t wait to be onstage again singing along with all of you, all of your favorites and mine. It’s going to be fun! The road to El Dorado starts now!”

Shakira’s biggest U.S. hits include the double-platinum “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Beautiful Liar,” “She Wolf” and “Empire.”

3/16/2018: Lorde

Lorde will bring her “Melodrama” world tour to Gila River Arena in Glendale on March 16.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 23, at the arena box office, 800-745-3000 or gilariverarena.com.

Fans can sign up for Lorde’s email list for first access to pre-sale tickets and find more info on tour dates at https://lorde.co.nz/melodrama-tour

 The tour is named for Lorde’s new album, which arrived today. Ahead of the release, fans were given a  preview of her studio album in the form of “Green Light,” “Liability,” “Sober” and “Perfect Places,” the last of which became the singer’s latest track to make our monthly playlist.

The songs I’ve heard so far from her “Melodrama” have already made it clear that 2013’s “Pure Heroine,” the singer’s platinum debut, was no fluke.

The star was all of 17 when “Royals” spent nine weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, selling 7.5 million copies worldwide. And she scored a second multi-platinum U.S. hit with “Team” from that same debut album. She hasn’t toured since late 2014, but I did just see her at Coachella, where she was amazing. You can read the full review here.

Concerts coming up in 2017

8/2: Matchbox Twenty with Counting Crows

Matchbox Twenty and Counting Crows will bring their A Brief History of Everything Tour to Ak-Chin Pavilion on Wednesday, Aug. 2. Matchbox Twenty front man Rob Thomas spent last summer on a co-headlining tour with Counting Crows and can’t wait to do it again. As the Crows’ Adam Duritz says, “To be honest, we took a vote after last year and decided to spend every summer with Rob from now on. Can. Not. Wait.” This year marks the 20th anniversary of Matchbox Twenty’s 12-times-platinum debut album, “Yourself or Someone Like You,” which featured the platinum single, “3 a.m.,” which topped the charts at Adult Top 40 radio.  Counting Crows’ first album, “August and Everything After,” went seven-times-platinum, mostly on the strength of “Mr. Jones,” a Top 5 entry on the Billboard Hot 100 that remains their biggest hit. Other hits include “Round Here,” “A Long December,” “Hanginaround” and “Accidentally in Love” from the “Shrek 2” soundtrack.

Details: 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. ticketmaster.com.

8/3: Meek Mill, Yo Gotti

Meek Mill and Yo Gotti are bringing their Against All Odds tour to Comerica Theatre on Thursday, Aug. 3. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 12, at livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

Hailed by Rolling Stone as “one of rap’s few voices for the everyman,” Meek Mill’s latest album “DC4” follows “Dream Worth More than Money,” which topped the Billboard album charts and spawned two platinum hits, “All Eyes on You” and “R.I.C.O.” It also took home Top Rap Album at last year’s Billboard Music Awards.

Memphis rapper Yo Gotti topped the rap and R&B charts with last year’s “The Art of Hustle.” The album spawned his biggest single yet, the platinum “Down in the DM,” which peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s R&B/hip-hop songs chart.

TIDAL members will have access to a special pre-sale beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 9. Members can find details for purchasing tickets as well as enter for the chance win tickets to each show at TIDAL.com.

Citi is the official credit card of the Against All Odds Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 10 through Citi’s Private Pass program. For complete pre-sale details visit citiprivatepass.com.

8/5: Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran is bringing his U.S. tour to Glia River Arena in Glendale on Saturday, Aug. 5. The Grammy-winning singer/songwriter is touring to support “÷,”pronounced “divide,” which features Sheeran’s latest multi-platinum single and first No. 1 appearance on the Hot 100, “Shape of You,” and “Castle On The Hill.” “Shape of You” is in its sixth week at the top, while “Castle On The Hill” debuted the same week at No. 6, establishing Sheeran as the first artist to ever have two singles make simultaneous top 10 debuts in the chart’s 58-year history. The ginger-haired Brit is no stranger to the arena, where he served as the opening act on Taylor Swift’s Red Tour. At the time, his biggest U.S. hit was still “The A Team.” 

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Gila River Arena, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. $34.75-$94.75. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

8/9: Diana Krall

Diana Krall is returning to Phoenix Symphony Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 9, on a tour in support of a forthcoming album called “Turn Up the Quiet,” which celebrates the superstar’s return to jazz and the Great American Songbook, with Tommy LiPuma producing. The only jazz singer in history to have eight albums debut at the top of Billboard’s jazz chart, Krall has been among the higher-profile names in jazz since 1997, when the “Love Scenes” album topped the jazz chart and went on to earn the piano-playing vocalist a Grammy nomination. She has two Grammys to her credit. “When I Look in Your Eyes” won a best-jazz-vocal-performance award in 2000, and “Live in Paris” won a best-jazz-vocal-album Grammy in 2003. But never mind all that. She’s also really entertaining, and she tours with musicians whose chops are impressive as her own.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9. Phoenix Symphony Hall, 100 N. Third St., Phoenix. $45-$125. 877-840-0457, phoenix.ticketforce.com.

8/11: Bryson Tiller

Bryson Tiller is headed to Rawhide Event Center on Friday, Aug. 11 in support of “True to Self,” the R&B sensation’s much-anticipated second album. After blowing up on SoundCloud, Tiller cracked the Top 10 in 2015 with a platinum studio debut called “Trapsoul.” That album spawned his first two double-platinum singles, “Don’t” and “Exchange,” as well as the platinum “Sorry Not Sorry.”

Presale tickets for  Tiller’s Set It Off Tour can be purchased beginning Wednesday, May 31, and general tickets will be available to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, June 2 at trapsoul.com and AEGPresents.com.  With the purchase of any product on Tiller’s webstore, users will receive a unique pre-sale code for early access to tickets. Codes will be valid from May 31 to June 1.

Tiller made “True to Self available for digital streaming going into Memorial Day weekend, almost a month in advance of the album’s previously announced physical release on June 23.  That first day, “True to Self” streamed more than 25 million times across all streaming services in the U.S., while the single “Somethin Tells Me” currently has over 13 million streams worldwide since its May 11 release. The video for the single has nearly 2 million views so far since its midnight debut on Thursday. 

8/11: Crystal Pepsi Throwback Tour

The Crystal Pepsi Throwback Tour is bringing music, baseball and, as you’d imagine, soda pop to downtown Phoenix with Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray performing live outside Chase Field at a post-game street party on Friday, Aug. 11.

The Crystal Pepsi Throwback Tour will present three free shows featuring a variety of 90s artists, centered around stadiums across the U.S. during the 2017 baseball season.

In partnership with iHeartRadio’s local FM stations, the tour will stop in New York, Phoenix and Miami. Each stop will give fans the chance to don their ‘90s fashions, score some premium official Crystal Pepsi retro swag and celebrate the 90s “clear” hit, Crystal Pepsi.

All stops on the tour will lead to the release of the beloved ’90s cola – which will be available on shelves for one last limited time across retail locations in the U.S. in mid-August.

The tour will kick off with a pre-game concert in New York outside Yankee Stadium with ’90s hip-hop icon, Busta Rhymes.

For a chance to win free tickets, tune to KYOT.

8/12: Incubus, Jimmy Eat World

Multi-platinum alt-rock icons Incubus will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their major-label debut on a tour that hits Ak-Chin Pavilion on Saturday, Aug. 12, with Phoenix local heroes Jimmy Eat World and Judah & the Lion. This is Incubus’ first headlining U.S. tour in two years. Incubus emerged from Calabasas, California, with an indie debut titled “Fungus Amongus” in 1995.  They’ve sent four singles to the top of the Billboard Alternative Songs chart since then — “Drive” (2000, also Top 10 on the Hot 100), “Megalo­maniac” (2003), “Anna-Molly” (2006) and “Love Hurts” (2008). Other hits include “Pardon Me,” “Stellar,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Warning,” “Talk Shows on Mute,” “Adolescents” and 2015’s “Absolution Calling.”

Details: 6:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $29-50-$99.50. livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

8/12: Bring It!

After a sold-out summer tour, Bring It! is heading to Phoenix, bringing the stars of the hit Lifetime series, Miss D and her Dancing Dolls, to Comerica Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 12. In 2016, the elite world of hip-hop majorette competition was brought to the main stage with an inimitable energy that took the country by storm. Audiences across the nation were enamored by the fierce, original, high-octane performances that brought motivation, inspiration and formation. With hotter-than-ever, never-before-seen performances on deck for the 2017 tour, there has never been a better time for Bring It! fans. New episodes of “Bring It!” can be seen Fridays at 9/8c on Lifetime or anytime on mylifetime.com.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $32.75. 800-745-300, ticketmaster.com.

8/15: Deep Purple and Alice Cooper

Deep Purple’s Long Goodbye Tour is headed to Phoenix with the legendary Alice Cooper and special guests the Edgar Winter Band on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Deep Purple’s new studio album, “Infinite,” is set for release on April 7. Produced by the legendary Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Cooper, Kiss), “Infinite” features 10 tracks they say were recorded “in the spirit of the ’70s.” Finally inducted just last year to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after decades of snubs, the metal pioneers have released five studio albums since 1996, augmented by an abundance of solo work and special projects from members Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Steve Morse and Don Airey. But they plan to cover decades of fan favorites for this run. At his controversial, taboo-tweaking peak, Alice Cooper kept the generation gap alive while the punks were still getting their chaos together (taking half their cues from Cooper). Here’s a guy who staged his own beheadings, hung from the gallows and otherwise pushed the theatrical envelope to shocking new extremes. 

Details: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $33-$97.50. livenation.comticketmaster.com.

8/17: Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame

The Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 at the Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. The event will honor the following four inductees: The Meat Puppets, the Gin Blossoms, Nils Lofgren, and the theater itself. The show will feature live performances by each of the artists and presentations by special guest speakers. 

FOX 10 TV’S John Hook and Kari Lake will introduce the event.

The ceremony will recognize these inductees for their contributions to the music and entertainment culture of the state of Arizona. These three artists have never shared a bill.

The Celebrity Theatre has had a significant impact on the Arizona music scene, from 1964 to the present.

“It seems only fitting that we hold our induction ceremony at this historic venue,” said Mark Myers, president of the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Danny Zelisko says, “This is the most historic venue in the valley where thousands of the best shows ever to tour have played. This recognition is so deserved, and I am so proud to be the most active promoter in this great place.”
 
Celebrity Theater owner Rich Hazelwood added, “The theatre has a soul, a wonderful place to experience the intimate connection between the artist and the audience.”
 
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets ($10, $20 and $40) go on sale on at 10 a.m. Monday, June 19 at celebritytheatre.com and the theater’s box office. To order by phone, call 602-267-1600. All tickets are subject to a surcharge.

8/19: Sam Hunt

Sam Hunt is bringing his 15 in a 30 Tour to Ak-Chin Pavilion with special guests Chris Janson, Maren Morris and Ryan Follese. A former college football quarterback, Hunt has written hits for Kenny Chesney (the country chart-topper “Come Over”), Keith Urban (“Cop Car”) and Billy Currington (“We Are Tonight”). His debut album, “Montevallo,” topped the country charts and remains the biggest-selling debut album for a country artist since 2011. It helps that it was packed with massive hits – the multi-platinum chart-toppers “Leave the Night On,” “Take Your Time” and “House Party,” the double-platinum “Break Up in a Small Town” and the platinum “Make You Miss Me.” Hunt explained the name of this year’s tour, which is also a line in his new single, “Body Like a Back Road,” to Nash Country Daily. “Most of our camp,” Hunt says, “and from what I know about the other camps, everybody is kind of laid back, and I think the title of the tour, 15 in a 30, will reflect that,” Hunt explains. “It will still be high energy and a good time.”

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $51.50-$66.50. livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

8/20: Slayer

Metal legends Slayer will end their American tour with a stop on Sunday, Aug. 20, at Comeria Theatre in Phoenix. Lamb of God and Behemoth are the supporting acts on the tour. Kerry King of Slayer says about the impending tour: “As metal tours go, this is the one that your fellow metal heads will be bragging about if you miss it! Not very often I get to go on tour where we are all friends to start. That being said, the potential for greatness at these events is mind-blowing.”

Details: 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $39.50-$59.50. 800-745-300, ticketmaster.com

8/22: Rancid and Dropkick Murphys

Rancid and Dropkick Murphys have announced a co-headlining trip called the From Boston To Berkeley Tour (for obvious reasons), with an Tuesday, Aug. 22, stop at Rawhide Event Center in Chandler. Each night will culminate with Rancid and Dropkick Murphys on stage together for a joint encore. The Selecter and Kevin Seconds open the Rawhide date. Rancid and Dropkick Murphys have a long and significant history together. In 1997, Rancid’s Lars Frederiksen came across a copy of Dropkick Murphys’ original EP at a friend’s house. He turned it over to his bandmate and Hellcat Records president Tim Armstrong, who quickly snatched up the band for his new label.

Details: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22 Rawhide, 5700 W. North Loop Rd., Chandler. $35.50-$36.99. www.DropkickMurphys.com and www.RancidRancid.com.

8/24: Foreigner and Cheap Trick

The Foreigner 40th anniversary tour will play Ak-Chin Pavilion on Thursday, Aug. 24, with Cheap Trick, who are also celebrating the 40th anniversary of their own self-titled debut. “I never could have imagined when I set out to create Foreigner 40 years ago, that we’d still be touring around the world and performing the music we love all these years later,” says lead guitarist Mick Jones. “I can’t express the gratitude I feel when fans share stories of how our songs have been woven into their milestones and memories over the years.” Cheap Trick took their rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year while releasing their 17th studio album, “Bang Zoom Crazy … Hello.”

Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $29.95-$99.95. livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

8/25: Yestival

Fresh from taking their long-denied place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the members of Yes will be bringing a festival called Yestival to the Celebrity Theatre, with Todd Rundgren and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy on Friday, Aug. 25.

Tickets ($49.50, $89.50 and $125) are available at Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, www.celebritytheatre.com or 602-267-1600 ext. 1.

Yes will play a set of greatest hits from every album up to 1980’s “Drama,” showcasing the storied career of one of the world’s most influential, ground-breaking, and respected progressive rock bands.

That era produced such Yes staples as “Roundabout,” “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Yours is No Disgrace,” “Long Distance Runaround,” “Heart of the Sunrise” and “Close to the Edge.”

“We are looking forward to presenting songs from each of the first nine studio albums, including some surprises,” says guitarist Steve Howe.

For the purpose of this tour, Yes will feature Howe, Alan White (drums), Geoff Downes (keyboard), Jon Davison (vocals) and Billy Sherwood (the late Chris Squire’s chosen successor on bass).

8/29: OneRepublic

The Honda Civic Tour will bring OneRepublic, Fitz and the Tantrums and James Arthur to Phoenix’s Ak-Chin Pavilion on Tuesday, Aug. 29. OneRepublic hit the mainstream in 2007 with “Apologize,” a dramatic first single that’s sold more than 5 million copies and briefly held the record for most airplay in a single week. Their other hits include the multi-platinum “Stop and Stare,” “All the Right Moves,” “Secrets,” “Good Life” and their biggest hit to date, 2013’s “Counting Stars.” Front man Ryan Tedder has written and/or produced songs for Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Far East Movement, Jordin Sparks, Leona Lewis and Adele.

Details: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $25-$135. livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

8/29: Toto with Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

Toto and Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo bring their co-headlining summer tour to Comerica Theatre on Tuesday, Aug. 29.

“I’ve known Neil a long time and he’s a fantastic musician,” Toto’s Steve Lukather commented. “Pat’s voice is one of the all-time greats and we’re super excited to join together with them to do some shows this summer.” A four-time Grammy winner, Benatar broke through on the eve of the ’80s with “Heartbreaker,” following through with hits as big as “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Treat Me Right,” “Shadows of the Nights,” “Love is a Battlefield” and “We Belong.” Toto topped the charts in 1982 with “Africa.” Their other hits include “Hold the Line” and “Rosanna.” In 2015, they released their first studio album in 10 years – “Toto XIV.” 

Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. ticketmaster.com.

8/30: Linkin Park

Linkin Park will bring their One More Light World Tour to Talking Stick Resort Arena on Aug. 30 with Machine Gun Kelly. And fans will get first access to those tickets through a special presale aimed at circumventing bots and other scalpers.

The Linkin Park Presale – powered by Ticketmaster Verified Fan, will utilize fan-first technology to level the playing field and ensure fans compete against other fans – not software – for tickets. The more you participate, the higher your spot in line and the better your access to tickets. Linkin Park Fan Club (LPU) members will get priority, but anyone can work their way to the top.

 Pre-sale begins May 9. Fans and LPU members can register for the tour pre-sale right now at presale.linkinpark.com

General tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. May 12, at ticketmaster.com and livenation.com. Every full-priced ticket purchased for the tour includes a choice of a standard CD or standard digital copy of “One More Light,” their much-anticipated seventh album, which arrives on May 19 on Warner Bros. Records. Their most personal album to date, it’s built on the stories of six voices coming clean about their lives and struggles, as if it were the first time. As the press release says, “OML isn’t bigger, louder, or more avant-garde, it’s more human.”

The set list will combine their biggest hits and songs from the new album.

 “Our fans know how much love we put into our live show,” says guitarist Brad Delson. “They know how much we enjoy the connection when we play a fan favorite on stage. The emotional and sonic content of this new batch of songs is going to bring a whole new dimension to the show.”

One dollar from every full-priced ticket sold will benefit Music For Relief, the charity foundation Linkin Park founded in 2005 to aid survivors of natural disaster. For further info go to www.musicforrelief.org.

9/2: Dave Chappelle

Due to popular demand, Dave Chappelle has added a second show at Comerica Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 2. He’s now performing at 7 and 10 p.m. 

Tickets are $69-$555, on sale now at ticketmaster.com.

Chappelle is best-known as the star of the short-lived “Chappelle’s Show,” a brilliant sketch-comedy series that aired for two full seasons (2003-2004) on Comedy Central before Chappelle abruptly left the series after taping began on a truncated third season.

In 2009, Comedy Central ranked him 43rd on its list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time, but chances are, he would have finished higher if he hadn’t left the network hanging on what could have been a long-running hit series.

In 2006, Esquire magazine called “the comic genius of America.”

9/3: Idina Menzel

Tony-winning actress and chart-rocking singer Idina Menzel will bring her concert tour to Comerica Theatre in Phoenix on Sunday, Sept. 3. After releasing her fifth solo studio album, “idina.,” last fall, the Tony-winning star announced today that she will head out on a tour of more than 50 cities from Japan to Phoenix, where the tour concludes. Menzel earned her first Tony nomination as Maureen in the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Rent,” and won a Tony for her performance as Elphaba in “Wicked.” She crashed the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 with a song called “Let It Go” from Disney’s “Frozen,” which won an Oscar and a Grammy. She earned another Tony nomination for her role in the musical “If/Then” and turned in a well-received nation anthem when the Super Bowl played Glendale.

Details: 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $126.50. livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

9/7: The David Bromberg Quintet

The David Bromberg Quintet play Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Sept. 7.

Tickets are $30-$65, going on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, May 15, at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., scottsdaleperformingarts.com and 480-847-4681. All tickets are subject to facility and ticketing surcharges. All ages welcome.

The Americana veteran Dr. John once declared “an American music icon” released “The Blues, The Whole Blues and Nothing But The Blues” on Red House Records last October. Produced by Levon Helm and Bob Dylan’s long-time collaborator Larry Campbell, Bromberg’s first album since 2013 is a mix of deep cuts from the blues genre and original compositions. Bromberg found his inspiration for the album when he heard Willie Nelson repeat a quote from Texas fiddler Johnny Gimble: “There’s only two kinds of music – the Star-Spangled Banner and the Blues.” This is Bromberg’s 18th album, the latest in a solo career that began in 1971 on his self-titled debut.

9/8: Death Cab for Cutie

Death Cab for Cutie have joined an already impressive opening lineup of concerts at downtown Phoenix’s newest live performance venue, the Van Buren.

Led by Ben Gibbard, who’s also one half of the Postal Service, the Bellingham, Wash., indie-rockers’ flair for pretty, melancholy ballads served them well when songs from 2003’s “Transatlanticism” started popping up on TV shows, from “Six Feet Under” to “The O.C.” By 2005, they’d signed a major-label deal and found a new home on alternative radio with “Soul Meets Body,” the first of eight Top 10 hits on that format, including the chart-topping “You Are a Tourist” and two songs from “Kintsugi,” their latest release (“Black Sun” and “The Ghosts of Beverly Drive.”)

In addition to Death Cab for Cutie’s performance on Friday, Sept. 8, the venue announced a show with West Coast rapper Too Short on Saturday, Sept. 2. Tickets to both concerts go on sale this Friday, May 26, at thevanburenphx.com.

The Van Buren officially opens its doors in late August. The first show on the books for now is Wednesday, Aug. 23, a benefit for Rosie’s House, among the largest free music after-school programs in the nation, with Long Beach, Calif., indie rockers Cold War Kids.

Two other shows announced since our initial story on the venue opening are Seu Jorge (Sept.5) and Beth Hart (Sept. 12), both of which are on sale now.

9/9: Nickelback

Nickelback’s Feed the Machine Tour is headed to Ak-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix on Saturday, Sept. 9, with Daughtry. The Canadian rockers, led by guitar-playing singer Chad Kroeger, cracked the U.S. market with a six-times-platinum breakthrough called “Silver Side Up” in 2001, following through with an even bigger eight-times-platinum triumph called “All the Right Reasons” four years later. The only foreign act to sell more albums in the States between the years 2000 and 2009 was the Beatles. Their hits include the chart-topping “How You Remind Me,” “Someday,” “Photograph,” “Far Away,” “Rockstar” and “Gotta Be Somebody,” all of which went Top 10 on the Hot 100. Billboard ranked “How You Remind Me” as the biggest-selling rock song of the decade. They’re currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their ninth album, “Feed The Machine,” set for release on Friday, June 9. 

Details: 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $25-$125. livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

9/10: Florida Georgia Line with Nelly

Florida Georgia Line will bring Nelly and Chris Lane to Ak-Chin Pavilion on Sunday, Sept. 10. 

Get tickets at at ticketmaster.com.

The country duo and Nelly are touring together, of course, because of their collaboration on the remix of “Cruise,” a bro-country landmark that five years later, remains the biggest-release digital release the country genre has ever produced.

Four subsequent Florida Georgia Line followed “Cruise” to No. 1 on Billboard’s country charts while going multi-platinum — “Stay,” the Luke Bryan-assisted “This is How We Roll,” “Dirt” and “H.O.L.Y.” (from their latest album, “Dig Your Roots”).

9/16: Gloria Trevi vs. Alejandra Guzmán

The Gloria Trevi vs. Alejandra Guzmán Tour will play Gila River Arena on Saturday, Sept. 16. The Latin pop legends have been breaking ticket sale records, demonstrating once again the strength of their legacies and their star power. A portion of each ticket sold will be donated to the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) to benefit their Immigrant Defense Fund. Guzmán and Trevi are two of the most legendary names in music sung in Spanish. Throughout the years, entire generations have been influenced by their music, style, ideologies and performances. The rivalry between them, mainly attributed to the media, has been the subject of endless stories and controversies.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Gila River Arena, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. ticketmaster.com.

9/21: Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is bringing the State of the World Tour to Talking Stick Resort Arena Thursday, Sept. 21.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 5, at ticketmaster.com.

Produced by Live Nation, the State of the World Tour is set for a 56-city run beginning September 7, in Lafayette. Tickets for the newly scheduled dates will go on sale on May 5.  Tickets held for previous “Unbreakable” tour events that are now re-scheduled will be honored at the new dates.  For more information please visit livenation.com

The legendary entertainer began her sold out “Unbreakable” tour in August 2015, but just one year ago reached out directly to fans via Twitter with news of her focusing on starting a family, confirmed months later with the arrival of her first child. Jackson has taken the past year to enjoy pregnancy and motherhood, and is now ready to return to the live stage to give the fans everything they could hope for in one epic concert event. The State of the World Tour is a continuation of the “Unbreakable” tour and will include fan favorites from her chart-topping “Unbreakable” album, an array of the socially conscious music she’s released throughout her career, and other smash hits and soon-to-be released new tracks with a state of the art live production.

 Jackson has won six Grammys, two Emmys, a Golden Globe Award and a nomination for an Academy Award along with dozens of American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards. She has received accolades as an actress as well, including the NAACP Best Supporting Actor award. With sales of more than 160 million records worldwide, Jackson stands as one of the best-selling artists of all time with a string of hits that have left an indelible impression on pop culture.

9/22: 93.3 Alt AZ Dia de Los Alt

Local alternative-radio station 93.3 Alt AZ is bringing Bleachers, Bishop Briggs, New Politics and Sir Sly to Fear Farm for a festival called Dia de Los Alt on Friday, Sept. 22.

Fronted by Jack Antonoff of fun., Bleachers topped the alternative songs chart with their first song, “I Wanna Get Better,” and followed with a Top 5 entry on the same chart, “Rollercoaster.”

Both songs were featured on a debut titled “Strange Desire,” which included guest appearances by Grimes and Yoko Ono. Yes, that Yoko Ono. PopMatters said of the album: ” ‘Strange Desire’ most certainly proves at least one thing: Nate Ruess isn’t the only guy in fun. who can write a hell of a pop song. And really, that’s all that should ever matter to anyone who chooses to give Bleachers the time of day in the first place.”

Three years later, they’re touring a second album, “Gone Now,” of which Entertainment Weekly noted, “On the proper follow-up to ‘Strange Desire,’ Antonoff is more sonically self-assured and conceptually mission-driven, weaving together a 12-song cycle inspired by the heartbreaking death of his sister, Sarah, from brain cancer when he was 18.”

Tickets are $35, on sale now at ticketfly.com.

9/24 Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes are bringing Beach House to Comerica Theatre on Sept. 24.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 12, at livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

The tour is in support of their forthcoming followup to 2011’s “Helplessness Blues,” a rustic gem whose more inspired moments felt like Brian Wilson writing harmonies for Crosby, Stills & Nash.

The much-anticipated “Crack-Up” hits the streets on June 16. 

The lead single, a majestic chamber-folk suite called “Third of May / ?daigahara,” made our playlist of best March singles. In an interview with Pitchfork, Robin Pecknold talked about the inspiration for the single – his relatoinship with Skyler Skjelset, the childhood friend with whom he formed Fleet Foxes in 2006. The date in the title refers to May 3, 2011, the release date of “Helplessness Blues,” their previous effort, after which they embarked on a lengthy hiatus. It’s also Skjelset’s birthday. “It addresses our distance in the years after touring that album, the feeling of having an unresolved, unrequited relationship that is lingering psychologically,” Pecknold said. “Even if some time apart was necessary and progressive for both of us as individuals, I missed our connection, especially the one we had when we were teenagers, and the lyrics for the song grew out of that feeling.”

9/26: Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons are launching their tour in support of “Evolve” at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Sept. 26 with special guests Grouplove and K.Flay.

“Evolve” is set to be released June 23. But fans can pre-order the album now at all participating digital retailers, receiving instant downloads of the album’s first single “Believer,” and two additional tracks, “Thunder” and “Whatever It Takes.” Fans who pre-order the album at shop.imaginedragonsmusic.com today through 8 a.m. Saturday May 13 will be sent registration instructions and receive priority access in the Ticketmaster Verified Fan pre-sale, which begins on at 10 a.m. Monday, May 15. 

“Believer” spent six consecutive weeks at No. 1 at alternative radio and broke a record that had stood more than 13 years for number of spins at the format, besting by Linkin Park’s “Faint” in the process. TIME called “Believer” “another showstopper of an anthem,” while Entertainment Weekly noted its “thudding tribal drums, a massive shout along chorus, and a wicked bassline that’s the sonic equivalent of a slug to the gut.” 

Verified pre-sale goes from 10 a.m. Monday, May 15 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 18.  Fans can register now for early access to tickets at presale.imaginedragonsmusic.com. By registering, fans will reserve a spot in line for the fan presale, which they can then improve by sharing their unique pre-sale link with friends and family, or by pre-ordering Imagine Dragon’s new album “Evolve.” Fans who have registered will be let into a special ticket presale in waves, based on their place in line. 

Citi is the official credit card of the Evolve Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, through Citi’s Private Pass program. For complete pre-sale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com. AT&T customers will also have access to priority pre-sale tickets beginning 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 16. For complete details visit att.com/frontoftheline. Tickets go on-sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Friday, May 19. For more information visit livenation.com.

9/27: Paramore

Paramore’s Tour Two is playing Comerica Theatre in Phoenix on Sept. 27.

The tour is in support of “After Laughter,” their first album in more than four years. The first video, “Hard Times,” has earned more than 25 million views on YouTube in its first month of release, while second video “Told You So” has pulled in more than 7 million in just two weeks.

“After Laughter” will be celebrated with a series of high-profile TV appearances, beginning this Wednesday, May 17, with an outdoor mini-concert on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” They’re playing “Told You So” on CBS’ “The Late Late Show with James Corden” on Wednesday, May 24, and appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America on Friday, Aug. 25, at part of its 2017 GMA Summer Concert Series.

 AT&T priority presale ticket access begins at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 18, through the AT&T THANKS program at att.com/frontoftheline.

Citi cardmembers will also have access to presale tickets beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 20, through Citi’s Private Pass program at citiprivatepass.com.

Tickets go on-sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, at livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

Due to the intimate size of the venues on this tour, fans can register for a unique code using Ticketmaster Verified Fan to purchase artist presale tickets before the general public.  Registration through Ticketmaster Verified Fan will run from through 10 p.m. Monday, May 15.   A unique code will be deployed to verified fans on Wednesday, May 17, beginning at 8 a.m. local time, two hours prior to the commencement of the Paramore artist presale at 10 a.m. local time. For more information and to register, visit paramore.tmverifiedfan.com.

“After Laughter” was recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A – Paramore’s first time recording in their hometown. Produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen and Paramore’s own Taylor York, the album also marks the return of original Paramore member Zac Farro.  Billboard declared the song “Hard Times” to be “an addictive, Talking Heads-inspired jam that sounds like it could follow ‘Ain’t It Fun’ as a Hot 100 smash,” while Rolling Stone praising “Told You So” as “polyrhythmic funk-pop.” And Variety raved about the album: “Paramore has never sounded — or looked — more defiantly joyous… ‘After Laughter’ sounds like it’s about when life kicks you in the gonads. Instead of crying about it, hopefully Paramore will come back fighting and chop life’s head clean off.”

9/27: Depeche Mode

New Wave legends Depeche Mode are returning to Ak-Chin Pavilion on Wednesday, Sept. 27, on the U.S. leg of the Global Spirit tour. Depeche Mode – Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Andy Fletcher – plan to release a new album Friday, March 17. Q Magazine has called “Spirit” “the most energized Depeche Mode album in years.”

Details: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $30-$99.50. livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

10/3: The Shins with Spoon

The Shins and Spoon will be playing four concerts together this year. And one of those concerts is happening right in Phoenix (your reporter is resisting the urge to end that sentence with several exclamation marks).

The tour hits Comerica Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 3, in support of two of this year’s most acclaimed releases, the Shins’ “Heartworms” and Spoon’s “Hot Thoughts.” Tickets are $39.50-$50 and available through ticketfly.com.

The Shins recently headlined the opening night of McDowell Mountain Music Festival, where the songs from that new album, of which there were many, more than held their own against such classics as “Caring is Creepy” and “New Slang.” You can see how that set went, complete with pictures, here. 

In an interview quoted on Pitchfork, James Mercer, the last remaining member of the “Oh, Inverted World” lineup, said the new music is closer to the way they sounded on their first three albums by design.

“I’m really excited about this record,” he said. “I think we’ve got something that Shins fans will really love, and I think there’s some other things on there that are different enough. I made a concerted effort on certain songs to fit the palette, to use the palette that I’ve used historically for the band.”

Spoon’s fourth album in a row to crack the Top 10, “Hot Thoughts,” was released to just the sort of hyperventilating praise you can expect from critics when a new Spoon album hits the streets. And with good reason. They’ve already given us a number of the century’s best rock releases. And this new one more than lives up to the promise of that legacy. I now defer you to the wisdom of the Consequence of Sound reviewed who suggest that Britt Daniel’s “big statement is his Body of Work, of which every fine part adds up to a greater sum. Here comes another one.”

10/4: Father John Misty

Father John Misty is playing the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix on Wednesday, Oct. 4, in support of “Pure Comedy.”

Tickets are on sale at phoenix.ticketforce.com.

The singer’s darkly comic narratives, often done in character, have marked Misty as his generation’s Randy Newman – not that I see Pixar work in Misty’s future. “Pure Comedy” is guaranteed to figure prominently on the shortlist of the year’s most celebrated albums, a third straight triumph for the singer-songwriter. Mojo said this album lifts him “to another level altogether,” while the Skinny raved: “He embraces the role, plays up to it, uses it to bend and manipulate the parameters of modern rock music and has managed to create something bitingly acerbic and cynical, yet achingly sincere. Again.”

He topped our playlist of best February singles with a track from “Pure Comedy” called “Ballad of the Dying Man,” on which he turns his darkly comic eye for detail on a self-important know-it-all who wonders on his deathbed if he’s “successfully beaten back the rising tide of idiots, dilettantes and fools on his watch.”

Weyes Blood opens.

10/5 Flaming Lips and Mac DeMarco

The Flaming Lips and Mac DeMarco are playing Comerica Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 5.

The Lips last played the Valley last October at the Arizona State Fair, a magical night to which I responded in my review (which you can read in its entirety just by clicking these words):

“It takes a certain breed of entertainer to lead the members of an audience on an emotional journey from the smile-inducing spectacle of ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1,’ with Wayne Coyne surrounded by giant inflatables, including Santa Claus, to the existential majesty of ‘Do You Realize??,’ which brought me to tears.

And I’m pretty sure the Flaming Lips would be the only actual entertainers in that certain breed.

Coyne is such a bizarre, enigmatic performer, giving into the silliest aspects of the task at hand, with his bag of confetti, his smoke gun and his crazy jacket with strands of multi-colored lights hanging like extra-long fringe, while gleefully spreading his message of peace and love and making the most of the moment you’re in because ‘you realize that everyone you know someday will die.’”

Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com, the Comerica Theatre box office and 800-745-3000.

The Canadian singer-songwriter most likely to perform nude (with apologies to Gordon Lightfoot), DeMarco is touring an album titled “This Old Dog,” his much-anticipated followup to “Another One.”

DeMarco is known for two things – songs that reach inside your soul and force you to reflect on what you’ve done and how you plan to make it right, and being a total goof onstage. A bit Paul Westerberg in that respect. And as Smokey Robinson, who may not have been writing specifically about DeMarco, could tell you, “There’s some sad things known to man / But ain’t too much sadder than the tears of a clown.” 

I caught his set last Friday at Coachella, writing:

“He mocked his placement on the bill. … He brought out former bassist Pierce McGarry for an extended bit in which the bassist kept insisting he was actually Orlando Bloom. … He joked about King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, whose set had preceded his own on that stage. And he joked with a fan in the audience about his hat. … As for the music, it was often as sublime as his behavior was ridiculous, from ‘Salad Days’ through ‘On the Level.’ “

10/8: Scorpions

The Scorpions Crazy World Tour is bringing Megadeth to Talking Stick Resort Arena on Sunday, Oct. 8.

Tickets are $40-$125 at www.dannyzeliskopresents.com

Why Crazy World? If you have to ask:

“When our album ‘Crazy World’ was released back in ’91, right at the end of the Cold War,” Klaus Meine says, “we toured around a world that was pretty crazy back then, but there was so much hope in the air for a more peaceful future. Now, 26 years later, things are getting more crazy every other day. After all these years, Crazy World is still a good motto for our upcoming world tour. We are very much looking forward to seeing all of you out there.

Founded in Hannover, West Germany, in 1965, Scorpions released their debut album, “Lonesome Crow,” released in 1972. They rose to arena status with seminal releases “Lovedrive,” “Virgin Killer” and “Animal Magnetism.” In 1982, they topped the U.S. rock charts with “No One Like You,” a soaring power ballad they soon followed with their first Top 40 single, “Rock You Like a Hurricane.” Their biggest U.S. hit came later with another ballad, “Wind of Change.” They finished 46th on VH1’s Greatest Artists of Hard Rock, and “Rock You Like a Hurricane” was No. 18 on VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs.

The set will offer a mix of fan favorites and highlights of their 19th studio release, “Return To Forever,” released in 2015 as part of their 50th anniversary festivities.

10/8: Tom Rush

Tom Rush is playing Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, October 8, accompanied by Matt Nokoa with special guest Danny O’Keefe.

Tickets ($65, $40, and $25) go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, May 15 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St. or online at scottsdaleperformingarts.com. To charge by phone, call 480-847-4681. All tickets are subject to facility and ticketing surcharges. All ages welcome.

Now celebrating more than 50 years of touring, Rush’s impact on the American music scene has been profound. He helped shape the folk revival in the ’60s and the renaissance of the ’80s and ’90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. Rush’s early recordings introduced the world to the work of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor, and in more recent years his Club 47 concerts have brought artists such as Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin to wider audiences when they were just beginning to build their own reputations.

Rush began his musical career in the early ’60s playing the Boston-area clubs while a Harvard student. The Club 47 was the flagship of the coffee house fleet, and he was soon holding down a weekly spot there, learning from the legendary artists who came to play, honing his skills and growing into his talent. He had released two albums by the time he graduated. Rush displayed then, as he does today, an uncanny knack for finding wonderful songs, and writing his own – many of which have become classics re-interpreted by new generations. Signed by Elektra in 1965, Rush made three albums for them, culminating in “The Circle Game,” which, according to Rolling Stone, ushered in the singer-songwriter era.

10/14: Harry Styles

Harry Styles of One Direction is playing Comerica Theatre on Oct. 14.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 5 at ticketmaster.com and the Comerica box office. Fan registration for all North American dates has already begun through Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program. Supplies are limited, further information here.

Styles’ self-titled debut album will be released globally on Friday, May 12. The 10-track album features the lead single “Sign of the Times,” which topped the charts in more than 84 countries the day it was released. The album was executive produced by Jeff Bhasker, with additional production from Alex Salibian, Tyler Johnson and Kid Harpoon. 

Styles began to showcase the live show with his debut performance on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” where he premiered the album track “Ever Since New York” and the single “Sign of the Times,” with an additional performance of the single on BBC talk show “The Graham Norton Show.” He is set for upcoming appearances on NBC’s “Today Show Summer Concert Series” May 9, followed by a week-long residency on CBS’ “The Late Late Show with James Corden” May 15-18.

10/18: Chris Tucker

Comedian Chris Tucker will play the Celebrity Theatre on Friday, Oct. 13.

Tickets are $31-$116, going on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, July 17, at the venue box office (440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix), online at celebritytheatre.com or, by phone, at 602-267-1600 ext. 1.

Tucker may be best known for his role as Detective James Carter in the “Rush Hour” film series. He became a favorite on Russell Simmons’ HBO Def Comedy Jam in the 1990s and came to prominence in his first starring role, the 1995 cult classic “Friday,” starring alongside Ice Cube. In 1997, Tucker was an executive producer and co-starred in “Money Talks” with Charlie Sheen. He then appeared in the highly successful Luc Besson film “The Fifth Element.”

In 2006, he negotiated an unprecedented $25 million salary to appear in “Rush Hour 3,” which at the time made him the highest paid actor in Hollywood. Tucker co-starred in the 2013 Oscar-nominated film “Silver Linings Playbook” with Robert De Niro, Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper.

10/25: Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor is set to bring A Very Special Solo Performance to the Celebrity Theatre Oct. 25. Tickets are $40-$80, going on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, July 21 at the venue box office (440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix), online at celebritytheatre.com, and/or by phone at 602-267-1600 ext. 1.

The Soviet-born singer-songwriter recently completed a sold-out U.S tour in support of the critically acclaimed “Remember Us To Life.” The Santa Barbara Independent said the singer “captivated audiences with impeccable storytelling and whimsical piano playing” while the Portland Press Herald called the show “soul-moving,” noting that Spektor “delivered a stunning performance.”

When Spektor shot a music video for “Black and White,” an understated highlight of the album, in in the ornate lobby of Chicago’s long-abandoned Uptown Theater, it made our playlist of best February singles.

10/26: Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan is bring his Huntin’ and Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day Tour to Ak-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix on Thursday night, Oct. 26, with Brett Eldredge and Granger Smith.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 9, at ticketmaster.com.

Bryan’s latest album, “Kill the Lights,” which hit Billboard’s country charts at No. 1, his third consecutive release to do so. His hits include country chart-toppers “Rain is a Good Thing,” “Someone Else Calling You Baby,” “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” “Drunk on You,” “That’s My Kind of Night,” “Drink a Beer,” “Play It Again,” “I See You,” “Kick the Dust Up” and “Strip it Down.” 

10/28: Bob Seger

Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band will bring their Runaway Train tour to Talking Stick Resort Arena on Saturday, Oct. 28.

The star fueled speculation that this could be a farewell tour earlier this week when he released a video that included the tag line “one last time.”

The tour announcement comes on the heels of Seger and the Silver Bullet Band’s highly-anticipated show at Pine Knob selling out in 9 minutes during the pre-sale.

MORE MUSIC: Get the Things to Do app | Phoenix local music news | Concerts this week

Tickets for the Phoenix show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 16. Bob Seger fan club members will have special access to purchase tickets in advance the Tuesday before each scheduled on-sale. To become a Bullet Club member, visit BobSeger.com. Tickets can be purchased at BobSeger.com and livenation.com

Just this week, Seger’s  “Greatest Hits” album was certified diamond by the RIAA for 10 million U.S. sales.

 In 2015, the year of Seger’s last Valley appearance, he was honored with Billboard’s “Legend of Live” award at the 12th annual Billboard Touring Conference & Awards for his significant and lasting impact on the touring industry.

10/28: Joe Bonamassa

Blues-rock guitar hero Joe Bonamassa is playing Comerica Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 28, in support of his latest studio album, “Blues of Desperation.”  He’ll be backed by the musicians featured on his Grammy-nominated “Live At The Greek Theatre,” including Anton Fig on drums (Letterman, Ace Frehley), Michael Rhodes on bass (Faith Hill, Randy Travis), Reese Wynans on piano/organ (Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble), Lee Thornburg on Trumpet (Tower Of Power), Paulie Cerra on saxophone and back up vocalists Mahalia Barnes, Jade McCrae and Juanita Tippins. “Live at the Greek Theatre” was Bonamassa’s 17th release to top the Billboard blues chart.  

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. ticketmaster.com

10/31: Halsey

Spend Halloween with Halsey when the singer brings her U.S. tour to Talking Stick Resort Arena on Oct. 31 with PartyNextDoor and Charli XCX.

The eight-week tour is in support of Halsey’s second album, “hopeless fountain kingdom,” out June 2.  

 Pre-sales run May 8 through May 11 at hfktour.com, with general on-sale scheduled for May 12. For every pair of online tickets purchased, fans will have access to redeem one physical copy of the new release.

AT&T is sending customers to the front of the line with AT&T priority pre-sale ticket access beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, through the AT&T THANKS program. For complete pre-sale details, visit att.com/frontoftheline. Citi is the tour’s official credit card. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets also beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, through Citi’s Private Pass program. For complete presale details visit citiprivatepass.com.! See below for the full itinerary. For additional ticket information, please visit livenation.com.

“Hopeless fountain kingdom” exorcises moments of sorrow, pain, joy and love through a whirlwind of poetic lyricism, cinematic production, and searing hooks with guest appearances by Quavo, Lauren Jauregui (Fifth Harmony), and Cashmere Cat. Fans can visit findmeinthekingdom.com for all available pre-order offers, including exclusive bundles, merch, vinyl and more.

Now 22, the singer broke through with a platinum debut titled “Badlands” in 2015. She’s best known for the singles “New Americana” and this year’s “Now or Never” – unless, of course, you count her featured vocal on the Chainsmokers’ seven-times-platinum chart-topper “Closer.” And really, why would you not count that?

11/3: Jay-Z

Jay-Z is bringing his 4:44 Tour to Talking Stick Resort Arena on Friday, Nov. 3.

TIDAL members already have access to a special presale at TIDAL.com.

Citi is the official presale credit card for the 4:44 TOUR. Citi card members will have access to purchase U.S. presale tickets from now until 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13 through Citi’s Private Pass® program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

Tickets for the 4:44 TOUR go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Friday, July 14 at livenation.com.

VIP Packages are available at VIPNation.com.

11/14-15: Tedeschi Trucks Band

What’s even better than Tedeschi Trucks Band playing the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix? Tedeschi Trucks Band playing the Orpheum Theatre two nights in a row, Nov. 14 and 15.

Both shows start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $39-$125, goin on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, June 12 at phoenix.ticketforce.com, the Orpheum box office, 203 W Adams St., Phoenix, and 602-534-5611. All tickets are subject to facility and ticketing surcharges. All ages welcome.

Susan Tedeschi had already earned five Grammy nominations by the time she and her husband, slide guitarist Derek Trucks, joined forces, bringing home a best-blues-album Grammy for their first joint effort, “Revelator,” which felt a bit like Derek and the Dominoes as fronted by a woman, blending blues and soul with occasional hints of a ’70s soft-rock vibe.

And they’re still going strong two albums later, hitting the road in continued support of “Let Me Get By,” which inspired a PopMatters writer to rave that it’s “finally the record that capitalizes on the promise this collective has had from the start.” 

They recently released “Live From the Fox Oakland,” a CD/DVD recorded at a show that set a new peak in the continuing story of this great American rock & roll family band.  The double disc live recording showcases the band’s ability to move seamlessly from blistering rock and blues to soulful ballads and includes their take on classics from Derek and the Dominos (see?), Leonard Cohen, and even Miles Davis among TTB’s original songs.

11/18: Fall Out Boy

Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown Phoenix is the final stop on the “M A N I A” tour for Fall Out Boy on Saturday, Nov. 18.

Pre-sale tickets will be available beginning Monday, May 1. General tickets will be available to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, May 5, at ticketmaster.com.

One dollar of every ticket sold will benefit a number of Chicago-area charities via the newly launched Fall Out Boy Fund.

The news of the tour was accompanied by the release of “Young and Menace,” the first taste of their seventh album, “M A N I A,” which is set to arrive Sept. 15.

Pete Wentz says, “There’s a lyric in the song, ‘trying to send the world a message, I was young and a menace,’ that reminded me of growing up in the suburbs of Chicago. I didn’t look like anyone there or feel like anyone – I felt like an outsider in my own town. It wasn’t until I discovered punk rock and that community that I realized I did fit in somewhere in this world – with the other people who didn’t fit in. It’s hard to rationalize rage – it’s hard to quantify anxiety … this song does neither, it embraces the wave.” …”

The album is their follow-up album to “American Beauty/American Psycho,” a platinum effort that debuted at No. 1 on Billboard in early 2015.

11/18-19: Goldrush Music Festival

Relentless Beats’ Goldrush Music Festival will bring a mix of EDM and hip-hop acts, including Dillon Francis, Lil Uzi Vert, Snow tha Product, Marshmello, Ugly God, Rich Chigga and the Underachievers, to Rawhide the weekend of Nov.18-19.

Also playing: Injury Reserve Shiba San, Mija, Keys N Krates, GG Magree, Rezz, Malaa, Drezo, Al Grime, Smokepurpp, Hippie Sabotage, Oona Dahl, Walker & Royce, Sonny Fodera and San Holo.

Goldrush will feature four stages with more than 50 national acts with Rawhide Western Town as a backdrop.

Presales are available now for $99 general admission and $219 VIP at seetickets.us.

11/20: Niall Horan

Fresh from the huge success of his global smash “Slow Hands,” Niall Horan has announced that he’s embarking on the Flicker Sessions 2017 Tour, including a Phoenix performance Nov. 20 at Comerica Theatre.

Having spent the past year working on his debut solo album, Horan is set to bring new music to his fans in a series of intimate shows. Opening on his home turf in Dublin, the tour will travel to London, Stockholm, Sydney and Tokyo before making its way to Los Angeles on September 19. Niall will then stop in Mexico and Rio de Janeiro before crossing North America in November.

Horan has sold more than 70 million records as part of One Direction and has toured the globe numerous times. His debut single “This Town,” released in the fall of 2016, has sold more than three million track equivalent units globally. Combined streams now surpass 350 million worldwide. The Los Angeles Times said, “The guitar ballad is a tender, swoon-worthy number” and Entertainment Weekly hailed it as “a wistful tale of young love lost.”

He followed up the ballad’s release with the grittier R&B-infused track “Slow Hands,” which went to No. 1 in 44 countries and continues to climb the charts around the world. Line of Best Fit said “He’s shed his squeaky clean onesie and donned a crooner coat, giving us one of the coolest, catchiest choruses of 2017 in the process.”

Tickets for the U.S. and Canada go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 15. To ensure that fans get access to tickets, Fan Registration for the U.S. and Canadian tour dates will be available through Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program.

11/29: Tori Amos

Tori Amos is bringing her Native Invader Tour to Mesa Arts Center on Nov. 29.

The tour is in support a forthcoming album called “Native Invader,” available on Decca Records on September 8.

Amos is collaborating with Ticketmaster for a pre-sale initiative using the Verified Fan platform, which levels the playing field so fans get optimal access to tickets at toriamos.tmverifiedfan.com.

“Native Invader” is the singer’s 15th studio release, following 2014’s “Unrepentant Geraldines,” her eighth Top 10 album.

Amos says, “The songs on ‘Native Invader’ are being pushed by the Muses to find different ways of facing unforeseen challenges and in some cases dangerous conflicts. The record looks to Nature and how, through resilience, she heals herself. The songs also wrestle with the question: what is our part in the destruction of our land, as well as ourselves, and in our relationships with each other?

In life there can be the shock of unexpected fires, floods, earthquakes, or any cataclysmic ravager – both on the inside and outside of our minds. Sonically and visually, I wanted to look at how Nature creates with her opposing forces, becoming the ultimate regenerator through her cycles of death and re-birth. Time and time again she is able to renew, can we find this renewal for ourselves?”

Nominated for multiple Grammy Awards, Amos has had her songs turned into graphic novels and has produced groundbreaking videos throughout her career.

Doors are $35-$85, going on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 14, at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E Main St., online at boxoffice.mesaartscenter.com/Online/, or by phone, call 480.644.6500.

12/5: The Piano Guys

The Piano Guys, four dads from Utah, have climbed the Great Wall of China for their craft, landed atop the Billboard charts, sold out tour dates around the world, accrued a massive social media following and scored YouTube viewership of more than 730 million. Now, they’re heading back to Phoenix for a Dec. 5 date at Comerica Theatre.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 12, at ticketmaster.com, the box office or 800-745-3000. 

The Piano Guys became an Internet sensation with their series of self-made music videos. They’ve performed everywhere from “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” to “The Today Show” and been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Buzzfeed, People Magazine, Mashable and more.

12/7: Tony Bennett rescheduled

Tony Bennett’s Celebrity Theatre date has been rescheduled from July 11 to Thursday, Dec. 7, due to “unforeseen scheduling conflicts.”

Bennett’s management regrets any inconvenience this may cause fans of the 19-time Grammy winner who looks forward to performing in Phoenix in December.

All tickets purchased for the July 11 show will be honored at the 7:30 p.m. show on Dec. 7. Refunds are available at point of purchase. Tickets ($72 and $132) are on sale for the show now slated for Dec. 7 at the Celebrity Theatre Box office or online at celebritytheatre.com.  All tickets are subject to facility and ticketing surcharges. All ages welcome.

Bennett’s daughter, Antonia Bennett, will be opening the show with a collection of jazz and pop standards. Bennett has won 19 Grammy Awards in the course of a career spanning more than six decade. His signature tunes include “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” and “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.” The singer turned 90 in August, a milestone celebrated in a two-hour prime-time special and companion CD titled “Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best is Yet to Come.” Last year also saw the release of Bennett’s fifth book, titled “Just Getting Started,” which he wrote with journalist Scott Simon. Bennett is a Kennedy Center Honoree, an NEA Jazz Master and a recipient of the United Nation’s Humanitarian and Citizen of the World honors.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 7. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $72-$132. 602-267-1600 ext. 1, celebritytheatre.com.

12/15: Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas show

SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Danny Zelisko Presents welcome the Brian Setzer Orchestra’s 14th Annual Christmas Rocks! Tour to the historic Celebrity Theatre on Friday, December 15.

The once and future leader of the Stray Cats is bringing his 19-piece orchestra to town for a show that promises selections from his yuletide classics “Boogie Woogie Christmas,” “Dig that Crazy Christmas” and the far more recent “Rockin’ Rudolph,” as well as other songs you’re bound to recognize that don’t have anything to do with this or any holiday.

And in keeping with the spirit of Setzer’s performance, the first three rows will be removed for dancing.

This is a big year for the Brian Setzer Orchestra, who plan to celebrate their 25th anniversary in style with an exclusive landmark show at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on August 2. Under the stars at the legendary venue where they’ve performed on four previous occasions, Setzer’s trademark guitar work and vocal stylings will be matched with his 19-piece orchestra’s big-band horn arrangements, making for a reliably unbeatable combination.

Tickets are $58-$91, going on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, July 21 at the venue box office (440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix), online at celebritytheatre.com or by phone, at 602-267-1600 ext. 1.

Pepsi Amphitheater season

Looking to beat the Phoenix heat while taking in an outdoor concert? Flagstaff’s Pepsi Amphitheater, a gorgeous place to see a show, has announced its summer concert season and they’ve got some great shows coming in, from Andrew Bird to Michael Franti.

Sun., May 21. Leftover Salmon with The Moves Collective. Tickets on-sale at PepsiAmp.com. Show begins at 3pm, gates open 2pm. A unique trailblazer in the Americana music genre, Leftover Salmon blend sounds rooted in jazz, rock and roll, bluegrass and soul.

Sat., June 17. BoDeans and Smithereens. Tickets on-sale now. Gates open 5:30pm, show begins 6:30pm Bringing their energetic, year-round tour to Flagstaff, BoDeans’ show will also include the Smithereens. Pepsi Amphitheater is theonly Arizona show.

Tues., June 27. Andrew Bird. Tickets on-sale now; GA Pit $39, GA Lawn $29, GA County $22. Show begins at 7:30pm with gates opening at 6:30pm. Bird’s talents as a singer, songwriter and violinist are evident throughout his songs and performances. Margaret Glaspy, a singer-songwriter from New York, will open the show.

Tues., July 4. Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. In its 67th year, the orchestra will take the stage in Fort Tuthill Park to bring the community and amphitheater to life.

Wed., Aug. 16. Slightly Stoopid ‘Sounds of Summer’ tour with Iration, JBoog and The Movement. Tickets on-sale Fri., March 10 at 10am. Show begins at 5:30pm, gates open at 5:00pm. The Ocean Beach, CA based group, released their latest studio album, “Meanwhile…Back at the Lab,” in June 2015. The album reached No. 3 of Billboard’s Independent Album and Modern Rock/Alternative Album charts. Pepsi Amphitheater is their only Arizona show.

Sat., August 26. KNAU Presents Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home “Love and Comedy” Tour 2017. Tickets on sale. Show begins at 5pm, doors open 4pm.  He’s celebrating his 75th birthday with a 28-day tour and Keillor’s Flagstaff show includes an expanded cast featuring Aoife O’Donovan, Richard Dworsky, Fred Newman, Richard Kriehn and Chris Siebold. Pepsi Amphitheater is their only Arizona show.

Fri. – Sun., Sept. 15-17. Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Festival. The 12th annual, award-winning bluegrass & acoustic music festival will transform the Ponderosa Pines during a weekend of bluegrass, old-time music, Celtic, gypsy jazz and more. Festival features concerts and workshops

Fri., Sept. 29. Michael Franti & Spearhead. Tickets on-sale Tue., May 16 10am. Show begins at 7:30pm, gates open 6:30pm. Franti returns to Pepsi Amphitheater again! Over the years, Michael Franti & Spearhead produced anthems such as “Everyone Deserves Music,” “Yes I Will” and the US Hot 100 hit “Say Hey (I Love You).” Pepsi Amphitheater is their only Arizona show.

Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill County Park is located within the Fort Tuthill Coconino County Park complex, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Take I-17, Airport Exit 337 and continue west into Fort Tuthill County Park.  Follow the loop road until reaching the Amphitheater sign. 

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Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-4495.Twitter.com/EdMasley.

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