Summer may traditionally be peak season for concerts, but the fabulous Fox attracts a diverse lineup of the world’s leading artists all year-round, with something for alt and psychedelic rockers, families with kids, alt-country fans, opera and oldies (sorry, Mr. Valli). Here’s a sneak peak at shows playing through early November:
Il Volo
7:30 p.m. Sept. 14. Il Volo started out on a reality show – Italy’s Ti lascio una canzone. Originally competing against one another, operatic teens Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble found strength in numbers, with their 2011 debut premiering at No. 10 on the Billboard charts. They’re touring in support of Il Volo Takes Flight — Live From the Detroit Opera House, a concert that has made them a hit with the PBS viewers everywhere. Tickets: $52.45-$95.15.
Australian Pink Floyd
8 p.m. Oct. 13. Most tribute bands come off as something of a bad joke, but Australian Pink Floyd elevates mimicry to an art form. Founded in 1988, the band has devoted its entire 24-year career to re-creating latter-day Pink Floyd concerts down to the most intricate detail, from spot-on guitar solos to intricate lasers and display panels. It’s an otherworldly experience for fans fond of Floyd’s progressive, psychedelic rock and has even earned the approval of David Gilmour, the voice and guitar of the original Pink Floyd. Tickets TBA.
Frankie Valli
8 p.m. Nov. 1. Born Francis Stephen Castelluccio in 1934, Frankie Valli is nearing the 60th year of an influential pop music career that has brought 29 Top 40 hits with the Four Seasons and another nine as a solo artist. The original Jersey Boy has seen numerous peaks over the years, from early hits like “Sherry” and “Walk Like a Man” to his ‘70s comeback in Grease. Now, even at age 78, his trademark falsetto remains in fine form. Atlantans loved the musical Jersey Boys during both stops at the Fox; now they can see the real deal. Tickets: $67.60-$142.50.
Celtic Thunder
7:30 p.m. Nov. 4. Sort of a male answer to Celtic Woman, this Irish singing group known for its numerous PBS specials has attracted a devoted international fan base known as “Thunder Heads.” There have been quite a few lineup changes in recent years, with Damian McGinty now on Glee and Paul Byrom launching a solo career. But Voyage continues to pay tribute to traditional Irish culture, with standout songs such as “Dulaman” and “Galway Girl.”
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Bret Love is the founder of the ecotourism/conservation site GreenGlobalTravel.com; the national managing editor of INsite magazine; and music editor for Georgia Music Magazine. He freelances for more than a dozen other national and international publications, and performs on improv teams with Jackpie at Relapse Theatre.
