Plato once wrote, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Indeed, music has always to express thoughts and feelings we might not say aloud. No matter whether you prefer rock, pop, blues or contemporary Christian, the Fox Theatre has a concert coming your way.
In addition to what’s listed below, the Fox has scheduled shows featuring comic Martin Lawrence (Oct. 1), the Festival of Praise tour with Fred Hammond and Donnie McClurkin (Oct. 17), and Yanni (Feb. 20). Details on all shows, tickets HERE.
The lineup below will take you through the end of 2015. Take a look.
THE B-52’s | Oct. 30
The B-52’s are a classic rags-to-riches story. Motley crew of outsider misfits comes together to play music at wild parties for friends in late-1970s Athens, Ga. Thanks to left-of-center hits like “Rock Lobster” and “Planet Claire,” the band’s beach-party-gone-bonkers sound catches the early 1980s (new) wave of alternative music, riding that burgeoning tsunami to mainstream success and international acclaim.
Now, 35 years later, the legends — Cindy Wilson, Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland and Ricky Wilson — return to Atlanta for “The B-52s Halloween Scream,” a campy All Hallows Eve show. Audience members are encouraged to dress in their most fabulous costumes, wigs, glitter and glow sticks.
Just make sure you wear comfortable shoes so you don’t hurt yourself when you “Dance This Mess Around.”
STRAIGHT NO CHASER | Nov. 13
Many talented acts rose to stardom with the help of YouTube. Few, however, can match the success of this former Indiana University a cappella group. A video of its 1998 performance of “The 12 Days of Christmas” (which incorporates snippets of “I Have a Little Dreidel” and Toto’s “Africa”) went viral in 2006, amassing more than 18 million views and landing it a five-album deal with Atlantic Records.
The 10-member Straight No Chaser has released four albums and three EPs since then, but its artists are best known as the kings of a cappella Christmas music. For their “New Old-Fashioned Tour,” expect cleverly arranged versions of holiday favorites like “White Christmas” and “Wonderful Christmastime,” as well as their 2014 original hit “Text Me Merry Christmas.”
JOE BONAMASSA | Nov. 20-21
What were you doing when you were 12? New York-bred Joe Bonamassa was an overachiever, opening shows for legendary bluesman B.B. King. At age 4, encouraged by his blues-loving dad, Joe began aping guitar icons like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. Touring like a pro on weekends throughout his teen years, Bonamassa has since become one of the most respected blues guitarists in the business.
He has had numerous No. 1 albums on the Billboard Blues Charts, played with his idol Clapton at London’s Royal Albert Hall and earned a Grammy nod for his collaboration with Beth Hart.
He’s touring in support of his 2014 album, Different Shades of Blue, his first to feature mostly original tunes. He also runs a nonprofit, the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, which focuses on furthering music education through scholarships and providing resources to schools in need.
KEITH & KRISTYN GETTY — JOY: AN IRISH CHRISTMAS | Dec. 21
Modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty are among the most popular Christian music acts to come along in years, reinventing the form by blending traditional and contemporary gospel with classical and Celtic musical influences.
Born in Northern Ireland, the coupled moved to the United States in 2006, basing themselves in Nashville and working with songwriting partner Stuart Townend. Their song “In Christ Alone” was voted the No. 2 best-loved hymn of all time in the United Kingdom, and their songs have been recorded by such artists as Alison Krauss, Owl City, Ricky Skaggs and the Newsboys.
This tour finds them performing selections from their 2011 album Joy: An Irish Christmas, a jubilant celebration of the season that includes original songs alongside classics like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Carol of the Bells.”
WIDESPREAD PANIC | Dec. 29-31
Another longtime Athens favorite, Widespread Panic is among the world’s most beloved “jam bands,” frequently compared to legends like the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers Band.
Co-founding guitarists John Bell (pictured) and Michael Houser began playing together in their University of Georgia dorm in 1981, but it took five years (during which bassist Dave Schools and drummer Todd Nance signed on) before they played their first show as Widespread Panic.
In the past 29 years Widespread Panic has emerged as one of the hardest-touring bands around, known for never playing the same set list twice. The four are touring to support their 12th studio album, Street Dogs (released Sept. 25). Their three shows at the Fox likely will welcome the new year with memorable marathon jam sessions.
