QuickDFW.com - Summer Concerts


Show some heart for Radiohead The Show WHEN May 18 at 7:30 p.m. HOW MUCH Sold out
Radiohead's gigantic fan base is one of the most loyal in music. That's not to say, however, that the group's devotees are united. Some believe Radiohead's glory days ended with the first electronic bleep of the Kid A album. Others say the experimental nature of Kid A and its successors is what puts Thom Yorke in the "genius" category. To fuel this debate, we asked a handful of local-music figures to weigh in with their thoughts about Radiohead. Our participants: KDGE-FM DJ and Quick contributor Ayo, singer-songwriters Jayson Bales and Creede Williams, Ryan Hamilton of pop band Smile Smile, Paul Slocum of electronic act Tree Wave, Jimmy Menkena of shoegaze band Menkena, Tahiti of PPT and Tania Rivas of rock act the Ramonalisas. Hunter Hauk WHY DO YOU LOVE RADIOHEAD? AYO "I love the latitude. There's a huge range of variety and emotion going on. It's all very vulnerable and candid, but they somehow make it OK to feel that, even in front of your friends." JAYSON BALES "I love Radiohead for the simple reason that they have pushed the boundaries of rock 'n' roll and are seemingly hard to understand." CREEDE WILLIAMS "I equate my love of Radiohead to my affection for French movies. Both are confusing, somewhat beautiful conceptions that usually leave me feeling smarter than when I first hit 'play.' " RYAN HAMILTON "I'm a fan of most bands that refuse to conform to what's cool or current. The guys in Radiohead have always been themselves and done exactly what they wanted to do, and continued to put out quality music at the same time." PAUL SLOCUM "They're the best at ripping off and mixing up the best of a style. Everything sounds like the Hollies' 'Air That I Breathe.' Then they ripped the best IDM stuff." JIMMY MENKENA "They are what progression sounds like." TAHITI "I love Radiohead because Thom Yorke is so damn ugly and acts like such a diva! He's milking that ugly rock-star thing for everything it's worth!" TANIA RIVAS "I agreed to go out with a boy who had a copy of [OK Computer] just so I could listen to it. ... The relationship didn't last, but my love for Radiohead and their quest for breaking new ground sonically has remained a constant." WHICH ALBUM IS YOUR FAVORITE? AYO: "The Bends, dude, The Bends. And I love the first few songs on Amnesiac." BALES: "I really love OK Computer. "Let Down" is one of the most melodic songs to me. I never get tired of it." WILLIAMS: "As a recovering college-rock guy, I find The Bends to be the most accessible and frequently under-appreciated album in the catalog. That it also happens to be the least-cool record among the Pitchfork-music-snobbery doesn't hurt its place as numero uno in my book." HAMILTON: "Lots of people will say The Bends, and I agree with them. Lyrically, musically, emotionally, it's pure genius." TAHITI: "My favorite Radiohead album is Kid A. I heard 'Everything in Its Right Place' on NPR on the way to work one day, and was blown away." SLOCUM: "I just listen to Kid A and Amnesiac. A lot of my music buddies loved OK Computer, but I never could get into that one." HAVE YOU EVER SEEN RADIOHEAD LIVE? AYO "Once. Coachella. I remember being overwhelmed. It was surreal to see them, Pixies and the Cure all in the same weekend." BALES "I've never seen them live, and I almost hesitate to, because I think what they do on an album would be difficult to re-create, and I just can't see them being a really great live-energy band. They are a mood thing." WILLIAMS "I saw them play Trees in 1993 as an underage visitor from Norman, Okla. I remember hearing 'Creep' for the first time. I also, however, remember wondering why there weren't more girls at the bar. Youth is wasted on the young." HAMILTON "No, but I've watched their live DVD The Astoria London Live about a thousand times." SLOCUM "Saw them with Spiritualized a while back. It was fun, but a bit disappointing, honestly." TAHITI "I worked with Curtis Heath [from the Theater Fire] in '98, and he informed me that Radiohead was playing. ... Needless to say, I missed the show, and will forever hang my head in shame." RIVAS "I traveled with a caravan of friends to a Houston show. We were so close, I could see Jonny's pedals and Thom on keys. We were so inspired and excited, we returned to the hotel room and played 'spin the bottle.' That was kind of random, I suppose."


The Roots gets heavy on 'Rising'
Philadelphia band the Roots has always made socially aware, stylistically varied music that's kept it on the leading edge of left-of-center hip-hop. But the collective led by drummer Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson and rapper Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter has never been as politically pointed — or as provocative — as on its new album, Rising Down. “The perception of us being political has been by default,” says Thompson, kicking back in camouflage pants and a hoodie decorated with boom boxes at the Zellerbach Theatre in West Philadelphia, shortly before the band was to perform on The Colbert Report last month. “It's like, 'They don't curse that much, and they're not misogynistic, and they don't do gunplay and drugs, so ... they're political.' But really, that just makes us considerate.” The Roots, formed in 1987 and originally called the Square Roots, has long been known as one of the few live bands — and easily the best — in hip-hop. And the band's hard-hitting 10th CD, which takes its name from William T. Vollmann's seven-volume, 3,000-page treatise on violence, Rising Up and Rising Down, addresses weighty subjects head-on. Rising Down (Def Jam), which builds on the tense, almost claustrophobic feel of the Roots' previous, more introspective Game Theory (2006), deals with the war in Iraq, the murder rate in Philadelphia and “black teenage nihilism,” says Thompson, not to mention “drugs as an escape, and indifference, as opposed to dialogue.” It uses multiple perspectives — and guest appearances from well-respected rappers, including Common, Mos Def and Talib Kweli — to pose a question: “Is there any justification for all the violence going on in the world today? And if so, what is it?” Trotter says. McClatchy-Tribune The show WHEN June 17 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues HOW MUCH $30 to $75.50. Ticketmaster. ESSENTIAL TRACKS: “The Seed (2.0),” “The Next Movement,” “You Got Me” “Break You Off” WHY GO? Because there's no better hip-hop group to see in concert. Trust us. “Each verse is a different character. It gives different perspectives to try to understand what triggers people off *, whether it's social conditions, the economic situation, (stuff) within the household.”
OLD 97's WHEN May 31 at 9 p.m. at House of Blues' Music Hall HOW MUCH $24.50 TO $45.50. Ticketmaster ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Murder (or a Heart Attack)," "Timebomb," "Question," "King of All the World" WHY GO? Our hometown heroes finally have a new album out. Not that we need that to go enjoy their great live shows.
THE CURE WHEN June 6 (rescheduled from Oct. 17) at 7:30 p.m. at American Ailines Center.Tickets for the Oct. 17 show will be honored. HOW MUCH $45 to $65. Ticketmaster ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Boys Don't Cry ," "Just Like Heaven," "Lovesong," "Close to Me, " "Lullaby" WHY GO? Because its deep roster of hits is impressive. You have pancake makeup to spare. And you simply must hear "Pictures of You" live to satisfy your high-school mix-tape nostalgia
NINE INCH NAILS WHEN Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center. HOW MUCH $29.50 to $54.50. On sale May 9 at 5 p.m. Ticketmaster. ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Closer," "Head Like a Hole," "Down In It" WHY GO? Because Trent Reznor is all about making music free again. And he's got some big freakin' biceps, so try not to argue with him

ALICIA KEYS

WHEN: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Nokia Theatre, Grand Prairie
HOW MUCH $65 TO $125. Ticketmaster
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Fallin", "If I Ain't Got You", "No One"
WHY GO? She and opening act Jordin Sparks are both recovering from vocal cord problems, so we're lucky the thing wasn't canceled. Get ready to sing "No One" with a choir and thousands.

THE BLACK CROWES

WHEN May 10 at Taste Addison, Addison Circle Park. 972-450-2851.
HOW MUCH $10.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Hard to Handle," "Remedy," "She Talks to Angels"
WHY GO? Because Maxim has reviewed this concert, and it says the show was great!

MENUDO
WHEN May 11 at House of Blues' Music Hall.
HOW MUCH $20 to $45. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS Um, that one with Ricky Martin in it?
WHY GO? You cherish the deep, rich history of prefab boy bands.

WILDFLOWER! FESTIVAL
WHEN May 16-18 at Wildflower! in Galatyn Park, Richardson.
HOW MUCH $15; $25 for all-festival pass. www.wildflowerfestival.net
WHY GO? Where else can you see Everclear, Pat Benatar, Bret Michaels (singing all of his, what, solo hits?) and Blue Oyster Cult (more cowbell!) in the same place?

SHE WANTS REVENGE
WHEN May 16 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues' Music Hall.
HOW MUCH $16.50 to $35. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Tear You Apart," "These Things," "True Romance"
WHY GO? Because you like your rock with a side of creepiness, and your girls in search of vengeance.

HATEBREED, TYPE O NEGATIVE
WHEN May 27 at Palladium Ballroom.
Doors at 6:30 p.m.
HOW MUCH $22.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS Hatebreed - "I Will Be Heard," "This Is Now"; Type O Negative - "Black No. 1," "September Sun"
WHY GO? BECAUSE YOU LIKE TO ROCK AND GRUNT REAL LOUDDDDDDRRRGHHHH!

LYMBYC SYSTYM
WHEN May 22 at 9 p.m. at Lola's, Fort Worth.
HOW MUCH $10. Front Gate Tickets.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Truth Skull," "Carved By Glaciers"
WHY GO? This Austin duo creates soundscapes that give adventurous music fans something different to chew on.

EISLEY
Eisley
WHEN May 22 at House of Blues' Music Hall. Doors at 7.
HOW MUCH $15.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Telescope Eyes," "Marvelous Things," "Invasion"
WHY GO? Because Tyler's dreamy-pop group is still flying under the radar. That can't last much longer.

COUNTRY THUNDER USA
WHEN May 30-June 1 on Griffith Road, Ellis County.
HOW MUCH $29 to $500. countrythunder.com.
WHY GO? Country lineups don't get much stronger than this, with Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood and Pat Green among the stars.

BIG HEAD TODD & THE MONSTERS
WHEN May 29 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues' Music Hall.
HOW MUCH $25 to $50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Bittersweet," "Broken Hearted Savior," "Circle"
WHY GO? You dig '90s jangle-rock. Long live Toad the Wet Sprocket!

JAHEIM
WHEN May 22 at 8 p.m. at Palladium Ballroom.
HOW MUCH $35.50 and $49.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Never," "Everytime I Think About Her," "Just in Case," "Fabulous"
WHY GO? Good tough-guy soul is hard to find. And opening act Tamia is a lovely bonus.

RAHEEM DeVAUGHN
WHEN May 28 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues' Music Hall.
HOW MUCH $27.50 to $75. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Customer," "Woman," "Guess Who Loves You More"
WHY GO? He's the self-described "R&B-hippie-neo-soul-rock star." (He has way more hyphens than you.)

THE BLACK ANGELS
WHEN May 29 at 8 p.m. at Granada Theater.
HOW MUCH $12 and $15. 214-824-9933 or granadatheater.com.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Black Grease," "You on the Run," "Sniper at the Gates"
WHY GO? The Austin band plays psychedelic rock that, strangely, doesn't scare pop fans away.

MÄGO DE OZ
WHEN May 30 at 8 p.m. at Palladium Ballroom.
HOW MUCH $51 and $96. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Molinos de Viento," "La Costa del Silencio," "Y Ahora Voy a Salir" and anything with that rockin' fiddle.
WHY GO? It's not every day that a Spanish-folk-metal-Celtic band comes to town. YouTube 'em they're not to be missed.

LADYTRON
WHEN June 5 at Palladium Ballroom. Doors at 8 p.m.
HOW MUCH $20. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Destroy Everything You Touch," "Playgirl," "International Dateline"
WHY GO? You need to dance. The Liverpool-based electro-pop group will inspire you to go all out.

LYLE LOVETT
WHEN May 31 at 7 p.m. at Dallas Theater Center, for CenterStage Gala.
HOW MUCH $1,000. 214-252-3915, www.dallastheatercenter.org
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Church," "North Dakota," "If I Had a Boat," "Nobody Knows Me"
WHY GO? First off, you're pretty wealthy to afford the benefit ticket. So, well done there. But Lyle puts on one helluva show. And his large band is always tight and entertaining.

CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED
WHEN May 31 at 10:30 p.m. at Billy Bob's Texas, Fort Worth
HOW MUCH $12 and $19. Ticketmaster or 817-624-7117.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Alabama," "17," "Sick and Tired," "Fightin' For"
WHY GO? Billy Bob's is the perfect spot to see the raucous, red-dirt country act.

STEVE MILLER BAND, JOE COCKER
WHEN May 30 at 8 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $25 to $79.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS Miller - "Fly Like an Eagle," "Take the Money and Run," "The Joker"; Cocker - "With a Little Help From My Friends," "Feeling Alright," "You Are So Beautiful"
WHY GO? You love the classics by the hometown hitmaker (Miller), and you appreciate spastic motions (Cocker).

DRESDEN DOLLS
WHEN May 31 at Palladium Ballroom. Doors at 7:30 p.m.
HOW MUCH $22.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Coin-Operated Boy," "Girl Anachronism," "Sing"
WHY GO? You adore "Brechtian punk cabaret," and this peculiar group fits that bill nicely.

FRENCH KICKS
WHEN June 4 at 8 p.m. at Granada Theater.
HOW MUCH $10 and $14. 214-824-9933 or granadatheater.com.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "One More Time," "So Far We Are," "Abandon"
WHY GO? You love zoning out to moody pop songs. Especially when they're accompanied by a man singing in falsetto.

AUGUSTANA
WHEN June 5 at 7 p.m. at House of Blues' Music Hall.
HOW MUCH $15.50 to $35. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Boston," "Sweet and Low," "I Still Ain't Over You"
WHY GO? Because you watch VH1 religiously and love sweet, melancholy mom rock.

FASTBALL
WHEN June 6 at 8 p.m. at Bend Studio.
HOW MUCH $15. 214-606-0770 or bendstudio.com.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "The Way," "Fire Escape," "Out of My Head," "Are You Ready for the Fallout?"
WHY GO? The Austin trio fell off the map for a while, but "The Way" still ranks as one of the best songs of the '90s.

DILATED PEOPLES
WHEN June 8 at 7:30 p.m. at House of Blues' Cambridge Room.
HOW MUCH $22.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Worst Comes to Worst," "This Way," "The Platform"
WHY GO? Because sometimes you need some conscious rap to battle the "buy you a drank" posse. This California act can make you move and think.

RANCID
WHEN June 14 at 8 p.m. at Granada Theater.
HOW MUCH $20. 214-824-9933 or granadatheater.com.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Time Bomb," "Ruby Soho," "Fall Back Down"
WHY GO? You miss your punk days, you have the uncontrollable urge to bounce up and down, and to do unspeakable things to your hair.

HAYDEN
WHEN June 14 at 7:30 p.m. at House of Blues' Cambridge Room.
HOW MUCH $12.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Where and When," "More Than Alive," "Weight of the World"
WHY GO? This Canadian singer-songwriter's lovely voice and easy melodies will have everyone in the house a-swoonin'.

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
WHEN June 17 at 8 p.m. at Nokia Theatre, Grand Prairie.
HOW MUCH $35 and $37.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "I Will Follow You Into the Dark," "Soul Meets Body," "I Will Possess Your Heart"
WHY GO? The indie pop-rock band has a new album, Narrow Stairs, to be released on Tuesday, and a knack for devastating melodies. And they kinda remind us of the A/V club.

AIMEE MANN
WHEN June 18 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues' Music Hall.
HOW MUCH $23.50 to $55.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Save Me," "That's Just What You Are," "Today's the Day," "Red Vines"
WHY GO? Because you're the jerkwad in the "Voices Carry" video, and you'd like to apologize.

RASCAL FLATTS
WHEN June 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $31 and $71. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Bless the Broken Road," "What Hurts the Most," "My Wish," "Life Is a Highway," "These Days"
WHY GO? You like pop. You like country. And mmm, nothing's tastier than cheese. Well hot damn, here's some pop-country cheese!

TOADIES
WHEN June 21 at 9 p.m. at Ridglea Theater, Fort Worth.
HOW MUCH Sold out. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Possum Kingdom," "Tyler," "I Come From the Water," "Away"
WHY GO? You've wanted to answer the "Do ya wanna die?!?!" question in "Possum Kingdom" since the mid-'90s. "No!" you will cry out from the crowd. "I'd prefer to keep living, thank you very much!"

CYNDI LAUPER, B-52s, JOAN JETT
WHEN June 22 at 6 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $26 to $126. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS Cyndi - "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," "True Colors"; B-52s - "Rock Lobster," "Love Shack"; Joan - "I Love Rock N Roll," "Bad Reputation"
WHY GO? Because Cyndi's still fun, Joan still rocks and you've got a car that seats about 20. Please remember to secure proper amounts of jukebox money.

ISLANDS
WHEN June 24 at 8 p.m. at Granada Theater.
HOW MUCH $12 and $15. 214-824-9933 or granadatheater.com.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Rough Gem," "Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby," "The Arm"
WHY GO? This band represents the ever-hip, ever-creative Montreal pop scene perfectly. Bring all your hipster friends!

BORIS
WHEN June 27 at 9 p.m. at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, Denton.
HOW MUCH $15. Front Gate Tickets.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Statement," "Pink," "Akuma no Uta"
WHY GO? Because this Japanese band likes its rock hard, heavy and sometimes psychedelic. Rubber Gloves is the perfect place for it.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
WHEN June 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Nokia Theatre, Grand Prairie.
HOW MUCH $53.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Plush," "Interstate Love Song," "Creep," "Vasoline"
WHY GO? You've patiently waited for the Velvet Revolver thing to die down and for the '90s hitmakers to reunite. Huzzah!

ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS
WHEN July 7 at 8 p.m. at Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie.
HOW MUCH $49.50 to $89.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS Anything off their duet album Raising Sand
WHY GO? Because mixing a bluegrass queen with the Led Zep frontman is too great to miss.

JONAS BROTHERS
WHEN July 9 at 7 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $25 to $75. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "When You Look Me in the Eyes," "Hold On," "S.O.S."
WHY GO? Because you're 12. Or your niece is 12, and you're the "cool aunt."

EARTH, WIND & FIRE
WHEN July 9 at 8 p.m. at Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie.
HOW MUCH $39.50 to $85. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "September," "Shining Star," "Let's Groove," "Fantasy," "Got to Get You Into My Life"
WHY GO? EWF still gives a fantastic live show, and Philip Bailey still hits those crazy high notes.

PETER MURPHY
WHEN July 12 at 9 p.m. at House of Blues' Music Hall.
HOW MUCH $23.50 to $50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Cuts You Up," "Strange Kind of Love," "The Sweetest Drop," "You're So Close"
WHY GO? You've been DYING to wear your Bauhaus T-shirt.

MÖTLEY CRÜE
WHEN July 24 at 5 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $25 to $95. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Home Sweet Home," "Shout at the Devil," "Dr. Feelgood," "Kickstart My Heart"
WHY GO? This is something called "Crüefest," in which the Crüe pats itself on the back. It also features Papa Roach. Because "Roachfest" is not as marketable.

SLIPKNOT
WHEN July 25 at 2 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $27.33 to $53.85. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "The Blister Exists," "Before I Forget," "Wait and Bleed," "The Nameless"
WHY GO? Because metal bands should be fast, and they should wear masks. Always.

FOREIGNER, BRYAN ADAMS
WHEN July 26 at 8 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $10 to $65. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS Foreigner - "Waiting For a Girl Like You," "Hot Blooded," "Juke Box Hero;" Adams - "Cuts Like a Knife," "Summer of '69," "Run to You"
WHY GO? Because you want to know what love is. And everything you do, you do it for you.

JOURNEY, HEART, CHEAP TRICK
WHEN July 27 at 7 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $25 to $125. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS Journey - "Don't Stop Believing," "Open Arms;" Heart - "Barracuda," "These Dreams;" Cheap Trick - "I Want You to Want Me," "Surrender"
WHY GO? Remember when The Sopranos ended with "Don't Stop Believing"? That was awesome. But Steve Perry's still not singing with Journey. So be advised.

SNOOP DOGG, 311
WHEN July 31 at 7 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH: $25 to $45. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS Snoop - "Gin and Juice," "Murder Was the Case," "Drop It Like It's Hot," "Beautiful;" 311 - "Down," "Amber," "All Mixed Up"
WHY GO? Because you're as puzzled as we are that these two are on the same bill.

JOHN MAYER, COLBIE CAILLAT
WHEN Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $35.50 to $59.50. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS Mayer - "Daughters," "No Such Thing," "Waiting on the World to Change;" Caillat - "Bubbly," "Realize"
WHY GO? Mayer is hard to dislike ˆ except for his anguished facial expressions ˆ and he's a monster on guitar. Mellow newcomer Colbie is a pleasant opening act.

SHERYL CROW
WHEN Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $15 to $75. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "My Favorite Mistake," "All I Wanna Do," "Strong Enough," "Everyday Is a Winding Road," "Leaving Las Vegas"
WHY GO? Her latest efforts get back to the serious side of Sheryl. No more of that slick "Soak Up the Sun" nonsense.

MELISSA ETHERIDGE
WHEN Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. at Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie.
HOW MUCH $39 to $104. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Bring Me Some Water," "Come to My Window," "I'm the Only One," "I Want to Come Over"
WHY GO? She's the rockin'-est middle-aged chick on the scene. And she's a survivor.

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
WHEN Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $40 and $70. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "Ants Marching," "Satellite," "Crash Into Me"
WHY GO? College never ends, bro. We kid ˆ these guys have developed a Grateful Dead-like following for first-rate live performances. Say hi to Chris Chris while you're there.

TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS
WHEN Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center.
HOW MUCH $55 to $99. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS "American Girl," "Free Fallin'," "Runnin' Down a Dream," "I Won't Back Down"
WHY GO? Because he was the best part of this year's Super Bowl. Petty never disappoints live.

LINKIN PARK, CHRIS CORNELL
WHEN Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. at Superpages.com Center.
HOW MUCH $30.75 to $70.75. Ticketmaster.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS Linkin Park "One Step Closer," "Crawling," "What I've Done;" Cornell "Black Hole Sun," "Original Fire," "You Know My Name"
WHY GO? You like Cornell and your teenage sibling likes Linkin Park. Bonding time!