Crib Notes

JACKSON BROWNE West Coast singer/songwriters have faded from favor but Browne’s 35-year legacy has proven to be remarkably sturdy. He’s touring behind his first album of new music in six years, a set of songs that could have slotted into his 1972 debut. That’s no criticism, though, as his politically and personally driven material has always intertwined gracefully with Browne’s forever-young voice, effortlessly inviting melodies and addictive lyrics. He’ll play many of the hits that the graying boomers come to hear, but his new tunes are nearly as impressive, and his band is always top-shelf. $40-$75. 7:30 p.m. Tabernacle. 404-249-6400. www.livenation.com. — HH

WORLD/INFERNO FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY Aptly described as “cabaret punk”, World/Inferno Friendship Society blur the line between classic ska and the cultured punk of bands such as Gogol Bordello and Flogging Molly. With a list of band members long enough to intimidate the Masquerade’s stage space, two things are for certain: it will be loud and it will be upbeat. $10. 7 p.m. Masquerade. www.masq.com — SI

(Photo Credit: Henry Diltz)

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If the showcase at 595 North was intimate, Common’s concert at the Tabernacle on Wednesday, Oct. 8, with openers Janelle Monae and N.E.R.D., was just the opposite: loud, rowdy and packed to the rafters.

The crowd smashed in thick, angling for spots close to the stage. The look was comfortable fashion, not trying too hard but far from straight b-boy/b-girl apparel. Hardly a hoodie to be seen. In fact, birthday boy Chris Ogbuefi celebrated 25 decked in a black button down, alongside a nearby crew comparing Opi and Essie nail polish.

Janelle Monae

The interlude after Monae’s set and before N.E.R.D. seemed to go on forever, but classics from the Sugarhill Gang, Chubb Rock and Mary J. Blige kept folks content. Speaking of Monae, one guy in the crowd who’d never seen her perform had nothing but “awesome” and “hot” to say, referencing her stage diving and incredible guitarist.

N.E.R.D. blasted onto the stage, sending the crowd mad. The vibe was more rock show than hip-hop, complete with crowd surfing, and a few elbows. The makings of a pit seemed underway. The crowd sang along to just about all the songs, though I was disappointed they didn’t do more of their downtempo stuff, especially “Frontin’.” Toward the end of N.E.R.D.’s set, a few girls made their way on stage. By the end of N.E.R.D.’s performance, the stage looked like a video set, with fake money falling from the ceiling, and at least 15 ladies dancing like they hadn’t a care in the world. Nothing nasty, just good fun.

N.E.R.D.

It didn’t take nearly as long for Common to come out, which he did among a bar-like set up — selecting an “Angel” from the crowd a couple songs into his set, to sit and chill with him. By then he was sweatin’ but had all the necessary breath control, bouncing from one side of the stage to the next. Hardly the laid-back performance you might expect, Common’s energy didn’t wane from “The People” to “You Got Me” to some new tracks that were all uptempo and induced plenty of hand-clapping and dancing. Like the 595 show, he busted some freestyles with political and social references, and even some T.I. Indeed, we are all connected, from Chicago to Atlanta.

(Photos by Tara-Lynne Pixley)

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Yes, you read the headline correctly. If crunk is your thing then today could be your lucky day. The original St. Lunatic himself, Nelly is putting on a free show courtesy the Samsung AT&T Summer Krush at The Tabernacle tonight (Tues., Aug 19) at 8 p.m.

But as you guessed, it’s not going to be the kind of show where you can just stroll in the front door and find a seat. To gain admission to the show you have to be lucky enough to win tickets through radio stations, such as V-103 or 95.5 The Beat.

You can also sign up to be on the standby list and hope for the best. Tickets will be assigned on a a first come, first served basis. The show is all ages and the music starts at 8 p.m. The Tabernacle is located at 152 Luckie St.

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Music acts for Friday, August 15:

LUCERO They started as a country band to piss their punk friends off, and got a little early help from Luther and Cody Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars). Guitarist Brian Venable left, and whiskey-throated frontman Ben Nichols tacked Lucero toward indie-country roots somewhere between the Drive-By Truckers and the Replacements. Venable returned for the grimy garage rumble of 2005’s Nobody’s Darlings, and then in 2006 (before the Truckers!) they added a keyboardist (Rick Steff), producing the soul-soaked Southern rock Rebels, Rogues and Sworn Brothers, like the Boss deep-fat fried with the pork rinds. $12. 9 p.m. The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom, Macon. 478-741-9130. www.myspace.com/thebirdstage. — Chris Parker

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA After their previous Atlanta show was cancelled due to visa problems, the acoustic guitarists have exploded commercially and now play a larger theater. Anyone expecting a snoozy, laid-back evening probably hasn’t seen any YouTube videos of the pair as they hyperventilate through a set that includes traditional classical Spanish guitar originals along with nontraditional prog and trash-metal covers all performed with complex, technically intricate fret-melting picking. It’s rousing, unpredictable and intense music that shifts emotions in less time than you can say “Stairway to Heaven,” which they famously cover. $35. 8 p.m. The Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.tabernacleatl.com. — Hal Horowitz

THE WRIGHTS, ANNA KRAMER Former local duet the Wrights come back home to celebrate the release of a great new acoustic CD of all cover songs. Adam and Shannon’s vocal interplay and smart song choices make for a pleasant evening. Kramer returns to her country roots for a night, and will make you wonder why she wandered down that rock ‘n’ roll highway. The gal can flat out nail those tearjerkers. $12-$60. 9:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — James Kelly

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MORRISSEY PERFORMING AT THE TABERNACLE NOV. 5: “Obviously I miss the vibe of Chastain Park … you’ll never match it here … don’t try.” (more…)

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