A packed season for music fans
The weather is starting to get cooler, but the music scene is definitely heating up.
The forecast calls for a blistering hot fall music season in the Bay Area.
The cavalcade of top talent starts with this weekend with such offerings as country star Chris Stapleton (Friday at Shoreline Amphitheatre); Die Antwoord and Gucci Mane (Ssaturday at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium); the Bone Bash with Foreigner and Cheap Trick (Saturday at Shoreline) and the Hot Summer Night concert featuring Ja Rule, Ashanti and others (Sunday at Concord Pavilion).
So, now’s the time to plan your season, and we’re hear to help.
Here are some of our picks for the fall season’s can’t-miss music events:
MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL >> The world-class festival turns 60 and organizers are celebrating the occasion by offering fans another blockbuster bill. Herbie Hancock, Regina Carter, Kenny Baron, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Chick Corea and Brad Mehldau are among the big-name artists set to appear during the three-day event. Yet, Monterey Jazz is also a great place to experience lesser-known talents, such as Miles Mosley, Joel Frahm, GoGo Penguin, Kandace Springs, Mr. Sipp and the Suffers. There are also a number of tributes in store, including ones
directed at Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Sonny Rollins.
DETAILS >> Sept. 15-17; Monterey County Fair and Event Center; Monterey; weekend passes run $52-$410, singleday tickets are $20-$164, 888-248-6499, www.montereyjazzfestival.org.
KATY PERRY >> Her latest album, “Witness,” has hardly dominated the charts in the fashion we’ve come to expect from the singer and a similar statement can be made about recent singles “Bon Appetit” and “Swish Swish.” Thus, it feels like Perry has a lot to prove on her upcoming world tour. That’s not a bad thing, especially for fans, who could get a fully motivated pop star in concert. (Fashion tip: Don’t wear a Taylor Swift T-shirt to the show).
DETAILS >> 7 p.m. Nov. 14; SAP Center, San Jose; $50.50-$200.50, www.ticketmaster.com.
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS >> It’s nothing short of a Bay Area treasure, one that hundreds of thousands of music fans look forward to each year. And why shouldn’t they? Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a blast, featuring three days with dozens of super acts performing on multiple stages. Best of all, of course, is that this festival is free to attend. So keep your loot in your pocket and still come out to enjoy a widely appealing assortment of musical styles, ranging from country and folk to rock and soul to bluegrass and beyond. It appears that Terri Hendrix, Justin Townes Earle, Rodney Crowell, Gurf Morlix and The Nth Power will be there.
DETAILS >> Oct. 6-8; Golden Gate Park, San Francisco; free, www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com.
DEPECHE MODE >> These synth-pop/New Wave heroes are responsible for so many sensational songs. The short list, of course, would include such decades-old classics as “Just Can’t Get Enough,” “People Are People,” “Master and Servant,” “A Question of Time,” “Enjoy the Silence” and “Policy of Truth.” Yet, Depeche Mode is far more than just a retro/ nostalgia act, having released a number of solid albums in recent years. The group is touring in support of its 14th studio outing, “Spirit,” which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 in March.
DETAILS >> 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8; SAP Center, San Jose; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10; Oracle Arena, Oakland; $49.50-$149.50, www.ticketmaster.com.
SFJAZZ >> The arts organization kicks off its equally massive and impressive 2017-18 season with stellar vocalist Bridgewater, performing four different programs Sept. 7-10. But that’s just the first of some 300 shows on the docket. Other upcoming highlights include the intriguing pairing of piano great Mehldau and mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile (Sept. 16); legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders leading his quartet (Sept. 22); a celebration of John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” featuring his son, Ravi, a stellar sax man in his own right, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and other talented artists (Sept. 23); bassist-extraordinaire Christian McBride performes in four different programs (Oct. 5-8); the mighty Danilo Perez Trio celebrates Thelonious Monk (Oct. 13) and ever-amazing pianist Hiromi is Nov. 16-19.
DETAILS >> All performances at SFJazz Center, San Francisco; ticket prices vary, 866920-5299, www.sfjazz.org.