New York Daily News
By BREANNE HELDMAN
Season’s fab 4 concerts
We’ve picked fall’s hottest tickets;
make sure you buy yours now
Sketch: Tom Miro
Usher, Oct. 13-14, Madison Square Garden, $49.50-$89.50.
The R&B muscleman has already owned the better part of 2004, and he appears ready to “twork it” well into next year. His Michael Jackson dance moves, shirtless antics, pyrotechnics and steady flow of chart-topping singles should have fans screaming “Yeah!” all the way home.
Bette Midler, Oct. 13-14, 16-17, Radio City Music Hall, $70-$255.
The Divine Miss M’s “Kiss My Brass” tour is her most theatrical production ever. She promises to perform her biggest hits, from “The Rose” to “Wind Beneath My Wings,” as well as tunes from her recent release, “Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook.”
Metallica, Oct. 22, Continental Airlines Arena, $55-$75.
After 20 years of headbanging fury, Metallica needed a heavy dose of head shrinking to keep rocking. The therapy fest documented in “Some Kind of Monster” has generated huge buzz for the band, and suddenly T-shirts bearing the group’s logo have become uber-chic among hipsters who’ve never even heard “Kill ‘Em All.”
The Pixies, Dec. 11-15, Hammerstein Ballroom, $42.
When the Pixies split in a bitter feud 11 years ago, a reunion seemed impossible. But the alt-rock heroes have finally made peace, returning to sell out all six of their shows within minutes. Luckily, there’s still plenty of time to grab some stray tickets on eBay.
And the rest:
POP
Norah Jones The multigazillion-selling chanteuse has lately veered even farther into countrified territory. Sept. 3, Jones Beach Theater, $28-$58. Sept. 5, PNC Bank Arts Center, $28-$58.
Jimmy Buffett Manhattan goes Margaritaville for this parrot-head reunion. Sept. 4, Jones Beach Theater, $39-$95.
Phil Collins Phil’s “groovy kind of love” makes its way to the city. Sept. 17-18, Madison Square Garden, $49.50-$99.50.
Gloria Estefan The Miami Sound Machine gives the city a tropical makeover. Sept. 21, Madison Square Garden, $40.50-$155.50.
Barry Manilow Everything will be Copa-cetic when the songster arrives to hype his new release, “Ultimate Manilow II.” Sept. 30, Continental Airlines Arena, $37.50-$133. Oct. 5, Nassau Coliseum, $35-$125. Oct. 7, Madison Square Garden, $39.50-$154.50.
Brian Wilson The brains behind the Beach Boys is performing his “lost” masterpiece, “Smile.” Oct. 12-13, Carnegie Hall, $30-$85.
Sting & Annie Lennox This pairing was successful this spring, so why not have another go-round? Oct. 19, Madison Square Garden, $51.50-$181.50.
Bruce Hornsby Soothing piano pop that rises just above the New Age-noodler bar. Oct. 28, Carnegie Hall, $49.
ROCK
Franz Ferdinand The Scottish quartet scored this summer with “Take Me Out” and a pair of MTV Video Music Award nominations. Sept. 9 & Oct. 3, Roseland Ballroom, $22.50.
Jack Johnson Johnson’s laid-back surfer rock closes out the SummerStage season. Sept. 13, Central Park SummerStage, $25.
The Thrills The retro-minded Dublin quintet toast California on their latest album, but that hasn’t stopped them from touring the East Coast. Sept. 16, Irving Plaza, $18.50.
The Killers “Somebody Told Me” that these guys are among the most promising in the current wave of real-rock bands. Oct. 4 & 5, Irving Plaza, $16.
Alter Bridge A majority of the now-defunct Creed reconstitute their inspirational arena rock. Oct. 7, Irving Plaza, $26.
Switchfoot The former Christian rockers were “Meant to Live,” so they’ve crossed over into the mainstream. Oct. 29, Hammerstein Ballroom, $22.
Taking Back Sunday The emo-rock stars sold out this show quickly, so leave a whimpering entry in your journal if you didn’t get tickets. Nov. 19, Roseland Ballroom, $20.
RAP AND R&B
Joss Stone Championed by the Roots’ Ahmir, the British ingenue already has a solid fan base, including Tom Cruise. Sept. 9, Irving Plaza, $25.
Beastie Boys The estimable hip-hop heads have unwittingly become elder statesmen. Oct. 9, Madison Square Garden, $39.50-$50.
Jay-Z & R. Kelly They’ve talked about it for months, but the “Best of Both Worlds Tour” is actually going to happen! Oct. 28, Nassau Coliseum, $34.50-$75. Oct. 31, Continental Airlines Arena.
Cypress Hill The ganja-loving rappers go insane in the membrane. Oct. 29, Roseland Ballroom, $30.
COUNTRY AND ALT-COUNTRY
Ryan Adams The golden boy of alt-country still loves New York, New York. Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, Beacon Theater, $36.50.
Toby Keith Bring your flags, and don’t expect to see Peter Jennings at Keith’s patriotic country-rock extravaganza. Sept. 4, PNC Bank Arts Center, $28.75-$60.75.
Wilco Critics’ darlings Jeff Tweedy and crew roll out tunes from “A Ghost Is Born.” Oct. 5-6, Radio City Music Hall, $29.75-$39.75.
JAZZ & STANDARDS
The Bad Plus The downtown trio has mastered the art of heavy-metal jazz. Sept. 21-26, Village Vanguard, $25
Brad Mehldau Trio The most talked-about pianist of his generation is simultaneously cool and complex. Sept. 28-Oct. 3, Village Vanguard, $25.
Bobby Short The cabaret crooner has been playing at the Carlyle regularly since 1968. This is his last full-length residency. Oct. 12-Dec. 31, Cafe Carlyle, $90.
Michael Feinstein Taking a break from his own club, the vocalist pays a visit to another music mecca. Nov. 3, Carnegie Hall, $65-$80.
CLASSICAL
Wolfgang Holzmair The Austrian baritone kicks off Lincoln Center’s Great Performers series, celebrating Johannes Brahms. Oct. 17, Alice Tully Hall, $48.
The New York Pops Conductor Skitch Henderson directs guest artists Christine Baranski and Hayley Westenra in their production of “Nothin’ Like a Dame.” Oct. 22, Carnegie Hall, $24-$95.
Truls Mork The Grammy-winning Norwegian cellist performs Myaskovsky, Prokofiev, Janacek and Chopin. Nov. 7, Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, $40.
