ATL UNTRAPPED: Welcome to Woptober
From Gucci Mane’s 10/17 show to ONE Musicfest, there’s a lot to look forward to this October
Once again, hip-hop lovers are blessed with a month that’s chock full of must-see shows, and apart from perhaps having to budget a bit more than one might like, it’s hard to imagine that anyone’s complaining right about now. On the local tip, acts such as DvDx, Jelani Imani, Marsofyouth, and Wiley From Atlanta have been dropping heat over the last few weeks, and alongside Atlanta greats like Gucci Mane and Killer Mike, the latter is leading the charge for local shows this month. In terms of visiting acts and large-scale events, you can’t talk about this month’s concert lineup without bringing up ONE Musicfest. The fan-favorite annual festival returns at the end of the month, and as you’re about to see, there will be plenty of great shows for you to hit up in the meantime. Here are all of the shows that I think should be on your radar this October.
Mon., Oct. 2
Run The Jewels, The Eastern — It’s kind of hard to fathom that Run The Jewels is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year. The now-iconic duo of Killer Mike and El-P released their first ever self-titled joint effort on June 26, 2013, and only a decade later, it already feels like the outfit has been together for a lifetime. To celebrate 10 years of amazing, outspoken, and boundary-pushing hip-hop, Run The Jewels is holding four consecutive nights of anniversary concerts in Atlanta at The Eastern, and for each night, the duo promises to perform completely unique sets. Choose your night wisely. — Joshua Robinson
$49.50-$58. 8:00 p.m. The Eastern, 800 Old Flat Shoals Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30316. easternatl.com @easternatl
Tues., Oct. 3
Run The Jewels, The Eastern — Run The Jewels are keeping the celebration going with the second night of the four-show stint at The Eastern. Will they center their set around 2014’s Run The Jewels 2? Or will they take things all the way back with deep cuts from RTJ’s unofficial formation as one of rap’s most dominant duos of the 2010s — i.e. Killer Mike’s fifth studio album, R.A.P. Music? There’s only one way to find out, and that’s by going to see El-P and Killer Mike for yourself on Night Two of their RTJ anniversary show. — Joshua Robinson
$49.50-$58. 8:00 p.m. The Eastern, 800 Old Flat Shoals Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30316. easternatl.com @easternatl
Wed., Oct. 4
Run The Jewels, The Eastern — While RTJ’s residency at The Eastern is marketed as a celebration of 10 years of Run The Jewels, make sure you still give Killer Mike’s latest solo project — the newly released MICHAEL — a spin. The album boasts features from the likes of Cee-Lo Green, 6lack, André 3000, J.I.D, 2 Chainz, Jacquees, Young Nudy, and more, and you never know who might show up as a surprise guest in support of Atlanta’s native son. — Joshua Robinson
$49.50-$58. 8:00 p.m. The Eastern, 800 Old Flat Shoals Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30316. easternatl.com @easternatl
Thurs., Oct. 5
Run The Jewels, The Eastern — It’s hard to say which date of Run The Jewels’ four-night anniversary stint is the best one for you to attend, but you really can’t go wrong with pulling up to the grand finale. Considering Killer Mike’s deep ties to this city, you can almost be certain that RTJ’s fourth Atlanta show will be one to remember. — Joshua Robinson
$49.50-$58. 8:00 p.m. The Eastern, 800 Old Flat Shoals Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30316. easternatl.com @easternatl
Sat., Oct. 7
Wiley From Atlanta, Vinyl — Fresh off releasing his stirring 10-track LP Killing Time Before The Flood — which features captivating local acts such as Ben Reilly, DavidTheTragic, Kapwani, and Jelani Imani — Wiley From Atlanta is ready to step into the next era in his promising artistic journey. The soulful rapper and vocalist will be performing his new album live, and he’ll receive support from Sakura and Jelani Imani, the latter of which also just dropped his new tape, YES! in recent weeks. Grab your tickets and get ready to tap into the pulse of Atlanta. — Joshua Robinson
$12-$15. 8:00 p.m. Vinyl at Center Stage, 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309. centerstage-atlanta.com @centerstageatl
Sat., Oct. 14
Amindi, ChloTheGod, Purgatory — Hardcore Kenny Mason fans likely got introduced to Amindi through his RUFFS deep cut “RX,” and roughly a year after the release of their collaborative track, she’s hitting Atlanta for the her headlining What You Need Tour. The Inglewood, California-born artist dropped her new mixtape, titled Take What You Need, on September 22, and since her tour kicks off in the A, local fans attending her show will be some of the first to hear the project live. Rising Fayetteville, North Carolina act ChloTheGod has also been tapped for support. — Joshua Robinson
$18. 7:00 p.m. Purgatory at Masquerade, 50 Lower Alabama Street #110, Atlanta, GA 30303. masqueradeatlanta.com The Masquerade
Tues., Oct. 17
Gucci Mane & Friends, Tabernacle — Atlanta has a few unofficial holidays that are likely only celebrated here, from April 4 (i.e. 404 day) to October 17 (i.e. a day celebrating Gucci Mane’s iconic 1017 Bricksquad label). While 1017 has undergone a lot of facelifts over the years, there’s no denying Guwop’s influence and impact on the Atlanta music scene, and hip-hop overall. That’s why all of us need to pull up and support the rap legend at his Tabernacle concert this month. In addition to falling on 10/17, the show will also commemorate the release of the veteran’s latest full-length effort, titled Breath of Fresh Air. Furthermore, the event is billed as “Gucci Mane & Friends,” so get ready for what should be an exciting, star-studded affair. — Joshua Robinson
$60-$109. 8:00 p.m. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303. livenation.com/venue/KovZpaFEZe/tabernacle-events
Thurs., Oct. 19
Veeze, Talibando, Heaven — Over the last year, Detroit-bred artist Veeze has quietly and quickly become one of Atlanta’s most appreciated transplants. He boasts a steadily growing assortment of impressive collaborations with local heavyweights such as Lil Baby, Gucci Mane, and Lil Yachty, and after going years without dropping a full-length album, he released Ganger, his first album since 2019, earlier this summer to warm reception. This fall, he’s keeping that momentum going with his first headlining outing, The Ganger Tour, and for those interested in meeting the sensational up-and-coming artist, VIP and meet-and-greet tickets are also available. — Joshua Robinson
$25-$200. 7:00 p.m. Heaven at Masquerade, 50 Lower Alabama Street #110, Atlanta, GA 30303. masqueradeatlanta.com The Masquerade
Sun., Oct. 22
Thundercat, Coca-Cola Roxy — Thundercat is a generational talent, and if you haven’t had the opportunity to see him — especially since the release of his GRAMMY® award-winning 2020 studio album It Is What It Is — now is your chance. Towards the end of October, the genre-defying musical prodigy will be taking over the Coca-Cola Roxy for his headlining In Yo Girl’s City Tour. With a venue of that size and a pretty modest ticket price, there’s no reason not to see Thundercat when he arrives in Atlanta on October 22, but if you need a little more convincing, just listen to his sweet new Tame Impala collaboration and long-awaited single, “No More Lies.” — Joshua Robinson
$39-$259+. 8:00 p.m. Coca-Cola Roxy, 800 Battery Ave SE #500, Atlanta, GA 30339. cocacolaroxy.com @cocacolaroxy
Sat., Oct. 28
Janet Jackson, Megan Thee Stallion, Bryson Tiller, ONE Musicfest — ONE Musicfest is finally back this month, and ever since they announced the lineup, this year’s festival has been the talk of the town. Even some of my relatives from states over are contemplating traveling to Atlanta for the latest edition of ONE Musicfest. That’s because this year’s lineup is arguably one of the event’s best constructed group of artists yet. On Day One alone, Janet Jackson, Megan Thee Stallion, Bryson Tiller, Nelly, Coi Leray, Kodak Black, Lil Kim, Fabolous, and Tink, among countless others, are all hitting the stage. The question isn’t if ONE Musicfest is going to sell out this year — it’s when. Go ahead and secure your tickets now and get ready to experience OMF at its new location in Piedmont Park. — Joshua Robinson
$169+. 12:00 p.m. Piedmont Park, 1071 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. onemusicfest.com @onemusicfest
Sun., Oct. 29
Kendrick Lamar, Brent Faiyaz, Tems, ONE Musicfest — Day Two of ONE Musicfest is set to be just as action-packed as its predecessor, with Kendrick Lamar, Brent Faiyaz, and Tems serving as the days biggest performances. Two of the second days headliners — namely Kendrick Lamar and Tems — have blessed the city with performances over the last few years, but Brent Faiyaz remains one of the day’s most highly sought after infamously skipping over Atlanta during his F*ck The World It’s A Wasteland Tour. Regardless, the Wasteland artist is making it up to fans by performing at ONE Musicfest this year, and in addition to the Maryland native, there will be rare performances from The-Dream, Chief Keef, Goodie Mob, Kid Capri, Greg Street, and more. Get your tickets — be it one-day or weekend — before OMF sells out! And it will sell out! — Joshua Robinson
$169+. 12:00 p.m. Piedmont Park, 1071 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. onemusicfest.com @onemusicfest
Mon., Oct. 30
Noname, Buckhead Theatre — Last month, 61 Stop Cop City protestors and Weelaunee Forest defenders were indicted on bogus RICO charges in a government attempt to squash the movement and discourage community solidarity. Just in case you forgot, the movement to ensure that Cop City is never built is very much an ongoing effort. I mention that development in this city’s collective struggle against unwarranted militarization and environmental warfare because Noname — an artist and ally from Chicago — hasn’t forgotten about Atlanta, and she’ll be performing here at the tail-end of October. Noname is touring in support of her latest studio album, Sundial, and the outspoken artist and community organizer’s show on October 30 will make for a great opportunity to show the new record some love and vibe out to some conscious, yet jamming tunes. $35-$45+. 8:00 p.m. Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30305. livenation.com/venue/KovZpZAJAllA/buckhead-theatre-events @buckheadtheatre