ATL UNTRAPPED: Leading the hip-hop and R&B charge
This month’s concert calendar features, EarthGang, Keyshia Cole, and more
February has arrived, and hopefully, you have been able to bounce back from the financial distress that comes with the holiday season — because you’re going to need it if you’re a frequent concertgoer. Yes, live music is back and in full swing this month, with shows from local artists such as SwaVay and SoFaygo or concerts from legacy acts like India Arie and Eric Bellinger. In contrast to January’s slim pickings, February is jam-packed, so to help you maximize your coin, I condensed this month’s vast offerings to just eight shows. Here are eight key concerts that you should attend over the following weeks.
Fri., Feb. 9
SwaVay, Ben Reilly, Will Hill, Cam The Artisan, Vinyl at Center Stage Theater — Over the last few years, the One More Time Podcast has been gradually snowballing into one of the local Atlanta music scene’s favorite podcasts. Now, just a short number of years after its debut in 2021, the podcast is hosting its first-ever concert — complete with a DJ set by Grammy award-winning engineer Dos Dias, hosting duties courtesy of Dirty Glove Bastard journalist Manny Akiio, and carefully curated line-up of local artists. SwaVay and Ben Reilly have the top billing, and there will also be performances by Will Hill and Cam The Artisan. Purchase your tickets and get ready to pack out Vinyl.
$20. 8:00 p.m. Vinyl, 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, 30309. centerstage-atlanta.com @centerstageatl
Sun., Feb. 17
EarthGang, Maddy O’Neal & Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Sweetwater Brewery — Although I don’t talk beer in my CL hip-hop coverage, there is actually a stronger connection between those local scenes than you might think. For several years, Atlanta transplants and Southern hip-hop legends Nappy Roots have been killing the beer game at their Castleberry Hill brewery, Atlantucky, and several local artists — from Grip to Killer Mike — have teamed up with local breweries for collab brews. This month, the city’s beer and hip-hop communities strengthen their ties even more because famed southwest Atlanta rap duo EarthGang is headlining Sweetwater Brewery’s 27th anniversary party. The pair — which consists of emcees WowGr8 and Olu — is fresh off the release of their fall 2023 EP, RIP Human Art, and they have already promised fans additional new music in the new year. Push up to the Sweetwater Brewery Taproom to experience EarthGang’s first concert of 2024, and stick around for the brews and bites. VIP tickets available.
$45-$80. 1:00 p.m. Sweetwater Brewery Taproom, 195 Ottley Dr NE, Atlanta, 30324. sweetwaterbrew.com @sweetwatertaproom
Sun., Feb. 18
India.Arie, Center Stage — If there’s one show this month that encapsulates the spirit of Valentine’s Day, it is Indie.Arie’s upcoming concert at Center Stage. Billed as “A Love Letter From India.Arie,” the intimate, one-night event was announced late January, but hopefully you’ll still have time to get your funds together to attend this special show. In addition to Valentine’s Day, India.Arie’s concert will also take place during the week of the five-year anniversary of her last studio album, 2019’s Worthy, so the veteran vocalist and songwriter will definitely have a lot to celebrate. India.Arie is set to perform some of the most beautiful love songs from her extensive and timeless catalog, so don’t mess around and wait until the last minute to get your tickets. This is arguably the premier Atlanta concert offering of February, so listen to the woman herself and “move with intention for the tickets.”
$125-$250+. 6:00 p.m. Center Stage, 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, 30309. centerstage-atlanta.com @centerstageatl
Lil Tecca, SoFaygo, Tana, Chow Lee, The Eastern, — Lil Tecca first made waves in rap with his 2019 breakout hit “Ransom,” and years later, the New York native remains one of the most consistent and successful SoundCloud-era rappers. This winter, Tecca is promoting through release of his latest album, TEC, by hitting the road for his Hvn On Earth Tour, and joining him for the ride is Atlanta’s own SoFaygo. A rising star of the new wave of post-SoundCloud era artists, SoFaygo owes a lot of his early success to his 2019 track “Knock Knock.” Interestingly, the track boasted production from Lil Tecca, and nearly five years later, the two have reunited once again for a 19-date North American trek. Catch the collaborators in person when they take over the Eastern on February 18. VIP packages are available.
$35-$130. 8:00 p.m. The Eastern, 800 Old Flat Shoals Rd SE, Atlanta, 30316. easternatl.com @easternatl
Sat., Feb. 24
Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz, Jaheim & K. Michelle, State Farm Arena — One of R&B’s most beloved artists is having a resurgence right in front of our eyes. Shortly after delivering a standout performance on the deluxe version of Nicki Minaj’s chart-topping fifth studio Pink Friday 2 in December, Keyshia Cole announced that she would be embarking on the 18-date Love Hard Tour in the new year. The tour will mark the veteran singer-songwriter’s first in 10 years, and while no official name or release date has been revealed, Keyshia Cole has also confirmed that her eighth studio album will be releasing in 2024 as well. Considering how much has passed since Cole’s last tour and solo record, none of her Atlanta-based fans should sit this one out if they can help it. Get tickets to see the revival of Keyshia Cole in person when she arrives alongside Trey Songz, Jaheim, and K. Michelle later this month.
$89-$159+. 8:30 p.m. State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, 30303. statefarmarena.com @statefarmarena
Sun., Feb. 25
Journey Montana, Lily Massie, Liv Heavenly, E’Lanah, Vinyl at Center Stage Theater — On “Stargirl,” a standout track from the EP of the same name, Journey Montana croons, “I’m not an angel, I’m just a star/You can only see me if you look real hard/I only come out in the dark.” The young, Harlem-bred singer-songwriter is fresh off the release of her debut EP, and she is already certain that she will be a star in the music industry. Her confidence and charisma oozes from the songs housed on Stargirl, and the scarce number of guest features — apart from the spectacular Eric Bellinger appearance on “Undefeated” — creates a listening experience that is entirely centered around Journey Montana. If you’ve been looking for an enthralling new artist who toes the line between R&B and pop, Journey is your girl, and her upcoming show at Vinyl is the perfect opportunity for new listeners to experience the rising starlet live. In addition to the intimacy of the space, there will also be up-and-comers such as Lily massie, Liv Heavenly, and E’Lanah. Grab your tickets and get ready to witness the music industry’s newest stargirl.
$20-$25. 8:00 p.m. Vinyl, 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, 30309. centerstage-atlanta.com @centerstageatl
Tues., Feb. 27
André 3000, Variety Playhouse — Only a few months after the release of André 3000’s stunning instrumental album, New Blue Sun , the iconic OutKast rapper-turned ambient flute wielder is returning to Atlanta for one of the most intimate homecoming shows from a local, yet globally recognized, artist in recent memory. To start the non-consecutive four-night Atlanta stint, Three Stacks will hit Variety Playhouse, and for those who have seen an artist there, you already know how much of a treat that is. The “New Blue Sun Live” Tour will also feature performances from fellow Carlos Niño, Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, and Deantoni Parks. Expect these tickets to get fast, and be aware that there will be strict ticket limits and resell restrictions enforced.
$79.50+. 8:00 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. variety-playhouse.com @varietyplayhouse
Wed., Feb. 28
André 3000, Variety Playhouse — Three Stacks’s New Blue Sun Live Tour continues on Wednesday, February 28. As mentioned in the listing for the first night of André 3000’s four-day Atlanta stint, there will be a significant amount of requirements for concertgoers. Most importantly, remember that there will be no resale tickets allowed, so come prepared with tickets that you purchased directly from AXS events and an ID that matches the name on the tickets.
$79.50+. 8:00 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. variety-playhouse.com @varietyplayhouse
Thurs., Feb. 29
Tkay Maidza, Masquerade — There is an extra day on the calendar this year, and if you’re down to commemorate 2024’s leap day with some live music, you should know about Tkay Maidza’s upcoming show at the Masquerade. The Zimbabwean-born, Australian-raised, and Los Angeles-based multi-hyphenate has proven herself to be one of the music industry’s most promising global acts thanks to the success of her Last Year Was Weird EP trilogy, which released over the span of three years from 2018 to 2021. Last year, Tkay doubled down on her momentum and shared her sophomore studio album, Sweet Justice. Hear the album live when she takes over Hell for the Atlanta stop of her 18-date Sweet Justice Tour.
$20. 7:00 p.m. Hell at the Masquerade, 50 Lower Alabama Street #110, Atlanta, 30303. masqueradeatlanta.com The Masquerade
André 3000, Variety Playhouse — It’s André 3000. At Variety Playhouse. Be for real and get your tickets as soon as humanly possible.
$79.50+. 8:00 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. variety-playhouse.com @varietyplayhouse
Sat., Mar. 2
André 3000, Center Stage — Fortunately, Three Stacks’ four-day residency in Atlanta continues into the early part of March, and when it does, he’ll conclude his highly anticipated stop with a finale at Center Stage. The show will still feature performances from Carlos Niño, Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, and Deantoni Parks, and there will still be a strict two-ticket limit for concertgoers. Due to the move from Variety Playhouse to Center Stage, the March 2 show will be slightly less intimate due to the significant upgrade in venue size, but ultimately, that just means there will be even more opportunities for fans to see a rare performance from one of the most legendary artists to come out of Atlanta.
$79.50-$250. 7:00 p.m. Center Stage, 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309. centerstage-atlanta.com @centerstageatl
Sun., Mar. 3
Eric Bellinger, Buckhead Theatre — Although Eric Bellinger’s highly anticipated Rebirth Tour won’t hit the city until early next month, fans of the prolific and talented singer-songwriter will have their work cut out for them in preparation of his March 3 show at Buckhead Theatre. This month, the 39-year-old artist will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of his breakout, double-disc debut album The Rebirth, which was released on February 10, 2014. In addition to reflecting on his past accomplishments, Eric Bellinger will also march victoriously into the next era of his career by dropping The Rebirth 3 on February 9, nearly the same-exact date of release date of the original Rebirth album. Spend this month learning the new tunes from The Rebirth 3 and get ready to sing all your favorite songs with Eric Bellinger at the beginning of March. Meet and greet packages are available.
$35.25-$145. 8:00 p.m. Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, 30305. thebuckheadtheatre.com @buckheadtheatre