Although the coffee shop and bar venues around Athens keep a steady pace of live music all year, the larger venues hit a lull in the summer before coming back alive alongside festivals and football season in the fall. Here is a list of touring bands and musicians to look forward to at some of the largest local venues, but be sure to check out the Live Music Calendar in print and online at flagpole.com for a more comprehensive list of shows.
AKINS FORD ARENA (classiccenter.com): This is the arena’s first fall season since opening its doors. Concerts are still continuing to pop up on the calendar, but several big events have already been announced. Bluegrass and folk-rock band The Avett Brothers will perform on Friday, Sept. 12. The four-time Grammy Award-nominated band released its 11th studio album last year, a self-titled collection of songs mixing modern Americana with old-timey folk instrumentation and harmonies. Tickets range from $64–$150. Country singer-songwriter Cole Swindell is bringing his Happy Hour Sad Tour to the arena Friday, Sept. 19, with special guests Priscilla Block and Logan Crosby. The Georgia native has won four Academy of Country Music Awards and is known for his storytelling lyricism. Tickets range from $48–$111. Watkinsville’s own Gavin Adcock will perform Friday, Oct. 17 with rising country stars Conner Smith and Lanie Gardner. Adcock’s album Actin’ Up Again, released last August, became the most streamed country debut album of the year. Tickets range from $45–$173. The Cosmic Roundup & Rodeo Tour is bringing Dwight Yoakam, The Mavericks and Junior Brown to the arena on Thursday, Nov. 13. Yoakam is a two-time Grammy Award-winning country music sensation and well-known actor who released the album Brighter Days last year. Tickets range from $47–$304.
THE CLASSIC CENTER THEATRE (classiccenter.com): The Classic Center is packing a lot of star power into its limited concert offerings this fall, along with some unique experiences. Country a cappella group Home Free and viral sea shanty singers The Longest Johns are co-headlining as part of their Into the Deep Tour on Sunday, Sept. 28. Emphasizing vocal performances steeped in folk tradition, the show will be uniquely collaborative. Tickets range from $51–$367. Legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top will perform on Sunday, Oct. 5. Currently on its Elevation Tour, the rock and blues band has been at it for more than 50 years. Tickets range from $75–$423. Alternative indie rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise will perform Thursday, Oct. 16 with $1 from each ticket supporting its fund that provides resources to marginalized communities. The modern powerhouse is anticipating the release of its new album, Bones, on Sept. 26 ahead of the Athens show. Tickets range from $60–$117. The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight is making a stop on its tour Friday, Nov. 14. In a candlelit environment, a band of 14 classical musicians play renditions of popular rock and metal bands. Tickets range from $59–$113.
GEORGIA THEATRE (georgiatheatre.com): There’s a lot happening upstairs and downstairs at the Georgia Theatre this fall, so we’re just going to focus on a handful of touring musicians. The 25-year-old English musician Geordie Greep, frontman and lead guitarist of Black Midi from 2017–2024, is performing solo on Saturday, Sept. 6. His debut solo album, The New Sound, embraces an experimental and alternative pop sound with an international influence. General admission is $32.89. New Orleans-based R&B, soul and hip-hop fusion band Tank and the Bangas is coming Tuesday, Sept. 16. The band is a recent Grammy Award winner for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. General admission is $28.45. Anglo-French avant-pop band Stereolab is performing Friday, Sept. 19. Rising to fame in the ‘90s, the influential band continues to release innovative music, most recently with the album Instant Holograms on Metal Film. Tickets are sold out, but keep your eyes peeled on the local market. The genre-bending Phantogram is bringing its experimental and alternative music to the Georgia Theatre Saturday, Oct. 11. The duo is known for its captivating and mesmerizing live performances with ethereal vocals. General admission is $57.31. JOHNNYSWIM, another duo composed of Abner and Amanda Sudano Ramirez, is performing on Thursday, Oct. 23. Blending folk, pop and blues, the duo emphasizes storytelling with heartfelt melodies. General admission is $50.52.
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (pac.uga.edu): The 2025–2026 UGA Presents season of events aims to explore the roots of traditional music, particularly that which is rooted in a specific culture, place or time. The season’s opening night features a vocal performance by musical theater royalty and official Disney Legend Lea Salonga on Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall. This concert will represent her career of Broadway hits, popular classics and more. Tickets range from $64–$106. Swedish electro-folk band Symbio is performing on Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Ramsey Concert Hall. The duo creates a symbiotic instrumental composition using the hurdy-gurdy and accordion that weaves together traditional themes and modern soundscapes. Tickets are $48. Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer-songwriter and composer Chris Thile is performing on Thursday, Oct. 9 at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall. Although often described as a genre-defying all-around musician, his works and improvisational performances best fit in the Americana category. Tickets range from $48–$92. The Denmark-based trio Dreamers’ Circus is performing on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall. Playing fiddle, accordion, piano and cittern, the group mixes folk, jazz and classical music into a sound balancing the contemporary and traditional. Tickets range from $42–$64. The Branford Marsalis Quartet is bringing its kaleidoscopic range of original compositions, jazz standards and popular classics to the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall on Sunday, Nov. 16. Saxophonist Marsalis has been celebrated as a NEA Jazz Master, Grammy Award winner, and Tony and Emmy Award nominee. Tickets range from $48–$92.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
