Given the number of venues, musicians, and concerts taking
place any given week, it would be impossible for us to give you a comprehensive
look at all of the popular-music concerts coming our way this fall. Instead
several of the City Newspaper music writers have selected their picks for 10
can’t-miss shows. For a full list of upcoming concerts go to the Events section
of rochestercitynewspaper.com and limit your search to music.

1. John Hiatt & the Combo

John Hiatt’s 1987 “Bring The Family”
is easily one of my favorite albums ever. I had always enjoyed his songwriting,
full of Dylan fire and Memphis
soul, with a hint of pre-Vatican II Nashville. But the lyrics and atmosphere,
the bare-boned honesty in “Family” burned steady and hot. Hiatt is in the same
class of songwriters — Costello, Lowe, Prine, Alvin,
to name a few — whose songs do all the talking. There’s no show, no biz. They aren’t
pretty, but their music is. Hiatt was inducted into Nashville’s
Songwriter Hall of Fame in 2008. He delivers more of his exquisitely poignant
and wry observations with brilliant hooks amidst his dusty Americana
on “Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns,” his 20th solo record, which was released
this year. Hiatt plays Thursday, September 22, 8
p.m. at WaterStreetMusic Hall,
204 N. Water St. $45-$70. 325-5600, waterstreetmusic.com. — BY FRANK DE BLASE

2. Deke Dickerson

Deke Dickerson is one of the best traditional rock ‘n’ roll
guitarists alive. Don’t let that mellow persona fool you; the cat can pick
something fierce. Initially with the wild and loose outfit The Untamed Youth,
Dickerson went on to play in the hillbilly-centric Dave and Deke Combo before
going a la carte. Hallmark Guitars has built a Deke Dickerson model guitar that
he plays when he isn’t showcasing his vast array of odd vintage artillery,
including Scotty Moore’s amp. This will be a lesson in rock ‘n’ roll guitar you
can dance to. Big Red and the Sideburns open. Dickerson plays Monday, September
26, 8:30 p.m. at Abilene,
153 Liberty Pole Way. $10. 232-3230, abilenebarandlounge.com. — BY FRANK DE BLASE

3. Diana Ross

One of the most successful female recording artists of all
time, R&B icon Diana Ross really needs no icon. From acting as lead
vocalist of the Supremes in the 1960’s, to her solo music career in the 1970’s
and 80’s, to her award-winning acting career, Ross has racked up a stunning 18 No.
1 records and not one, but two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ross
continues to show that after all these years, Motown, and her contributions to
its enduring sound, aren’t going anywhere. A showstopper, by whichever count
you choose. Ross performs Wednesday, September 28, 8 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre, 885
E. Main St. $59.50-119.50. 222-5000, rbtl.org. —
BY WILLIE CLARK

4. Primus

If you are a bass player, or even if you aren’t, you’ve
probably have heard of Les Claypool, lead singer and bass player of the funk-rock
outfit Primus. The band went on hiatus back in 2000, and after a couple of
flirts with touring, it’s officially back on the scene. Making the tour extra
special, Primus’ first new full-length album in more than a decade, “Green Naugahyde,” just hit shelves earlier in September. For you
younger TV aficionados out there, yes, these are the guys that contributed the
original “SouthPark”
theme song, but the band’s full repertoire goes much, much deeper. Primus
performs Saturday, October 8, 8:30 p.m.
at the Main Street Armory, 900 E. Main St. $38.50-$45.
232-3221, rochestermainstreetarmory.com. — BY WILLIE CLARK

5. Andrew Bird

Who needs a whole band when you can get it done with one man?
Multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird sure doesn’t, and
his ever-powerful blend of folk styles is sure to captivate local audiences. A
classically trained violinist, Bird brings everything he needs for a
performance with him and does it all himself: his soaring vocals, violin,
guitar, glockenspiel, and even whistling gets thrown into the mix. Bird has
played everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Lollapalooza, and now he brings his
deep and rich sound right here to Rochester.
Martin Dosh opens. Bird plays Wednesday, October 12, 8 p.m. at Harro East Ballroom, 155
N. Chestnut St. $32.50. 454-0230,
dansmallspresents.com. — BY WILLIE CLARK

6. STS9

Atlanta
electric-rock outfit Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) is a perfect band for those
who enjoy both the rock world and the electric-laden tunes off the dance floor.
Mixing rock with synth beats and a mash-up of other genres, STS9 is on tour
behind its impressive 10th album. STS9 has played everywhere from Austin City
Limits to Bonnaroo, from Fuji Rock, to Coachella,
helping to forefront the ever growing electronic-rock crossover genre. STS9
plays Saturday, October 15, 9 p.m. at
WaterStreetMusic Hall,
204 N. Water St. $20-$25. 546-3887, waterstreetmusic.com. — BY WILLIE CLARK

7. The Pixies

No magic dust needed here: the legendary Boston
alt-rock group makes a stop in Rochester
as part of its “Doolittle Tour,” named after the band’s breakout 1989 album.
This time around, the band — Black Francis, Joey Santiago, Kim Deal, and David Lovering — is bringing the tour to cities it has never played
before. Fans can expect to see the album performed live in its entirety,
including some B-sides from the recording sessions thrown into the mix. West
Palm Beach rockers Surfer Blood open. The Pixies play Wednesday,
November 2, 7 p.m. at Main Street
Armory, 900 E. Main St. $42.50-$50. 232-3221,
rochestermainstreetarmory.com. — BY WILLIE CLARK

8. Taking Back Sunday

Once a frontrunner in the emo-punk
scene, Taking Back Sunday is, well, back, and taking no prisoners. Two EPs and
a full-length album have all been released in 2011 (the band even contributed a
song to the “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” soundtrack, for better or for
worse), and TBS is showing that it is just as relevant as ever in a genre that it
helped to define. Add to the fact that the band doesn’t often play clubs, and
you’ve got a show you can’t, and shouldn’t, miss. The Maine
and Bad Rabbits open. Taking Back Sunday plays Wednesday, November 2, 7:30 p.m. at WaterStreetMusic
Hall, 204 N. Water St. $23-$25. 546-3887,
waterstreetmusic.com. — BY WILLIE CLARK

9. Smokey Robinson

Singer, songwriter, producer, and all-around musical legend
Smokey Robinson last performed in Rochester
as part of the 2009 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, where he
packed the Eastman Theatre. This fall he returns to Kodak Hall to headline
Lifetime Assistance’s Inspiration Award Event. Robinson is a soul and r’n’b genius who contributed heavily to the Motown cannon
with songs such as “Shop Around,” “Tracks of My Tears,” “I Second that
Emotion,” “Get Ready,” and others. The 2009 Jazz Fest crowd raved about his
performance. Make sure you don’t miss him this time around. Smokey Robinson
performs Sunday, November 6, 7 p.m.
at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 26 Gibbs St. $55-$125. 454-2100,
Lifetimeassistance.org. — BY ERIC REZSNYAK

10. Jeremy Pelt

Fiery trumpeter Jeremy Pelt is just one of the top-notch jazz
stars on tap in the Exodus To Jazz fall line-up. On
November 19 Pelt — who prompts comparisons to Miles Davis — joins the trio of
Johnny O’Neal, a pianist talented enough to have been drafted for the role of
Art Tatum in the 2004 film, “Ray.” That’s just the beginning. Superb
saxophonist Kenny Garrett plays September 24, acclaimed singer Rene Marie takes
the stage November 30, smooth jazz keyboardist Lao Tizer
joins violinist Karen Briggs October 22 and Special EFX leader ChieliMinucci plays December 3. Jeremy
Pelt performs Saturday, November 19, 8 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the
Reformation, 111 N. Chestnut St. (note that some 2011-2012 Exodus to Jazz
concerts will be held at Hochstein School of Music;
check the website for details). $20-$35. Exodustojazz.com. — BY RON NETSKY

This article appears in Aug 29 – Sep 4, 2012.