SEPTEMBER

JONATHAN RICHMAN
Distinguished as one of the punk/new wave era's strongest influences when he headed the legendary Modern Lovers, Richman now plays bitingly comical troubadour. Bumbershoot, Bumbrella Stage, Seattle Center, Fri Sept 1.

BIG STAR
Love the Replacements? The Posies? Then you should check out their biggest influence, Memphis' Big Star, with frontman Alex Chilton and pals Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow playing along. Bumbershoot, KeyArena, Seattle Center, Sat Sept 2.

ELLIOTT SMITH
So Figure 8 wasn't quite the second coming of XO, but Smith's sure to play "Waltz #2," and we'll all be happy again. Bumbershoot, KeyArena, Seattle Center, Sat Sept 2.

MAGNETIC FIELDS
Stephin Merritt!! 69 Love Songs!! Fainting!! Bumbershoot, Opera House, Seattle Center, Sat Sept 2.

JOHN DOE
The man (pant, pant), the musician (X), the movie star (The Barbara Mandrell Story, among others, but that movie is most important). Crocodile Cafe, Sat Sept 2.

OZOMATLI
These alchemists of hiphop, salsa, funk, and jazz must be witnessed live. It is rumored that the Aztec God of Dance after which the band is titled will be there (in the form of a monkey). Bumbershoot, KeyArena, Seattle Center, Sun Sept 3.

ANI DIFRANCO
Bombastic, histrionic, crossover dabbler for the Hillary Rodham Clinton school of lesbians/feminists. Bumbershoot, Mainstage, Seattle Center, Sun Sept 3.

RONNIE SPECTOR
The Queen of the Girl Groups returns to school a new generation of fans on what girl is all about. Bumbershoot, KeyArena, Seattle Center, Sun Sept 3.

JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS
The woman who took bratty, bossy ambiguousness and made a career out of it rather than a "movement." Bumbershoot, KeyArena, Seattle Center, Mon Sept 4.

KRISTIN HERSH
She evolves constantly, but her highly personal stage shows remain ever evocative and breathtaking. Bumbershoot, NW Court Stage, Seattle Center, Mon Sept 4.

MODEST MOUSE
Those of you who whine that Modest Mouse's major-label release, The Moon and Antarctica, is over-produced--which it most certainly is not--can hitch up your chords and amble your retro Pumas over to the KeyArena to watch this live, less-flashy performance in smug glee. Bumbershoot, KeyArena, Seattle Center, Mon Sept 4.

QUASI
With Quasi, Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss have found the perfect balance of sweetness and cynicism. Bumbershoot, BumberClub, Seattle Center, Mon Sept 4; Crocodile Cafe, Tues Sept 5.

HUGH MASEKELA
South African trumpeter and bandleader Hugh Masekela has been mixing jazz, funk, and Afrobeat for nearly four decades now, and he's still going strong. Jazz Alley, Tues-Sun Sept 5-10.

TAHITI 80
Currently a press darling, this French electro-pop band's charm is augmented by the fact that they're no Alexander MacLehose in the translation department. Crocodile Cafe, Wed Sept 6.

NEIL YOUNG, THE PRETENDERS
The Northwest's beloved grandfather and the patron saint of PMS on one stage. Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Washington, Sat Sept 9.

THE GET UP KIDS
Anthemic choruses, harmonies to swoon for, and keyboards make for driving pop that is anything but mainstream. Graceland, Tues Sept 12.

TRANS AM, NEIL HAMBURGER
This bill is inherently funny, never mind the fact that it includes a bona fide comedian: Trans Am, the Chicago band every discerning hipster name-drops, and Neil Hamburger, the man whose last album consisted of asinine prank phone calls that left listeners dumbfounded as to just what kind of an ignoramus could be dragged into staying on the phone that long before slamming it back into the cradle. Graceland, Thurs Sept 21.

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
As long as the American university fraternity system remains an institution, the Red Hot Chili Peppers will continue to sell out enormous shows--perhaps until bassist Flea's kid, Clara, gets date-raped by an Abercrombie & Fitch-wearing frat boy. KeyArena, Seattle Center, Fri Sept 22.

LOOKOUT FREAKOUT TOUR
Legendary Berkeley imprint Lookout freaks out with label mainstays Mr. T Experience, American Steel, and the Eyeliners. Graceland, Fri Sept 29.

SERGIO MENDES AND BRASIL 2000
The king of swingin' '60s bossa nova is back! We'll have to see what the Brazilian composer/bandleader brings to the new millennium, but we're bettin' you can dance to it. Paramount Theatre, Fri Sept. 29.


OCTOBER

DANILO PEREZ
Having played with Dizzy Gillespie and Wynton Marsalis, Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez is now widely recognized for his talent and versatility, from Latin music roots to jazz classics. Jazz Alley, Tues-Wed Oct 17-18.

DESTINY'S CHILD, CHRISTINA AGUILERA
Shiny, creamy-voiced, and perfectly produced cut-out pop. One of 'em's a slut. Guess who? KeyArena, Seattle Center, Thurs Oct 19.

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK
Who can resist a guy who can sing you to sleep after the lovin'? Opera House, Seattle Center, Oct 24.

BOBBY BLUE BLAND
One of the main creators of the soul-blues sound of the '50s and early '60s, Bobby "Blue" Bland's early hits include "Farther up the Road," "I Pity the Fool," and "That's the Way Love Is." Jazz Alley, Thurs-Sun Oct 26-29.

GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR!
Repetitive instrumental rock that has been known to require nine or more musicians and a projectionist to perform live. TBA, Fri Oct 27.

IRAKERE
Founded by the legendary Chucho Valdés, Cuban group Irakere has been combining traditional Cuban rhythms with American jazz for 25 years now. Jazz Alley, Tues-Sun Oct 31-Nov 5.


NOVEMBER

PEARL JAM, SUPERGRASS
The most sincere band and one of the most delightfully silly bands of the '90s and beyond, paired together for fans who probably just care about the former. TBA, Sun Nov 5.

RANDY NEWMAN
Though he's infinitely more remarkable for his albums than his radio hits, have you listened to "Short People" lately? It's fucking sublime. Paramount Theatre, Fri Nov 17.

TAJ MAHAL
This gravel-voiced bluesman has traveled through rock, jazz, Indian, African, and tropical music. He's sure to bring us some real nice souvenirs from his musical journeys. Jazz Alley, Tues-Sun Nov 21-26.