Janet Jackson
Comeback single “No Sleeep” – Jackson’s direct response to fan clamor for a comeback – successfully combines Jackson's seductive R&B sound with a fun cameo from J. Cole. Witness Jackson's amazing show and lose yourself in her passionate sound – the pop star's ready to work her way back into our hearts and will be sure to do so. – Ashley Rivera Mercado Read more.
8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Amway Center, $47.50-$127
Billy Idol
Billy Idol's late 2014 release Kings & Queens of the Underground saw the rocker saunter back after 10 years, reawakening his catchy subterfuge with new music to remind us why we still worship.
8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Hard Rock Live, $38.50-$123
Hank & Cupcakes
The unique spectacle of insanely special duo Hank & Cupcakes pairs bass pedal effects and stomping drums to power out maximum freak pop.
9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Will's Pub, $6-$8
Motörhead
Rather than dissect Motörhead's 22 studio albums (all of which even Lemmy and current guitarist Phil "Wizzö" Campbell and drummer Mikkey Dee admit sound the same) or trying to suss out the band's gargantuan influence on speed and thrash metal (both of which Lemmy works tirelessly to distance Motörhead from), we thought we'd collect the 10 most unbelievable moments of this LA-via-London power trio's life. After four decades of epic flameouts, preposterous substance abuse and perpetual fuck-it-all snarl, it's a wonder Motörhead is still alive, much less still touring the world. - Nick McGregor
7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25, at House of Blues, $50-$135
Four Year Strong
Touring on their self-titled release from this June, Four Year Strong returns from what many felt was a tepid major label debut with their heaviest and best effort yet.
6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Social, $16-$19
Helmet Betty 20th Anniversary Show
If you’re still a ’90s kid at heart bucking the trendy synth-y ’80s vibes infiltrating much of mainstream music lately, head out to Helmet’s revival of their 1994 release Betty. Critics back then were hard on the record because they demanded too much radio context from it, but it’s an intense spin that’s since gotten its due as a timeless artful careen that jerks around heavy music expectations in the best ways. They’ll be playing the record from start to finish, so expect the crowd to rage early on, especially when they hit the album’s most popular single, “Milquetoast,” four songs in. This is one of the most artful heavy acts to ever emerge, so go toast more than just the MTV hit and you’ll quickly find it’s easy to let the furiously colorful subtleties of Betty seduce you.
8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Social, $17-$20
Darlene Love
Powerhouse singer Darlene Love makes a comeback with Introducing Darlene Love this year, and Clermont Performing Arts Center nabbed the Grammy winner for their performance hall grand opening.
8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Clermont Performing Arts Center Performance Hall, $89
Soda
Welcome Gainesville’s weirdest punk band, Soda, to Orlando’s best punk venue alongside notable local punks Manic & the Depressives and False Punk. Soda’s somewhat under the radar for Orlando ears, having released just one two-song EP that we can find, but the intrigue is plenty within that pair of tracks. The bizarre sludge slick of “Lisa Asks the Questions” rocks with alien vocals and perfectly encapsulates the thrashing abandon of restless boredom. The next track, “T.V.,” slows it down to lend a more subdued yet Kim Gordon-esque vocal delivery that draws any ear that seeks a stranger sort of revelation in the sounds they stuff in their heads. They’ll be filming a music video for Soda as well as a scene for an indie video called “Colonialtown Babylon” by noted local filmmaker Kate Shults. Go add your flicker to this peculiar flame.
9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at Uncle Lou's Entertainment Hall, donations accepted
Parasites
Pop-punk legacy Parasites formed in the '80s and performed with every band you loved (Green Day, Jawbreaker, D4, etc.) and are touring now on a Parasites tribute album, Parasongs, featuring covers by the Ergs, Queers, LTJ and more.
8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at Will's Pub, $7-$10
The Getbye
Easy-spirited folk rockers bring their uniquely chill rollick downtown, joining the notable scene forming at Olde 64's new Monday free show series. Keep up at thesocial.org.
8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at Olde 64, free
Collective Soul
Well, it is hurricane season, so why not go bob to alt-rockers Collective Soul's appropriately named new single at this show, almost perfectly timed on the cusp of their new album's release (Oct. 2).
7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at House of Blues, $30.50-$65.50
