Fortune smiles on INXS — and Marymoor

Seattle was the first American city to see J.D. Fortune front INXS in concert, back in January, when the revitalized Australian group opened its U.S. tour in the Paramount.

The sexy young Fortune, who won his lead singing role through the "American Idol"-like series "Rock Star," showed the Seattle audience that he was the right choice.

Not only did he prove he could handle a full set — rather than a song or two, as he did on the TV program — but he played the role of rock star to the hilt. He had the capacity audience in the palm of his hand. Most of the crowd stood throughout the 90-minute set.

INXS had been foundering ever since the 1997 suicide of original lead singer Michael Hutchence. The band tried to carry on with several other singers, most notably Jon Stevens, who toured with INXS for three years. But none of them brought the band back to prominence.

INXS was smart to jump on the reality-TV bandwagon. Not only did the band gain a credible new lead singer, but the dark, tattooed Fortune lent youth, sex appeal and a punk edginess to the aging 1980s veterans.

The original INXS members couldn't stop grinning at the Paramount show, because they knew Fortune had given them a rare second chance. Because of him, INXS had its first hit, "Pretty Vegas," and its highest-charted album, "Switch," in more than 20 years. Most of the shows in the band's world tour have sold out.

Now INXS returns in triumph to kick off the U.S. Bank Concerts at Marymoor season, Saturday at King County's Marymoor Park in Redmond.

The beautiful, smartly laid-out and comfortable concert site, with lawn and reserved seating, a large concessions area and a children's play area just outside the gate, will feature a variety of acts in its nine shows this summer.

Tickets are at Ticketmaster outlets, 206-628-0888, www.ticketmaster.com. Go online to to www.concertsatmarymoor.com for details.

The Concerts at Marymoor

INXS, Scott Stapp, 7 p.m. Saturday ($42.50-$65).

INXS is back in action with new lead singer J.D. Fortune. Stapp, former lead singer of Creed, has a solo CD, "The Great Divide."

John Hiatt, The North Mississippi Allstars, 7p.m.June29($29.50-$49.50).

Hiatt is a gifted singer-songwriter highly regarded by other musicians. The North Mississippi Allstars is an entertaining blues/boogie band.

Rob Thomas, Jason Mraz, 6:30p.m.July12($49.50-$79.50).Two impressive singer-songwriters. The romantic Thomas was in Matchbox Twenty. Mraz is lighthearted and fun.

Widespread Panic, 6 p.m. July 14-15 ($37.50).

The Southern rock band with the misleading punk-rock name is beloved for its great musicianship and creative jams.

The String Cheese Incident, 6 p.m. Aug. 1-2 ($37.50).

A band that inherited a big block of Deadheads, because of its similar hippie ethic and extended, dance-inducing jams.

Nickel Creek, 7 p.m. Aug. 11 ($24.50-$34.50).

The young trio has captured bluegrass fans with its fine, often fun, music and energetic stage presence.

Ani DiFranco, 7 p.m. Aug. 18 ($34.50-$44.50).

The fiercely independent singer-songwriter will feature songs from her latest CD, "Knuckle Down."

"KMTT's 1st Annual Mountain Music Fest": Carbon Leaf, Jackie Greene, Shawn Mullins, BoDeans, 4 p.m. Aug. 19 ($34.50-$49.50).

A diverse sampling of some of the old and new acts featured on the mellow radio station.

Los Lonely Boys, Susan Tedeschi, 7 p.m. Aug. 30 ($47.50-$69.50).

Los Lonely Boys is a charming young family band known for its sweet harmonies and Tex-Mex rock. Tedeschi is an engaging, bracing blues singer-guitarist.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com