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Fall Arts
Pop music: Big names and hot newcomers

By Patrick MacDonald
Seattle Times music critic

RON EDMONDS / AP White River Amphitheatre in Auburn has been selected as the first concert site west of the Rockies to host Farm Aid, Willie Nelson and Neil Young's benefit concert.

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But this year, the stars just keep on coming. The lineup of the Puyallup Fair, which opens tomorrow, includes such big names as Brad Paisley, Los Lobos, Kenny Rogers, ZZ Top, Bill Cosby, Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn, whose opening act is country's hottest newcomer, Gretchen Wilson.

White River Amphitheatre in Auburn has been selected as the first concert site west of the Rockies to host Farm Aid, Willie Nelson and Neil Young's annual benefit concert for family farms. They'll headline the show Sept. 18 along with Dave Matthews and John Mellencamp.

The annual EndFest, set for Sept. 25 at White River, features the hot new bands Metric Muse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Franz Ferdinand and 10 other acts. Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt star in a "Vote for Change" concert Sept. 27 in McCaw Hall; Norah Jones plays KeyArena Sept. 28; and Ludacris, Chingy and Pitbull top a hip-hop bill Sept. 29 at Qwest Field.

Coming in October are Sting, Annie Lennox, Alice Cooper, Megan Mulally and Michael Curtis Chapman. Laurie Anderson, Johnny Mathis, Switchfoot, Bruce Hornsby, R.E.M., Taj Mahal and Wynonna will be here in November. Already booked for December are Bette Midler, Andy Williams' Christmas Show and a contemporary gospel concert starring Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams.

CRITIC'S PICKS

Farm Aid: Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp. For the first time, the annual benefit concert for family farms will be held west of the Rockies. Sept. 18, White River Amphitheater.

Beastie Boys. New York's brattiest rap group, of "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right to Party" fame, is back in action with the million-selling album, "To The 5 Boroughs." Sept. 19, KeyArena.

EndFest: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Franz Ferdinand, X, Violent Femmes, Psychedelic Furs, Echo & the Bunnymen, Metric, Muse. KNDD-107.7FM/The End always puts on a barn-burner of a show to end the summer, featuring top new and established alternative rock bands.

	Sting and Annie Lennox share a bill Oct. 8 at White River Amphitheatre.

In addition to the stellar list of headliners, a second stage will feature Northwest bands, including the Lashes, Super Deluxe, Idiot Pilot, Schoolyard Heroes and Leuko. Sept. 25, White River Amphitheatre.

Vote for Change: Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Keb' Mo'. Among the many artists in many fields working to defeat George Bush in November are these three outstanding singer-songwriters. Sept. 27, McCaw Hall.

Sting, Annie Lennox. The two classy rock stars share a bill, but they may end up shivering at the outdoor venue. Oct. 8, White River Amphitheatre.

ONE TO WATCH

	DEBORAH CANNON / THE AP Scissor Sisters lead singers Jake Shears, left, and Ana Matronic are tearing up the dance floors with such hits as "Take Your Mama." The "next big, big thing" is set to perform Sept. 23 at the Showbox.

Scissor Sisters

This five-member band — four men, one woman — has been getting raves for its shows in New York, where it plays both rock venues and dance clubs.

Fan favorites include a version of Pink Floyd's classic "Comfortably Numb" that the Scissor Sisters turn into an extended anthem that always brings down the house. The band's first American single (it's already had Top 10 singles in England), "Take Your Mama," about a gay man coming out to his mother, is tearing up the dance floors.

Bono attended one of their recent shows in New York, Elton John has tapped the band to open for him on tour, Kylie Minogue is writing songs for them, and gossip columnist Liz Smith says, "They are the next big, big thing." Sept. 23, Showbox.

Patrick MacDonald, pmacdonald@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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