The air is cooler, the sun sets a little earlier and the leaves will soon pile up in your yard. But none of that means you have to hibernate (yet). Here are 20 great shows to catch this fall, between sips of your pumpkin spice latte.
Josh Groban: It’s a Grobanized world, and we’re lucky to live in it. Groban arrives at the Oakdale in support of “Stages,” an expertly curated collection of musical theater songs. Sept. 26, 8 p.m., $62-$175. Toyota Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, 203-265-1501, oakdale.com.
Built To Spill: Feedback-soaked Stratocaster riffs, plaintive vocals and whip-smart songwriting by one of the greatest indie-rock bands of all time. With Clarke and the Himselfs and Crosss opening. Sept. 27, 8 p.m., $25. College Street Music Hall, New Haven, 877-987-6487, collegestreetmusichall.com.
Gang Of Four: In the wake of the U.K. punk explosion, Gang Of Four incorporated funk, dub and noise. Four decades later, the Leeds-based quartet sounds better than ever. With the New Regime opening. Oct. 2, 9 p.m., $25. Ballroom at the Outer Space, Hamden, manicproductions.org.
Wavves: Chaotic San Diego power-pop band Wavves recently collaborated on a full-length album with fellow weirdos Cloud Nothings. A highly anticipated fifth studio album, “W,” drops only a day before their New Haven show. With Twin Peaks and Steep Leans opening. Oct. 3, 8 p.m., $18. College Street Music Hall, New Haven, 877-987-6487, collegestreetmusichall.com.
Zedd: On his True Colors tour, Russian-German DJ/producer Zedd pushes buttons, jumps up and down and pumps his fists. Lights flash and lasers pulse. People go nuts. That’s EDM for you. With Dillon Francis and Alex Metric. Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m., $35-$45. Toyota Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, 203-265-1501, oakdale.com.
JD McPherson: Old-time rock and roll, played the right way, still sends shock waves through your body. These days, Oklahoma native McPherson and his band play it better than just about anyone. Oct. 8, 8 p.m., $24.50-$39.50. Stafford Palace Theater, Stafford Springs, 860-851-9750, thestaffordpalacetheater.com.
Joey Bada$$: Brooklyn rapper Joey Bada$$ brings his World Domination Tour to the Oakdale Dome, armed with hits like “Paper Trail$” and a badass studio debut album. Hip-hop rarely sounds this raw, vital or downright essential. With Denzel Curry and Bishop Nehru. Oct. 9, 8 p.m., $25. Dome at Oakdale, Wallingford, 203-265-1501, oakdale.com.
Stevie Wonder: Four decades after its release, Stevie Wonder’s sprawling “Song in the Key of Life” remains one of the greatest pop albums of all-time. He’s coming to Hartford to perform all of it. Oct. 11, 8 p.m., $39.50-$149.50. XL Center, Hartford, 877-522-8499, xlcenter.com.
Sun Kil Moon: Founded by controversial singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek as an extension of the now-defunct Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon creates haunting folk-rock stories and unforgettable soundscapes. Oct. 11, 7:45 p.m., $38. StageOne, Fairfield, 203-259-1036, fairfieldtheatre.org.
Joe Walsh: The chance to hear the James Gang/Eagles guitar god (and perennial presidential candidate) play the arena-rock hits “Funk #49,” “Life’s Been Good,” “In The City” and “Rocky Mountain Way,” in an actual arena, is too good to pass up. Oct. 16, 8 p.m., $39.50. Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, 800-745-3000, mohegansun.com.
Kacey Musgraves: Musgraves’ Country & Western Rhinestone Revue arrives in New Haven with one foot planted firmly in Nashville’s roots, and the other proudly high-stepping toward the country music superstardom. With Sugar and the Hi-Lows. Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m., $22-$32. College Street Music Hall, New Haven, 877-987-6487, collegestreetmusichall.com.
Crystal Bowersox: Unlike many of her colleagues, Bowersox parlayed her success on “American Idol” into a successful career as a singer-songwriter. With Seth Glier. Oct. 24, 8 p.m., $35-$55. Infinity Hall Norfolk, 866-666-6306, infinityhall.com.
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band: He’s a Beatle. You don’t have to think too hard about this one. With ringers Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather (Toto), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Gregg Rolie (Santana), Greg Bissonette and Warren Ham. Oct. 24, 8 p.m., $65-$150. Foxwoods Grand Theater, Mashantucket, 800-369-9663, foxwoods.com.
Darius Rucker: Rucker’s emergence from the ashes of Hootie and the Blowfish into a bona fide solo superstar is one of the more compelling narratives in country music. With that voice, though, is anyone surprised? With David Nail and CAM. Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., $39-$59. Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, 800-745-3000, mohegansun.com.
Dave Davies of the Kinks: Davies’ guitar work on songs like “You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All of the Night” is hall-of-fame stuff, and he also wrote some decent songs. Oct. 27, 8 p.m., $50. Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, 203-438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
Puscifer: Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan’s other band plays prog-groove originals and note-perfect versions of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Accept’s “Balls to the Wall.” Nov. 14, 8 p.m., $40-$55. Shubert Theater, New Haven, 203-562-5666. shubert.com.
The Weeknd: Toronto singer/producer Abel Tesfaye, aka the Weeknd, is on fire. He opened for Justin Timberlake in Hartford a few years ago, but this is his show. With Travi$ Scott and Banks. Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m., $77.50-$97.50. Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, 800-745-3000, mohegansun.com.
Macy Gray: A Grammy-winning singer who had a huge hit in 1999 with “I Try” recently surfaced on Galactic’s new album, which hopefully means we’ll hear more of her gravelly voice soon. With Valise. Nov. 21, 8 p.m., $54-$74. Infinity Hall Hartford, 866-666-6306, infinityhall.com.
Machine Head: It’s the day before Thanksgiving. Clear your head before all that cooking. Machine Head, a heavy Oakland, Calif., groove-metal band, will help. Nov. 25, 7 p.m. doors, $27-$30. Webster Theater, Hartford, webstertheater.com.
Glenn Tilbrook/Chris Difford: Difford and Tilbrook co-founded Squeeze. They wrote “Up The Junction,” “Tempted,” “Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)” and “Another Nail in My Heart.” They’re up there with Lennon and McCartney. Seriously. Dec. 11, 8 p.m., $75. Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, 203-438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
