Duluth’s Red Clay Theatre is now home to Eddie Owen Presents, which is drawing top talents to Duluth to support the man who gave many their start, while the Attic continues to bring acoustic music to Decatur.
The upshot? Fans get even more chances to see acts like lesbian blues rocker Michelle Malone (Oct. 5 record release at Red Clay, followed by Oct. 6 and Dec. 31 at the Attic); lesbian folk legend Janis Ian (Oct. 10 at Red Clay, Oct. 11 at the Attic); and lesbian “alterna-grass” band Roxie Watson (Sept. 15 and Dec. 15 at the Attic, Oct. 13 at Red Clay).
Red Clay Theatre also brings in folk favorites Patty Griffin (Oct. 21) and Michelle Shocked (Nov. 11), while Eddie’s Attic hosts several other acts popular with lesbian fans, including Jennifer Knapp (Sept. 25), who made headlines in the Christian music world when she came out and began playing secular folk music.
Out and on tour
Fans of Atlanta’s heavily lesbian acoustic scene aren’t the only ones in for a treat this season, as a virtual who’s who of out lesbian and gay performers bring their tours to the city.
Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, the gay son of folk legends Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III, is touring behind his new pop-infused album “Out of the Game,” billed as his “loosest, most accessible” work yet. He plays the Tabernacle on Oct. 20.
Lesbian rocker Melissa Etheridge, one of the first out major label artists, brings her new album, “4th Street Feeling,” to Atlanta Symphony Hall on Nov. 12.
Also in November, out saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz brings his Christmas show back to the Cobb Energy Centre (Nov. 30), then openly gay former Smiths frontman Morrissey hits the Cobb Energy Centre on Dec. 3.
In between all of the out gay performers, fans will also have the chance to “justify our love” for Madonna, who brings her long-awaited tour to Philips Arena on Nov. 17. Expect throngs of LGBT to come out for MDNA.
Upcoming shows
September
Sept. 14: Indigo Girls @ Atlanta Botanical Garden
Sept. 15: Roxie Watson @ Eddie’s Attic
Sept. 15: Brad Paisley @ Aaron’s Amphitheatre
Sept. 18: Ben Folds Five @ The Tabernacle
Sept. 19: John Hiatt @ Variety Playhouse
Sept. 21: Break of Reality @ Ferst Center for the Arts
Sept. 21: Beth Orton @ Variety Playhouse
Sept. 21-22: Foo Fighters, Joan Jett, Pearl Jam, Florence and the Machine, and more @ Music Midtown
Sept. 22: New Edition @ Chastain Park
Sept. 25: Jennifer Knapp @ Eddie’s Attic
Sept. 28: Garrison Starr @ Eddie’s Attic
October
Oct. 3: David Byrne and St. Vincent @ Cobb Energy
Oct. 3: Fiona Apple @ The Tabernacle
Oct. 5: Michelle Malone record release @ Red Clay
Oct. 5: Keiko Matsui @ Ferst Center for the Arts
Oct. 5: Gotye @ Chastain Park
Oct. 5: Miranda Lambert @ Aaron’s Amphitheatre
Oct. 6: Journey with Pat Benatar and Loverboy @ Aaron’s Amphitheatre
Oct. 6: Michelle Malone @ Eddie’s Attic
Oct. 10: Janis Ian @ Red Clay Theatre
Oct. 11: Janis Ian @ Eddie’s Attic
Oct. 13: Maria Gabriella Band & God-des and She @ My Sister’s Room
Oct. 13: Roxie Watson @ Red Clay Theatre
Oct. 13-14: Andy Bell, Amy Ray, Rita Ora, Kristine W and more @ Atlanta Pride
Oct. 18: R Kelly @ the Fox Theatre
Oct. 20: Rufus Wainwright @ The Tabernacle
Oct. 20: John Legend @ Chastain Park
Oct. 21: Patty Griffin @ Red Clay Theatre
Oct. 21: TAKIOPROJECT @ Ferst Center
Oct. 25: Alanis Morissette @ The Tabernacle
Oct. 25: Psychedlic Furs @ Variety Playhouse
Oct. 29: Susanna Hoffs @ Eddie’s Attic
November
Nov. 3: Rebecca Loebe @ Eddie’s Attic
Nov. 7: Heart @ The Fox Theatre
Nov. 8: Joshua Radin @ Buckhead Theatre
Nov. 11: Michelle Shocked @ Red Clay Theatre
Nov. 12: Melissa Etheridge @ Atlanta Symphony Hall
Nov. 16: Antigone Rising & Jen Foster @ Eddie’s Attic
Nov. 17: Madonna @ Philips Arena
Nov. 28: Ray LaMontagne @ Cobb Energy Centre
Nov. 30: Dave Koz @ Cobb Energy Centre
December
Dec. 1: Hannah Thomas @ Eddie’s Attic
Dec. 2: Empire Brass @ Ferst Center
Dec. 3: Morrisey @ Cobb Energy Centre
Dec. 7: Indigo Girls with Ga. Symphony @ Cobb Energy
Dec. 15: Roxie Watson @ Eddie’s Attic
Dec. 20: Celtic Woman @ Symphony Hall
Dec. 31: Michelle Malone @ Eddie’s Attic
Top photo: Melissa Etheridge, Madonna and Morrissey (publicity photos)