The one and only Sting comes to the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport on Sept. 9.

From heavy metal to hip-hop, country to classical, this season’s concert lineup will have you singing, clapping, dancing and head-banging along. Here are our picks for the hottest music shows of the season. (All shows at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.)

Sept. 7: Boy George & Culture Club >> An ’80s pop icon finally reuniting with the band that helped make him famous? That should be reason enough to attend this one. | Foxwoods Resort Casino Premier Theater, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket

Sept. 9: Sting >> The taut one-name wonder delivers hits from his days with the Police to his solo career. | Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport

Sept. 9: Nas and Wu-Tang Clan >> Two hip-hop legends close out the season at one of Connecticut’s biggest venues. | Xfinity Theatre, 61 Savitt Way, Hartford; 203-265-1501

Sept. 10: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss >> After their massively successful 2007 collaboration Raising Sand, the legendary Led Zeppelin lead singer and country star reunite to Raise the Roof with songs from their new album. | Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket

The Doobie Brothers play at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport on Sept. 11.

Sept. 11: The Doobie Brothers >> Time flies when you’re making dozens of hits. The Doobie Brothers bring their 50th anniversary tour to Bridgeport for one night only. | Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport

Sept. 13: Outlaw Music Fest featuring Willie Nelson >> It may not be Farm Aid, but Willie Nelson brings his “other” extremely popular traveling festival to the Amp. | Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport

Sept. 14: Bauhaus >> Grab your eyeliner, black lipstick, and the blackest clothes you own for the triumphant return of these goth legends. | College Street Music Hall, 238 College St., New Haven; 203-867-2000

Sept. 15: Spiritual Rez >> You are guaranteed that the positive vibes will be flowing when this reggae fusion act takes the stage. | Broad Brook Opera House, 107 Main St., East Windsor; 860-558-9202

Sept. 16: The Piano Guys >> Pop hits, classical compositions, film scores, and original music all swirl together within a fantastic piano and cello duo. | Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road, Unit 3104, University of Connecticut, Storrs; 860-486-4226

Sept. 17: Il Volo >> The Italian operatic pop trio belts out tracks from their new album, Il Volo Sings Morricone, dedicated to the late Italian maestro. 7 p.m. | Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville

Sept. 18: Cassatt String Quartet and Eliot Fisk >> Listen to pieces from Haydn, Godfrey, Turina and Boccherini performed by the powerhouse four-piece and the virtuoso guitarist Fisk in one of Connecticut’s most bucolic settings for live music. 3 p.m. | Music Mountain, 225 Music Mountain Road, Falls Village; 860-824-7126

Sept. 21: The Infamous Stringdusters >> Fresh off a Grammy nomination in 2021 and a new album in 2022, one of Nashville’s most progressive bluegrass acts makes a Connecticut tour stop. | Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven; 203-624-8623

Old Crow Medicine Show will perform at the Garde Arts Center in New London Sept. 24.

Sept. 24: Old Crow Medicine Show >> Americana string band and Grand Ole Opry members Old Crow Medicine Show always deliver electric performances. | Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; 860-444-7373, ext. 1

Sept. 30: Cyndi Lauper >> Pop legend Cyndi Lauper still has one of the most enigmatic and recognizable voices in popular music, and never disappoints in the live setting. | Levitt Pavilion, 40 Jesup Road, Westport; 203-602-4122

Oct. 1: The Cactus Blossoms >> The alt-country/indie folk sibling duo write music that harks back to the sweet melodies and soulful harmonies of ’60s folk and pop. 7:45 p.m. | Fairfield Theater Company, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield; 203-259-1036

Oct. 2: North Mississippi Allstars >> The blues-based jam-rock outfit can engulf any venue in danceable rhythms and rollicking bombast. | Infinity Music Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford; 866-666-6306

Oct. 5: Billy Bragg >> The modern era’s king of the protest song, Irish singer-songwriter Bragg offers up a night of punk-infused folk rock. 7:30 p.m. | Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge Road, Ridgefield; 203-438-5795

Oct. 9: Hall & Oates >> From their ’70s blue-eyed soul to their ’80s pop crossover, Hall & Oates are sure to come armed with a catalog of recognizable hits. 7 p.m. | Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville

Oct. 13: Judas Priest and Queensrÿche >> Heavy metal legends and recent Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame inductees Judas Priest join forces with fellow classic metal heads Queensrÿche. 7:30 p.m. | Oakdale Theatre, 95 S. Turnpike Road, Wallingford; 203-265-1501

Oct. 15: Gilberto Santa Rosa >> Backed by more than a dozen musicians, the Puerto Rican salsa and bolero legend will enchant audiences with over 40 years worth of infectious music. | The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford; 860-987-5900

Oct. 21: Celebrating David Bowie >> Top-shelf multi-instrumentalists including Todd Rundgren, former Bowie music director Adrian Belew, guitarist Angelo Bundini (aka Scrote), Angelo Moore of Fishbone, Royston Langdon of Spacehog, and more interpret the many hits of the Picasso of Pop. | College Street Music Hall, 238 College St., New Haven; 203-867-2000

Oct. 27: Lee Greenwood >> Few country artists have crossed as easily from country to contemporary pop as Lee Greenwood. He brings a career’s worth of hits to the Brass City for one night only. 7:30 p.m. | Palace Theater, 100 E. Main St., Waterbury; 203-346-2000

Nov. 4: Rhett Miller >> Miller is known for being the front man of alt-country act the Old 97s. This is a rare chance to see his solo work in an intimate setting. 9 p.m. | Café Nine, 250 State St., New Haven; 203-789-8281

Joanne Shaw Taylor will play the blues at the Bushnell Nov. 9.

Nov. 9: Joanne Shaw Taylor >> One of the hottest names in the blues today, Taylor will perform tracks from her newest album, Blues From The Heart Live. | The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford; 860-987-5900

Nov. 10: Blind Boys of Alabama >> The gospel/blues greats will be joined on this show by harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite. 7:30 p.m. | Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge Road, Ridgefield; 203-438-5795

Nov. 11: Streetlight Manifesto >> Delivering an upbeat brand of third wave ska with a pop-punk sensibility, New Jersey’s Streetlight Manifesto is guaranteed to get you moving. | College Street Music Hall, 238 College St., New Haven; 203-867-2000

Nov. 16: The Small Glories >> Canada’s The Small Glories are a roots-rock dynamic duo and an absolute tour-de-force on the stage. Exceptional local act The Meadows Brothers opens. 7:30 p.m. | Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook; 860-510-0453

Nov. 18: NRBQ >> Rhythm and blues act NRBQ have played a litany of legendary shows, including here in Connecticut. This is lining up to be another. | Wall Street Theater, 71 Wall St., Norwalk; 203-831-5004

Nov. 19: Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra >> The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra performs Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 featuring soloist Igor Pikayzen, and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7. | Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; 860-444-7373, ext. 1

EXHIBITIONS Our rundown of shows at the state’s visual arts museums is guaranteed to delight and intrigue. Plus, meet fine-art photographer Theo Coulombe, who finds inspiration in the landscapes of the Northwest Corner. THEATER These are the Autumn plays and dance performances you’ll want to book now. And meet Westport native actor Clay Singer as he prepares to embark on a national Broadway tour. MUSIC This season’s concert lineup will have you singing, clapping, dancing and head-banging along. We also visit with Hartford hip-hop musician Tenaya Taylor who is making a name with socially conscious rhymes and boppin’ beats; and take a look at 5 recent album releases from Connecticut musicians. COMEDY Dozens of comedians are coming to Connecticut this fall, including Greenwich native and funnyman Joey Rinaldi, who shares his (hilarious) tale of childhood pain. FESTIVALS From oyster festivals to medieval merriment, celebrate fall with music, art and food. NEW BOOKS First-time novelist Timothy Cole has found a formula with his Gold Coast-set murder-mystery series, and 8 more new and upcoming releases by Connecticut authors. PLUS: Tips to help you get the most out of Connecticut's arts scene — without worrying about breaking the bank. 

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