Somewhere along the line, something funny happened to Kelly Clarkson.
The first “American Idol” winner seemed destined for a short career. She was just another pre-fabricated pop star, right?
Wrong. Along with her immense commercial success — a string of No. 1 songs and albums in the past eight years — Clarkson’s independent streak has garnered critical accolades. She’s won two Grammys, and National Public Radio recently named “Since U Been Gone” as one of the decade’s most notable songs.
Her Tuesday show in Seattle will give fans yet another taste of her sizable talent. Recent concerts have found her playing her biggest hits along with covers of the White Stripes, the Black Keys and Kings of Leon.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, WaMu Theater, WaMu Theater, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle; $47.50 to $57.50; ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Some may think of twinkling lights at Christmastime. The guys in Trans-Siberian Orchestra think of lasers.
One of the few groups that owes a significant debt to Mannheim Steamroller, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will deliver its amped-up take on holiday carols during two Seattle shows.
The group synchronizes its performance with pyrotechnic explosions and an elaborate light show, melding heavy metal theatrics with a seasonal song book.
3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Key Arena, 305 Harrison St., Seattle; $36.03 to $71.03; ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Them Crooked Vultures: The Vultures that make up this supergroup have an impressive pedigree.
Them Crooked Vultures features Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) on drums, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) on bass and keyboards, and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) on vocals and guitar.
The group’s darkly flamboyant take on hard rock has led to one self-titled album. Now the three men will take their music to the masses, as their first headlining tour stops in Seattle.
8 p.m. Saturday, Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle; $41.50; stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
The Swell Season: An Oscar can do amazing things.
Before the Swell Season won theirs, the two-person group had a small but loyal audience who were taken with the romantic take on simple acoustic songs.
Then the group — Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard — starred in the indie film, “Once.” The movie spawned a hit single, “Falling Slowly,” which won an Academy Award in 2008.
Expect to hear that track as the band plays Seattle.
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle; $32; stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Wolfmother: These hard rockers already have some major wins and losses.
They won a Grammy for their blistering 2006 single, “Woman,” which channeled Led Zeppelin.
Then they lost two of their founding members.
Frontman Andrew Stockdale continued the group, however, and will play Seattle as he tours with a new rhythm section behind the group’s lauded October album, “Cosmic Egg.”
7:30 tonight, Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle; $26.50; stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Great Big Sea: This Newfoundland group has been awash with success for years in its native Canada, where its blend of sea shanties and modern rock has led to chart-topping success.
The group’s live shows mix traditional songs with original work. Their raucous gigs often become giant sing-alongs, as stateside fans will realize during an Edmonds show.
7:30 tonight, Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds; $15 to $35; www.ec4arts.org or 425-275-9595.
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com.
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