Christmas is close, sure, but the Deck the Hall Ball is even closer.
The annual holiday show put on by 107.7 The End will again bring a stacked line-up of alt-rock heavyweights to KeyArena. The fun starts at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9.
This year’s line-up features two big names — one old and one new — in the headlining spots. Weezer is the old act. This year the group is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its self-titled alt-pop classic, affectionately known as the “Blue Album.”
While that disc features some of its best known material — “Buddy Holly,” “Undone (The Sweater Song),” and “Say It Ain’t So” — the group also is back on the charts thanks to its critically acclaimed new album, “Everything Will Be Alright in the End.”
As for the show’s newer act, that’s Imagine Dragons. Like Weezer, the group got off to a strong start. Its debut album “Night Visions” — a disc that was anthemic, melodic, and sprinkled with synthesizers — featured a long string of hit singles, including “Radioactive,” “It’s Time” and “Demons.”
The group is gearing up to release its second album, with lead single, “Battle Cry,” now starting to climb the charts.
The rest of the bill includes a heavy mix of critical favorites and up-and-coming stars. Cage the Elephant, Young the Giant, TV on the Radio, Kongos, Vance Joy and Royal Blood all will get a chance to play their biggest hits during the night.
Tickets are $70.07 to $111.54 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Speaking of biggest hits, that will be the focus of Rufus Wainwright’s upcoming show at the Moore Theatre, as the lauded pop-pianist tours behind his best-of compilation, “Vibrate.”
Wainwright, who is playing Saturday, Dec. 6, has won a small but fiercely loyal following since his 1998 self-titled debut. Though ultimately a cult favorite, his incredibly smooth vocals and melodic blend of pop, musical theater and opera create his sound, which manages to be both unique and familiar — practically the definition of good pop music.
Though he can’t claim any actual huge hits, fans can expect to hear well-loved tracks like “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” and “Going to a Town,” among others.
Tickets are $32.50 to $42.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
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Steve Hackett also is headed to the Moore Theatre, as the Genesis guitarist plays a solo show at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Hackett joined Genesis in 1971 and stuck with the band through 1977, helping establish its take on prog-rock-meets pop. Though he wasn’t around for the group’s biggest pop hits, most of which landed in the 1980s and early 1990s, his work with the group helped serve to establish its early following.
His solo work didn’t make as large a mark on the mainstream, as albums like “Spectral Mornings” and “Please Don’t Touch,” released after his stint in Genesis ended, instead pleased his most loyal fans.
Tickets are $37 to $122.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
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Jeezy will hit the Showbox SoDo a few months after his release from jail on gun charges — he posted bail in August. The rapper will play at 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 as he tours behind his most recent hit album, “Seen It All: The Autobiography.”
That disc, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, featured plenty of raw and police-baiting lyrics from the Atlanta rapper. It also featured a few other big names — rappers including Jay Z, Rick Ross, Future and Akon all appeared on the disc.
Tickets are $30 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
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Finally, the alt-metal supergroup Down will play the Showbox at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10.
The group — which features members of Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity, and Crowbar — is touring now behind “Down IV: Part II,” a 30-minute EP that cracked the top 40 upon its release in May.
Tickets are $27.50 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
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