BOSTON CALLING What we love the most about the latest installment of the fest that’s changed the city’s landscape: You won’t find a more female-forward lineup, yet they’re treating this as business as usual. Headliners include Sia and Sufjan Stevens (May 27), Robyn and Odesza (May 28), and Disclosure, Haim, and Janelle Monáe — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. May 27-29. Tickets: $60 (May 27), $85 (May 28, 29), VIP $150 (May 27), $185 (May 28, 29); two- and three-day passes available. City Hall Plaza. www.bostoncalling.com
Beyoncé We’d barely stopped vibrating from Queen Bey’s stark, enigmatic “Formation’’ when she rocked the world with her new video album. When life gives you “Lemonade,’’ you jump in the car and make tracks for the stadium. June 3. Tickets: $50-$310. Gillette Stadium, Foxborough. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com
AT THE DRIVE-IN It’s understandable that some might be skeptical about the reunion of this crucial Texas post-hardcore band, especially after the messy end of its most visible splinter faction, the Mars Volta. But hit YouTube for footage from recent AtDI shows and you see instantly that even with guitarist-singer Jim Ward sitting this one out, the band means business. June 18. Tickets: $40-$55. House of Blues. 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com
PAUL SIMON Few veteran singer-songwriters have combined a reliable knack for delivering solid tunes with an endless appetite for sonic curiosity as successfully as Simon; the latest proof is “Stranger to Stranger’’ (due June 3), a stack of 11 new songs that positively buzz with ingenuity. June 24. Tickets: $54.50-$144.50. Blue Hills Bank Pavilion. 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com
BOB DYLAN + MAVIS STAPLES Here’s a case of iconic performers venturing toward new horizons while moving in opposite directions: Dylan with classic-pop standards made famous by Sinatra, Staples in songs by modern-day troubadours and alt-rockers. July 2. Tickets: $37.50-$149.50. Tanglewood, Lenox. 888-266-1200, www.bso.org; July 14. Tickets: $39.50-$129.50. Blue Hills Bank Pavilion. 800-745-3000,www.livenation.com
GWEN STEFANI It’s an incredible season for brassy leading ladies; at TD Garden alone we’ve got Selena Gomez (May 28), Ellie Goulding (June 15), and Demi Lovato (July 20) in sight. Still, nothing gets us bananas like the prospect of a date with Stefani, touring in support of her new LP, “This Is What the Truth Feels Like.’’ July 12. Tickets: $29.95-$149.95. Xfinity Center, Mansfield. 800-745-3000, www.live nation.com
DEAD & COMPANY Maybe Dead & Company, the new Grateful Dead spin-off with singer-guitarist John Mayer (but no Phil Lesh), came too soon after you’d shed your tears for “Fare Thee Well.’’ Maybe you didn’t think Mayer could cut it. Maybe you didn’t want to drive to Worcester in the rain last November. Or maybe you were there, in which case you already know this combo can deliver transcendence. July 15, 16. Tickets: $55-$104. Fenway Park. boston.redsox.mlb.com
DRAKE + FUTURE Kanye and Beyoncé might have stolen most of the media thunder, but don’t feel bad for Drake: With his new LP, “Views,’’ and its lead-off single, “One Dance,’’ topping their respective charts, the Toronto rapper set a new Billboard record with 20 simultaneous Hot 100 spots. And with the red-hot MC Future setting the stage, count on Drake to bring his A-game. Aug. 10. Tickets: $45-$145. TD Garden. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com
BLACK SABBATH Black Sabbath isn’t the only band calling it quits after one final round of touring — we’ll also say goodbye to Motion City Soundtrack (June 12, 13, Paradise Rock Club) and the Go-Go’s (Aug. 8, House of Blues) this summer — but it’s the heaviest and the most historic, so little else matters. Aug. 25. Tickets: $29.50-$163.50. Xfinity Center, Mansfield. 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com
FLUME The EDM producer/DJ born Harley Streten released his self-titled 2012 debut LP on the same day One Direction’s “Take Me Home’’ landed — and in his native Australia unceremoniously squashed the popular boy band flat. In April he set Coachella afire; now, with sophomore set “Skin’’ due May 27, he’s fanning the flames, and tickets are scarce already. Aug. 29, 30. Tickets: $30-$45. House of Blues. 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com
STEVE SMITH
Steve Smith can be reached at steven.smith@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @nightafternight.
