ATL UNTRAPPED: A Month Of Morale

Sat., July 16

FLOAT: K Camp is one of many artists slated to perform at Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash. PHOTO CREDIT: Thiree Pennock

Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash 2022, Center Parc Credit Union Stadium — It wouldn’t be summertime in Atlanta without Hot 107.9’s annual Birthday Bash, and for the second consecutive year, the beloved one-day festival will return to Georgia State University’s Center Parc Credit Union Stadium. This year, 2 Chainz will headline the concert, and surprisingly, a lot of out-of-town talent is set to round out the bill. Yo Gotti and many of his CMG artists — including MoneyBagg Yo, EST Gee, Big Boogie, and potentially even his brand new signee GloRilla — will be performing, and Kodak Black, Nardo Wick, and Beat King will also be hitting the Birthday Bash stage. If you’re wondering where all of the Atlanta-bred acts are hiding, rest assured that up-and-coming local artists such as Kali, Hunxho, SwaVay, Omerettà The Great, and Pap Chanel will also be making appearances throughout the show. — Joshua Robinson

$69-$325. 6:00 p.m. Center Parc Credit Union Stadium, 755 Hank Aaron Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30315. www.georgiastatesports.com//. @centerparcatl

SONDER CITY: BOREGARD., who is currently operating under his evil alter-ego NOREGARD., is one of the exciting local acts headlining Lotus Rosery’s latest festival. PHOTO CREDIT: QualityLenz

Lotus Rosery: Sonder City, The Loft — Even before Anwar Dougsiyeh, Oni Culbreath, and Tiryk Borrego’s lauded local festival was first featured in CL back in 2020, Lotus Rosery was building a reputation for itself as one of the most trusted and beloved underground music showcases in Atlanta. Now, after years of growth and plenty of major brand collaborations, Lotus Rosery has reached the end of an era. Before the youthful and creative brand switches gears and starts putting on larger events, the LR team has decided to close this enthralling chapter with Sonder City. As always, the Lotus Rosery line-up is packed with popular local talent, including Amelia, BOREGARD., Coley Gilchrist, Jasmine Janai, SONNYNOTNICE, Spaceman V, S.U.R.F., Tahj Keeton, Trent In The Trees, and Z6Saint. There will also be visual artists — such as CantKillMySol, Fatou Bessem, and LR’s own Oni Culbreath, among others — and special guests, so don’t miss out on Lotus Rosery’s most pivotal festival yet. — Joshua Robinson

$10-$15. 8:00 p.m. The Loft, 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309. https://www.centerstage-atlanta.com/. @centerstageatl

Thurs., July 21

WHAT WON’T HE DO?: Father is bringing his new album, "Young Hot Ebony 2," to Vinyl for an Awful homecoming concert. PHOTO CREDIT: Centel O Mangum

Father, Vinyl — Although a full decade hasn’t even passed since Father, Key!, and iLoveMakonnen linked up for the mid-2010s Atlanta classic “Look at Wrist,” it definitely feels like the Awful Records era was ages ago. That all changes this month when Father returns to the city that launched his career. Fresh off the release of Young Hot Ebony 2, the Awful Records founder has hit the road for the Good Things Come To Those Who Take Tour, and the eight-date tour will wrap up in Atlanta at Vinyl. With Archibald Slim and Ethereal among the talent tapped as openers, the concert is set to be an Awful extravaganza, and it should be real a treat to see how much Father has grown in the eight years between Young Hot Ebony and its newly unleashed sequel. — Joshua Robinson

$17-$20. 8:00 p.m. Vinyl, 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309. https://www.centerstage-atlanta.com/. @centerstageatl

Sat., July 30

MR. MORALE: Fresh off his gripping fifth studio album, Kendrick Lamar is taking over State Farm Arena with his two PGLang artists, Baby Keem and Tanna Leone. PHOTO CREDIT: Renell Medrano

Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem, Tanna Leone, State Farm Arena — Kendrick Lamar resurfaced in May to drop off his highly anticipated fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, and this month, the lauded rapper, poet, and vanguard will be bringing his new body of work to State Farm Arena. In addition to a rare performance from Kendrick Lamar, the Big Steppers Tour will also feature two of PGLang’s most promising young acts: Tanna Leone and Lamar’s Grammy-winning cousin, Baby Keem. Tanna Leone and Baby Keem will be performing tunes from their latest projects — Sleepy Soldier and The Melodic Blue, respectively — as well, so the Big Steppers Tour should be a perfect mix of established and rising talent. This show will likely be the hip-hop concert of the summer, so secure your tickets as soon as possible and get ready to help Mr. Morale get out of the box. — Joshua Robinson

$110-$239+. 7:30 p.m. State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303. www.statefarmarena.com/. @statefarmarena