If you want to avoid the scalpers and Craigslist scams, consult this handy guide to the shows soon to go on sale …

With their fourth studio album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, due out next month, Coldplay kicks off the U.S. portion of their world tour with a 100 percent free concert at Madison Square Garden on June 23rd. Click here to enter to win tickets. If you’re not feeling lucky, you can opt into their June 29th show at the Wachovia Center for $49.50-$97.50. On sale Friday, 10 a.m.

What is Hall without Oates? Find out at the Keswick on July 12th as he takes to the stage without his mustachioed half. $45-$55. On sale this morning, 10 a.m.

If you’re a fan of the self-indulgent 30-minute solos associated with prog rock, don’t miss Jon Anderson and his boys from Yes at the Susquehanna Bank Center (which you’re still probably calling by its old, old name, the E-Center) on July 21st. $50-$150. On sale Friday, 10 a.m.

And stay tuned for information on upcoming Madonna and, um, New Kids on the Block shows.

If you want to avoid the scalpers and Craigslist scams, consult this handy guide to the shows soon to go on sale …

Here’s hoping he leans more toward the “Higher Ground” and “Living for the City” repertoire and less toward the “I Just Called to Say I Love You” songbook. Either way, Stevie Wonder is a legend and totally deserving of the $175 price tag ($75 and $120 tix also available) for his show at AC’s Mark G. Etess Arena on June 21st. On sale Saturday, noon.

I could have sworn that the Eagles (think “Hotel California” and “Desperado,” not McNabb and Reid) embarked on a “Farewell Tour” some time ago. So either they never stopped and have been on that same tour for years, which seems unlikely, or they are bold-faced liars. They play the Wachovia Center on July 14th. Tickets are $50, $85 and $185. On sale Monday, 10 a.m.

And for those that like their music frenetic and edgy — or, at least, music that was once frenetic and edgy — the Nine Inch Nails are heading our way. The band just announced that fans can download a completely free copy of their new album. Really. Unfortunately, their August 29th show at the Wachovia Center is not free. It is $44.50-$54. On sale Saturday, 10 a.m.

If you want to avoid the scalpers and Craigslist scams, consult this handy guide to the shows soon to go on sale …

First John Mellencamp performed for Obama, now he’s scheduled to do so for Hillary in Indiana, and then for you at the Mann Music Center on July 8th. Something tells me this is going to be one of those annoying concerts where you want to hear “Jack and Diane” but all he wants to do is wax politic. $65 to $95. On sale this Saturday, 10 a.m.

The O’Jays, Stylistics, Bluenotes, Delfonics, MFSB and Soul Survivors remind us what The Sound of Philadelphia was all about at the Borgata on June 7th. $45 to $75. On sale this Saturday, 10 a.m.

Journey brings their anthemic power ballads, not to mention Heart and Cheap Trick, to Hershey Park on August 28th. $85 to $125. On sale this Saturday, 10 a.m.

And finally, the Black Crowes and their peace-loving, jam- (and weed-) crazy fans take over the Fillmore at the TLA for not one, not two, but three nights, July 1st through 3rd. $46. On sale this Friday, 10 a.m.

If you want to avoid the scalpers and Craigslist scams, consult this handy guide to the shows soon to go on sale …

Snoop Dogg, the man who brought us “Gin and Juice” and the suffix “-izzle,” brings the honeys and suitcases full of weed (and, oh yeah, bands Fiction Plane and 311) to the Festival Pier on July 17th. $49.50. On sale this Friday, 10 a.m.

A picnic-perfect show: Sheryl Crow with James Blunt and Toots & the Maytals at the Mann Center on August 2nd. $49.50-$85. On sale this Saturday, 10 a.m.

Love ’em or hate ’em (I fall into the latter category) Steely Dan does the Borgata on June 27th. Ticket prices not published yet, but you can bet it will be expensive, and it will sell out, just like everything else at the Borgata. UPDATED: Tickets are $75 to $125. On sale this Saturday, 10 a.m.

And the born-in-Philly Paul Green School of Rock throws its annual festival, this year with the Dropkick Murphys, the Butthole Surfers and, yes, Devo! Festival Pier and the Electric Factory, June 27th through 29th. Individual shows $25 to $37.50. Two- and three-day discounted passes available. On sale this Saturday, 10 a.m.

If you want to avoid the scalpers and Craigslist scams, consult this handy guide to the shows soon to go on sale …

In case you can’t make her Liacouras show this Monday, Alicia Keys is bringing her Grammy-winning voice to the Mark G. Etess Arena in A.C. on Saturday, May 31. She’ll be there with tag-a-longs pop singer-songwriter Ne-Yo and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. It’ll be pop-tacular. $76-$96. On sale Saturday, 12 p.m.

The Projekt Revolution Tour, featuring Linkin Park, Chris Cornell, the Bravery and Ashes Divide, comes to the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden on Saturday, July 19. I know Linkin Park hasn’t been “in” since I was in 8th or 9th grade, but I still have those lyrics memorized. And the Bravery is one of those cool, indie bands that all my cool, indie friends listen to, but they’re actually pretty enjoyable. $30.75-$76.75. Pre-sale today at 10 a.m., on sale Saturday, 10 a.m.

Bloc Party, one of my favorite accidentally-stumbled-upon bands, hits the TLA Tuesday, August 5, with Does It Offend You, Yeah?, one of the wackiest bands I’ve ever heard, with a mildly-offensive techno beat in the background of all their songs. Sure, you can’t understand half the words, but it’s okay in a White Stripes meets the Gorillaz kind of way. $27. On sale Friday, 12 p.m.

If you’re more in the mood for some comedy (or religion-bashing) instead, Bill Maher is coming to the Borgata in A.C. on Saturday, May 31. $45-$65. On sale Friday, 10 a.m.

If you want to avoid the scalpers and Craigslist scams, consult this handy guide to the shows soon to go on sale …

Former James Brown saxman Maceo Parker (pictured) brings his suave stage show — one that the Godfather himself would approve of completely — to the House of Blues in A.C. on Thursday, June 12th. $28.50-$31. On sale Saturday, 10 a.m.

Alluring trumpeter Chris Botti, who has collaborated with everyone from Sinatra to Jill Scott to Paul Simon, will squeak and squeal at the HOB on Friday, October 17th. Yes, they’re already selling shows for THE FALL. $37-$64. On sale Saturday, 10 a.m.

Back-from-the-dead Steve Miller Band and Joe Cocker will attempt to rock the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel on Sunday, July 20th. $20.25-$75.25. On sale Saturday, 10 a.m.

Personally, I’d much rather see a thought-provoking act like Radiohead in an intimate venue such as the Tower, but I guess if all I can get is an outdoor show at Susquehanna Bank Center (once known as the Tweeter), so be it. Tuesday, August 12th. $39.75-$59.75. On sale Saturday, 10 a.m.

And, um. Wait, this can’t be right. Menudo? Menudo? As in the boy band? I just don’t understand. Aren’t they all dead? Apparently, some form of it lives on. See for yourself (or don’t) at the Fillmore/TLA. Sunday, May 18th. $22.50. On sale Friday, noon.

If you want to avoid the scalpers and Craigslist scams, consult this handy guide to the shows soon to go on sale …

Fans of hip-hop and R&B, get your credit cards ready, because there is no shortage of killer shows for your enjoyment. The one I’m most excited about: Bootsy Collins (pictured) — the enigmatic and a little bit crazy man who pretty much invented the funk bass — is bringing his Tribute to the Godfather of Soul to the Electric Factory on May 1st ($40, on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.). In support of their fantastic and soon-to-be-released (there’s an advance copy floating around the office) new album, Rising Down, The Roots team up with Gnarls Barkley on June 7th at Penn’s Landing ($49.50, also this Friday at 10 a.m.). And significantly less riveting but still worth mentioning, the very respectable Erykah Badu graces the Tower (wish more acts would go there) on May 11th ($39.50 to $60, on sale Monday at 10 a.m.).

For a show that couldn’t be any more demographically different from the aforementioned acts, look no further than those British madmen known as Iron Maiden. Though I’m not a tremendous fan, I do admit to playing “The Number of the Beast” in the morning at the office if I am overly tired (read: hung over). It does wonders. Camden will never be the same after their appearance at the Susquehanna Bank Center (the old Tweeter, in case you haven’t been keeping track) on June 17th ($29.50 to $75, on sale Saturday at 11 a.m.).

And for those of you who find all of this appalling and have absolutely no musical taste, you’ll always have Belinda Carlisle. Yes, I said it: Belinda Carlisle. Now, the Go-Go’s are perfectly OK by me. They served a purpose at a certain time in a certain place. But some solo careers are best left unpursued, and Miss Heaven Is a Place on Earth should have let go a long time ago. (That said, she absolutely should continue posing nude in men’s magazines, like she did in 2001 at the age of 42.) If you vehemently disagree with my read on her musical talent, head to A.C. on May 17th when she takes a gamble at the House of Blues ($35 to $47, on sale Friday at 10 a.m.).

If you want to avoid the scalpers and Craigslist scams, consult this handy guide to the shows soon to go on sale …

You’re pretty much shit out of luck for next Sunday’s killer Mary J. Blige/Jay-Z show at Wachovia. Lucky for you, the pair just announced a May 3rd gig at Boardwalk Hall. Pre-sale this morning at 10 a.m.; Saturday for the general public. $65 to $350.

Dr. John is a guy that you should see at least once. This strange man from New Orleans brings the Rebirth Brass Band to the Electric Factory on April 14th. Set your alarm for this Saturday, 10 a.m. $35.

There was no way I was going to yet another Jam on the River. But then they went and brought in the Flaming Lips, so it’s hard to resist. Penn’s Landing, May 24th and 25th. On sale this Saturday, 10 a.m. $40.

Weird Al Yankovic? Don’t know where the hell he’s been. But I do know that he’ll be at the House of Blues in A.C. on July 9th. On sale this Saturday, 10 a.m. $26 to $48.

If you want to avoid the scalpers and Craigslist scams, set your alarm for 10 a.m. Saturday morning, when these shows go on sale …

A man who truly knows what he’s talking about when he sings about taking a “walk on the wild side,” former Velvet Undergrounder Lou Reed brings his enigmatic self to the Electric Factory on Saturday, April 19th. I’d rather see him at the Tower, but this rare glimpse at his weird genius should not be missed. $39.50.

Though Cyndi Lauper is pretty high on my list of people to see, the presence of Rosie O’Donnell, the B-52s, and Carson Kressley with her at the June 13th True Colors charity show at the Borgata makes me want to stay far, far away from Atlantic City that night. $75. (And if you just have to hear “Love Shack” performed live — and I have, and can tell you it’s really not worth it — the B-52s hit the Fillmore at the TLA on April 25th.)

This weekend’s Lewis Black shows at the Borgata are way sold out, but before you overpay online, you should know that the frenetic comedian just announced a May 10th appearance at the Commerce Bank Arts Center in Sewell. $43 to $60.

I really don’t understand how this whole ticket sale thing works — seats keep popping up on ComcastTix for tonight’s Bon Jovi show at the Wachovia Center (last night’s sold out), from $129.50-apiece floor seats (including pairs) to inexplicable $16.50 seats, which is less than the suggested retail price of Jon Bon’s newest CD.

If you’ve been craving the much-rumored-about Led Zeppelin reunion, you’re going to have to wait until singer Robert Plant finishes his tour with the folksy Alison Krauss, featuring songs from their critically acclaimed and very unexpected new CD, Raising Sand. Tickets for their June 8th show at the Borgata just went on sale at 10 a.m.