in pop music, familiarity breeds a concert tour

So this Weekend Life's music coverage is all about new stars for '07. But what about the old stars who'll be visiting town? Here's a look at what's on tap for live performances those that are confirmed and those that have us crossing our fingers.

Stepping up: Soft-rockers Snow Patrol graduate from the clubs to the Northrop for an April 6 gig, while the Decemberists have just announced a new round of dates heavy on theaters and larger venues (there's no local stop in the mix, but they'll likely be back here later in the year). "Saturday Night Live" stars the Shins' Feb. 8 tour kickoff at First Avenue sold out immediately and may mark the band's farewell to rooms of that size although, to be honest, they're not exactly stunning live performers, so a future in theaters (with comfy seats) makes sense.

Returning heroes: Chicago's own Wilco returns with a new album in May and Icelandic kook Bjork has a fresh disc on tap as well, which is said to include collaborations with Timbaland and Antony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons). Both will tour, although Bjork might end up sticking to major festivals and the largest markets.
Brad Paisley: Now that he has scored three No.

1 singles from his latest album, "Time Well Wasted," Paisley will spend the spring and summer on his biggest road outing to date. It wraps up with an Aug. 23 stop at the Minnesota State Fair and boasts an exceptionally smart lineup of opening acts, including Jack Ingram, "American Idol" star Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift, whose debut album just topped a half-million in sales.

Evanescence: After packing the fans in at First Avenue last fall, these multiplatinum goth rockers return to the road for a proper arena tour. The first leg includes two stops in Iowa (Council Bluffs on March 22 and Cedar Rapids the following night) with additional, to-be-announced dates to follow in late spring.
Rage Against the Machine: Following months of speculation, Los Angeles' famed alt-funk-metal foursome announced this week they are reuniting for the Coachella festival, held in late April in the California desert.

A full tour would surely do big business, although so far it looks like a one-time-only deal. RATM guitarist Tom Morello has a solo album due in April and has said he'll tour on his own to support it.
More reunions: Fans and promoters continue to salivate over the prospect of Sting getting back together with Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland for a Police tour, and this year does mark the trio's 30th anniversary.

The only official word thus far is a confirmation from the group's record label that "something special" will mark the occasion, but "the depth of the band's involvement still remains undetermined." Meanwhile, Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford launch a Genesis tour abroad this summer, with plans to hit the States in the fall.
Gwen Stefani: In what was supposed to be a slam-dunk, the No Doubt chanteuse issued her second solo album in December and announced a tour that includes a June 5 stop at Xcel Energy Center (tickets aren't on sale yet).

But her disc, "The Sweet Escape," arrived to mixed reviews and confused fans who don't know how to take her newfound love of "Sound of Music" samples and what Stefani has described as her "coke whore" makeover.
Keith Urban: Now that he's clean, sober and out of rehab, Mr. Nicole Kidman will start properly promoting his latest album, "Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing," which has thus far underperformed at retail.

A tour announcement is imminent, and it's probably a safe to assume he'll stop by the Cities at some point this summer.
Rock royalty: As Prince so spectacularly proved in 2004, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame provides a perfect excuse to stage a comeback, and this year's crop includes R.E.

M. and Van Halen. The former are expected to play the ceremony in March with departed drummer Bill Berry sitting in, following a reunion of the four in September when they were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

While they're supposedly working on a new album, there's no release date and a full tour seems unlikely in the near future. Van Halen, meanwhile, has been dropping hints for two years about a tour with David Lee Roth. If it happens, it'll be the car-crash spectacle of the year.

Pop Music Critic Ross Raihala can be reached at or 651-228-5553. Read more about the local music scene on his blog, "The Ross Who Knew Too Much," at blogs. twincities.

com/ross.