Fall concert line-up

Looking for better ways to distract yourself during this semester besides playing Xbox? Diversions has sifted through the Washington-Baltimore area and found some pretty hefty pop artists heading our way. Check it out:

John Mayer and Sheryl Crow at Nissan Pavilion

In the world of pop music, the touring duo of John Mayer and Sheryl Crow certainly tops the current list. You can start your semester off with a bang and see the Grammy winners hit Bristow, Va., on Sept. 3. Tickets start at $30.50, but they’re well worth it.

Mariah Carey at Verizon Center

Know who else’s “body is a wonderland”? Mariah Carey’s. Oh yeah, and she’ll be showing off her pipes, too, on Sept. 7 in Washington. Tickets start at $19.50.

Virgin Festival at Pimlico Race Course

Of course, if all this isn’t enough, the first-ever Virgin Festival, sponsored by Virgin Mobile and inspired by the famous UK-based V-Festival, will be featured at none other than Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course on Sept. 23. For $97.50, you can catch some of your favorite bands – including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Killers, The Who and Jack White’s The Raconteur – and hear everyone’s new favorite single, “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley – all right in your own backyard.

Jack’s Mannequin at Sonar

Singer-songwriter Andrew McMahon, formerly of Something Corporate, hits Sonar in Baltimore on Sept. 28. Leukemia forced McMahon to cancel a concert tour in the past, but he is bravely fighting and once again performing for your piano-pop desires.

James Blunt at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Every female’s favorite vocalist, James Blunt, comes to Columbia. Likely, you’ve already got tickets to this one, but if I have to remind you – he’s the British guy who sings “You’re Beautiful.” (Yeah, I knew you wouldn’t forget it after the radio beat it into your head.) He’ll probably tell you you’re beautiful all over again if you go see him Oct. 13. Tickets range from $29.50 to $49.50.

The Fray at DAR Constitution Hall

It seems all it takes to get big these days is to get your single on Grey’s Anatomy. Anyway, it worked for The Fray, whose unexpected success seems to come from its singles “How to Save a Life” and most certainly from “Over My Head (Cable Car)” – everyone’s current MySpace page theme song. The pop-rock quartet visits the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington Oct. 28. Tickets are $34.

On the horizon…

Other acts scheduled to hit the region include the quirky Pet Shop Boys, the funky George Clinton, the jamming String Cheese Incident, grunge specialist Alice in Chains and the incredible power metal of DragonForce (See the music video – it’s insane!). A slew of indie rockers will pay a visit to the area as well, including the ass-kicking Yo La Tengo, who will be releasing their new album, I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass. So you ought to be there.

Contact reporter Adam Z. Winer at winerdbk@gmail.com.