12 must-see Long Island concerts this fall

While the summer has become synonymous with concerts, the autumn season is shaping up to offer its own sizzle. All shows are moving indoors but several national headliners will head to Nassau and Suffolk.

Here are a dozen upcoming music events to put on your calendar this fall.

BOY GEORGE AND CULTURE CLUB

Don’t miss the return of Boy George and Culture Club as they turn the clock back to the ’80s at The Paramount in Huntington on Sept. 19. The evening will be filled with hits like “Karma Chameleon,” “Time (Clock of the Heart),” “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya,” “Miss Me Blind” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?”

INFO $59.50-$365; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

GARY CLARK JR.

Come see guitarist extraordinaire Gary Clark Jr. play The Paramount in Huntington on Sept. 20. The 38-year-old bluesman will perform tracks off his Grammy Award-winning album “This Land” along with cuts from his catalog including “Brights Lights” and “Cold Blooded.”

INFO $49.50-$200; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

JIMMY EAT WORLD

Emo pop rock band Jimmy Eat World returns to Long Island with a stop at Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall in Wantagh on Sept. 21. The Arizona foursome is currently making a comeback with their new single, “Something Loud.”

INFO $45 (age 18 and older); 516-783-7500, muls.com

DARYL HALL WITH TODD RUNDGREN

Taking a break from Hall & Oates, Daryl Hall will bring his Daryl’s House Band to the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post in Greenvale on Oct. 1 for the venue’s annual gala. Philadelphia’s own Todd Rundgren will serve as the opening act. 

INFO $99-$1,250; 516-299-3100; tillescenter.org

THE WHO

After a two-year hiatus, the band returns to the concert stage with “The Who Hits Back!” tour, which comes to UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont on Oct. 7. Original lead singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend are backed by a six-piece band and a full orchestra conducted by Keith Levenson and featuring lead violinist Katie Jacoby and lead cellist Audrey Snyder. The set list will focus on classics from albums like “Tommy,” “Quadrophenia,” “Who’s Next” and 2019’s, “Who” as well as other selections. 

INFO $75-$298; 516-517-0640, ubsarena.com

SMASHING PUMPKINS WITH JANE’S ADDICTION

Just in time for Halloween season, the Smashing Pumpkins are set to haunt UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont on Oct. 14 with their “Spirits on Fire Tour.” Jane’s Addiction will serve as a special guest and Poppy opens the show.

INFO $33-$420; 516-517-0640, ubsarena.com

JUDAS PRIEST WITH QUEENSRŸCHE

Heavy metal gods Judas Priest will celebrate their golden anniversary when they bring their “50 Heavy Metal Years Tour” to Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale on Oct. 18. This fall, the leather-bound band gets into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Musical Excellence Award. Queensrÿche will serve as the special guest. 

INFO $48-$879.50; 516-654-8203, nassaucoliseum.com

STEVE VAI

Oct. 30 will be a homecoming for guitarist Steve Vai, who grew up in Carle Place, when he headlines The Paramount in Huntington. Vai’s tour is in support of “Inviolate,” his first studio album in more than five years. This concert marks his first Long Island gig in three years. 

INFO $34.50-$235; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT

Long Island’s own Blue Öyster Cult comes to the NYCB Theatre at Westbury on Nov. 4. The crowd will scream for “MORE COWBELL!” as the Long Island Music Hall of Famers perform their classic “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” as well other hits like “Godzilla” and “Burnin’ for You.” Mark Farner, former lead singer-lead guitarist from Grand Funk Railroad, shares the bill presented by L.I. rock station WBAB/102.3 FM. INFO $49.50-$185; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com

CHRISTIAN GUARDINO

Catch “American Idol” finalist Christian Guardino headline his hometown venue, the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, on Nov. 4. This will be the 22-year-old singer’s first solo show, where he will be backed by a four-piece band. His set list will include American soul music classics, tunes from his “American Idol” appearances and his own songs, like the current single “Higher.”

“I’m gonna have all of my friends and family coming to the show. My parents and my entire family really are so excited,” Guardino says. “I want it to feel like an experience and for people to connect with music the way that I do.” 

INFO $29-$49; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org

JOHN WAITE

Witness the 70-year-old English singer as he takes over the Suffolk Theater in Riverhead on Nov. 12. Waite will sing hits from his old bands the Babys and Bad English plus solo career songs such as “Downtown,” “In Dreams,” “Bluebird Cafe” and the chart topper “Missing You.” He also will introduce selections from his new EP, “Anything.”

INFO $45-$65; 631-727-4343, suffolktheater.com

ANDREA BOCELLI

Long Island will ring in the holidays with classical tenor Andrea Bocelli performing at UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont on Dec. 13. This marks his first time playing LI since headlining Nassau Coliseum in 2005. The tour is supporting Bocelli’s latest studio album, “Believe,” featuring his rendition of “Amazing Grace,” which is a duet with Alison Krauss.

INFO $81-$3,300; 516-517-0640, ubsarena.com

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.