by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A&E Writer

It really is a rockin' October (or Rocktober, if you insist). Besides the two annual grassroots events - City Arts Fest and Earshot Jazz Festival - taking place in the coming days, our local venues feature some of the most anticipated live shows of the season. Here are 10 to take note of.

Carrie Underwood
KeyArena
October 6
Country superstar Underwood made headlines earlier this year when she voiced her support for Gay marriage, angering many of her conservative Christian fans. This is just one reason why we love her. Another is that her music is some of the best in the genre today. 'Before He Cheats,' 'Last Name,' 'Jesus, Take the Wheel,' and her current single, 'Blown Away,' are a few of the songs we can expect on her Seattle set list. For info, go to www.aeglive.com.

Gossip
The Showbox Market
October 9
Gossip drummer Hannah Blilie interviewed with me right around the time the three-piece released its latest album, A Joyful Noise, last spring. The Portland-based act hasn't played this neck of the woods since 2009's Capitol Hill Block Party (but don't quote me on that). Lead singer Beth Ditto announced on Bravo's Up All Night several months back that she had gotten engaged to her longtime girlfriend. Blilie is also Lesbian. For info, go to www.showboxonline.com.

Justin Bieber
Tacoma Dome
October 9
He's 18 now, 'belieb' it or not. The teen heartthrob, responsible for 2012's hottest single, 'Boyfriend,' brings his blockbuster Believe Tour to Tacoma with bubblegum act Carly Rae Jepsen, who owns the year's catchiest guilty pleasure, 'Call Me Maybe.' Young girls and their mama bears will be all over the place at this sold-out concert, but I'm pretty sure a sprinkling of Gay men will be there as well, because the Biebs is just too infectious to resist.

Smashing Pumpkins
Comcast Arena
October 10
Billy Corgan is a sole survivor - the band's last remaining member from its '90s heyday. The current lineup is touring in support of this year's Oceania release, but I'm not convinced fans at Everett's Comcast Arena will pay much attention to anything pulled from it. Instead, though handled by a replacement squad, it will be classics like '1979,' 'Cherub Rock,' 'Today,' and 'Rocket' that they'll wanna hear. For info, go to www.comcastarena.com.

Bananarama
Hard Rock Cafe
October 13
'Cruel Summer' is one of my absolute favorite '80s songs, and it belongs to a female trio responsible for a string of other hits, including 'I Heard a Rumor,' 'Love in the First Degree,' 'Robert De Niro's Waiting,' and a dance redo of 'Venus.' With two of its original members - Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin - and possibly a third touring member, Bananarama's downtown gig will be nostalgic for us Gen X kids. For info, go to www.hardrockcafe.com/seattle.

Joshua Radin/A Fine Frenzy
Moore Theatre
October 18
You'll see an interview with A Fine Frenzy (Alison Sudol) in next week's SGN. The Seattle-born artist is opening for singer-songwriter Joshua Radin, who has chatted with me twice in years past (he's Zach Braff's BFF). The young musicians are an excellent pairing for one of City Arts Fest's headlining spots, both introducing new albums to their respective fan bases at the Moore. Radin's Underwater came out in June, while A Fine Frenzy's latest, Pines, arrives in stores October 9. For info, go to www.cityartsfest.com.

Snow Patrol/Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
WaMu Theater
October 24
There's only one song by Noel Gallagher that I'm dying to hear and it's the obvious choice, 'Wonderwall.' Though it's a co-headlining affair, Snow Patrol are really the star attraction on this bill. The group, who performed at London's Hyde Park in a concert coinciding with the Olympics opening ceremony, make their second Seattle appearance of 2012 at WaMu (they played the Paramount Theatre in May) to further boost their latest album, Fallen Empires. For info, go to www.aeglive.com.

Crystal Castles
The Showbox SoDo
October 25
I just watched the second season of Skins, the British version (mainly to drool over Nicholas Hoult), and was delighted to see Crystal Castles featured in an episode. The Toronto punk-electro duo will soon release Crystal Castles III, which has thus far produced two modest hits, 'Plague' and 'Wrath of God.' Returning to The Showbox SoDo, the pair (Alice Glass, Ethan Kath) will probably include 'Doe Deer,' 'Crimewave,' and 'Untrust Us' in their concert. I'm hoping for 'Love and Caring.' For info, go to www.showboxonline.com.

Billy Idol
The Showbox Market
October 26
Idol continues to be popular long after his '80s/early '90s peak. At 56, he's rockin' out to capacity crowds everywhere, who can't get enough of 'White Wedding,' 'Eyes Without a Face,' or 'Cradle of Love.' My personal favorite is 'Flesh for Fantasy,' and I'm crossing my fingers he performs it at The Showbox Market in late October. All tickets for this performance are gone.

Loretta Lynn
Emerald Queen Casino
October 26
Lynn canceled last year's scheduled concert at Snoqualmie Casino days before it was to take place. Let's hope it doesn't happen again. The 80-year-old country pioneer is battling on-again-off-again health problems, but when she does perform she's still a force to be reckoned with. 'Rated X,' 'You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man),' 'One's On the Way,' and her signature tune, 'Coal Miner's Daughter,' are possible set-list entries for her Tacoma show. For info, go to www.emeraldqueen.com.

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