by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A&E Writer

KNDD 'The End' 107.7's annual holiday rockathon, the 'Deck the Hall Ball,' has announced its 2012 lineup. The Killers headline the December 4 concert at Key Arena with added performances by M83, Metric, Awolnation, Passion Pit, The Lumineers, Grouplove, Of Monsters and Men, and The Formidable Joy. Tickets, priced between $47.70 and $127.70, are on sale now via Ticketmaster. If memory serves me correct, this is the third time that The Killers are participating in the DTHB. The Las Vegas-based group is touring in support of its new album, Battle Born.

TOUCHDOWN, BEYONCÉ!
The Grammy-winning superstar has been confirmed as the halftime performer at Super Bowl XLVII, scheduled for February 3, 2013, in New Orleans. Following the record-setting appearance by Madonna eight months ago, the selection of Beyoncé marks the first time that female artists have earned the coveted telecast spot in back-to-back years. Maybe girls do rule the world!

Speaking of female superstars, tickets still remain for the legendary Barbra Streisand's upcoming performance at Rogers Arena, in Vancouver, B.C. The international music icon hand-picked 10 cities for her 'Back to Brooklyn Tour,' which actually kicked off in Philadelphia. That concert included a duet with her son, Jason Gould. She does adjust her set lists slightly from venue to venue, but it looks like 'The Way We Were,' 'People,' 'Smile,' 'Evergreen,' 'You're the Top,' and a snippet from 'No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)' are all rehearsed numbers that could get play time in Vancouver. If you're considering going to the October 29 show and are looking into affordable accommodations, try The Burrard (www.theburrard.com) or the Sunset Inn & Suites (www.sunsetinn.com) - both are centrally located and have quick access to Rogers Arena. Look for more coverage on the big Babs show in the coming weeks.

The music calendar slows down in November and December, yet a few new shows managed to sneak in before year's end. Richard Marx performs at The Neptune on November 16, Sufjan Stevens plays The Neptune on December 8, 2 Chainz reappears at The Showbox Market on December 21 (he was here with Nicki Minaj this summer), and gospel/R&B giant BeBe Winans is booked for a three-night residency at the Moore Theatre, December 21-23. Looking ahead to 2013, Air Supply is scheduled for the Emerald Queen Casino on February 14, and '80s pop outfit Patty Smyth & Scandal pull into Snoqualmie Casino on May 19.

YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE
These concerts are now sold out: A$AP Rocky on October 21 (The Showbox SoDo), Billy Idol on October 26 (The Showbox SoDo), 'FreakNight' (Armin van Buuren, Morgan Page, etc.) on October 26 (WaMu Theater), The Afghan Whigs on November 3 (The Showbox Market), Ben Gibbard on November 16 (The Showbox Market) and November 17 (Washington Hall), Pentatonix on December 19 (The Showbox Market), and Green Day on November 26 (Paramount Theatre).

Finally, two new tunes are giving me completely different impressions. Adele's 'Skyfall,' the theme song for the latest 007 film, is a letdown. I expected better from her. But I'm thrilled with Bon Iver's new single, 'Beth/Rest.' It's so retro, so unpredictably tender, like something from an old Toto album. Check out both songs on YouTube and form your own opinion.

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