by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A&E Writer

A New Year marks the start of another twelve months of live concerts. Some have already been announced, others are just weeks away from being unveiled. These are just six major performers that are either confirmed to play the Emerald City, or expected to, in 2018.

Justin Timberlake
It's now expected that whoever is chosen to perform during the Super Bowl Halftime Show will announce tour dates shortly before or after the big game. Madonna started the trend in 2012 and as recently as a year ago it continued with Lady GaGa revealing her itinerary for the 'Joanne World Tour' hours before she went on stage at Houston's NRG Stadium to perform in front of millions around the globe. This year is no different with headliner Justin Timberlake already teasing an upcoming tour on social media, following the release of his new album Man of the Woods; he's already dropped the first single from it titled 'Filthy.' Tour dates should be unveiled around the Super Bowl, if not sooner.

Taylor Swift
The 'Shake It Off' singer-songwriter ended 2017 with the biggest-selling album of the year, Reputation, which was ushered out on November 10. It isn't her best-reviewed work, but it's enough for fans to demand she embark on a major outing, and she's happy to oblige. Swift had already outgrown indoor arenas on her last trek, 'The 1989 World Tour,' that included an appearance at CenturyLink Field, where she'll perform again this year on May 22. She's also playing Chicago, Columbus, Denver, Miami, Minneapolis and Kansas City, to name a few; thus far, the Seattle concert is her only Northwest appearance. For tickets, log onto www.aeglive.com.

Pink
This show is probably on your calendar already, but if it's not, be sure to get tickets because you don't want to miss Pink live. The pop superstar released her seventh studio album, Beautiful Trauma, in October featuring the leadoff single 'What About Us,' shortly after accepting the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV VMAs. Her upcoming tour launches March 1 in Phoenix and will continue with performances in St. Louis, Indianapolis, Detroit, Washington DC, Atlanta, Portland, San Diego and here in the Emerald City on May 13 at Key Arena. This is your chance to hear Pink perform her top hits, from 'Raise Your Glass' and 'Trouble' to 'U + Ur Hand' and 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss).' For tickets, go to www.livenation.com.

Kelly Clarkson
The rumors are already swirling of a Kelly Clarkson tour in 2018, her first road trip in three years. She was amazing on her last jaunt, which brought her to Key Arena in 2015 with opening act Pentatonix; that voice of hers was on fire. With a new album under her belt, the well-received Meaning of Life, and no longer pregnant (her son is almost two years old now), it's pretty obvious Clarkson is gearing up for another round of tour dates to introduce fans to newer songs, like 'Love So Soft,' and older favorites, including 'Since U Been Gone,' 'Because of You,' 'My Life Would Suck Without You,' 'Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)' and 'Miss Independent.' As soon as I get tour information, I'll post it in The Music Lounge.

Katy Perry
Though her latest album Witness received mixed to negative reviews, Katy Perry is still hitting the road this year to help promote it. Not only will fans get to hear live versions of 'Bon Appetit' and 'Swish Swish,' but they'll also be treated to the LGBT super ally's older hits, such as 'Teenage Dream,' 'Firework,' 'California Gurls,' 'Dark Horse,' 'Roar' and 'Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.). 'Witness: The Tour' kicked off September 19 in Montreal and will run through August of this year with performances scheduled for New Orleans, San Antonio, Dallas, Las Vegas, Santiago, Lima, Manila, Tapei, Bangkok, Mexico City, Berlin, Glasgow, Sydney, Auckland and yes, she's coming to the Tacoma Dome on February 3. For tickets, visit www.aeglive.com.

Sam Smith
A leaner, meaner - well, maybe not meaner, but definitely leaner - Sam Smith has reemerged with his sophomore album The Thrill of It All, which contains the smash single 'Too Good at Goodbyes.' The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter recently went public with his boyfriend, '13 Reasons Why' actor Brandon Flynn; the pair was photographed last week vacationing in South Florida, where Flynn was born and raised. Smith's tour begins in Sheffield, England on March 20 with dates in 24 European cities before it jumps the pond for more shows in North America, which includes a stop at Key Arena on September 8. For tickets, visit www.livenation.com.

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