Slayer and Megadeth are two of metal’s most enduring acts, so it’s no surprise they’re undertaking a 26-date North American tour together. Still, what took them so long? It’s been nearly two decades since they paired up, and in that time metal has gone from a basement dude-rock phenomenon to a mainstream cash cow. The Elder statesmen in Metallica have taken creative figure-eights while the genre has morphed into parody via shows such as Adult Swim’s “Metalocalypse.” Maybe a Slayer-Megadeth tour is just what we need to remind us of metal’s hard, dark roots? Tickets for the Jan. 25 show at Magness Arena, with opener Testament, are on sale at 10 a.m. today. ($10-$49.50, Ticketmaster)
John Mayer’s show at the Pepsi Center on March 23, with Michael Franti & Spearhead, was officially confirmed this week, with an on-sale date of 10 a.m. Saturday. The breathy pop icon is touring behind his new release, the typically straight-faced “Battle Studies,” which dropped on Tuesday. ($53-$78, TicketHorse)
Cheech and Chong’s “Get It Legal” tour couldn’t come at a better time for the grizzled stoner-comedy duo. Despite mediocre reviews of last year’s reunion tour, the country’s marijuana mood has lightened considerably, and anything that carries the legalization torch is likely to be embraced — especially as they hit a number of college towns on their 17-date tour. “Get It Legal” kicks off Jan. 16 at CU-Boulder’s Macky Auditorium. Tickets are on sale at — unsurprisingly — 4:20 p.m. today. ($39.50- $49.50, )
Michael Buble, hot off last month’s release of “Crazy Love,” announced the first 20-date leg of his 2010 tour, including a Denver stop on March 30. Check back here or for venue and ticket information.
Umphrey’s McGee returns to Aspen’s Belly Up on Jan. 22 and Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium on Jan. 23. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday ($25-$35, or ) Les Claypool, always at the ready with a bass riff, fishing reference or disgusting joke, is on the road again supporting this year’s “Of Fungi and Foe.” He plays the Ogden Theatre on Feb. 14. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. today. ($35, Ticketmaster)
Craig Ferguson brings his Scottish charm back to Denver for shows at Comedy Works Jan. 7-8. Also announced: Rocky LaPorte (Dec. 31-Jan. 2, Comedy Works South) and Billy D. Washington (Dec. 31-Jan. 3, Comedy Works).
Nathaniel Rateliffe & the Wheel will put a cap on its current tour with Mason Jennings by returning to the Bluebird Theater on Dec. 12. Tickets for the rising Denver indie-folk act are on sale. ($10.50-$12, Ticketmaster)
