Coming Distractions: Police, Elvis Costello plan a visit to Sleep Train

February 19th, 2008

We’ll admit it, we felt more than a little shortchanged last year when the Police skipped Sacramento in favor of the Bay Area.

Always the left-at-home kid sister, ya know?

Well the pouting’s over – the Police will bring their mega tour (reportedly their final trek) to town on July 17 at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre.

The trio’s 2007 run of shows, by the by, was the year’s top-selling tour.

Even better? The show’s got an awesome opener: Elvis Costello and the Imposters, featuring longtime Costello collaborator Steve Nieve.

Tickets ($40.50 general admission, $90.50 and $225.20 reserved) go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through LiveNation.com, TicketMaster.com or by calling (916) 649-8497.

The real deal: Awhile back we told you about a local Rascal Flatts show and – don’t panic – it’s still happening April 10 at ARCO Arena. But, whereas everyone and his brother – including the Flatts – told us the opener would be Kellie Pickler, that’s no longer the case.

Nope, y’all are gonna get that other young, blond country cutie, Taylor Swift. Same diff, right?

Actually, no.

Swift’s an accomplished guitar player who earned her fame the old-fashioned way – i.e., not on “American Idol” but by doing time in Nashville cafes until someone finally took notice.

Tickets ($51.50, $66.75) go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through LiveNation.com, TicketMaster.com or by calling (916) 649-8479 .

Word is: That iconic punk-pop band Bouncing Souls is set for an April 10 date at the True Love Coffeehouse (2315 K St.) Stay tuned – or visit myspace.com/truelovesacto.

Back in action: So, to be honest, we kinda figured Jimmy Eat World’s day had come and gone. The pop-powered emo-core band had some pretty decent success with its 2001 self-titled album (and by success we mean the disc went platinum, selling more than a million copies).

But then the guys sorta seemed to fade away and, well, tastes change, right?

Maybe.

The boys are back with a new disc, “Chase This Light” – only time will tell if the quartet can replicate such sales, but in the meantime, get a healthy power-pop fix April 9 at Memorial Auditorium (1515 J St.). Tennessee pop rockers Paramore co-headline that bill. Tickets ($32.50) go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through LiveNation.com, TicketMaster.com or by calling (916) 649-8497.

On his own, again: Bassist Victor Wooten may be best known as a member of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones but he’s also got a pretty nifty solo career.

You can hear the jazz-funk bassist do his own thing April 29 at Harlow’s (2708 J St.) Tickets ($27.50 advance, $30 door) are on sale through R5, the Beat, Dimple Records, Armadillo Music, Tickets.com outlets (inside select Raley’s and Bel Air supermarkets) and online at Tickets.com.

The faves you crave: Got a hankering for a Mother Hips show? Well, lucky you, the NorCal country rock band just booked a May 15 date at Harlow’s (2708 J St) Tix are $20 at the door or via Harlows.com.

Oui, oui: Way back in 2004, we put the French Kicks disc “Trial of the Century” in our car CD player and didn’t take it out again for at least three months. The Brooklyn-based band does garage pop with a sweet, retro new wave twist. Check it out May 19 at the Blue Lamp (1400 Alhambra Blvd.) Tickets ($12) are on sale through R5, the Beat, Dimple Records, Armadillo Music, Tickets.com outlets (inside select Raley’s and Bel Air supermarkets) and online at Tickets.com.