Concerts to look forward to in 2015

The name game never gets old. Looking through the coming year’s concert schedule, it’s natural to look for your favorite name acts - world-famous stars or iconic cult figures, both old and new.

Some shows scheduled for early in the new year are selling out already, so even though you haven’t made it through your New Year’s Eve bash yet, it’s not too soon to plan for 2015. If there’s anyone you’ve always wanted to see, now’s the time. Here are a dozen suggestions:

Jan. 16-17 - Dave Matthews. The singer, songwriter, musician and actor teams up with his longtime collaborator, Tim Reynolds, for two acoustic shows, both starting at 7:30 p.m., at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. $65-$95. paramounttheatre.com, 510-465-6400.

Jan. 24 - Yo-Yo Ma. The master cellist returns to Weill Hall for a solo all-Bach program. Green Music Center, Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. gmc.sonoma.edu, 866-955-6040.

Jan. 24 - Dave and Phil Alvin. The brothers, former co-founders and leaders of the hit 1980s rock band, The Blasters, play at the Mystic Theatre, backed by their current band, The Guilty Ones. After parting in the mid-1980s, the brothers released “Common Ground,” a collection of Big Bill Broonzy blues tunes, earlier this year. Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys open the show at 8:30 p.m. $26. 23 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 765-2121, mystictheatre.com.

Jan. 31 - Sam Smith. The English singer-songwriter - known for hits like “I’m not the Only One,” “Lay Me Down” and “Stay With Me” - plays the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Smith packed the Fox Theater in Oakland when he played there last September. Another singer and songwriter from England, George Ezra, who had a hit with “Budapest,” opens the show at 8 p.m. Information: apeconcerts.com.

Feb. 2 - Willie Nelson and Family. The red-headed stranger is a familiar face at Santa Rosa’s Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. Starting with his first show there in 1989, he has sold out a total of nine times at the center. He returns for his 10th show at the center, starting at 8 p.m. $45-$85. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Feb. 6 - Lucinda Williams. Rock, blues and country fuse in a distinctive style for the singer-songwriter, a musical force since the 1990s. She plays at 8 p.m. at the Uptown Theatre, 1350 Third St., Napa. $50. 259-0123, uptowntheatrenapa.com.

Feb. 7 - “Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Show Host.” Ira Glass of National Public Radio teams up with dancers Monica Bill Barnes and Anna Bass for an evening of storytelling through both words and movement, starting at 8 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $35-$55. 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Feb. 9 - Rufus Wainwright. He has recorded seven albums of original music and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written a classical opera and set Shakespeare sonnets to music for a theater piece. He’ll sing for you at 8 p.m. $60-$80. City Winery, 1030 Main St., Napa. 260-1600, citywinery.com/napa.

Feb. 14 - Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull. Here’s a duo you don’t see every day - the Spanish singing star and the American rapper, who collaborated on the hit bilingual album, “Euphoria.” Show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. Tickets start at $46. oraclearena.com.

Feb. 19 - Craig Ferguson. Just a week ago, on Dec. 19, the comic ended his nine-year run as the host of CBS’s “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” which set all-time viewer records and earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination. See him live onstage at 8 p.m. when he brings his latest stand-up show, “Hot & Grumpy Tour: Walking the Earth,” to Wells Fargo Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $45-$55. 546-3600, wellsfargocenterarts.org.

March 21 - Ani DiFranco. The singer, songwriter, activist and independent entrepreneur has established a large and loyal following over the past 20 years. She plays at 8 p.m. at the Uptown Theatre, 1350 Third St., Napa. $50. 259-0123, uptowntheatrenapa.com.

March 28 - Audra McDonald. Originally scheduled for Dec. 5 but postponed because of storms and flight delays, the Broadway and TV star’s latest return engagement at Weill Hall starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Green Music Center, Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Tickets Start at $45. gmc.sonoma.edu, 866-955-6040.

You can reach staff writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. Read his Arts blog at arts.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.