No fooling: April's schedule shows a lot of great concerts left before season's end

A late Easter means an extension of the traditional winter tourist season in Naples. And that means both season residents and year-rounders alike are in for a lot of great music this month.

April brings six big shows featuring national touring artists and the end of a new, exciting program at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. The lineup is eclectic, with modern rock, classic crooners, prog rock, jazz and country, and includes up-and-comers and all-time greats. So mark your calendars and enjoy.

Live X ’11

Beasley Broadcasting’s 99x continues to bring in some of modern rock’s biggest names. With multiplatinum acts Seether and (hed)p.e. and up-and-comers Hollywood Undead and Pop Evil, this year is no different. If you like your music turned up to 11 and prefer your guitar tones in the thrashing family, this is the concert for you.

When: 5 p.m. Friday. Gates open at 4 p.m.

Where: City of Palms Park, 2201 Edison Ave., Fort Myers

Admission: $25

Information: www.99xonline.com

Nest Fest

Think of this as a more pop-oriented version of Live X. Sub out the shredding guitars for a more pop-punk sound courtesy of Jack’s Mannequin, Taking Back Sunday, 3OH!3 and the Maine. Sponsored by Florida Gulf Coast University’s student government, the concert is first and foremost for the kids. But you don’t have to attend FGCU to get down.

When: 7 p.m. April 8

Where: Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero

Admission: $12 for students, $22 for everyone else

Information: 948-7825, www.germainarena.com

Harry Connick Jr.

Harry Connick Jr. is starting to make a trip to Southwest Florida an annual thing. A year after he wooed a crowd at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers, the New Orleans-bred crooner hits the stage at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. Even with a cold last time, Connick managed to thoroughly captivate the crowd. Our guess is he will have them similarly charmed this time, too.

When: 8 p.m. April 11

Where: Philharmonic Center for the Arts, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd.

Admission: The show is sold out. Call the box office the day of to inquire about cancellations.

Information: 597-1900, www.thephil.org

Miranda Lambert

Probably the biggest star to come to Southwest Florida this year, Lambert is fresh off one of the best years any country singer has ever had. She’s won a slew of awards, racked up one of the best-selling albums of the year and got engaged to boot. With a sound that pulls from both the hardscrabble traditions of Loretta Lynn and the pop-country stylings of Patsy Cline, Lambert is already an impressive force for a woman just at the start of her career. Catch her with opening acts Justin Moore and the underrated Josh Kelly.

When: 7:30 p.m. April 14

Where: Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero

Admission: $25.75 to $46.75

Information: 948-7825, www.germainarena.com

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

There aren’t many bands with the skills to blend classical music, metal, prog rock and Christmas. But that’s the hallmark of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Formed in the late ’90s by a former classic rock band manager and producer and his friends, Trans-Siberian Orchestra has put together a compelling and fantastical set of rock operas that blend the best of those genres. The group is now preparing to release a new album about the Russian Revolution during World War I.

When: 7:30 p.m. April 24

Where: Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero

Admission: $39.50 to $59.50

Information: 948-7825, www.germainarena.com

Tom Jones

Tom Jones has gone a long way in his career. He started out imitating his idols — Little Richard, Solomon Burke and Jackie Wilson — in a style that was intially deemed too risque for radio. The BBC wouldn’t play his first big hit (1965’s “It’s Not Unusual”) leaving it for the pirate radio stations. But the song went on to be a No. 1 in the U.K. and a Top 10 smash here. The rest — 100 million albums sold, legions of screaming and occasionally underwear-tossing fans — all fell into place.

When: 8 p.m. April 25

Where: Philharmonic Center for the Arts, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd.

Admission: $79

Information: 597-1900, www.thephil.org

Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra

Season’s local entertainment halls have been filled with return visits from big names, one new series started up that has our attention — the Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra. Made up of a few players from the Phil’s top-notch orchestra along with some notable local jazzmen, the sextet has put on three programs so far in their inaugural year. Now they wrap up the season with a show featuring tenor saxophonist Bob Keller and the music of Al Cohn and Zoot Sims at Daniels Pavilion.

When: 6 and 8:30 p.m. April 28

Where: Philharmonic Center for the Arts, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd.

Admission: $39

Information: 597-1900, www.thephil.org