John Mayer has been dubbed a ''Guitar Hero'' for the second straight year by Rolling Stone mag, and it has nothing to do with his video-game prowess.

Mayer, who rocked West Palm Beach's Sound Advice Amphitheatre last August along with Ben Folds, heads back to the venue (now the Cruzan Amphitheatre) Aug. 31, this time with OneRepublic (Apologize).

Early in his career, Mayer shot to fame on the strength of such hits as Your Body Is a Wonderland and Daughters but was criticized for his soft, meandering style. But he has silenced critics recently, displaying blistering blues and rock chops and amping up his songwriting on tunes including No Such Thing, I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You), Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, Dreaming With a Broken Heart and Waiting On the World to Change.

You also might hear some inspired cover songs, such as Jimi Hendrix's Wait Until Tomorrow,Tom Petty's Free Falling and Ray Charles' I Don't Need No Doctor.

Tickets ($40 and $55.50 reserved seats, $30 festival lawn, $99 lawn four-pack in advance) go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Twenty years after introducing the world to the concept of ''boy bands,'' New Kids on the Block hits the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise Nov. 1.

Performing for the first time in almost 15 years, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood will revisit the smash hits You Got It (The Right Stuff), Cover Girl, Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time), Hangin' Tough, I'll Be Loving You, Step By Step and Tonight.

Tickets ($37.50-$77.50) go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday.

Marco Antonio Solis, whose hundreds of compositions helped shape Latin music over the past 30 years, takes the stage at downtown Miami's AmericanAirlines Arena Aug. 15.

Tickets ($39.75-$127.75) go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

Pricing update: There are now $25 tickets available for the True Colors tour featuring Cyndi Lauper, The B-52s, Rosie O'Donnell, Deborah Cox and The Click at the Bank Atlantic Center on June 19.

Ashlee Simpson has canceled her tour. Tickets for her June 21 show at Pompano Beach Amphitheatre can be refunded at point of purchase.

Send concert tips, with complete information, no later than noon Tuesday to mhamersly@MiamiHerald.com.

Ticketmaster: 305-358-5885 in Miami-Dade; 954-523-3309 in Broward; and 561-966-3609 in Palm Beach.

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