The band from Southern California (by way of Illinois) makes a rare coastal New Jersey appearance fronted by singer-guitarist-pianist and primary composer Dan Layus; with a revamped lineup, a new record label, and a new leg of tour dates behind their well-received 2014 release, Life Imitating Life. The whispery vocal verses and Coldplay-inspired ivories of the band’s early singles “Boston” and follow-ups “Sweet and Low” and “Hey Now” vaulted to the Top 10 at AAA Radio. Then in 2011, for the band’s self titled album on Epic, Layus had a major surprise with a punchier, more immediate sound that carried melodic currents of Soul Asylum, Tom Petty, Chris Isaak and Bruce Springsteen. Now the new album reconciles the various facets of the Augustana sounds through a succinct rhythmic attack and crisp production — with bright radio-ready anthems like “Ash and Ember” sharing the ride with introspective plaints like “Remember Me,” under the flag of Layus’s unerring pop instincts. Opening the show will be Jim and Sam.

Platinum-selling recording artist Andy Grammer became the first male pop star in a decade, since John Mayer in 2002, to reach the Top 10 at Adult Pop Radio on his first two singles, Keep Your Head Up and Fine By Me. In just a few short years, Grammer has gone on to sell over 100,000 albums, play sold out venues nationwide, perform onstage with Taylor Swift, Train, and Colbie Caillat.

Southside Johnny & The Poor Fools return to the Pollak Theatre for another riveting evening embarking on a stripped down journey through Johnny Lyon’s eclectic version of the Great American Songbook. Playing a wide range of music from Dylan, Mose Allison, Muddy Waters, NRBQ, Richard Thompson, Emmylou Harris, The Band, George Jones and more, The Poor Fools also dive into some of the Southside’s Asbury Jukes material–revisiting some classics as well as the underperformed deep tracks. In this incarnation, musicians such as Jeff Kazee, John Conte, Tommy Byrnes, and Neal “The Dude” Pawley join Johnny for singing, playing, and having some fun on stage. It will be a loose mix of songs, stories and banter between the musicians and–hopefully–the audience. Opening Act: Bob Burger. All ticket holders will receive a free autographed poster signed by the artists after the show.