(Photo: Annabel Mehran (Newsom); Aliya Naumoff (The xx); Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images (Gaslight Anthem); Kevin Mazur/EM/WireImage (Eminem); Wattie Cheung (The Vaselines))

CONCERTS

1. Jay-Z/Eminem
The only valid reasons for not going to see the two biggest rappers alive playing the first-ever concert at the new stadium (and thus the biggest concert of the fall) are: (a) You’re broke; (b) you’re Bill O’Reilly. Yankee Stadium, Sept. 13.

2. Vampire Weekend
The VW haters haven’t disappeared, but they’re losing ground thanks to the band’s second album, Contra, which found the young’uns not only sticking to their guns but outdoing their beloved debut. Radio City Music Hall, Sept. 15–17.

3. Pavement
Arguably the defining indie-rock band of the nineties closes out the outdoor-summer- rock season.Williamsburg Waterfront/SummerStage, Sept. 19, 21, 22, 23, 24.

4. Drake
When hip-hop’s great hope last tried to play New York—a free show at South Street Seaport that attracted 20,000 people where 10,000 were expected—an honest-to-God riot broke out. Fortunately, you must buy tickets for Radio City. Still, it’s worth getting there early. Radio City Music Hall, Sept. 28 and 29.

5. Gaslight Anthem
Those who have never heard these Jersey retro rockers play “Old White Lincoln” live should think about correcting that situation. Radio City Music Hall, Sept. 30.

6. Foals
Prediction: These emerging indie rockers, at once insanely intricate and anthemic, will be the most overexposed band of 2011. So might as well see them now. Bowery Ballroom, Oct. 1 (sold out); Music Hall of Williamsburg, Oct. 2.

7. My Morning Jacket
A role model of slow-burning success, Jim James’s band of hirsute roots rockers will play one of their albums on each night. They can fill MSG, which makes their residency at the cozier Terminal 5 even more of an event. Terminal 5, Oct. 18, 19, 21, 22, 23.

8. The xx
The trio of barely legal black-clad mope-rockers behind the year’s most unexpected and achingly pretty love songs. United Palace Theater, Oct. 21.

9. The Drums and Surfer Blood
Have any two bands been more celebrated by the cool kids this year? That said, this show wins for most Zeitgeisty indie-rock double bill of the fall. Webster Hall, Oct. 20.

10. Joanna Newsom
Annoyingly twee at times, Newsom is still one of the most inventive pop artists, and arguably even more compelling live. And how often do you get to see someone rock out on a harp? Carnegie Hall, Nov. 23.