*How I missed this last week I will never know, especially since this is about the only band in the world I’m willing to put out big bucks for: If you’ve managed to miss the news until now I’m guessing you’re also not standing in line yet for Saturday morning, which is when tickets for U2’s return to Connecticut will finally be going on sale.

It’s a long wait between this weekend and the show, too – Bono, Larry, Adam and the Edge won’t even be here for another 8½ months. But buy your tickets and put them in a safe place, because when U2 does make it to Hartford Civic Center on December 7, the place is just going to rock.

Love the new album, hate Larry’s hair as long as it was the night of the Grammys. But I can live with it as long as I get to see this show.

Tickets have been set at $51.25, $96.75 and $161.75 and they’ll be going on sale Saturday, March 19, at 10 am, online at TicketMaster.com, in person at any TicketMaster outlet, or over the phone at 744-8100, 203-624-0033 or 860-525-4500). The civic center’s box office will not be open for tickets until Sunday, March 20, at 9 am.

*I also apologize for not letting you know about NELLY tickets, which are on sale now. Nelly will be at The Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport on Tuesday, April 12; tickets are available for $35.50, $45.50 and $55.50. TI and FAT JOE will be opening.

*A few tickets still remain for VANESSA CARLTON’s show this week at The Bushnell. The pop singer will be in Hartford on Tuesday, March 22, and showtime is 7:30; tickets are $20 and $25.

Last-minute advance purchased will be accepted online at bushnell.org, or call the box office at 860-987-5900.

*BR549 guitarist CHRIS SCRUGGS will perform an early solo show on Sunday at Café Nine in New Haven. Doors will open at 6 and word is the show will start an hour later.

Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 on Sunday.

Wednesday night will see the return of HYGIENE WILDER (neé The Beer Scouts). There’s no cover for this show.

On March 31 join THE MIGHTY CATBIRDS, MIGHTY PURPLE and THE SWAGGERTS as the bands celebrate birthdays. Each band apparently has a member whose birthday is March 28. Cost to join the party is a $5 cover charge.

*Black Rock Art Center in Bridgeport will host its 2nd Annual Black Rock Blues Festival next weekend. Concerts, workshops, a blues brunch, a ribs cook-off and more will be taking place at the arts center, as well as Ray Kelly’s Tavern, Black Rock Castle, The Acoustic Café and The Green Room.

Highlights will include a concert on Friday, March 25, by the Grammy Award-winner CLARENCE “GATEMOUTH” BROWN at the arts center. Opening duties will be handled by Dan Stevens & The Fiery Band. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door, and showtime is 7:30.

Also on Friday will be performances by BLACK CAT BONE at Ray Kelly’s Pub (2720 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport; telephone 203-333-6278) and THE DUKE ROBILLARD BAND at The Acoustic Café (2926 Fairfield Avenue; telephone 203-335-3655).

Saturday’s big concert will be a 7:30 show by blues legend JAMES COTTON, also at the arts center. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Shows in the area will include BLUES PATROL at Black Rock Castle (2895 Fairfield Avenue; telephone 203-336-3990).

There are a lot of events going on, too many to list here. Want specifics? I’d visit the art center’s website, www.InternationalPerformingArts.com.

*The Friends of Pomperaug Music, a non-profit organization formed in 1999 with the purpose of providing opportunities for students to succeed through continuous excellence in music education, is sponsoring a concert on April Fool’s Day at Pomperaug High School in Southbury. The show, like most Riders on The Storm performances (this band plays often at Toad’s Place in New Haven), will include plenty of popular songs along with rare Doors tracks from unreleased sessions and concerts.

RIDERS ON THE STORM, a Doors tribute band, will be performing on Friday, April 1, at 8 pm. Tickets are $25 can be purchased in advance by calling 267-6633, or by going online to region15.org/music. Seating will be general admission.

*One of my favorite local bands, SOL DOG, returns to Café 127 in Shelton tonight. Something tells me that as they continue to celebrate the release of their second full CD, the show may turn into another Buy-The-Band-A-Shot Night. Remember: Jameson.

Until next week I’ll be seeing you… on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141.

Shows listed at club locations are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

MARCH 18 — Eddie Money at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den, Uncasville; Sol Dog at Café 127, Shelton; Greg Sherrod at Café Nine, New Haven; Ari Hest at The Webster Underground, Hartford; Darik & The Funbags at Toad’s Place, New Haven, Stolin Cherry opening; Jeff Timmons at The Webster Theatre, Hartford (all ages); Imigra Samba at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury;

March 19 — Tower of Power at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Hipnotic at Tuxedo Junction;

March 20 — Stella at Toad’s Place (tickets from January will be honored); Patty Larkin at The Acoustic Café, Bridgeport, with special guest All About Buford; Chris Scruggs at Café Nine;

March 22 — Vanessa Carlton at The Bushnell Theatre, Hartford;

March 23 — Hygiene Wilder (formerly Beer Scouts) at Café Nine;

March 24 — The Beach Boys at The Warner Theatre, Torrington;

March 25 — Steve Vai at The Webster Theatre, Hartford, Eric Sardinas opening (all ages); Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown at Black Rock Art Center, Dan Stevens & The Fiery Band opening (opening night 2nd Annual Black Rock Blues Festival); Black Cat Bone at Ray Kelly’s Tavern, Bridgeport (part of 2nd Annual Black Rock Blues Festival); The Duke Robillard Band at The Acoustic Café (part of 2nd Annual Black Rock Blues Festival); The Nelsons at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Eclipse at Tuxedo Junction;

March 26 — Queens of The Stone Age at The Webster Theatre (all ages); David Cassidy at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Screaming Broccoli at Tuxedo Junction;

March 27 — Jani Lane (of Warrant) at The Webster Theatre;

March 29 — L.A. Guns at The Webster Theater; Elephant Man at Toad’s Place;

March 30 — Mark Broussard at The Webster Theatre;

March 31 — Rusted Root at The Webster Theatre (all ages); The Mighty Catbirds, Mighty Purple and The Swaggerts at Café Nine; Hoe at The Acoustic Café.