The best concerts coming to Columbia in 2016

Here are our picks for the year’s can’t-miss shows (so far).

Put ’em on your calendar now.

Jackson Browne

Date: Monday, Jan. 11 at The Township

Why you should go: The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will perform an acoustic solo set from his entire body of work, which began in the early 1970s and spans 14 studio albums. The singer-songwriter is behind the now-classic songs “Running on Empty,” “The Pretender” and “Take It Easy,” the Eagles hit he wrote with Glenn Frey. If you haven’t heard them, ask your dad.

Tickets: $50-$100; www.thetownship.org

Vince Gill

Date: Friday, Jan. 15 at The Township

Opener/special guest: Jenny Gill and Patrick Davis

Why you should go: Gill is a living legend. He’s a 20-time Grammy winner who has been a guest artist on nearly 1,000 albums by other performers in almost every musical genre. Plus, his new album, “Down to My Last Bad Habit,” is due Friday, Feb. 12, so it’s likely he’ll bring out some new tunes at this show.

Tickets: $45-$75; www.thetownship.org

Ani DiFranco

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 20 at Music Farm

Opener: Hamell on Trial

Why you should go: DiFranco, known as the “Little Folksinger,” might seem petite and sweet, but she’s really a boss who embodies her independent label, “Righteous Babe” (and was one of the first artists to create her own label). She’s a sing-talking activist and is widely considered a feminist icon.

Tickets: $25-$30; www.musicfarm.com

R. Kelly

Date: Friday, Feb. 12 at Colonial Life Arena

Why you should go: R. Kelly has been called one of the most successful artists of all time, and with more than 40 million albums sold worldwide, you can say he’s earned the title “King of R&B.” And how can you pass up the chance to belt out “I Believe I Can Fly” in real time with the singer who recorded it?

Tickets: $53-$115; www.coloniallifearena.com

Widespread Panic

Dates: Saturday, Feb. 13 and Sunday, Feb. 14 at The Township

Why you should go: The Athens, Ga. combo is known for its elaborate jamband style, which it has perfected over three decades of performing. Widespread’s musicians are kings of improvisation, so the songs always sound fresh.

Tickets: $38-$43; www.thetownship.org

Janet Jackson

Dates: Sunday, March 6 at Colonial Life Arena

Why you should go: Jackson’s “Unbreakable” World Tour is in support of her 2015 album by the same name. Hear some of her new material, like “Burn It Up,” featuring rapper Missy Elliot, as well as numerous classic songs from her catalog. Want to go? Say you do.

Tickets: $29-$125; www.coloniallifearena.com

Worth noting: There could be a date change because of Jackson’s recent announcement of the tour start’s postponement. Stay tuned for details.

Flavor Flav

Dates: Friday, April 22 at Newberry Opera House

Opener: DJ Sizzle

Why you should go: When will you get another chance to hear a rap icon like Flavor Flav in a place like Newberry? The man with the clock necklaces has been out of the public eye as of late and hasn’t done much since his days on VH1’s “Flavor of Love.” Yet now he’s coming to Newberry. As Flav would say, “Yeah boy!”

Tickets: $35; www.newberryoperahouse.com

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 11:30 AM.