Japan's concert calendar is an embarrassment of riches, so forgive us if we can only touch on some of the big names headed our way in 2005.

We'll bring you updates on R.E.M., Hall and Oates, Nora Jones, Pat Metheny and Destiny's Child in the weeks ahead. Same goes for next month's Sonic Mania festival, with Marilyn Manson and Good Charlotte. Ditto for Fuji Rock (it's official today: July 29, 30 and 31 at Niigata Prefecture's Naeba ski resort.)

But what a group we've got in the meantime: aging veterans proving they're still relevant, young guns learning from their misfires, and a legend whom many had given up for lost.

Sting

The former Police-man has been featured in these pages previously, but we feared arrest if we didn't offer a timely reminder about his upcoming tour.

Truly devoted Sting fans will want to get their hands on a copy of ``Sacred Love+2,'' Universal's August ``renewal'' release of 2003's ``Sacred Love.'' It's the same disc with two new versions of ``Stolen Car.'' A rip-off? You be the judge.

Jan. 15 (6:30 p.m.) at Osaka-jo Hall. Call Osaka Udo at 06-6341-4506. Jan. 16 (6 p.m.) at Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall. Call Yumebanchi Hiroshima at 082-249-3571. Jan. 18 (7 p.m.) at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. Call Osaka Udo at 06-6341-4506. Jan. 19 (7 p.m.) at Nagoya Rainbow Hall. Call CBC at 052-241-

8118. Jan. 23 (5 p.m.) at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Call Udo at 03-3402-5999. Sold out: Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 at Nippon Budokan. All shows 8,000 yen and 9,000 yen.

Duran Duran

When the classic lineup of '80s synth-pop icons Duran Duran reunited, their choice of Tokyo for their first show in 18 years raised a few eyebrows.

Just another case of Big in Japan? As it turns out, no. While fans here delivered the boost the band admitted they were looking for, the response elsewhere has often been equally enthusiastic.

Their Japan tour in the summer of 2003 segued into U.S. and European dates. A new disc-the first studio album from singer Simon LeBon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, guitarist Andy Taylor, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor since 1983's ``Seven and the Ragged Tiger''-was not long in following.

``Astronaut,'' released here in October by Sony, and the single ``(Reach Up for the) Sunrise'' is more mild than wild, but these boys aren't past their prime. They just need a bit more makeup.

Jan. 22 (5 p.m.) at NK Bay Hall and Jan. 25 (7 p.m.) and Jan. 26 (7 p.m.) at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Call Creativeman at 03-5466-0777. Jan. 24 (7 p.m.) at Nagoya Geijutsu Hall. Call Sunday Folk at 052-320-

9100. Jan. 28 (7:30 p.m.) at Kobe World Kinen Hall. Call Kyodo Osaka at 06-6233-

8888. Jan. 29 (6 p.m.) at Zepp Fukuoka. Call Kyodo Nishinippon at 092-714-0159. All shows 8,500 yen.

Brian Wilson

The brains behind the Beach Boys has every right to be grinning from ear to ear.

More than 37 years after shelving ``Smile,'' his ``teenage symphony to God,'' Brian Wilson has seen his legendary ``lost album'' become a critically praised reality that's up for three Grammys.

Originally revived as a live project for Wilson's touring band, ``Smile'' was greeted with rave reviews when performed for the first time in its entirety in London last February. Recording sessions in Los Angeles followed, and the disc was released here by Warner on Oct. 6.

Conceived with lyricist Van Dyke Parks as the part pop, part orchestral follow-up to ``Pet Sounds,'' ``Smile'' is a concept album that travels the United States from sea to shining sea via songs like ``Roll Plymouth Rock'' and ``Blue Hawaii.''

But this ``American `Sgt. Pepper,''' as it's been called, was abandoned in 1967 in the face of pressure from Wilson's fellow Beach Boys and their label at the time, Capitol. The then 24-year-old Wilson's growing mental instability, compounded by drug use, didn't help his case.

Though versions of ``Smile'' tracks like ``Heroes and Villains'' and ``Good Vibrations'' later surfaced, much of the music existed only as song fragments on tapes or in Wilson's head. Working with his bandleader, Darian Sahanaja, and Parks, Wilson put out ``Smile'' just months after his latest solo record, ``Gettin' in over My Head,'' a July release from Warner featuring guests like Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney. By all accounts, Wilson's recent stateside ``Smile'' tour, with his 10-piece band and the Stockholm Strings and Horns, was a frown-free affair. Expect the same here.

Jan. 31 (7 p.m.) at Tokyo International Forum Hall A. 9,500 yen and 10,500 yen. Call Kyodo Tokyo at 03-3498-9999. Feb. 2 (7 p.m.) at Aichi Kosei Nenkin Kaikan. 10,500 yen. Call Sunday Folk at 052-320-9100. Feb. 3 (7 p.m.) at Osaka Kosei Nenkin Kaikan. Call Kyodo Osaka at 06-6233-8888. Sold out: Jan. 30 at Nakano Sun Plaza in Tokyo.

Sum 41

Chuck Pelletier might have been an unsung hero. But Canadian pop-punkers Sum 41 were so grateful to their fellow Canuck that they named their latest disc after him.

Pelletier, a 38-year-old U.N. peacekeeper in the strife-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, acted as a human shield while whisking the band to safety after a firefight erupted near their hotel in Bakuvu. Singer Deryck Whibley, guitarist Dave Baksh, bassist Jason McCaslin and drummer Steve Jocz were on a nine-day visit to the African country to film an awareness-raising documentary for War Child, a relief organization. The fighting sent them home ahead of schedule, happy just to be alive.

When it was time to name their third disc, they didn't think long. The metal-tinged ``Chuck,'' released here Sept. 29 by Universal, might come as a surprise to Pelletier, a fan of classical and folk music who'd never heard of Sum 41.

Though the record's got its teen moments, this band of twentysomethings are showing their age-and that's a good thing. There's nothing like a jolt of cold, hard reality to make you grow up.

Feb. 26 (5 p.m.) and Feb. 27 (5 p.m.) at Saitama Super Arena. Call Creativeman at 03-5466-0777. March 1 (6 p.m.) at Zepp Sapporo. Call Kyodo Sapporo at 011-221-0144. March 2 (7 p.m.) at Zepp Sendai. Call Kyodo Tohoku at 022-296-8888. March 3 (7 p.m.) at Rainbow Hall in Nagoya. Call Sunday Folk at 052-320-9100. March 4 (7 p.m.) at Osaka-jo Hall. Call Kyodo Osaka at 06-6233-8888. March 6 (5 p.m.) at Zepp Fukuoka. Call Kyodo Nishinippon at 092-714-0159. All shows 6,300 yen. Fukuoka tickets go on sale Jan. 29. Osaka sales date to be announced.

Diana Ross

What have you done lately, Diana? Apart from jail time, that is.

Not a lot, some would say. But, hey, hasn't the woman already done more than enough for one lifetime? Think about it: ``Where Did Our Love Go,'' ``You Keep Me Hangin' On'' and all those classic Supremes hits. Her Oscar-nominated portrayal of Billie Holiday in ``Lady Sings the Blues.''

Everyone slips up sometime, so we'll give the gal a break for her drinking and driving conviction. We just won't be getting into any cars with her.

Feb. 28 (8 p.m.) and March 1 (7 p.m.) at Festival Hall in Osaka. Call Kyodo Osaka at 06-6233-8888. March 3 (7 p.m.) and March 4 (7 p.m.) at Tokyo International Forum Hall A. Call Sunrise at 0570-00-3337. March 8 (7 p.m.) at Kobe Kokusai Kaikan. Call the venue at 078-231-8162. March 10 (7 p.m.) at Aichi-ken Geijutsu Gekijo. Call Kyodo Tokai at 052-962-7466. March 12 (6:30 p.m.) at Hokkaido Kosei Nenkin Kaikan in Sapporo. Call Kyodo Sapporo at 011-221-0144. All shows 10,000 yen and 12,000 yen.

Avril Lavigne

Comparing Avril Lavigne to Eric Clapton is pretty far-fetched, we know. But we're going to do it anyway.

That's because Sk8er Girl's shaping up to be Slowhand's heir apparent as the Japan-touring champ. What other foreign act tours the length and breadth of the country, selling out shows night after night? The Ventures, perhaps-but their endless summer treks are a different story.

Of course, Lavigne's not the ``Tears in Heaven'' type. Pop-punk is more her style, and she's proved the genre's not just a guy thing with songs like ``Don't Tell Me'' from ``Under My Skin,'' a May release from BMG.

Her sets at Summer Sonic in August offered a taste of what's in store. At the rate she's going, she might just headline the festival one day.

March 2 (7 p.m.) at Osaka-jo Hall. Call Kyodo Osaka at 06-6233-8888. March 7 (6:30 p.m.) at Green Arena in Hiroshima. Call Yumebanchi Hiroshima at 082-249-3571. March 10 (6:30 p.m.) at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Call Creativeman at 03-5466-0777. March 16 (6:30 p.m.) at Aichi-ken Taiikukan in Nagoya. Call Sunday Folk at 052-320-9100. March 18 (6:30 p.m.) at Hokkaido-ritsu Sogo Taiiku Center in Sapporo. Call Kyodo Sapporo at 011-221-0144. All shows 7,500 yen (6,500 yen for Budokan's standing areas). Call the Avril Lavigne hotline at 0180-993-994. Hiroshima tickets on sale now. Tickets for other dates above go on sale Jan. 15.

Sold out: March 1 at Osaka-jo Hall, March 4 at Nagoya Rainbow Hall, March 6 at Yokohama Arena, March 8 at Marine Messe Fukuoka, March 11 at Hamamatsu Arena, March 12 at Kobe World Kinen Hall and March 14-15 at Nippon Budokan.

Green Day

Scrapping the 20-odd songs you've already recorded for your new album might not seem like the smartest of moves. But Green Day proved they were no dummies when they went back to drawing board and came up with ``American Idiot.''

The title track, which opened the trio's headlining sets at Summer Sonic 2004, won't surprise longtime fans. The disc's nine-minute song suites, on the other hand, are a complete departure for guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tre Cool.

Think of it as a politically charged rock opera, minus the pretension. It's not something you'd expect from guys who got famous singing songs about masturbating in front of the TV, but the world has taken notice. ``American Idiot,'' a Sept. 23 Warner release, helped put Green Day in the running for six Grammys, including Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album. You'd be stupid to miss 'em.

March 17 (7 p.m.) at Osaka-jo Hall. Call Kyodo Osaka at 06-6233-8888. March 18 (7 p.m.) at Aichi-ken Taiikukan. Call Sunday Folk Promotion at 052-320-9100. March 19 (6 p.m.) and March 20 (5 pm) at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. Call Creativeman at 03-5466-0777. March 22 (7 p.m.) at Tsukisamu Green Dome in Sapporo. Call Kyodo Sapporo at 011-221-0144. All shows 6,800 yen. Osaka ticket sales start Jan. 30.(IHT/Asahi: January 1,2005)