FALL PREVIEW : The Calendar Critics’ Best Bets for the Rest of ’90 : Pop Music

How can you tell fall has arrived in eternally sunny Southern California? Well, one way is by the start of the autumn arts and entertainment season. This special fall preview section provides listings of events from today through the end of the year and our critics’ picks for the best bets in film, pop music, jazz, stage, music and dance and the visual arts. (Some box-office telephone numbers may not be in operation yet.)

The fall pop lineup isn’t as enticing as the summer schedule, which tempted us with Sinead O’Connor (who was sensational), Soul II Soul (which was novel) and the Stone Roses (who canceled). But there are some choice moments ahead. These are the dates I’d circle first:

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. The most arresting pop performers are the intuitive ones, like Cave, who have either the confidence or recklessness to allow the emotional tone of their shows to vary from night to night in keeping with their own mood shifts. Rock’s patron saint of tortured souls, Cave is a gripping artist who injects his Gothic tales of misery and mercy with unsettling fury. Wiltern Theatre, Oct. 5.

“A Gathering of the Tribes.” Who would have ever imagined rap leaders Public Enemy and hard-rock heroes Soundgarden on the same bill? That’s the kind of cultural interaction that we need more of in a pop music world that has become much too compartmentalized. Adding to the day’s diversity: Iggy Pop, Michelle Shocked, Queen Latifah and the Indigo Girls. Pacific Amphitheatre, Oct. 7.

Linda Ronstadt and the Neville Brothers. After nearly a decade of pursuing other musical passions, Ronstadt returns to the pop-rock arena in these concerts, which should be further brightened by her duets with Aaron Neville and the opening set by the entire Nevilles band. Santa Barbara County Bowl, Sept. 29; Open Air Theatre in San Diego, Sept. 30; the Universal Amphitheatre, Oct. 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, and Pacific Amphitheatre, Oct. 20.

Los Lobos. This is one of rock’s most consistently rewarding live attractions, and this show will be the first local opportunity to sample live the music from the quintet’s new album “The Neighborhood.” Greek Theatre, Oct. 19.

Billy Idol and Faith No More. Even without Idol--who should be in especially frisky form because this is his first tour since he was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident--the dates would earn a place on the list because of Faith No More, which is evolving into one of rock’s premier attractions. Forum, Oct. 24, San Diego Sports Arena, Oct. 26, and Pacific Amphitheatre, Oct. 27.