Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band
Show of the week » Conor Oberst is a 29-year-old singer-songwriter from Nebraska who is best known as the driving force and songwriter in Bright Eyes, an acclaimed alt-folk-country band. But Oberst likes to experiment in different projects, including, most recently, the Mystic Valley Band, who will perform at the Summer Solstice Concert, a Utah Arts Festival fund-raiser. The band includes Oberst's friends Nik Freitas and Taylor Hollingsworth on guitars, Macey Taylor on bass, Nate Walcott (also a member of Bright Eyes) on keyboards and Jason Boesel on drums. The band worked with Oberst on his first solo album in 12 years (2008's "Conor Oberst") and congregated again late last year in Texas to record songs it had premiered during Oberst's solo tour. "We were tired of playing the same s---," Hollingsworth said. The band had written nearly 30 songs and wanted to release a double CD, but management nixed the idea. Instead, Oberst and the band released "Outer South" on May 5. For the first time, Oberst lets other band members sing songs, and this rendition suggests a band of brothers, something Hollingsworth said Oberst wants to do again.
When » June 20 at 8 p.m.
Where » Library Square, Amphitheater Stage at 300 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets » $30 at www.uaf.org or call 801-322-2428
Great American Taxi
This weekend's "Grill on the Hill" festival at Snowbird launches with a concert by Great American Taxi, led by Leftover Salmon's Vince Herman. The rock band, which labels its genre as "Americana without borders," headlines. Kicking off the event at 5 p.m. is the Jim Bone Trio, with Lake Effect performing at 6:30 p.m.
When » Tonight at 8
Where » Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Highway 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird
Tickets » Free
Aquabats
There's never a dull moment with the Aquabats, a synth-pop band where the members dress as superheroes, supposedly on a quest to save the world from evil through music. The band's fans are called Aquacadets, who like to dress up in costumes that can be made at home or purchased in Aquabat catalogs.
When » Tonight. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Where » In the Venue, 579 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets » $20 at SmithsTix and 24Tix
The Stars of Beatlemania
"Beatlemania" was a 1970s Broadway musical revue focused on the life and music of The Beatles, and the show's stars now perform around the country as a tribute band, looking and sounding like the Fab Four.
When » Tonight at 8
Where » Sandy Amphitheater, 1245 E. 9400 South, Sandy
Tickets » $8-$25 at SmithsTix
Royal Bliss
The local rock band is in Tooele tonight, playing songs from its major-label release, "Life In-Between," released in January on Capitol Records. The quintet has enjoyed national radio success with its singles "Save Me," "I Was Drunk" and "We Did Nothing Wrong."
When » Tonight at 9
Where » Tracks Brewing Company, 1641 N. Main, Tooele
Tickets » $20 at SmithsTix
The Germs
The Germs are a Los Angeles punk band that disbanded in 1980 but reunited in 2005. The band is without its late leader Darby Crash, but Pat Smear -- the fourth member of Nirvana and later with Foo Fighters -- is still in the band, which will tour with The Vans Warped Tour this summer. Krum Bums and Negative Charge are also on the bill.
When » Tonight at 8
Where » Burts Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State St., Salt Lake City
Tickets » $15 at SmithsTix
Hey Monday
Recently the opening act on Fall Out Boy's tour, Hey Monday is a Florida-based female-led band of men who perform power-pop. The band received some notoriety when it appeared on the most recent season of "The Real World." This Providence, Friday Night Boys and Stereo Skyline are also on the bill.
When » Tonight at 6:30
Where » Avalon Theater, 3605 S. State St., South Salt Lake
Tickets » $12 at SmithsTix
Chingo Bling
Born Pedro Herrera III, Chingo Bling is a Latino, Houston-based rapper who founded the record label Big Chile Enterprises. His 2007 album, "They Can't Deport Us All," reached No. 20 on the Billboard album chart. Texas T and Scweez are also on the bill.
When » June 20 at 9 p.m.
Where » Teazers Bar & Grill, 366 36th St., Ogden
Tickets » $15 in advance, $20 day of, at SmithsTix
Anders Osbourne
This Park City Jazz Foundation event is called "Savor the Summit," with rock, jazz and blues musician Anders Osbourne providing entertainment. There will be a beer and wine garden as well as featured cocktails by High West Distillery. Children 12 and younger are free.
When » June 20 at 8 p.m.
Where » Wasatch Brew Pub parking lot, 205 Main St., Park City
Tickets » $20 at ArtTix; 801-355-ARTS
Shawn Colvin
The 53-year-old folk singer-songwriter was catapulted to fame with her 1997 single, "Sunny Came Home," and since then she has been a respected touring songwriter. Colvin is scheduled to release a 15-song album on June 23. At the outdoor concert at the Waterfall Amphitheater, beach-style lawn chairs are allowed.
When » June 20 at 8 p.m.
Where » Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi
Tickets » $25 in advance, $30 day of, at SmithsTix
Marc Cohn
"Walking in Memphis" is Marc Cohn's most famous song, but he's had quite a life. The New York-based soulful singer-songwriter was shot in the head during an attempted carjacking in Denver after a 2005 concert with Suzanne Vega and didn't write songs for a time, but picked up his pen and a guitar again to respond to the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina.
When » June 20 at 8 p.m.
Where » Sandy Amphitheater, 1245 E. 9400 South, Sandy
Tickets » $12-$35 at SmithsTix
David Byrne
This concert is sold out, so you may ask yourself "Where are my beautiful tickets?" The 57-year-old leader of Talking Heads also sold out his last Utah appearance, last winter in Park City, and the progressive, avant-garde musician remains predictably unpredictable. His most recent album was a collaboration with Brian Eno titled "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today."
When » June 21 at 8:30 p.m.
Where » Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City
Tickets » redbuttegarden.org; 801-575-0556 (sold out)
Railroad Earth
This New Jersey-based rootsy jam band took its name from the Jack Kerouac short story "October in the Railroad Earth." The sextet is known for its improvisational acoustic style of music; its fourth studio album, "Amen Corner," was released in 2008.
When » June 22 at 8 p.m.
Where » The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
Tickets » $17 at SmithsTix
A.A. Bondy
Spin.com included A.A. Bondy in its 10 Must-Hear Acts at Sasquatch Fest recently, and his debut, "American Hearts," was an arresting mix of Americana blended with Southern Gothic plus a splash of folk. Formerly in the band Verbena, Bondy has toured with Bon Iver and is finishing up a new album that will be out later this summer.
When » June 23 at 9 p.m.
Where » Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City
Tickets » $10 advance, $12 day of, at SmithsTix and 24Tix
New West Guitar Group
Perry Smith, John Storie and Brady Cohan are the Los Angeles-based New West Guitar Group, a talented trio that blends jazz, rock and blues. Originally a quartet, the three were music majors at the University of Southern California and have toured throughout Japan, Europe and the United States.
When » June 23 at 8 p.m.
Where » The Circle Lounge, 328 S. State St., Salt Lake City
Tickets » Free
Bill Callahan
Also known as Smog, Bill Callahan is a lo-fi singer-songwriter who in 2007 released "Woke on a Whaleheart," his first solo album under his own name. "Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle" was released in April, a moody set that revealed his rock influences. Bachelorette is also on the bill.
When » June 24 at 9 p.m.
Where » Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City
Tickets » $12 advance, $14 day of, at SmithsTix and 24Tix
Blue Öyster Cult
Best known for the hits "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and "Burnin' Up," the New York-based nostalgia band has become known to younger fans by the "Saturday Night Live" parody that featured Christopher Walken pleading for more cowbell. The band, a metal pioneer, never broke up. The Tubes are also on the bill.
When » June 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Where » Lindquist Field, 2330 Lincoln Ave., Ogden
Tickets » $22 at SmithsTix
