Coldplay brings Vida to SLC

Show of the week » The band that aspires to be The Only Band That Matters (sorry, U2 and The Clash) will be in Salt Lake City for its world tour in support of its "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends" album.

Despite earlier success with singles like "Clocks," "Yellow" and "Speed of Sound," the British quartet blew up this year with its first No. 1 hit in America, "Viva la Vida," which eschewed the normal conventions of what top-40 hits sound like by employing an orchestra and using very little guitar.

Country-rockers Sleepercar and Electronica artist Jon Hopkins open. Hopkins worked as a producer on much of Coldplay's latest album and a Coldplay EP out Nov. 25.

He said in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune that during the production of the album, the band asked him if he would open for it later. He thought it was a joke, but Coldplay asked again as it prepared to tour.

For the tour, Hopkins will be spinning turntables synchronized to "psychedelic" visual effects, he said, and he is "finding [himself] more relaxed" as the tour progresses, since he is not used to huge arena crowds.

When » Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Where » EnergySolutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City

Tickets » $49.50-$97.50 at Ticketmaster (801-325-SEAT)

Drowning Pool

The Texas metal band Drowning Pool continues on after its lead singer died of heart disease in 2001. The band's latest album was the first one featuring former SOiL singer Ryan McCombs. Drowning Pool has shared the stage with Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Judas Priest and Stanid.

When » Friday night at 7

Where » Club Vegas, 445 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City

Tickets » $15 in advance, $18 day of, at SmithsTix

Keith Stubbs

The morning radio host on 101.5 "The Eagle" and owner of the Wiseguys Comedy Clubs takes the stage himself. In 1991, he set aside a career as a PaineWebber stockbroker to pursue his dream job: being a comedian.

When » Friday night at 8

Where » Wiseguys, 970 W. University Parkway, Orem

Tickets » $10 at the door

B.D. Howes Band

The B.D. Howes Band is four experienced local musicians who write slice-of-life tunes with an adult contemporary soft-rock sound influenced by the blues-based rock of the 1960s.

When » Friday night at 10

Where » Cisero's, 306 Main St., Park City

Tickets » $5 at the door

Marcus

The runner-up of "Last Comic Standing" takes a short break from the NBC tour to perform in his home state. Marcus is not only a Man of 1,000 Voices, but also an incisive observational comic.

When » Friday night at 8 and 10. Also, Nov. 22 at 8 and 10 p.m.

Where » Wiseguys, 269 25th St., Ogden

Tickets » $15 at SmithsTix

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

This Vermont-based band blends funk, blues, soul and classic rock and has opened for The Black Crowes and Govt. Mule. In 2006, the jam band won the Jammy (from the Web site JamBase) for Best New Groove and was nominated for two Boston Music Awards (Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year).

When » Nov. 22. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Where » Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City

Tickets » $10 in advance, $12 day of at SmithsTix

Guess Who

Guess Who was the first Canadian band to have a No. 1 in the United States: "American Woman," in 1970. Original members Jim Kale and Garry Peterson now tour as The Guess Who.

When » Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.

Where » Peppermill Concert Hall, 1045 Wendover Blvd., West Wendover, Nev.

Tickets » $20 to $40 at

wendoverfun.com or 800-537-0207

Daniel Beck

Accompanied by a string orchestra and band, Utah tenor Daniel Beck -- our state's Josh Groban -- will perform at an album launch party. The music is described as moving, positive music consisting of ballads and upbeat adult contemporary songs. One dollar from the sale of each "Love Like That" CD through Christmas will be donated to The Road Home, the downtown Salt Lake City homeless shelter.

When » Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Where » Rose Wager Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City

Tickets » $15 at ArtTix (801-355-ARTS)

Matisyahu

Matisyahu is one of the most talented reggae artists in the country, but gets most of his press for being a Hasidic Jew and not performing on the Sabbath (with the exception of a happening at an 2007 Alaskan concert, because the sun didn't set until 2 a.m.). Matisyahu's new album, "Light," is expected to be released sometime early next year.

When » Nov. 26. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Where » Harry O's, 427 Main St., Park City

Tickets » $30 at SmithsTix

OHGR

OHGR is a band that includes Nivek Ogre of Skinny Puppy, a Canadian industrial band formed in the early 1980s. Ogre, who generally writes more accessible industrial pop than Skinny Puppy produced, is currently starring in "Repo! The Genetic Opera," a film also featuring Paris Hilton.

When » Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Where » Murray Theater, 4916 S. State St., Murray

Tickets » $16 in advance, $18 day of, at SmithsTix

Secondhand Serenade

Utah fan favorite Secondhand Serenade is riding high because of the top-40 hit "Fall for You." The band is really an acoustic solo project fronted by California-based vocalist and guitarist John Vesely.

When » Nov. 26 at 5:30 p.m.

Where » Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, Magna

Tickets » $19 at SmithsTix