Michael Dean Damron
Show of the week » Let's hear it for Portland, Ore.-based Michael Dean Damron and his rootsy rock band Thee Loyal Bastards, who always stop by Salt Lake City on national tours and always stop by the Heavy Metal Shop for an in-store performance the afternoon before their shows. Damron and Thee Loyal Bastards will stop by the Heavy Metal Shop (63 Exchange Place, Salt Lake City) at 6 tonight -- presumably in their customary Heavy Metal Shop T-shirts -- before their concert at Burts Tiki Lounge. Damron just released his third full-length album, "Father's Day," in which the gritty singer-songwriter recalls -- but never imitates -- the whiskey-soaked Americana and alt-country of his heroes Steve Earle, Alejandro Escovedo, Townes Van Zandt and Waylon Jennings. Damron is just as gravelly-voiced as Tom Waits, and his latest album is a treatise on emotional pain that is never short of being shockingly, and enthrallingly, honest. Let's hear Michael Dean Damron and Thee Loyal Bastards.
When » Tonight at 8
Where » Burt's Tiki Lounge, 826 S. State St., Salt Lake City
Tickets » $10 at SmithsTix
Blood Sweat & Tears
The first summer concert of the season for the Park City Performing Arts Foundation is the revered jazz-rock band that formed in 1967 but has gone through many lineup changes since. The New York City band won Album of the Year for its self-titled 1969 album, beating out the Beatles' "Abbey Road."
When » Tonight at 7
Where » Deer Valley Resort, 2250 Deer Valley Drive, Park City
Tickets » Lawn seating $31, reserved seating $56, at ecclescenter.org or 435-655-3114
VNV Nation
Originally from the United Kingdom, VNV Nation now hails from Germany and is a fierce electronica band with pulsating synths and danceable beats. The band's name is an acronym for "Victory, not Vengeance." It is touring in support of its recently released album, "Of Faith, Power and Glory." War Tapes and Sam are also on the bill.
When » Tonight at 7
Where » Murray Theater, 4916 S. State St., Murray
Tickets » $16 at SmithsTix
Charlie Daniels Band
This country-rock band is best-known for its massive 1970s hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," and fiddler-bandleader Daniels is still going strong at age 72.
When » July 4 at 7 p.m.
Where » Peppermill Concert Hall, 1045 Wendover Blvd., West Wendover, Nev.
Tickets » $30-$55 at wendoverfun.com or call 888-PEPP-TIX
Vitamins
The Colorado-based Vitamins feature a female vocalist, two guitars, bass and drums. The band started out blending many styles in an indie-rock sound, but has morphed and grown louder over its four-year history. The Human Quena Orchestra is also on the bill.
When » July 6 at 8 p.m.
Where » Burts Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State St., Salt Lake City
Tickets » $5 at the door
Boyce Avenue
Brothers Alejandro, Fabian and Daniel Manzano are Boyce Avenue, a Florida-based rootsy acoustic rock band. The young band worked with mixer Austin Deptula (Eisley, New Found Glory) on its first record released in 2008, which was mastered by Rodney Mills (Pearl Jam, REM, Sheryl Crow). Check out the group's songs on www.youTube. Hana Pestle is also on the bill.
When » July 7 at 7 p.m.
Where » Kilby Court, 841 S. 330 West, Salt Lake City
Tickets » $10 in advance, $12 day of, at SmithsTix
Boys Like Girls
This Boston rock band co-headlined a tour with Good Charlotte last year and now is headlining its own tour. The pop-punk band will release its second studio album, "Love Drunk," in September.
When » July 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Where » Avalon, 3605 S. State St., South Salt Lake
Tickets » $19.99 at SmithsTix
The Artery Foundation Across the Nation Tour
Emarosa, Our Last Night, Burden of a Day, I See Stars, In Fear and Faith and Broadway are on the bill for this all-ages metal show. Despite the tour name, this show isn't a blood drive -- unless, say, fans get too close to the pit.
When » July 7 at 5 p.m.
Where » Studio 600, 26 E. 600 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets » $12 in advance, $14 day of, at SmithsTix
Albino!
Did you miss Fela Kuti at Red Butte Garden recently? If you did -- and even if you didn't -- Albino! is a 10-piece Afrobeat ensemble that honors his legacy of Nigerian music. The band performs high-energy grooves and has an explosive stage show packed with hypnotic percussion, a heavy horn section, African dance, costumes and group choreography.
When » July 8. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Where » The Star Bar, 268 Main St., Park City
Tickets » $5 in advance, $7 day of, at SmithsTix
Girl in a Coma
Girl in a Coma, a San Antonio-based rock band signed to Joan Jett's label, took its name from a Smiths song. Morrissey selected the trio to open his 2007 shows, but this is no average sensitive girl band: In March, two band members were charged with assaulting officers at a Houston nightclub. Miss Derringer is also on the bill.
When » July 8 at 8 p.m.
Where » Burts Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State St., Salt Lake City
Tickets » $8 in advance, $10 day of, at SmithsTix
Bon Iver, Jenny Lewis
The first Twilight Concert series concert of the summer features a pair of cult favorites. Bon Iver is the name of indie-folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon and his band; their album, "For Emma, Forever Ago," was hailed as one of the best albums of 2008. Jenny Lewis, a former child actress, is the lead singer of indie-rockers Rilo Kiley.
When » July 9 at 7 p.m.
Where » Gallivan Center, 239 S. Main St., Salt Lake City
Tickets » Free
