Maria Taylor
Show of the week • Headliners Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit are reason enough to see this show, with the former Drive-By Trucker receiving widespread acclaim for his latest album, "Here We Rest," But fellow Alabama resident Maria Taylor is a reason to arrive early. Best known as a frequent collaborator with Bright Eyes and one-half of the indie duo Azure Ray, Taylor is perfoming tracks from her upcoming album "Overlook," due in August. "I did want to rock more on this album," said the 35-year-old Taylor in a phone interview somewhere between Abilene and Lubbock. Isbell's guitar player Browan Lollar also has performed with Taylor before, so he will be joining Taylor on guitar, and Taylor's sister will be on drums and her brother is on bass. Be sure to check out Taylor's guitar: it only has five strings. Several years ago she was playing guitar when the high-E strong snapped. She kept on playing, and realized she liked not hearing the "ping" sound on her strums. A fan of more bass and less treble, Taylor now removes all high-E strings from her instrument.
When • Friday, June 10 at 8 p.m.
Where • The State Room, 638 S. State St., Salt Lake City
Tickets • $17 day of, $20 night of, at thestateroomslc.com
Taking Back Sunday
Show of the week • Hard-rock band Taking Back Sunday surprised many fans in the last year by announcing that band members John Nolan and Shaun Cooper were rejoining the band after leaving in 2003. This line-up is called the "Tell All Your Friends" line-up — named for the band's debut album that Nolan and Cooper played on — and drummer Mark O'Connell said the band is at a high point. "We're really, really enjoying ourselves," O'Connell said in a phone interview from a Long Island beach date with his wife. "We've having a ball." Before recording the band's self-titled album, due in late June, the band and two former members met in El Paso to bury hatchets, and all problems were ironed out by the time dawn arrived. O'Connell is ecstatic about Nolan and Cooper returning. "There wasn't a second where I didn't want them to be back in the band," he said. Part of the reason that the band is back together, O'Donnell said, is that the members are now in their 30's, rather than in their 20's, and are able to interact with each other in a sage way. Special guests include Thursday, Colour Revolt, and The New Regime.
When • Wednesday, June 15 at 7 p.m.
Where • In The Venue, 579 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $27 at SmithsTix and 24Tix
Okkervil River
Show of the week • The Austin-based band Okkervil River has always been known as solid folk-rock band with a strong reputation of consistentsy. But last year, the band decided to head for the ditch, and came up with "I Am Very Fair," a positively psychedelic collection that upended everyone's expectations. Luckily for the band, the tactic seems to have worked. The reviews have been "mainly postive," said bass-plater Patrick Pestorius in an interview. "I've been waiting for some reviews that really slam it." The band's intention to experiment came in part with being the backing band for the 13th Floor Elevators' Roky Erickson on Erickson's 2010 album. "I don't think you can be involved in that without taking something from that," Pestorius said. "It was an important album for the band ... Instead of being off-tour and not seeing each other for a while, we worked on something completely different." The process of recording "I Am Very Far," he said, was as a result "intellectually stimulating," where the band could "take our imagination and go somewhere else." Titus Andronicus is also on the bill.
When • Thursday, June 16 at 9 p.m.
Where • Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $15 at 24Tix
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
In the mood for retro? The Sandy Amphitheater is graced by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the horn-heavy big band featured in the 1996 film "Swingers," which has continued to keep the swing-dancing flame alive.
When • Tonight at 8
Where • Sandy Amphitheater, 9400 S. 1300 East, Sandy
Tickets • $15 to $25 at SmithsTix
Manchester Orchestra
This Georgia-based indie-rock band released its new album "Simple Math" in May. In my experience, that title is a misnomer, as there's no such thing as simple math. Only really, really difficult math.
When • Saturday, June 11 at 8 p.m.
Where • In The Venue, 579 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $16.50 in advance, $19 day of, at SmithsTix and 24Tix
Sketchophrenia
This comedy show features comedians Andrew Jensen, Troy Taylor, and Christopher Stephenson, and combines sketch comedy with costumes, sets, and musical numbers with digital short films.
When • Saturday, June 11 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Where • Post Theater, 245 South Fort Douglas Blvd, University of Utah campus, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $10 in advance at brownpapertickets.com, $15 at door
Lynnette Thredgold
South Davis Community Hospital presents a benefit concert featuring violinist Lynnette Thredgold. The evening will include classical, pop, blues, and broadway-style performances, with guest artists Jed Moss, Tyler Oliphant, and Ballet West dancers Michael Bearden, Arolyn Williams, Alison DeBona and Aidan DeYoung, with choreography by Tom Mattingly. One-hundred percent of proceeds will benefit South Davis Community Hospital's non-profit Specialty Care.
When • Saturday, June 11 at 7 p.m.
Where • Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $25 to $125 at ArtTix
Crunk Summer Kick-Off Party with Ying Yang Twins
The Atlanta-based crunk-rap duo of Kaine and D-Roc debuted in 2000, and then went on in 2003 to collaborate with Lil Jon on his hit single "Get Low." In 2004 and 2005, the Ying Yang Twins has popular hits with "Salt Shaker," "What's Happenin'," "Shake," and "Badd." Their song "Halftime (Stand Up and Get Crunk)" is played at many NFL football stadiums, of which Utah has none.
When • Saturday, June 11 at 7 p.m.
Where • In The Venue, 579 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $20 in advance, $25 day of, at SmithsTix
Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Toots & The Maytals
Will this be the first Red Butte Garden show of the season to take place at the weather-plagued Red Butte Garden? (That's after the Memorial Day opening weekend Moody Blues opening show was moved to EnergySolutions Arena.) Big Head Todd & The Monsters have become a Intermountain West favorite since forming in Colorado in 1986, while Toots & The Maytals are a Jamaican ska and reggae group that starts parties envied by Pink and Black-Eyed Peas.
When • Sunday, June 12 at 7 p.m.
Where • Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $32 for Garden members, $37 for public, $25 for children at redbuttegarden.org or by calling 801-585-0556
Melou Stewart Cline
The daughter of the late D. Michael Stewart, former Salt Lake County Commissioner, has written and dedicated a new CD, "A Celebration of Life," in her father's memory. Cline, a music therapist, is a classical singer, composer and pianist who graduated from the University of Utah with bachelor's and master's degrees.
When • Monday, June 13 at 7 p.m.
Where • Salt Lake Main Library auditorium, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free
Jeff Crosby and the Refugees
The 24-year-old Idaho native is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose rock 'n' roll-infused folk songs are inspired by growing up in a small town. He is accompanied by a band that includes stand-up bass, cello and accordion, and his new self-titled album is due out this month.
When • Monday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Gracie's, 326 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free with admission to bar
The Desert Wind Band
The JCC Outdoor Summer Concert Series presents the Desert Wind Band, nine musicians who blend rock 'n' roll with New Age, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, jazz, and classical influences. Bring your own dinner or purchase dinner from the Judge at the J Café.
When • Tuesday, June 14 at 7 p.m.
Where • I.J.& Jeanné Wagner Jewish Community Center, 2 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free
Note • Adult beverages available for purchase; no outside drinks allowed
Face to Face
This central California-based punk group was created in 1991 by frontman Trever Keith, and he remains the sole original member. After playing the entirety of the 2010 Vans Warped Tour, the band released its new album "Laugh Now, Laugh Later" in May. Strung Out and Blitzkid are also on the bill.
When • Tuesday, June 14 at 7 p.m.
Where • The Complex, 536 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $20 in advance, $25 day of, at SmithsTix
Psychostick
Who says metal and comedy don't mix? This Arizona band has been blending the two since 2000, with highlights being the 2009 album "Sandwich" and 2006's "We Couldn't Think of a Title." Their most popular song is 2007's "Beer," though their holiday album "The Flesh Eating Rollerskate Holiday Joyride" roasted some chestnuts.
When • Wednesday, June 15 at 8 p.m.
Where • Club Vegas, 445 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $8 in advance, $10 day of, at SmithsTix
CAKE
This concert is billed as "An Evening with CAKE," which is code for "no opening act." The California band headlined last year's Summer Solstice Concert at Library Square and are back for a night of trumpet and raw guitars on songs such as "The Distance," "Rock 'N' Roll Lifestyle," "Never There," "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" and "Sick of You," the latter from the band's 2011 album "Showroom of Compassion."
When • Thursday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $38 for Garden members, $43 for public, $30 for children, at redbuttegarden.org or by calling 801-585-0556
Steel Pulse
This English roots-reggae band began life in the Birmingham club scene and became so well-known that they performed at Bill Clinton's first inauguration. The British band first came together in 1975.
When • Thursday, June 16 at 9 p.m.
Where • The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $25 in advance, $30 day of, at SmithsTix
Lil Flip, Chino 4 Real
Houston rapper Lil Flip and local rapper Chino 4 Real headline a night of hip hop, while the bill also features Sick Lake, Blocks, Pell and Mike Skilz. Lil Flip is best known for his singles "Sunshine" and "Rollin on 20's" from the "2 Fast 2 Furious" soundtrack.
When • Thursday, June 16 at 9 p.m.
Where • The Hotel & Club Elevate, 149 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $12 in advance, $15 day of, at 24Tix
