Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
Show of the week » The hard-rocking and fiercely independent female pioneer Joan Jett is in Utah to promote "The Runaways," for which she served as executive producer, as it chronicles the challenges and trailblazing of her first band of the same name. While in town, she will regroup with The Blackhearts to play selections from her greatest hits, which include so much more than just the anthem "I Love Rock and Roll." In a Tribune interview, Jett said her parents always told her to be whatever she wanted. "I still am that musician," she said of her former young rocker self. "I still thought we could change the world." The film and her life have one overarching message, she said: "Follow your dreams." Throw another dime in the jukebox, indeed.
When » Jan. 23 at 9 p.m.
Where » Harry O's, 427 Main St., Park City
Tickets » $65 at https://ticketdriver.com/harry_o/buy/tickets
The Fray
Spotlighted show » Last summer, the Colorado-based piano-rockers The Fray headlined at Usana Amphitheatre, and this year they're set to headline the first day of the acclaimed Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe. In a Tribune interview, singer, songwriter and pianist Isaac Slade said the band is a natural fit for Sundance, because he and the band's other songwriter write with "a cinematic approach," keeping in mind their "affinity for stories." Dave Welsh, the band's lead guitarist, said he been coming to Sundance for years, always making time in his busy schedule to watch films. He loves "that extremely vibrant vibe of downtown" during the festival, and said a 2009 Sundance film, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil," is in constant rotation on the band's tour bus.
When » Friday and Jan. 23 at 5:25 p.m.
Where » Stanfield Gallery, 751 Main St., Park City
Tickets » Free; open to credential holders and general public as space allows
AM
Spotlighted show » AM is a Los Angeles pop singer-songwriter who knows how important the visual arts are: his debut album "Troubled Time" had all 10 songs featured in films and television shows. Because of that success, he has been at Sundance before. It's "always a great setting," he said, because "you're around people of your own kind" -- the creative kind. Utahns have seen him before on one of the various Hotel Cafe tours; he was one of the first artists to perform at Los Angeles' Hotel Cafe, now one of the most influential clubs in the country. AM's new album will drop on Feb. 9, and he will premiere some of his new music first at the Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe.
When » Jan. 28 at 3:20 p.m.
Where » Stanfield Gallery, 751 Main St., Park City
Tickets » Free; open to credential holders and general public as space allows
Brendan Benson
Spotlighted show » The Raconteur performs two shows at the Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe, but if you can't get in, remember that he also performs at Salt Lake City's Urban Lounge Friday night at 9 (241 S. 500 East, tickets are $15 at door). Benson, a Nashville resident and Michigan native, created The Raconteurs with his friend Jack White of The White Stripes, and then formed Dead Weather in 2006. "The Raconteurs was supposed to be fun and spontaneous," said Benson about the rootsy rock band that released two acclaimed albums. "When the stars are aligned, we'll do it. ... We just don't exist at the moment." Because of the hiatus, Benson is promoting his fourth solo album, "My Old Familiar Friend," which features the poppier instincts of the songwriter -- a different side than he shows with The Raconteurs. "My fans are all-forgiving," he said.
When » Friday and Jan. 23 at 4:40 p.m.
Where » Stanfield Gallery, 751 Main St., Park City
Tickets » Free; open to credential holders and general public as space allows
K.S. Rhoads
Spotlighted show » This 30-year-old singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist was last seen in northern Utah in December with the Ten Out of Tenn collective, a group of Nashville-based musicians who set out to prove that music from Music City doesn't have to be slick and cloying. He will be performing a solo set at the Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe and said he is looking forward to his first Park City visit. "I'm more influenced by movies than other types of music," he said. "I'm interested in film scoring. My favorite Björk album is the one she did for [the film] 'Dancer in the Dark.' " In December, Rhoads showed off a penchant for looping sounds on acoustic instruments, and he said he plans to repeat that, as well as duetting with fellow Ten Out of Tenn singer Erin McCarley. Rhoads is working on his next album and said it sounds like "a bunch of Russian composers hanging out in a bar in Louisiana."
When » Jan. 26 at 2:40 p.m.
Where » Stanfield Gallery, 751 Main St., Park City
Tickets » Free; open to credential holders and general public as space allows
Vedera
Spotlighted show » This Kansas City band opened for The Wallflowers last summer at Red Butte Garden and will open for Jack's Mannequin at Salt Lake City's In The Venue in February. In between, the female-led band will perform a set at the Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe. The rock quartet's recent album "Stages" is its breakthrough, featuring the radio hit "Satisfy," which was chosen recently as the iTunes free Single of the Week. "I love 'Satisfy' because people are connecting with it," said singer Kristen May. The tech-savvy band keeps in constant contact with its fans through Twitter and its blog, and is eager to perform inside the intimate Stanfield Gallery. "This is a good way to connect with the audience" she said of the venue. Vedera is poised for a break-out 2010, as the band recently was booked for the relaunched Lilith Fair this summer.
When » Jan. 26 at 4 p.m.
Where » Stanfield Gallery, 751 Main St., Park City
Tickets » Free; open to credential holders and general public as space allows
Other notable night shows in the following week:
Harry O's , 427 Main St., Park City; doors open at 9 p.m.
Jan. 22 » Nas, $50
Jan. 24 » Wale, $25
Jan. 28 » Snoop Dogg, $60
Jan. 29 » Slightly Stoopid, $30
More info and tickets are available at https://ticketdriver.com/harry_o/buy/tickets
Downstairs , 625 Main St., Park City; doors open at 8:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 » Slick Rick's birthday celebration
Jan. 23 » Lil John
Jan. 24 » Shwayze
Jan. 25 » Acoustic performance by Dave Navarro
Jan. 26 » Wilmer Valderrama's birthday celebration
Jan. 27 » Del the Funkee Homosapien
Jan. 28 and Jan. 29 » Danny Trejo with special guest Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson (scheduled to attend, but not to perform)
Jan. 30 » D.J. Mom Jeans (Danny Masterson of "That '70s Show")
For table reservations, call Dustin at 801-414-0245. Limited tickets and more information at www.smithstix.com
