Notable Shows

Wednesday, August 16

Shapes and Sizes + the Lonely Forest

The Victoria, B.C.–based Shapes and Sizes describe their sound as "a whale with wings and a tomato that tastes like a strawberry." Also: "Shapes and Sizes wrote the melody that apexes in your brain when you were told for the first time that everything you've ever believed with certainty was a lie." Pretty fantastical claims—but their precious pop can inspire wondrous thoughts. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $6

Thursday, August 17

Kitchen: Riz + Kid Hops + A.C. Lewis + Rebecca West

Thursday has long been recognized as the real start of the weekend, so get yours going with this new weekly, an evening of "everything but the kitchen sink" sonics. Masterminded by two of KEXP's three Expansions DJs, Riz and Kid Hops, SunTzu Sound's A.C. Lewis, and house DJ Rebecca West, it promises to provide some grooves for your heart. Baltic Room, 9 p.m. $5

Friday, August 18

George Acosta

Enjoy a sultry summer night with the direct-from-Miami vibes of longtime trance master Acosta, along with an unusually packed DJ roster including Sandman, Johnny Monsoon, Rufio, and Richie Spoonz. Element, 10 p.m. $10 before 11 p.m./$15

Fresh T'Death

Prolific local DJ Rama (aka Krnl.Panic) is making the move to Brooklyn, so catch his last appearance at this feels-like-a-house-party venue, where he and Emynd, Bo Bliz, Alibi, Recess, A.C. Lewis, and J. Justice serve up everything from dancehall to Baltimore club to electro to future soul. Lo Fi, 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 19

Barley Audible Fest: Harvey Danger + IQU + Slender Means + the Ruby Doe

The Redhook Brewery celebrates 25 years of churning out their tasty and satisfying beverages by serving up a cheekily named festival featuring some of the NW's greats. It's not on a block, and it ain't free, but it's well worth the drive if you ask me. Redhook Brewery, 14300 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, 3 p.m. $10

Comets on Fire + Kinski + 16 Bitch Pile Up

SEE FEATURE [Comets on Fire], P. 47. Neumo's, 9 p.m. $10

Don Caballero + Zombi + Sean

Math-rockers (those rockers fond of atypical rhythm structures and stop/start dynamics, says Wikipedia) from way back, Don Cabellero, return from the East Coast in support of their new Relapse album, World Class Listening Problem. Intriguing instrumental metal band Zombi also makes a welcome reappearance, along with Sean. El Corazon, 9 p.m. $10 adv./$12

Hempfest: Tilted Blue + Los Marijuanos + Mos Generator + the Georgetown Orbits + Selassie I Soldier + Subjekt 2 Change + Alliance of Defiance + Kristina Childs + Kate Borkowski + more

This year, the free Hempfest offers about a billion bands and DJs, so whether you prefer roots, rock, or reggae (or techno, metal, country, grunge, ska, pop . . . ) when you're lifted (or just supportive!), you'll be all set just by wandering around. Pier 70, 3130 Alaskan Way W., 11 a.m. NC

Mountain Music Fest: Carbon Leaf + the Bodeans + Shawn Mullins + Jackie Greene

103.7 gets its day in the sun (we hope) with an audience-approved batch of bands including Celtic-influenced roots-rockers Carbon Leaf, innocuous rockers the Bodeans, and songwriters Mullin and Greene. Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy N.E., Redmond, 4 p.m. $35–$49.50

Sunday, August 20

Hempfest: Dub Championz + Rehab + Gypsy Foot + Greenhaven + Tribal Voices + Otha Major + Soul Rebel + Flowmotion + the Squirrels + the Panda Conspiracy + 2 Headed Chang + John Sinclair and the Seattle Blues Scholars + Rob Noble + Naha + DJ Eddie + more

Pier 70, 3130 Alaskan Way W., 11 a.m. NC

Seahorse + Princess Johnny and the Sex-Changes + the Sacred Dice

L.A.'s the Sacred Dice rock mellow tunes that make one think of Elvis Costello at one moment, Phish at the next, and, during a particular bridge, the Rent soundtrack. They play with two local groups: electronically tinged jammers Seahorse and new alterna-blues kids on the block, Princess Johnny and the Sex-Changes. Central Saloon, 8 p.m. $5

The Suffering Fuckheads

SEE FEATURE, P. 48. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $5

Monday, August 21

Mountain Goats

John Darnielle's follow-up to the widely acclaimed The Sunset Tree is Get Lonely, out soon on 4AD. This time around, the master storyteller's tales are a touch lighter, though no less touching—and since he's playing no proper shows on this visit, this late-night serenade will be sweet. Easy Street Records, 20 Mercer St., 11 p.m. NC

Tuesday, August 22

Cracker + Camper Van Beethoven

Greenland, released this June, brings us the first new originals in four years from old-school Virginia country rockers, Cracker. And for you die-hard David Lowery fans, bear in mind that only those of us on the West Coast get to take it back with the Camper Van Beethoven experience on this tour. Crocodile Cafe, 7 p.m. $20 adv./$23

Reid Speed + the Dowlz + Aksion

SEE FEATURE [Reid Speed], P. 49. War Room, 9 p.m. $8 E