POP/ROCK By Erin K. Thompson
Dia Frampton/Sunday, June 10
Fans of The Voice will remember this charming 20-something from the show’s first season; she took second place but went on to outsell champion Javier Colon with her folk-pop debut, Red. With Scars on 45. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005. 7 p.m. $15.
Japandroids/Monday, June 11
The rackety British Columbia duo of Brian King and David Prowse is back with their second LP of noisy guitar rock, this month’s Celebration Rock. With Cadence Weapon. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467. 8 p.m. $13.50.
The Beach Boys/Friday, July 13
It’s been half a century since the iconic California surf-rockers released their first single, titled “Surfin’ ” (natch). To celebrate, the surviving lineup, including the legendarily eccentric Brian Wilson, is back together for a tour and a new album, That’s Why God Made the Radio, out June 5. Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14111 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, 425-488-1133. 7 p.m. $69.50–$125.
Ray Davies/Saturday, July 14
The Kinks founder and frontman, 68, is on the road; his most recent solo record was 2010’s See My Friends, a collection of Kinks songs made into duets with a slew of big-name collaborators. With The 88. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., 877-784-4849. 8 p.m. $45 adv./$50 DOS.
Marina and the Diamonds/Saturday, July 14
Welsh singer Marina Diamandis’ second album, Electra Heart, is a unabashed electro-pop affair that includes collaborations with Top-40 masterminds Dr. Luke and Stargate. With MSMR. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. 8 p.m. $19.50 adv./$22 DOS.
Florence and the Machine/Saturday, July 21
Riding the success of her band’s most recent hit single, “Shake It Off,” British vocalist Florence Welch has morphed into one of the world’s most celebrated pop stars. With the Walkmen. White River Amphitheatre, 40601 Auburn-Enumclaw Rd., Auburn, 360-825-6200. 8 p.m. $30–$70.
Fiona Apple/Wednesday, July 25
It’s been seven long years, but pop music’s strangest and finest chanteuse is back with her fourth album of new material, The Idler Wheel . . . , whose full title is (déjà vu) too long to print in this blurb. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 877-784-4849. 8 p.m. $41.25–$56.25.
Sigur Rós/Wednesday, Aug. 8
The popular Reykjavík rock experimentalists recently released their fifth full-length, the electronically charged Valtari; tickets to tonight’s show sold out in a day. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 877-784-4849. 8 p.m. Sold out.
Desparacidos/Saturday, Aug. 25
Conor Oberst’s punk band from the early 2000s released one album, Read Music/Speak Spanish, before getting lost in Bright Eyes’ shadow; they’re now back together for a summer tour and maybe more. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. 8 p.m. $22.50 adv./$25 DOS.
Bumbershoot/Saturday, Sept. 1–Monday, Sept. 3
Tony Bennett and Skrillex top the lineup at this year’s annual Labor Day blowout; hopefully they won’t collaborate, because dubstep mixed with an 85-year-old’s crooning sounds like the music that soundtracks hell. Seattle Center. $40–$110.
COUNTRY By Gwendolyn Elliott
Amy LaVere/Thursday, June 14
After fronting a punk band in Detroit, this vocalist and upright bass player brings a feisty style to her blues-inflected Americana, and her dulcet country twang is captured perfectly on 2011’s Stranger Me, produced by Craig Silvey, the knob-twister behind Arcade Fire’s Grammy-winning The Suburbs. With Shelby Earl and Mark Pickerel. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. 9 p.m. $8.
Rodney Crowell & Mary Karr/Monday, June 18
Crowell has written songs for Johnny Cash and Tim McGraw, and has called Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark friends. After reading Karr’s memoirs, Cherry and The Liar’s Club, the two wrote songs together on the forthcoming Kin, featuring contributions from everyone from Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris to Crowell’s ex-wife, Rosanne Cash. With Steuart Smith. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. 7:30 p.m. $27 adv./$30 DOS/$37 VIP.
Slack Fest/Saturday, July 14
Stanwood’s rustic country landscape, offset by a dirt racetrack and a flatbed truck stage, makes the perfect digs for the jamboree that is KEXP DJ and Swingin’ Doors host Don Slack’s annual roots-rock music fest. With the Moondoggies, Hobosexual, Hounds of the Wild Hunt, Pipsisewah, Country Lips, Big Wheel Stunt Show, The Rolling Stones, the Wayfinders. Slide Dog Race Track, 23311 70th Ave. N.W., Stanwood. Noon. $25–$35.
Chris Isaak/Sunday, July 22
With a distinctive mellow croon and a catalog styled after the rock-and-roll greats of Sun Studios (notably Roy Orbison and Elvis), last year Isaak issued Beyond The Sun, an album of covers to honor and perpetuate the songs of his heroes. With Shawn Colvin. Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14111 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, 425-488-1133. 7 p.m. $45 and up.
Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers and Emmylou Harris/Tuesday, July 24
Considering their Grammy-winning bluegrass album, Rare Bird Alert, and Harris’ enchanting voice and storied place in country music, it’s rare to see such seasoned, legendary talent on one stage. Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14111 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, 425-488-1133. 7 p.m. $49.50 and up.
Ronnie Dunn/Saturday, July 28
Half of pop country duo Brooks and Dunn (the team that brought you “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”), Ronnie Dunn went solo in 2011 and released a self-titled debut; hit single “Bleed Red” peaked at #10 on the Billboard country charts. I-5 Tacoma Showroom at Emerald Queen Casino, 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma, 253-594-7777. 8:30 p.m. $45 and up.
Steve Earle and the Dukes/Wednesday, Aug. 1
Earle’s long been known for a wide range of styles incorporating country, rock, and folk, but his two most recent releases, Townes and I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive, are soulful, mellow numbers that find the artist one step further toward a sound of his own. With Los Lobos. Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., 548-2500. 6 p.m. $28.
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas/Saturday, Aug. 5
The angel-voiced songbird brings her loyal band and contemporary bluegrass sound back to the Northwest in support of last year’s Paper Airplane. Maryhill Winery, 9774 Highway 14, Goldendale, 877-627-9445. 6 p.m. $45 and up.
Willie Nelson/Friday, Sept. 7
The tireless troubadour and country icon clocked in four albums in 2011; at 79, still performing with the “family” band that includes his sister Bobbie, Nelson shows no signs of stopping. Puyallup Fair & Events Center, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W., Puyallup, 253-841-5045. 8:30 p.m. $40.
Martina McBride/Friday, Sept. 12
McBride first shot to stardom opening for Garth Brooks in the early ’90s. On the heels of her 11th album, her career has outlasted many of her peers’, no doubt due to her soaring, melodic vocals, which never needed an image overhaul. Puyallup Fair & Events Center, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W., Puyallup, 253-841-5045. 7:30 p.m. $35 and up.
THE HEAVIES By Dave Lake
Chickenfoot/Wednesday, June 6
Since Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony weren’t invited on this summer’s Van Halen tour, the pair will take the road with Chickenfoot instead. For bonus points, try figure out which bald, sunglasses-wearing member is guitarist Joe Satriani and which is touring drummer Kenny Aronoff, filling in for the Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith. With Black Stone Cherry. WaMu Theater, 800 Occidental Ave S., 800-745-3000. 7:30 p.m. $45–$55.
Thrice/Saturday, June 9
Thrice’s 2011 album Major/Minor is a minor masterpiece, and the Irvine, Calif., band has developed into one of today’s most exciting hard-rock acts. Though not breaking up, the band will go on indefinite hiatus after this tour, so see them now before it’s too late. With Animals as Leaders, O’Brother. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S., 628-3151. 7:30 p.m. $19.
L.A. Guns/Saturday, June 16
Though both Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns were members of the band when they scored a pair of hit records in the late ’80s, the two have been fighting over the L.A. Guns name ever since. The band that hits Seattle this summer is the one fronted by singer Lewis, celebrating the release of their latest album, Hollywood Forever. With Liberty Lush, Palooka, Bloodshot Barrels, and guests. Studio Seven, 110 S. Horton St., 286-1312. 8 p.m. $15 adv./$17 DOS.
Nekromantix, the Casualties/Saturday, July 7
Danish psychobilly champs Nekromantix join New York street punks the Casualties in a death-themed-band-name double bill. With Down by Law, Lower Class Brats, Flatfoot 56, the Sheds, Right Your Wrongs, No Buffer, Trash and the Timebombs. Studio Seven, 110 S. Horton St., 286-1312. 8 p.m. $15 adv./$18 DOS.
Screeching Weasel, the Queers/Saturday, July 14
Bring your boxing gloves: Ben Weasel’s band quit on him mid-tour after he punched a pair of women following their SXSW show. He has since apologized and reformed the band, who will play El Corazon with the scene’s second-biggest Ramones-core act, the Queers. With the Piniellas. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E., 381-3094. 7:30 p.m. $21 adv./$25 DOS.
Bouncing Souls/Sunday, July 22
New Jersey’s favorite pop-punk sons play songs from their ninth album, Comet, their first for new label Rise Records. They’ll by joined by the Menzingers, whose album On the Impossible Past is this year’s best punk record so far. With Luther. Chop Suey. 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005. 7 p.m. $18.
Iron Maiden/Monday, July 30
It’s hard to believe Maiden are still touring and playing huge venues, but here they are again, this time on their “Maiden England” tour. Based on the 1989 concert video of the same name, the show includes a set list and stage show from their 1988 “Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour.” With Coheed & Cambria. White River Amphitheater, 40601 Auburn-Enumclaw Rd., 360-825-6200. 7:30 p.m. $36–$81.
Dethklok, Lamb of God/Wednesday, Aug. 1
Dethklok, a fake death-metal band that became a real death-metal band to play the songs from the Metalocalpyse cartoon that birthed them, will tour with the equally heavy but more traditional metal sounds of Lamb of God, touring behind their latest album Resolution. With Gojira. WaMu Theater, 800 Occidental Ave. S., 800-745-3000. 6 p.m. $33 adv./$38 DOS.
KISS, Mötley Crüe/Saturday, Aug. 18
They both love makeup and knee-high boots and pack more pyro than a dynamite salesman, so why not tour together and save money on props and costumes? White River Amphitheater, 40601 Auburn-Enumclaw Rd., 360-825-6200. 7 p.m. $48.50–$151.
Cannibal Corpse/Wednesday, Aug. 22
The Buffalo, N.Y., death-metal legends will mix songs from this year’s Torture with older horror-imagery-inspired classics like “Meat Hook Sodomy,” “I Cum Blood,” and “Entrails Ripped from a Virgin’s Cunt.” With Between the Buried and Me, The Faceless, Periphery, Veil of Maya, Job for a Cowboy, Goatwhore, Exhumed, Cerebral Bore. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S., 628-3151. 2 p.m. $29.50 adv/$30 DOS.
HIP-HOP By Todd Hamm
Fresh Espresso/Friday, June 8
You know there’s something wrong with the hype machine when an album as brilliant as FE’s debut, Glamour, never saw its day atop the national charts like it did locally. Regardless of whether the rest of the country wakes up this time around (this is the release show for their sophomore album, Bossalona), you shouldn’t sleep on this one. With Slow Dance, White China Gold. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $10.
Theoretics/Saturday, June 9
Big-production ska rap is . . . a little past its moment, but if live-band hip-hop gets your blood flowing, then have at it. With Eclectic Approach, Imaginary Friends. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 8 p.m. $8.
Stalley/Sunday, June 10
The occasionally promising Ohio rapper brings his enjoyable singles and Maybach Music clout to town. Get there early and watch local guy Jarv Dee tear it up. With PROPS!, Royce the Choice, DJ Warsame. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 7 p.m. $15.
The Nightcaps/Friday, June 15
This local duo releases their second album, Crowd Control, tonight, and the lineup is built for a party. With The MC Type, Worst Animal, Slowdance, Bigtime. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 8 p.m. $7.
Luck-One/Thursday, June 21
This Portland/Seattle MC has the kind of smooth voice that makes rapping sound easy. This time he’s bringing a few top-shelf Seattleites to the stage to get things going. With Fatal Lucciauno, The Good Sin, Thaddeus David, Juga Hill. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $10.
El-P/Sunday, July 1
This New York rap god has been as instrumental as anyone in shaping the current hip-hop landscape, and the sounds from his phenomenal new album, Cancer for Cure—not to mention a full bill of associates—make this a night you’d be downright crazy to miss. With Killer Mike, Mr. Muthafuckin eXquite, Despot. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $18.50.
Talib Kweli/Tuesday, July 17
Ever conscious of his musical influences and style-labeling traps, Kweli sets off on his “Prisoner of Conscious Tour” to prove he’s still one of the best in the mix today. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 8 p.m. $25.
Dark Time Sunshine/Saturday, July 21
The release party for their sophomore album, ANX—if it’s half as good as their first offering, Vessel, it’ll be one of the year’s best rap albums. With Sadistik, Mr. Hill. Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 9 p.m. $10.
Big K.R.I.T./Wednesday, July 25
One of the bright new lights in Southern rap, K.R.I.T. has built his buzz and potential into something palpable to enjoy. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $20.
DJ/ELECTRONIC By Eric Grandy
Viper Creek Club/Thursday, June 7
Having recently done bootleg remixes of pop stars Usher and Kimbra, Viper Creek Club is working on a new “purely instrumental fusion album”; advance single “Tribal” isn’t so much what the title promises as it is light, breezy electro-pop. See what else they’re working on at this five-deep show of Northwest electro. With Copy, Glitterbang, Sports, Jupe Jupe. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005. 8 p.m. $8.
Eddie C/Friday, June 8
Hailing from the red-hot disco metropolis of Banff, Alberta (he’s also a skier), Eddie C is nonetheless one of the most distinguished movers of the nu-disco/edits/slow-mo house scene. Tonight, he hits Re-bar with support from leisurely local crew Slowpøke. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St. 10 p.m.
Limelight/Wednesday, June 13
An all-local night of bass and club music with Filejerks/Mad Decent dude Astronomar, Stop Biting regular and all-around busy beat-maker WD4D, and Bassdrop’s Ghostplay. Barboza, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9951. 9 p.m. $5.
DROP/Friday, June 15
Def Jux/Ninja Tune instrumental hip-hop producer Blockhead headlines Drop, a night of beats, bass music, and more at LoFi—this month also featuring the smart, sample-heavy, head-nodding sounds of local duo The New Law. With NovaTRON and more. LoFi, 429 Eastlake Ave., 254-2824. 9 p.m.
“Hey Tranny It’s Tranny”/Friday, June 22
Amid the drag queens and general fabulousness of Nark Magazine‘s Gay Pride Party this year are a couple notable electronic acts: Cody Critcheloe’s trash-theater/electro-pop troupe SSION and JD Samson of Le Tigre and MEN. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $32.
The Social/Saturday, June 23
A very special Pride edition of Shameless party The Social, with secret guests to be announced the night before; expect a gay old rave and some surprises. With Nark, Rxch Wxtch, //HOOKER//, Riff Raff, Luying. Electric Tea Garden, 1402 E. Pike St. Midnight.
Paradiso/Saturday, June 23
In arenas as mainstream as the Grammys, big-room rave is ascendant in 2012—more so than at any time in the U.S. since ’90s “electronica.” Tonight, the glowstick-swinging massive takes the Gorge, led by Swedish trance wunderkind Avicii. With Afrojack, R3hab, Nervo, Michael Woods, LA Riots, Skism, Dodge & Fuski. The Gorge, 754 Silica Rd., Quincy, 785-6262. 2 p.m. $65.
Capitol Hill Block Party/Friday, July 20–Sunday, July 22
Though mainly an indie rock (Neko Case, Phantogram) and hip-hop (Spoek Mathambo, Don’t Talk to the Cops!) fest, some of CHBP’s brightest lights this year are electronic acts—including wispy pop looper Grimes and outstanding live house outfit Miracles Club.
Bumbershoot/Friday, Aug. 31–Mon., Sept. 3
With dubstep haircut Skrillex headlining and Decibel’s After Dark party included in the festival admission price, 2012 might be the year Bumbershoot learns (remembers?) how to rave. Synth-pop swooners M83 are a nice bonus as well.
