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SALT LAKE CITY — This week Salt Lake will be hosting pop and rap legends, with up-and-coming rock bands in between.
Kimbra, In The Venue, Monday
New Zealand singer Kimbra blends pop, funk and R&B to create an entirely original sound. Gaining widespread popularity for her participation on the Gotye smash-hit, “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Kimbra has built upon that success with her 2014 album, “The Golden Echo.”
“There's pure pop gold to be found here, but also envelope-pushing alchemy that turns these songs into unforgettable aural expressions of joy,” Sputnikmusic said.
Her concerts promise to be as lively and joyful as the album, and even bring an added energy that can only be witnessed in person.
Erasure, Capitol Theatre, Wednesday
Through numerous Top 40 hits and the sale of millions of records, Erasure has amassed a huge cult following and established itself as one of the greatest new wave bands of all time. Erasure is made up of vocalist Andy Bell and keyboardist Vince Clarke. Clarke was also one of the founding members of the preeminent new wave group, Depeche Mode.
The duo has been together almost 30 years, and is on tour in support of its new album, “The Violet Flame.” Even with so many recordings under its belt, this album has gained the band even more acclaim, and sees it in top form.
“With all the elements in place, the late-era 'The Violet Flame' sits on the top shelf of Erasure albums, and considering all the greatness in the back catalog, that's no easy task,” David Jefferies of All Music said.
Evermore Alternative Music/Pumpkin Fest, Evermore Park, Wednesday
This Wednesday in Pleasant Grove, five local bands will be playing as part of the Evermore Pumpkin Fest. The Moth & the Flame, The New Electric Sound, Fictionist, Mindy Gledhill, and RKDN will all be playing at the festival.
This will be a great opportunity to see some of Utah's most up-and-coming bands all in one night, and at a venue where your family can enjoy the different entertainment the Pumpkin Fest offers.
We Were Promised Jetpacks, Urban Lounge, Wednesday
The Scottish indie rock band burst onto the music scene in 2009 with its gritty, emotion-packed debut album, “These Four Walls.” It has released two albums since then, with its most recent, “Unravelling,” released only two weeks ago.
The album shows the band moving in the same brooding rock direction, but also adding a new multi-level sound to its songwriting.
“There is a real sense of a band maturing, in complete control, in spite of the title, and working with an assurance that they are in the right place at the right time,” Drowned in Sound's Haydon Spenceley said.
As emotion-packed as its albums can sound and be, We Were Promised Jetpacks has developed a huge following for its stirring, fevered shows.
Max Pain & the Groovies, Urban Lounge, Friday
Local psych-rock band Max Pain & the Groovies will be playing a Halloween show at the Urban Lounge this Friday night. One of Salt Lake City’s leading rock bands, Max Pain & the Groovies has toured nationally, played at South by Southwest, and received City Weekly’s top honor for Band of the Year in 2012.
It will be playing with Dark Seas and Breakers.
Noam Pikelny, Peery’s Egyptian Theater, Saturday
Grammy-nominated banjo player Noam Pikelny was recently honored by the International Bluegrass Music Association with the highly esteemed nominations of Album of the Year and Banjo Player of the Year. He won in the Album of the Year category for his album, “Noam Pikelny plays Kenny Baker plays Bill Monroe.”
Pikelny is more widely known for his participation in the progressive bluegrass band Punch Brothers, which many regard as the best bluegrass band in the nation. But with the release of his solo albums, he has been touring extensively as a solo artist. In this role, he has been regarded as one of the best banjo players around.
“Some might even go so far as to claim that Pikelny, save for Béla Fleck and a handful of others, is one of the best banjo players alive,” Taylor Coe of PopMatters said.
Method Man and Redman, The Depot, Saturday
This rap duo has been together since the early ‘90s, and the two have established themselves among the best emcees in hip-hop. Both have seen equally successful solo careers, as well as being associated with some of the greatest rap groups of all time.
Method Man was a member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, and Redman rapped in the supergroup, Def Squad. While they have gained praise as solo artists, it is said that their partnership is where they really shine.
“Hip-hop fans have known for years that Method Man and Redman are two of the top MCs in the field, and their tour together not only proved the fact, but also showed they rap incredibly well together,” said John Bush of AllMusic.
