This week in local concerts

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SALT LAKE CITY — Musicians from Americana singer-songwriters to electro-pop groups are featured in this week's showcase of local concerts. To find more shows this week not discussed here, you can go to Songkick.com.

Patty Griffin, The Depot, Monday

Grammy-Award winning singer-songwriter Patty Griffin has been one of America’s folk treasures for over two decades. Noted for her stripped-down music and aching lyrics, Griffin's songs have been covered by numerous singers and have won her wide acclaim.

She released two fairly different albums last year, “American Kid” and “Silver Bells.” The former was her first album of original songs in six years, and the latter came through a more unconventional method. “Silver Bells” was recorded in 2000, but with changes in her record-label, it remained on the shelf until last year. Both albums have brought critical acclaim.

“Griffin’s melodies are gorgeous, her phrasing elastic, supple, and perfectly expressive of the words, and the sound of her voice is purely captivating. … But Patty Griffin has clearly been saving the best of her own material for a long time, making this perhaps her finest hour,” Blurt Magazine said.

Delta Spirit, Urban Lounge, Monday

Rock band Delta Spirit is coming to Salt Lake in support of its newest album, “Into the Wide.” Tired of being pegged as strictly an American band, Delta Spirit released a self-titled album two years ago that changed the band's sound and image.

With its latest release, it has continued in that same direction. While still holding the hefty guitar riffs, driving drums and emotional lyrics from the lead singer's gravelly voice, there is still a distinct difference in the last two albums.

“Riffs and choruses grab hold and throttle forward harder than ever, bottling the force present in the band’s live shows. … Delta Spirit remains Delta Spirit. They’ve successfully expanded their range without it feeling unnatural,” Consequence of Sound said in its review.

Foxygen, Urban Lounge, Tuesday

Infamous for its wild shows and the lead singer's unrestrained antics, Psych-pop group Foxygen has garnered itself as one of the “must-see” bands around. With its 2013 album, “We are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic,” launching the group into the indie limelight, the band has continued its dreamy 1970s-tinged pop with its 2014, lengthy 82-minute release, “… And Star Power.”

“Foxygen mostly exhibits self-control as a means of demonstrating a willingness to loosen its grip. The result cracks open a fire hydrant of ideas meant to tantalize and frustrate, dazzle and baffle. Mission accomplished, all at once,” Stephen Thompson of NPR music said in describing the band's last album.

In the intimate setting of the Urban Lounge, it is almost a guarantee all who attend will walk away feeling they just went through a time-portal and attended a raucous ’70s rock concert.

Polica, Urban Lounge, Friday

Minneapolis electro-pop outfit Polica has risen quickly in the indie-electronica scene with its first two albums. The culmination of dark and brooding pop driven by the band's two drummers and bassist, paired with the singers' almost detached vocals gives the band an entirely absorbing sound.

Receiving endorsements from Bon Iver, Jay-Z and Kanye West has launched the band at a rapid rate from an unknown local group to one of the year’s most promising bands. Its first album featured more somber moments, while 2014's album, “Shulamith,” features a much more electric and frantic sound.

“Shulamith, is hyper and edgy, driven by a manic tension that pushes both Polica’s physical and synthetic spheres into new realms,” PASTE Magazine said.

This slightly new direction bodes well for its lively concerts.

The Head and The Heart, Park City Live, Saturday

Between the band's debut self-titled album in 2010, which was placed on many Top 10 lists, and its intense touring schedule, The Head and The Heart became indie-folk darlings in an incredibly short time. Continuing with its live-band-first mentality has won over fans worldwide.

Its 2013 album, “Let’s Be Still,” saw the band take a more electric sound while still holding its signature harmonies and the searing emotional impact of its songs.

“On Let’s Be Still, the warm vocal tandem of Josiah Johnson and Jonathan Russell is pared down to its core vibrancy, as two soul-sapped, lovelorn bellowers more casually croon their wishes and woes,” PASTE Magazine said in its review.

The Moth and the Flame, The State Room, Saturday

Provo-grown band The Moth and the Flame will be playing at Velour in Provo on Friday and The State Room on Saturday. Crafting catchy indie-pop, the band has seen steady growth over the last couple of years and seem to be on the cusp of widespread popularity.

“I could hear at times some huge potential for something that might be worthy of a big stage presence. I could also hear some of that early 2000's alternative rock that the radio seemed to love over and over again. But when you dig a little deeper and give the album a few more listens you get a very mature and developed sound,” Fake Plastic Tunes said.

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UtahEntertainment
Brock Allen

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