FRIDAY, JUNE 9
Zac Brown Band
While singer-guitarist Zac Brown caters to a country crowd, he and his band can play a bit of everything. When they played at Blossom two years ago, they covered Charlie Daniels’ Band redneck anthem “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” offered up a grunge-y rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” and paid tribute to the Marshall Tucker Band with an epic rendition of “Can’t You See.” And that’s not to mention covers of songs by Metallica, Queen and the Foo Fighters. Expect a similar approach when the band returns to Blossom tonight. The tour comes in support of the band's new album, Welcome Home, a return to its roots. (Jeff Niesel), 7 p.m., $35.75-$79.75. Blossom.
AJ and the Woods/The Whiskey Hollow/Punch Drunk Tagalogs
The local rock bands the Whiskey Hollow, Punch Drunk Tagalongs, and AJ & the Woods play different styles of music. The Whiskey Hollow plays twangy garage country, Punch Drunk Tagalongs dabble in moody indie rock and AJ & the Woods draw from folk, blues and rock. The one thing all the bands have in common is that they feature women singers. They'll perform together at a special show dubbed "Cleveland's Women That Rock." (Niesel) 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.
Lil' Uzi Vert/Bibi Bourelly/Kodie Shane
Along with Atlanta’s Lil Yachty, Philly native Lil Uzi Vert has been the poster boy for rap’s next generation. Alternatively lauded as avant garde and trashed as regressive mumbling, Uzi’s has nevertheless rocketed into prominence as he is, according to Noisey, “for better or for worse, yanking people into the future.” The purple-braided, septum-pierced 22-year-old folds a punk and pop-punk influence into his rap recipe, citing Paramore, Marilyn Manson, and GG Allin as primary influences but lacing his melodic, emo vocal affect over hand-picked beats from trap mainstays Metro Boomin, TM88, Don Cannon, and Sonny Digital. His latest single, “XO Tour Llif3,” is a dark, psychedelic rap-rock trip which has made a recent home on the Billboard Charts’ top ten. Uzi brings along two supporting acts, and they’re not to be missed. Bibi Bourelly is powerful vocalist and talented songwriter whose solo career was launched after penning hits for Rihanna like “Higher” and “Bitch Better Have My Money.” Kodie Shane also supports, a playful Atlanta rapper/singer and Yachty-affiliate dripping with youthful confidence and charisma: check out “NOLA” for a taste. (Lawrence Neil), 8 p.m., $40 ADV, $45 DOS. The Agora Theatre.
The Missing Album Release Party/The Traveler/The Promise Hero
Formed by singer Christopher Marinin in 2009, the Missing had released several independent albums on Ghost Laboratories Records before taking a hiatus. Just about two years ago, Marinin reunited the group to play its first show in more than a year. The group's music had just become available on iTunes for the very first time, and Marinin jumpstarted his former record label, Ghost Laboratories. He had also created a content production company called Stevens Creative. At the time, the band started to write and record a new album. The group scrapped those initial sessions and went to the studio with a new batch of songs. The resulting album, They Live, will arrive on all digital formats and have a physical release limited to 200 discs. Album opener, "They Live," sets the tone for the album. It features snarling guitars and gang-style vocals as Marinin & Co. deliver the kind of melodic hardcore that crossed over in the late '90s and early 2000s. Tonight's show serves as a release party. (Niesel) 9 p.m., $5. The Euclid Tavern.
The Whiskey Gentry and Angela Perley & the Howlin' Moons
If you arrive to this show at 6 p.m., you can participate in a special whiskey tasting in advance of a concert by the Americana acts Whiskey Gentry and Angela Perley & the Howlin' Moons. Whiskey Pete & Friends will tell you all about the three-sample whiskey flights of Knob Creek Single Barrel, Jim Beam and Makers 46 that will be available. The event requires a concert ticket to enter. Then, the Whiskey Gentry and Angela Perley & the Howlin' Moons will take the stage in the Supper Club. (Niesel) 8 p.m., $12 ADV, $15 DOS. Music Box Supper Club.
SATURDAY, JUNE 10
All Them Witches/Handsome Jack
When Nashville-based psychedelic rockers All Them Witches set out to record their first album, Our Mother Electricity, they did so with little in terms of funding. Even by indie rock standards, the sessions were a low budget affair. Along with sophomore effort Lightning at the Door, the album created enough of a buzz that the group inked a deal with New West Records, a prominent indie imprint. Both albums feature sludgy guitars and Southern rock undertones. The band's latest effort, Sleeping Through the War, offers more great grooves. (Niesel) 9 p.m., $12 ADV, $14 DOS. Grog Shop.
LaureLive
LaureLive, an event branded as Northeast Ohio’s first and only multi-day, multi-stage and multi-act contemporary music festival, returns on Saturday and Sunday to Laurel School’s 140-acre Butler Campus located at 7420 Fairmount Rd. in Russell Township. Note that there’s no parking on site. Rather, shuttles will leave from Ursuline College (Pepper Pike), Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills) and West Geauga High School (Chesterland). Appropriate for all ages, the festival features kid activities including games, a “bounce house” and inflatables. Athleta will provide fitness activities throughout the weekend. Last year’s inaugural event featured performances by acts such as Michael Franti & Spearhead, O.A.R., Elle King and Grace Potter. Franti returns to this year’s event, which will include performances by Grammy Award-winning singer-guitarist Gary Clark Jr., who’ll headline tonight, and the indie folk act the Head and the Heart, which will headline tomorrow night. In total, 31 bands will perform. Laurelive.com.
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers/Joe Walsh
When Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers played Blossom back in 2010, they put on a helluva show. The always-reliable Heartbreakers once again proved why they’re one of rock’s finest bands. They effortlessly shifted in and out of blues jams without any of the indulgence you get with less-talented groups. As part of their 40th anniversary tour, Petty and his Heartbreakers return to town tonight to play Quicken Loans Arena. To further commemorate the 40th anniversary of the release of their self-titled debut, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will issue two companion vinyl box sets. Singer-guitarist Joe Walsh, a guy with deep Northeast Ohio roots, opens the show. (Niesel), 8 p.m., $49.50-$149.50. Quicken Loans Arena.
SUNDAY, JUNE 11
Cowboy Junkies
The moody alt-country act Cowboy Junkies first began playing gigs in the Toronto area in 1985. They put out their first album, Whites Off Earth Now!!, the following year, and they’ve been quite prolific in recent years, often recording more material than what ends up on the albums. Though they haven't always played Cleveland, they've been regulars at the Music Box, a venue that suits their pensive music. (Matt Wardlaw) 8 p.m., $48 ADV, $55 DOS. Music Box Supper Club.
