A Tsunami of Sound: The Joy Formidable headlines the Beachland Ballroom

The Joy Formidable is an imposing Welsh force. Debut album The Big Roar showcases a band willing to dive deep, deep, deep into that alluring stew of heaviness and ambience. The major single, "Whirring," holds up as a terrific emblem of what the band does well: combine heartfelt and careful songwriting with explosive musicianship. (Dial up KEXP's recording of the tune on the ol' YouTube for a taste of what you're in for at tonight's gig.) Last year's Wolf's Law was a strong return to form, though there was little in the way of an expansion on the band's monumental sound. Contrast "Cholla" and "Tendons" for an idea of the band's dalliances with dynamics. Guitarist and singer Ritzy Bryan — perhaps the Western world's most unassuming badass — positively shreds as she casts wild eyes across the crowd. Bassist Rhydian Dafydd and drummer Matthew James Thomas round out the trio, which often sounds more like a 12-piece tsunami of sound. Expect awesomeness. The local group Nights opens the show. 9 p.m., $18 ADV, $20 DOS. Beachland Ballroom.Thursday july 11

Bad Boys Jam:

9 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Brand New Hat/Jim Ray/Glimpse Duo: 6:30 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.

Emmure/Born of Osiris/Kissing Candice/City in the Sea: 6 p.m., $15. Peabody's.

Empires/Stiletto/Forties/Townhouse Captains: 8 p.m., $8. Musica.

Growwing Pains/Sros Lords/Moto: 10 p.m., $5. Now That's Class.

Chris Hatton (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Holy Grail/Anti-Mortem/Vindicator/Dead Iron: 8 p.m., $10. Now That's Class.

Jam Night with Tower City Blues: 8:30 p.m. Grillers Pub.

The Meditations/Outlaws I & I: 9 p.m., $10. Grog Shop.

Mozik: 7 p.m., $20. Nighttown.

Naam: 8:30 p.m., $10. Beachland Tavern.

New Soft Shoe: 7 p.m., Free. Happy Dog.

Novi Novak & JAMS/Hi-Rez: 8 p.m., $12 ADV, $15 DOS. Beachland Ballroom.

Friday july 12

Dave Hammer's Power Supply CD Release/Thaddeus Anna Greene/Thrift Gang:

8 p.m., $5. Musica.

Deadiron/Sacrificial Blood/Cain/Benighten Empire/Approach and the Execution: 7 p.m., $8. The Foundry.

Del Rio Bandits/Roundtooits/George Foley & Friends: 5:30 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.

Colin Dussault: 9:30 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Litter Party/Kitschy: 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.

James McMurtry/The Bottle Rockets: Singer-songwriter James McMurtry made an impressive debut back in 1989 when he released Too Long in the Wasteland. His gruff voice and sharply written lyrics (he's the son of author Larry McMurtry, so that just might have something to do with his ability to articulate himself), suggested he wasn't just another singer-songwriter. McMurtry hasn't issued a new studio album in a couple of years but don't let that be a hindrance to checking out this show. His best tunes — the twangy "Choctaw Bingo" — mix Willie Nelson-like observations about fringe characters with a classic outlaw country sound. He'll have a full band playing with him, and the Bottle Rockets, the veteran alt-country act that's been relentlessly touring all year in honor of its 20th anniversary, opens the show. 8 p.m., $20. The Kent Stage. (Jeff Niesel)

Mozik: 8:30 p.m., $20. Nighttown.

Nick D' and the Believers: 8 p.m. Mahall's 20 Lanes.

Rubblebucket/Sunspots/Phunky Panda Monkeys: If you've never been to a Rubblebucket show, please heed this advice: Go to a Rubblebucket show! Thankfully, the Brooklyn octet is in town tonight. Still plenty under-the-radar, Rubblebucket puts on some of the most energetic and fun shows touring these days. During a Cleveland show a while ago, a GIANT ROBOT FIGHT took over the crowd as the band threw down its fiery jazz-funk magic. They repeated the antics at last year's Bonnaroo. Count on it: Tonight's gonna be good. The band, fronted by the always-wonderful Kalmia Traver, dropped Oversaturated as an extended play in 2012. "Pain From Love" is the song you'll want to check out ASAP. Then, work backwards to Omega La La and the self-titled debut. Rubblebucket has been fermenting in its own universe for years now and their commitment to left field is as genuine as ever. "Bikes" is a really great song from the first album; you'd do well to cue that up and pour yourself a tall bourbon pre-game style. 8 p.m., $12 ADV, $14 DOS. Grog Shop. (Sandy)

Summer of Hate/The Unseen/Wisdom in Chains/Race Riot/Rabid Reason: 9 p.m., $15 ADV, $18 DOS. Now That's Class.

Sister Hazel: In 1997, Sister Hazel hit the Florida air waves with its debut, Somewhere More Familiar, and has gone on to make 11 more full-length albums with a familiar acoustic pop sound. Heartland Highway is the latest release from the group that delivered the short-lived single "Great Escape," a typical pop-rock song that is reminiscent of the Barenaked Ladies. "Lessons In Love, And Faith" is a highlight from the album that comes in three parts, chronicling a 15-minute story with a past love with a country tinge. Sister Hazel sounds like a good cover band performing in a coastal Florida bar — not bad but not amazing. But with the group's 2009 album, Release, hitting the Top 40 on the Billboard 200, there could be more surprises from this '90s band. And new songs are sure to be a plenty at this concert for long time fans. 8:30 p.m., $20 ADV, $22 DOS. House of Blues Cambridge Room. (William Hoffman)

Vance Music Studios: Student Showcase: 7 p.m., $5. The Winchester.

Wes & Joey (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Saturday july 13

Justin Bieber:

7 p.m., $39.50-$95. Quicken Loans Arena.

The Black Lillies: 9 p.m., $12. The Winchester.

Boy in Love/Kill the Hippies/Brainwashed Youth/Cracked Cup/Miss Firecracker: 9 p.m., free. Now That's Class.

Todd Breit (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Broccoli Samurai/Cosby Sweater: 9 p.m., $10. Beachland Ballroom.

Rachel Brown & the Beatnik Playboys/Mark Freeman: 8 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.

Andrew Cedermark/Oldboy/Eddie Doldrum: With his ambient guitar licks, Andrew Cedermark looks to gain a new Midwest following with tonight's performance at Beachland Tavern. His album Home Life can be streamed from SoundCloud and runs nearly unabridged for 43 minutes. Each songs runs right into the next with equally ambient guitar parts that continually layer on top of a solid rhythm section and subdued vocals. "Train Window Man" catches the ear most off the record because of its catchy opening guitar riff and hauntingly intense sounds that fade away and come back powerfully throughout the song building to an unexpected climax. And yet, many of the songs run together without much distinction at all which is both a flaw and strength of Home Life. Despite these flaws, it's refreshing to see someone put so much heart and soul into one album. 9 p.m., $7. Beachland Tavern. (Hoffman)

Austin Craig Homecoming Show/Cody Martin/Terry Mortensen: 9 p.m., $8. Musica.

Disco Inferno: 9:30 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Lowly, the Tree Ghost/Extra Medium Pony/The Hedgehog's Dilemma: 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.

Mozik: 8:30 p.m., $20. Nighttown.

Summer of Hate 2013 featuring One Life Crew/Merauder/Stout: 4 p.m., $25. Grog Shop.

sunday july 14

Bobby Jealousy/Hard Drip:

9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.

Chairlift/Friendly Ghosts/Brian Straw: 7:30 p.m., $13. Grog Shop.

Mystic Vibes/Johnny Rice: 7:30 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.

Night Owls: 3 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern. Oberhofer/Meridian/Alert New London: What's the best part about writing all the music in your own band? The fact that you get to name the band after yourself, if you feel so inclined. Such is the case with noise pop quintet Oberhofer, a band started by Brad Oberhofer in 2008 as a way to write and record his own music. After a string of singles made for a great deal of hype within the indie community, Glassnote Records released the band's 2012 debut, Time Capsules II. The surfy sounding guitar on the band's biggest hit, "Away Frm U," complements Brad's vocal style well — signature "ow ow" yelping included. 8 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Beachland Tavern. (Jacob DeSmit)

Wyatt's Harsh Noise Basement Show with Orgasmic Response Unit/Hostage Pageant/Brad Griggs/Breaking the Will: 9 p.m., $5. Now That's Class.

Z107.9 Summer Jam with Ace Hood/Rocko/Stalley/Sevyn Streeter/T-Rone/Ray Jr./Ray Cash: 8 p.m., $25 ADV/$30 DOS. House of Blues.

Monday july 15

Margaret Brouwer's Streak Ensemble:

7 p.m., $10. Nighttown.

Hit the Ground Running EP Release/Call Us Kings/Chil/Halfway Home/ My Dear Savannah: 7 p.m., $9.99. Musica.

Adam Luhta/Drymill Road: 8 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.

Mojo Big Band: 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Red Scare Across America Tour featuring Masked Intruder/Elway/Sam Russo/Worship This!: 8:30 p.m., $10. Grog Shop.

Velvet Voyage (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Tuesday july 16

Animal Collective/Dan Deacon:

On last year's Centipede Hz, Animal Collective continues to experiment with odd electronic sounds. The opening track, "Moonjock," features distorted vocals and tribal drumbeats as what sounds like a choir of munchkins provides backing vocals. It's weird but also quite celebratory, something the band emphasizes in its high-energy live shows. Opener Dan Deacon, an electronic musician out of Baltimore, headlines shows on his own. His gig last year at the Beachland mixed electronic beats and live instrumentation in an inventive manner. An engaging live performer, Deacon encouraged audience participation and had everyone in the audience dancing by set's end. Expect similar results tonight when the two acts play a rescheduled date at House of Blues. 8 p.m., $22.50-$32.50. House of Blues. (Niesel)

Scott David (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Echo Canyon Players/Jenn Bostic: 8 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.

Goodnight, Texas/Von Grey: 8:30 p.m., $8 ADV, $10 DOS. Beachland Tavern.

Alex Goot/Sam Tsui/Luke Conrad/Landon Austin/Kurt Hugo Schneider/King the Kid: 6:30 p.m., $12 ADV, $15 DOS. Peabody's.

Great Big Sea: 8 p.m., $32-$43. The Kent Stage.

Jonas Brothers/Karmin: One Direction versus Jonas Brothers is the new boy-band battle that follows the infamous 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys rivalry of the early 2000s. Of course, both bands are fated to eventually split off into separate solo careers but for now the Jonas Brothers will perform tonight at Blossom alongside YouTube star Karmin. The Disney group has almost sold out Blossom and continues to release manufactured pop songs that have young girls screaming their hearts out. "Pom Poms" is the newest single from the brothers and features a marching band-style anthem with horns and a cadence rhythm section. Karmin has come a long way from YouTube cover group to headlining alongside the Jonas Brothers. In late 2012 you couldn't walk into a store or turn on the radio without hearing the pop sensation "Brokenhearted," but Karmin's cover of "Look At Me Now" is more than impressive for matching Busta Rhymes word for word on his lightning-fast verse. This is a pop combination fans won't want to miss. 7 p.m. Blossom. (Hoffman)

Little Big League/Cherry Cola Champions/The Heel: 9 p.m., $5. Now That's Class.

Toro Y Moi/Toxie: Toro Y Moi, the main project of songwriter and producer Chazwick Bundick, was born out of the chillwave movement of 2010-2011, meaning that the sound on albums like 2011's Underneath the Pine leaned heavily on subdued synth melodies and shifty pitches. As Bundick dismisses the notion that chillwave is a mold into which all of his music fits, his latest release, Anything in Return, strengthens the claim with its distinct house music flavor. On Toro's (arguably) most danceable record to date, the electronic mishmash of synths and samples on songs like "Say That" sound exactly like something you'd expect to hear while you peruse the clearance rack at Urban Outfitters. 7:30 p.m., $13 ADV, $15 DOS. Grog Shop. (Jacob DeSmit)

Jason White: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $20. Nighttown.

WEdnesday july 17

10 X 3 Hosted by Brent Kirby (in the Wine Bar):

8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Bad Rabbits/Air Dubai/Muamin Collective/The Manhattan Scene: The guys from Bad Rabbits, one of the most heralded funk rock/R&B groups to come out of Boston in recent years, have been rubbing elbows with some big-name producers as they've put together their latest albums. Teddy Riley, known for his work with Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, and Bobby Brown, signed on to work with the quintet on this year's American Love. The result: an R&B record filled with flowing beats and synth horns that Geroge Clinton would be proud of, like in songs "Dance Moves" and "Take It Off." The latter has one of the Rabbits using the phrase "big booty bitches," which probably tells you everything you need to know about whether or not you can get down with this band. 8:30 p.m., $12 ADV, $14 DOS. Grog Shop. (Jacob DeSmit)

Black Puddle Noise/Twinsmith: 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.

Compulsion Rites Presents: A Pre-party for Summer Scum Noise Fest with Winters in Osaka/Killed in Prison/Gnawed/Disgust/Machismo + Hate Basement/Striations/Plagues/Developer/Nummy/Coffin Mouth/Shrive/Weakened: 7 p.m., $10. Now That's Class.

Michael Franti & Spearhead/Saints of Valory: Michael Franti and Spearhead distill the sounds of summer quite nicely on 2009's Say Hey (I Love You). The album became quite the hit upon release — and for good reason. The tune sums up the band's general vibe and offers newcomers a good entry point. But depite all that, Franti cut his teeth thrusting political and social viewpoints and open-mindedness into his band's funky melodies. On 2003's Everybody Deserves Music, he offered up percussive poetics with "Bomb the World" and the upbeat dance-worthiness of "We Don't Stop." There's a wealth of terrific stuff riddled throughout Franti's career. Dig in and look forward to a more positive future. His new album All People will be released July 30. 8 p.m., $25 ADV/$28 DOS. House of Blues. (Sandy)

Ernie Krivda & the Tri-C All-Star Alumni Group: 7 p.m., $20. Nighttown.

Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials: 8 p.m., $15. The Winchester.

Jon Mosey/Angelisa: 8:30 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.

Mike Pinto/Natural Vibrations/Broke by Monday: 8:30 p.m., $12 ADV, $15 DOS. Beachland Tavern.

Tallhart/From Indian Lakes/At a Loss for Words/Good Hours: 8 p.m., $9.99. Musica.

Train/The Script/Gavin DeGraw: Back in the early 2000s, it seemed like Train's final big hit would be "Drops Of Jupiter." Well, they proved us wrong. The group's 2010 hit song "Hey Soul Sister" peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and the band followed it up in 2012 with "Drive By." Both pop-rock songs are undeniably catchy with an acoustic feel. The band has been performing for more than a decade now and should put on a wildly entertaining show whether you have front row seats or lawn tickets. Opener the Script has a similar style to Train although the group's newest single "Hall of Fame" is forgettable despite the fact that lyrical revolutionary, Will.i.am, is featured on the track. Most people will know the Script from its widely recognizable radio song "Breakeven" with its high-pitched anthem of a chorus. Gavin DeGraw will also share the stage; he's got a slew of new songs such as "Best I Ever Had" that move more in the way of Phillip Phillip's success and copy Mumford & Sons fast rhythmic guitar style. 7 p.m., $20-$75. Blossom. (Hoffman)

We Are Hex/N.E.C./Goldmines: 9 p.m., $5. Now That's Class.

Wire/Bear in Heaven: 8:30 p.m., $17 ADV, $20 DOS. Beachland Ballroom.