Yes, it’s Christmas weekend, but there’s still some solid local rap, pop-punk, and British techno you should check out this weekend. Plus, there are even more shows on our complete music calendar.
SATURDAY
She is We
“If you’re a fan of the local indie-pop scene, you might be saying to yourself, “Wasn’t there a band called He Is We?” Well, after the initial breakup of He Is We in 2012, founding member Rachel Taylor decided to resurrect the project on her own with the oh-so-clever name, She Is We. What’s been released so far shows promise, transitioning into a more dance-y Metric-esque direction on the debut single “Boomerang.” Show up early for up-and-coming pop-punk band Amsterdam, as they consistently steal the show with their infectious hooks and energetic stage presence.” KEVIN DIERS
Avatar Darko and UGLYFRANK
“Two of the Puget Sound area’s most vicious mic martial artists—Avatar Darko (Seattle) and Ugly Frank (Tacoma)—will share headlining duties for this show, and take turns ripping it up at night’s end. For his part, Darko will likely unveil some material from his brand new TRAPATAR EP, for which, true to the title, he’s secured some exceptionally banging trap beats and turnt up the catchy refrain/stylishly economical verse recipe he dishes out so naturally. Frank could pull from any number of projects, be it from the catalogue of verses he’s stockpiled with his joyously nihilistic ILLFIGHTYOU group, or from the new solo release he’s teased online.” TODD HAMM
Ellington’s “Sacred Music”
“This is the annual concert of Sacred Music by Duke Ellington. Ellington was, of course, the greatest and most creative figure of the big band era. He had, one could argue, three main musical projects: One was the production of dance-hall hits, two was the production of serious black music (music that would represent the 400-year history of African descendants in the world that was new to Europeans), and three was the production of pieces that expressed his religious/existential feelings. Tonight is devoted to the third, and in many ways most profound, of Ellington’s projects.” CHARLES MUDEDE
Diminished Men
“What Diminished Men—drummer Dave Abramson, guitarist/bassists Simon Henneman and Steve Schmitt—excel at is eerie, ominous jazz rock that evokes myriad noirish cinematic scenarios. Their music occupies that strange zone where electric-era Miles Davis, Ennio Morricone’s ’60s and ’70s soundtracks, surf rock, and Can at their Tago Mago-est intersect.” DAVE SEGAL
Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
“There’s something undeniably refreshing about being treated to effortlessly tight Latin jazz on what promises to be a gray-skied and frigid end of the year: Hearing Poncho Sanchez and his unendingly funky ensemble tear through decades’ worth of searing-yet-smooth classics will warm the coldest hearts. Coming up in the fertile scene of ’70s Cuban jazz, Sanchez played with titans like Tito Puente and Cal Tjader before forming his own group in the early ’80s. His talents on the timbale mark him as one of the foremost percussionists of our time, and recent performances show a skill that’s undiminished by time.” KYLE FLECK
Garlic Man & Chikn
“Olympia electronic/R&B/rap/comedy duo Garlic Man & Chikn craft a particularly weird and catchy brand of queer pop, sort of a cross between THEESatisfaction and Salt-N-Pepa. But let’s not be reductive: Songs like “How That Goes” and the Peaches-lite sex jam of “Watch You” are too idiosyncratic and fresh to lump them into any genre of scene.” KYLE FLECK
SUNDAY
Hot Chip DJ Set
“Britain’s Hot Chip have become global standard-bearers for song-oriented house music. Their frictionless tracks bubble with a restrained optimism and melodies to which well-adjusted people like to sing along. As DJs, Hot Chip dig deeper than you’d think in the techno and house realms while staying open to a wide range of styles in order to undercut expectations.” DAVE SEGAL
Brian Setzer Orchestra
“Some people have, for reasons obscure to me at this time, decided that swing king Brian Setzer is the perfect antidote the endless rain and gray of Seattle winters. We all agree that the chorus of “Jump an’ Jive” sounds like he’s telling us to go “drunken driving,” though, right? Don’t do that. Have a safe holiday, y’all.” KYLE FLECK
Hardly Boys
“I get giddy watching the Hardly Boys. The gleefulness of the teen friendship punk band is infectious as they belt out bop-a-long odes to hot mullets and Michael Cera (sample lyric: “Oh Canada/Thanks a lot/For this gift/From above”). The four-piece is only in town for a hot minute while they’re back from their freshman year at college, so this is a special opportunity to soak in their charming enthusiasm and maybe, if you’re lucky, their cover of Tacocat’s “Hey Girl.” Also on the fresh-faced bill: the excellently named rookie pop band Dale Patchouli, dreamy shoegaze songs from Animal Camera, and Cure-influenced new wave dance hits from Jiu Jitsu.” ROBIN EDWARDS
Rene Hart, Skerik, Thomas Marriott, and Dawn Clement
Composer and bassist Rene Hart hits the Royal Room, with superlative local musicians in tow, including singer Dawn Clement, big band maestro Thomas Marriott, experimental freak-sax man Skerik, and beloved drummer D’vonne Lewis.
