Darwin Deez
Certain artists are simply magnetic. They might be brooding, or they might be gregarious, but either way, they naturally draw fans their direction. Consider the mesmerizing Darwin Deez part of the gregarious, magnetic crew, thanks to his innate way with crafting sunny pop-rock songs, along with his predilection for busting out into synchronized dance moves at a moment’s notice. Growing up with an equal love of indie-rock like Jimmy Eat World and bombastic big-beaters like The Chemical Brothers, Deez somehow forged a style that shows off his influences without being too beholden to them. He calls his sound “a little bit Thriller, a little bit Dismemberment Plan.” If you’re a fan of either, you should give the magnificently coiffed Deez a chance. Fol Chen and Friends open the show. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7 p.m., $10
This San Diego crew blends some rock aggression with a love of roots reggae, and they’ve managed to turn the combination into a popular attraction across the United States and beyond. Tribal Seeds' most recent album, The Harvest, debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s reggae charts. And that success led to tours with Matisyahu, The Wailers and Stephen Marley, among other like-minded acts. In The Venue, 219 S. 600 West, Salt Lake City, 9 p.m., $10 advance/$13 day of show
Ricky Powell
Ricky Powell first got into photography almost by accident, hanging out socially with the Beastie Boys before they blew up in the mid-’80s. When the trio did explode, Powell was along for the ride with his camera as they went to Florida with Run-D.M.C., toured the country on the License to Ill tour in 1987 and joined them on Lollapalooza in 1994. Naturally, his work expanded beyond the Beasties, and his shots of the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Eric B & Rakim, Andy Warhol, The Wu-Tang Clan and Cindy Crawford have graced the pages of Rolling Stone, The Village Voice, Time magazine and more. Friday, he’ll be on hand for a show of his work. Fice, 160 E. 200 South, 8 p.m., free
Saturday Jan. 22
Das Racist
Robert Randolph & The Family Band
A Robert Randolph show can be a religious experience, and not just because the bandleader’s background includes a lot of gospel-steel guitar at his church back in Jersey. A mesmerizing live performer, Randolph turns whatever venue he’s playing—from tiny holes like Club Sound to broad spaces like Gallivan Center—into a sweaty, bluesy revival meeting. While he’s in town to play a semi-private Sundance gig, the public gets a chance to see Randolph in a venue that’s far too small for how popular the band’s become. In other words, it could be a pretty magical gig, despite, or perhaps because of, the steep cover charge. Star Bar, 268 Main, Park City, 9 p.m., $75
Tuesday Jan. 25
Corb Lund & The Hurtin’ Albertans
Buckcherry has always been a pretty entertaining throwback to an era when rock & roll bands at least tried to portray a dangerous and party-friendly image, so it makes sense they would sign on as headliner of the 2011 Jagermeister Music Tour to support their latest release, All Night Long. Joining singer Josh Todd and Co. on the tour are Hellyeah, All That Remains and The Damned Things. Great Saltair, 12408 W. Salt Air Drive, Magna, 7 p.m., $35 advance/$38 day of show
Coming Up
Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights (Mo’s Neighborhood Grill, Jan. 27), Rebelution, Iration, Orgone (The Depot, Jan. 27), Tennis (The Urban Lounge, Jan. 27), The Wailers (Star Bar, Park City, Jan. 27), Dirty Heads (Star Bar, Park City, Jan. 28), Junior Brown (The State Room, Jan. 28), RJD2 (The Urban Lounge, Jan. 28), Little Dragon (The Urban Lounge, Jan. 29), Slash (The Depot, Jan. 29), Atomic Tom (Kilby Court, Jan. 31), Amos Lee (The Depot, Feb. 1), Haste the Day (Club Sound, Feb. 1), Emmitt Nershi Band (Harry O’s, Park City, Feb. 2), Moe (The Depot, Feb. 2)
