THURSDAY 12/28
Rylee McDonald
Since he's the frontdude for one of Salt Lake City's most curiously under-the-radar bands, Advent Horizon, Rylee McDonald performing solo might seem kinda strange. AH, after all, is a progressive rock band. Sure, they have more commercial appeal than other bands of their ilk, but how do the songs translate to a solo setting? All you gotta do is check out early Marc Bolan/Tyrannosaurus Rex, the singer-songwriter phase of T. Rex. Or Rush's "The Trees." What made both of those artists great isn't just musical derring-do; they were songsmiths. So is McDonald, and the power his songs lose from being unplugged is more than replenished when his smart, vivid tunes and deft guitar playing are the focus. Lake Effect, 155 W. 200 South, 6 p.m., free, 21+, lakeeffectslc.com

Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Sarah Anne DeGraw & the Odd Jobs
Speaking of guitar gods: Robert Randolph gets some heavenly sounds out of his pedal steel guitar—and he's using it to communicate directly with the Big Man. And if the Creator is really up there, you know he's makin' that "Mmmmm—mm!" face over these tasty licks that praise his name and preach his word. Another reason to high-five the lawd tonight is Sarah Anne DeGraw & the Odd Jobs, who open with songs that'll make you flop around on the floor and speak in tongues. Oh-la bing bong, onga ning-a-ning nong, amen. O.P Rockwell, 268 Main, Park City, Dec. 28, 9 p.m., $35-$100, oprockwell.com; The State Room, 638 S. State, Dec. 29, 9 p.m., $40-$100, 21+, thestateroomslc.com

FRIDAY 12/29
Bumblefoot, Terence Hansen Trio, Aerial, Limitless
Doesn't "Bumblefoot" sound like a botched cloning of Buckethead? Like he fell outta the guitar-hero 3-D printer onto his face? Well, it's actually a bacterial foot condition that gives the artist born Ronald Jay Blumenthal his name, but it afflicts only birds, vermin, rabbits, waterfowl and penguins—our researchers have determined that he is none of those things, much less a Bumblebucket. He's his own man, a guitar god in his own right with chops for miles, wild guitars—including one that looks a like a foot—and all kinds of stage presence. He was also in Guns N' Roses way longer than Buckethead (and, bummer, never at the same time). But just like his faceless peer, he's performing a tour of one-man shows, where he proves his mettle without backup—and it'll be awesome. Liquid Joe's, 1249 E. 3300 South, 7 p.m., $15 presale; $20 day of show, 21+, liquidjoes.net

William G. Kidd
A few months ago, I had the pleasure of helping judge the International Blues Challenge preliminaries at Gracie's, where local blues acts competed to represent Utah at the IBC main event next month. Singer-songwriter William G. Kidd copped to not being a pure blues act, perhaps as a nod to the purists in the room. But even they know, and acknowledge, that the blues—while most powerful in its uncut incarnation—takes many forms and influences and informs other genres. And just like rattlesnake venom, a little goes a long way. So when Kidd started to play his songs, which pull from a few different styles, most notably soul, it took a more attentive ear to pick out the blues content. Just the same, Kidd's burly, visceral rasp and top-notch tunes won everyone over. Of course, nobody was surprised when the heavily favored Tony Holiday & the Velvetones took top honors with their hot, faithful performance. But the Utah Blues Society thought so highly of Kidd that they're ponying up funds to send him to compete in Memphis, too. If you haven't yet had the pleasure, head over to williamgkidd.com and download his self-titled album and Lost in '08 for free. Then, while it plays, ponder how much money you'd have gladly paid for them. Finally, a shout-out is warranted for UBS prez Brian Kelm, who last month received the "Keeping the Blues Alive Award" from the Blues Foundation—which is the highest honor in the blues world. Way to go. (Randy Harward) The Hog Wallow, 3200 E. Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, 801-733-5567, 9 p.m., $7, 21+, thehogwallow.com

SUNDAY 12/31
Mokie (Saturday & Sunday, 12/30-31)
Utah's self-proclaimed "No. 1 jam band" performs a two-nighter. The two-night package gets you a token that gets you into the New Year's Eve show, hence the premium. The State Room, 638 S. State, 9 p.m., $20 ($60 two-night pass available), 21+, thestateroomslc.com

Decadence SLC, feat. Porter Robinson
V2 knows how to throw a party (see: Get Freaky, DAS Energi) and Decadence promises bass drops and pretty lights all night, with a DJ set from EDM star Porter Robinson. The Great Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, 7 p.m., $50-$80, 18+, thesaltair.com

Happy Funkn' New Year's w/ SuperBubble, Funk & Gonzo, Clay Cleezy
Forget all that EDM bass, 'cause funkin' on the one demands bass guitar—and thanks to these local bands (and one DJ), there'll be plenty of that to move your booties this night. The Royal, 4760 S. 900 East, 8 p.m., $8, 21+, theroyalslc.com

Last Hurrah: Joshua James, Samba Fogo, Crook and The Bluff, DJ Flash & Flare
EVE is now called Last Hurrah. The musical offerings include sets by DJ Flash & Flare, psychedelic Western-blues act Crook and The Bluff and singer-songwriter Joshua James, interspersed with performances from Brazilian dance troupe Samba Fogo. The Gateway, 400 W. 100 South, free, 8 p.m., all ages, lasthurrahslc.com

New Year's Rock-A-Billy Eve, feat. The Rhythm Combo
Heads up, hepcats: If you prefer to ring in the future retro-style, this is the show for you, with DJ Woody & DJ Miss Natasha spinning "the wildest and gonest" rockabilly, doo-wop, honky tonk, garage, surf, R&B and early rock 'n' roll platters, and local 'billy merchants The Rhythm Combo headlining. Piper Down Pub, 1492 S. State, 8 p.m., $5, 21+, piperdownpub.com

New Year's Eve with Trinity "The Tuck" Taylor, DJ Shutter, DJ Justin Hollister, Gia Bianca Stephens, Austin Bakaric, Kay Bye, The Whore of '94
Do you get reflective on NYE? That's cute, kid. RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9 star Taylor, along with local queens like Kay Bye, will you show you a thing or two about glittery fierceness, with lip-syncs, shade-throwing and big ol' beats. Metro Music Hall, 615 W. 100 South, 9 p.m., $20-$40, 21+, metromusichall.com

NYE 2018 Celebrationfeat. Elastic Jazz Quintet
SLC's newest jazz club promises an "extravagant and unforgettable" celebration with prix fixe dinner packages, jazz (courtesy of the Elastic Jazz Quintet), dancing and bottle service. Avant Groove, 122 W. Pierpont Ave., 7 p.m., $65 & up (reservations required), 21+, avantgroove.com

NYE 2018 – Project X Party feat. Phaya
In addition to bass, Project X is gonna drop balls, money and confetti. There are also dance competitions, rap battles, swag giveaways, "good dancers on stage with glow lights, five hot DJs with a live drummer" and more. Social media interest is huge; early arrival is suggested. The Complex, 536 W. 100 South, 8 p.m., $10 presale; $15 day of show, all ages, thecomplexslc.com

Disco NYE 2018, feat. Get Down Tonight, DJ Marty Paws
If you can read the words "get down tonight" without affecting the nasal honk of K.C. and the Sunshine Band, then you don't like to party. The disco/funk cover band calling themselves Get Down Tonight clearly does. The Cabin, 825 S. Main, Park City, 9 p.m., $25, 21+, thecabinparkcity.com

Resolution, feat. Lost Kings, Artemis, Eco, F_Ghani B2B Kekex, Nvia
Live Nation Entertainment's NYE event brings together several EDM acts, who'll keep the room wigglin' till 2 a.m. The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, 9 p.m., $32-$37, 21+, depotslc.com