Thursday 5/18

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ROY ROGERS & THE DELTA RHYTHM KINGS

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Roy Rogers is mighty humble for blues royalty. Then again, the soulful genre doesn’t exactly breed egomaniacs. Artists like Rogers are more likely to boast bursting hearts than swelled heads, even when they master the art of modern slide guitar. His technique, most recently captured on Slideways, is widely revered and imitated by those who believe talent speaks for itself. The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, 9 p.m. Tickets: 800-888-8499, SmithsTix.com.

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Also Thursday: Kind of Like Spitting (Kayo Gallery). System & Station (Kilby Court). Utah Phillips (Rose Wagner Theater).

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Friday 5/19

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FAUN FABLES

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Make no mistake: Dawn McCarthy rules Faun Fables. While her Oakland-based project features several frequent collaborators, namely Sleepytime Gorilla Museum’s Nils Frykdahl, McCarthy is the ringmaster leading a freak-folk sideshow with unbelievably powerful pipes. Her commanding voice follows an unassuming path, zigzagging between bizarre musical arrangements that summon Frank Zappa’s most adventurous experiments. These Fables possess an underlying tension that might inspire you to sleep with one eye open. McCarthy is watching. Beware. Kayo Gallery, 315 E. 300 South, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com (with Purrbats).

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SCHOOL OF ROCK: SOUTHERN ROCK SHOW

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It’s never too early to learn the meaning of “Freebird”'and why you should never, ever shout it at Lou Barlow. The Folk Implosion frontman once nearly went toe-to-toe with some Utah heckler who demanded a round of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s famous anthem but thought better upon recognizing the futility of putting the kibosh on an ill-conceived tradition. Tonight, several School of Rock students will perform the maligned number along with other Southern Rock classics by ZZ Top, Allman Brothers, The Band, the James Gang, Edgar Winter and more. It’s like the Ozark Music Festival, with less whiskey and more pews. Realms of Inquiry, 1140 S. 900 East, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 800-888-8499, SmithsTix.com.

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Also Friday: Salty Frogs (Alchemy Coffee). Fellina (Mo’s Neighborhood Grill). Mike Sartain’s Birthday Bash: Purrbats, Starmy, The Rubes (Urban Lounge). Billy Currington (The Depot). De La Soul (Harry O’s, Park City).

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Saturday 5/20

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STUPORHERO

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It Would Be Nice to Wake Up and find Stuporhero in your kitchen, frying eggs and singing a cappella versions of their debut album’s delicious pop-rock. Maybe “Bill the Bookworm” or “Little Dipper,” songs that bring to mind early-’90s college-radio jams prizing fuzz over perfection, quirky narratives over predictable verse-chorus-repeat. It would be also be cool to chill with a husband and wife who are never without honorary third member, Chuckles, a thrift-store mannequin that seems to be an integral part of their oh-so-appealing sound. If the TV show Today’s Special freaked you out, this might be one to miss. Otherwise, it’s probably just as nice to spend the night with Stuporhero. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24tix.com (with Neon Trees).

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ROGER SANCHEZ

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You know how Jeff Beck is considered a guitar god among guitarists, or how the Pixies make millions of indie-rock stars blush? Well, Roger Sanchez inspires similar respect on the dance floor. Known as a “DJ’s DJ,” the New York artist spins seamless grooves in clubs and on a radio show broadcast across the states and throughout Europe. He’s also credited for helping to create perhaps the only accurate cinematic nightclub depiction ever in Blade. Look out for Sanchez’s upcoming vocal debut on his next full-length release, a move that will likely double his reputation as an icon. The Vortex, 404 S. Temple, 9 p.m. Info: ILoveIbiza.us.

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Also Saturday: School of Rock: Southern Rock Show (Realms of Inquiry). The Rocket Summer (In the Venue). Black Eyed Peas (E Center). DulceSky CD Release (Eden’s Warehouse'see Music). Andrew Goldring (Pat’s BBQ). Smoking Popes (Urban Lounge). Afro Omega (Egos). Post Riot (Club Vegas). KBER Salt Lake Soundcheck (The Depot). Live (Suede, Park City).

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Tuesday 5/23

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Wolfmother (In the Venue'see Music). Bang Bang (Kilby Court). Love Hate Hero (Captain’s Quarters).

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Wednesday 5/24

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THEO & THE SKYSCRAPERS

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Theo Kogan is all grown up. Unlike Courtney Love’s failed attempt(s) at maturity, the former Lunachicks frontwoman tidied up her lewd attitude and laissez-faire looks to lead the Skyscrapers in a classy retro dance. Once, twice, three times a riot grrl, Kogan now prefers cool keys and new-wave guitars to messy hooks and raunchy lyrics. Her bluesy-punk voice pumps up the jams in a dazzling display of reinvention. Look for the group’s self-titled debut in stores, but don’t expect it to be quite as awesome as tonight’s show. Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com (with The Wolfs and Stiletto).

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Also Wednesday: HIM, Aiden (In the Venue). Kill Radio (Club BoomVa, Ogden). Roomful of Blues (The Depot).

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COMING UP

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Matt Costa (Avalon, May 25). The Fall (The Depot, May 25). Warrant (The Depot, May 27). 30 Seconds to Mars (Avalon, May 28). I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness (Kilby Court, May 29). Gretchen Wilson (Usana Amphitheater, June 3). Groove Junkies (Circle Lounge, June 3). DJ Quik (Harry O’s, June 3). The Walkmen (In the Venue, June 6). The Eels (The Depot, June 6). Inxs (Delta Center, June 7). Eagles of Death Metal (The Depot, June 7). Kategory V (Club Vegas, June 9). Talib Kweli (Harry O’s, June 9). The Liars (In the Venue, June 12). Kool Keith (Urban Lounge, June 15). Grant Nelson (Circle Lounge, June 17). Neko Case (Suede, June 17). Hank Williams III (The Depot, June 19). Jolie Holland (Urban Lounge, June 21). SOUND Team (Kayo Gallery, June 23).