As August winds down, it's time to start thinking about your upcoming Halloween weekend. Believe it or not, there's better options than sitting at home ripping through your siblings' candy for all the Reese's. I would suggest heading over to Axis/Radius for the 12th annual Ghostball, which features two-time Grammy nominee DJ Morgan Page and Australian dance music duo The Stafford Brothers.
Costumes are welcome. I mean, it's gotta be better than pumpkin smashing and teepeeing your neighbor's front lawn. Or maybe not. But hell, there will probably be candy.
Indie hip-hop artist Astronautalis is hitting the Valley next month, bringing his electro/indie rock/whatever-else-he-can-throw-in- style to the Crescent Ballroom. Last year's This is Our Science was pretty awesome, so anyone who's brave enough to venture out that night will probably walk away wondering "Where have I been since 2003?"
Astronautalis: Tuesday, Sept. 25, 8:30 p.m., $13/$15. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix, 602-716-2222.
Enrique Bunbury: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m., $36-$66. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix, 602-379-2800.
Carina Round, & Rosi Golan: Sunday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m., $10/$12. Martini Ranch, 7295 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480-970-0500.
Com Truise: With Poolside, & Bonde Do Role, Thursday, Nov. 1, 8:30 p.m., $15/$17. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix, 602-716-2222.
Dignan Porch: Friday, Oct. 26, 9 p.m., free. Yucca Tap Room, 29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, 480-967-4777.
Dysrhythmia: Friday, Nov. 2, 9 p.m., free. Tempe Tavern, 1810 E. Apache, Tempe, 480-794-1706.
The Faint: With Trust, & Casket Girls, Friday, Nov. 23, 8:30 p.m., $29.50. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix, 602-716-2222.
Falling in Reverse: With Enter Shikari, I See Stars, & Let Live, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m., Price TBA. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-829-0707.
Generationals: With Races, Saturday, Nov. 17, 8:30 p.m., $10/$12. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix, 602-716-2222.
Ghostball 2012: With DJ Morgan Page, Saturday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m. Axis/Radius, 7340 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480-970-1112.
The Green: With Natural Vibrations, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m., $18/$20. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix, 602-716-2222.
Jeffrey Lewis and the Junkyard: Sunday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m., $8. Trunk Space, 1506 Grand Ave., Phoenix, 602-256-6006.
Kevin Seconds, & Kepi Ghoulie: Monday, Nov. 5, 8 p.m., $10. Trunk Space, 1506 Grand Ave., Phoenix, 602-256-6006.
Maze feat. Frankie Beverly: Friday, Dec. 14, 8:30 p.m., $46-$66. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, 602-267-1600.
MV&EE: With Eddy Detroit, Friday, Nov. 2, 9 p.m., free. Yucca Tap Room, 29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, 480-967-4777.
No: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 9 p.m., free. Yucca Tap Room, 29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, 480-967-4777.
Queensryche: With Lynch Mob, Tommy Gobbons Band, & Sectas, Saturday, Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m., Price TBA. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-829-0707.
Sea Wolf: Saturday, Oct. 6, 8:30 p.m., $15/$17. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix, 602-716-2222.
Streetlight Manifesto: With Hostage Calm, & Lionize, Saturday, Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m., Price TBA. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-829-0707.
UFO: Monday, Nov. 26, 7 p.m., $20/$25. Club Red, 2155 E. University Drive, Tempe, 480-966-4733.