Robbie Flores
Audio By Carbonatix
Editor’s note: This story is updated and released on Thursdays at 6:00 a.m., featuring concert listings that run through the following Sunday each week.
Sam Divine
Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m.
Walter Where?House
British-born DJ and producer Sam Divine is a house music heavyweight who punches above her weight and rattles the room doing it. Since her early-2000s debut, she’s built a rep for sweat-soaked club sets and total command of the dance floor. Divine’s high-octane sound is driven by muscular grooves, rubbery bass, and razor-sharp vocal cuts that lock crowds in from the first beat to the last drop.
Luicidal
Friday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
The Rhythm Room
SoCal punkers Luicidal carry the Suicidal Tendencies torch while forging their own tattoo-covered path. Founded by longtime ST members Louiche Mayorga, R.J. Herrera, and Mike Clark, the band rips through classics from the first three Suicidal albums, often with fresh twists. (Check out their 2018 Spanish-language take on “Institutionalized.”) Luicidal also delivers original material in the same blistering thrash-punk vein. Something Outrageous, The Upchucks and Terminally Ill start off the evening.
Dana Trippe
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The Aces
Friday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m.
Walter Studios
The Aces have spent their career defying expectations. To wit: the all-female band followed its glossy indie-pop debut with a fearless sophomore album about queer identity and religious upbringing in Mormon-heavy Utah. Their latest release, “Gold Star Baby,” swerves again as a disco-soaked concept album with New Wave flair. The result bursts with tight harmonies, infectious grooves and emotional punch about being out and proud. They’ll transform Walter Studios into Studio 54 this weekend with support from singer-songwriter Lydia Night.
House of Harm
Saturday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Last Exit Live
House of Harm dwell in the shadowy corners of the post-punk world. The Boston trio wraps brooding melodies and dark, pulsing grooves around songs that feel equal parts romantic and ominous. Their music favors mood over flash and tension over excess. In a dim room like Last Exit Live, those nocturnal vibes only grow heavier and more immersive. Darkwave acts Le Mal and past self open.
Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawaii
Saturday, Dec. 6, 6 and 8 p.m.
Musical Instrument Museum
The motto of Jake Shimabukuro might as well be “Have uke, will travel.” For almost three decades, the Hawaiian-born virtuoso has shared his jaw-dropping ukulele wizardry worldwide. His current holiday album puts an island spin on seasonal favorites like “Silent Night” and “White Christmas,” alongside pop and classical favorites. The result is festive, warm and quietly dazzling, much like the artist himself.
Ticketmaster
Mammoth
Saturday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Marquee Theatre
Multi-instrumentalist and rock scion Wolfgang Van Halen returns to Arizona with a new album and a streamlined name for his hard rock band. Now known as just Mammoth, their recently released 10-song LP showcases his insane talent as a writer, singer and shredder. He plays nearly everything on the record and proves it nightly on tour with a tight, riff-heavy live assault that hits with authority. Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy opens.
TNPAV Annual Holiday Showcase
Saturday, Dec. 6, 3:30 p.m.
Yucca Tap Room
This one’s for Tempe music scene lifers. Valley audio-visual company TNPAV hosts its annual free concert and community event with a lineup ripped straight from 2010. The Sugar Thieves, Page the Village Idiot, Drunken Immortals, Dr. Delicious and other longtime local favorites are scheduled to perform. The night also celebrates the release of “Corporate Takeover,” a local compilation produced by the company.
Clay Walker
Sunday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
Gila River Resorts & Casinos — Wild Horse Pass
Country hitmaker Clay Walker moseys into town with a catalog stacked with ’90s anthems and radio-friendly favorites. The Texas-born crooner is famous for his warm baritone, which powers classics like “This Woman and This Man” and “If I Could Make a Living.” His show will likely lean into heartfelt territory during an evening of pure country nostalgia filled with grit, polish and plenty of raised beers.
Jim Louvau
Francine Reed
Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m.
The Nash
Francine Reed is the grand dame of Arizona jazz and blues. Born into a musical family, she began singing gospel in church before lighting up Valley stages from the mid-’70s onward. Her brassy voice and larger-than-life presence made her a fixture at beloved Phoenix clubs over the decades. Along the way, she has shared stages with Miles Davis, Etta James, and Smokey Robinson and remains a longtime member of Lyle Lovett’s Large Band. Take out advice: You oughta see her live in concert at least once.
FLOW: Naruto Rock
Sunday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m.
Celebrity Theatre
Weebs, otaku, and J-rock fans, rejoice. Japanese rockers FLOW bring their high-voltage anthems to Celebrity Theatre’s revolving stage. The five-piece is best known for explosive themes from hit anime like “Naruto” and “Persona: Trinity Soul,” but that same intensity runs through much of their catalog. Driving guitars and massive sing-along choruses fuel adrenaline-charged songs that get fists pumping and geeks going wild.
