Best Phoenix Concerts This Weekend: 2 Chainz, Spoon, Andy Grammer

This weekend, rap superstar 2 Chainz and famed indie/art-rock band Spoon will bring their latest tours to the Valley. Other notable shows taking place at music venues around the metro Phoenix area from Friday, June 3, to Sunday, June 5, include performances by ska/prog-rock act RX Bandits and singer-songwriters like Amos Lee, David Bromberg, and Andy Grammer.

Details about these shows and others happening this weekend can be found below. And for more live music, check out Phoenix New Times‘ concert calendar.

RX Bandits

Friday, June 3
Crescent Ballroom, 308 North Second AvenueThe RX Bandits may have emerged during the mid-’90s heyday of the SoCal ska-punk and hobnobbed with the likes of Save Ferris and the Aquabats, the four-piece has more to offer than the usual tricks from bands of that scene and era. Over the 11 albums they’ve released over the past quarter-century, RX Bandits have moved from third-wave theatrics and instrumentation into incorporating trippy prog-rock elements and musicianship to create something altogether different. The band, which still features founding members Christopher Tsagakis on drums and frontman Matt Embree, has weathered a few attempted breakups over the past 27 years and continues to tour and perform. Their latest Valley performance takes place on Friday night at Crescent Ballroom starting at 8 p.m. Nova Charisma opens. Tickets are officially sold out but can be found on the secondary market. Benjamin Leatherman

2 Chainz

Friday, June 3
Mesa Convention Center, 263 North Center Street, Mesa2 Chainz possesses the gift of gab in its highest form. The smooth-talking superstar rapper has made a career off witty wordplay, hilarious metaphors, and catchy punchline raps that often make him the star of the track no matter the competition, whether it’s Lil Wayne, Drake, or Kanye West he’s sharing a beat with. 2 Chainz’s success is all the more impressive when you realize he didn’t really see mainstream success until his early 30s. He’s also one hell of a rapper. In support of his most recent album, this year’s Dope Don’t Sell Itself, 2 Chainz is scheduled to perform inside the Mesa Convention Center this weekend along with special guests Tay Money and DJ Rapstar. Doors are at 6 p.m. Tickets are $59 to $200. Mikel Galicia

Spoon

Saturday, June 4
The Van Buren, 401 West Van Buren StreetFew acts last as long as the indie/art-rock band Spoon has been around. The five-piece, led by singer and lead songwriter Britt Daniel, was formed 29 years ago in Austin, Texas, before the music business was thrown into an internet-induced death spiral. The bandmates have weathered the changing tides of the business by touring extensively throughout the years and released their 10th studio album, Lucifer on the Sofa, in February to rave reviews. They’re due at The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix on Saturday night with special guests Geese. The show is at 8 p.m. and tickets are $35 in advance and $38 at the door. Celia Almeida

Andy Grammer

Saturday, June 4
Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main Street, MesaMulti-platinum singer-songwriter Andy Grammer has released four studio albums so far, including the 2014’s Magazines or Novels, which was certified gold. Earlier this year, he released the singles “Love Myself,” “Damn It Feels Good to Be Me,” and “Lease on Life” in anticipation of his forthcoming fifth full-length release, due out later this year. Hear those songs and more live at Mesa Arts Center on Saturday at 8 p.m. Admission is $40 to $60. Benjamin Leatherman

Failure

Sunday, June 5
Crescent Ballroom, 308 North Second AvenueIn 1990, when glam metal was the biggest thing going in Los Angeles, Failure formed, influenced by post-punk and experimental music of the previous decade. By the time of its debut album, 1992’s Comfort, Failure had become part of the early-’90s alternative-rock explosion. But the group wasn’t satisfied with merely riding a trend, and its records became increasingly ambitious and adventurous. Fantastic Planet, the band’s final recording before its 1997 split, was a brilliantly realized concept album in an era when pedestrian themes dominated the alt-rock world. Failure reconvened in 2013, and, to the group’s credit, started writing new music that further pushed boundaries. They’re touring behind their latest release, 2021’s Wild Type Droid, and hit Crescent Ballroom on Sunday. The show is at 8 p.m. and tickets are $25. Tom Murphy

Amos Lee

Sunday, June 5
Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main Street,MesaInfluenced by such super-smooth singer-songwriters as Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder, Philadelphia’s Amos Lee performs music of the folk, pop, soul, and jazz variety. After launching his career in 2004, Lee’s early efforts were of an introspective, yearning, and persistently hopeful nature, which were perfect soundtrack fodder for prime-time television dramas like Grey’s Anatomy. Although far less cutesy than Dave Matthews, Lee can come across as a bit middle-of-the-road to folks who prefer more grit in their soul. But when he hits his target, which is a good 90 percent of the time, Amos Lee transcends easy classification. He’s set to perform at Mesa Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday in support of his latest album, Dreamland. Tickets start at $35. Darryl Smyers