Relentless Beats
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.
Rattlesnake Milk
Thursday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m.
Valley Bar
This alt-country band from the Texas Panhandle has the spirit of Australian blues rockers, Beasts of Bourbon, as well as surf rock legends, The Ventures. However, they don’t sound like a copy of either. The four-piece may have influences, but they’ve developed their own sound, loaded with twang and heartbreak. They’ll be joined this night by Sentimental Family Band.
Kirk Whalum
Friday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Chandler Center for the Arts
If you like your jazz smooth, Whalum and his saxophone can wrap you in those warm, sophisticated tones. The Grammy Award-winner has been creating music for most of his life. He grew up in Memphis, where he played in the marching band and sang in the church choir. This is his Songs of Change show, where he’ll focus on anthems of justice, unity and resilience.
Dogs In A Pile
Friday, Jan. 16, 8 p.m.
Crescent Ballroom
This band snagged their name from a Grateful Dead lyric, and with that inspiration from the forbears of jam-rock, they’re keeping the genre alive. Their sound blends rock with jazz, funk and psychedelia to hook you and keep you locked in its grooves. Word has it they have amassed a cult following called ‘the dog pound.’
Theo Wargo/Getty Images
Sullivan Fortner Trio
Friday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Musical Instrument Museum
This trio is led by Grammy Award-winner Sullivan Forther, who is joined by Tyrone Allen on bass and Kayvon Gordon on drums. They’ve been together since 2021, and their sound is zesty, bringing in the New Orleans style and spirit through lively and vibrant rhythms.
Leftover Salmon
Friday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
This Colorado jam band celebrated the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, who recently died, by doing a set of Dead covers at Washington’s in Fort Collins, CO, on Jan. 13. Like the legendary group Weir co-founded, Leftover Salmon fuses rock and bluegrass, and has kept an ever-growing fan base grooving since the late 1980s.
Deathdotgov
Saturday, Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Underground at Nile Theater
It’s a glorious batch of noise that this Phoenix band delivers, blending metal, sludge, post-punk, and even a touch of sweet shoegaze to tell their stories. Often, you get a combo of styles within one song. Their tunes are unpredictable and so driving that even the longer ones crash to a close before you can figure them out. Definitely makes you want to jump back on the ride for another round. Like Robbery and Plum are also on the bill.
SpryTime
Tucson Folk Festival benefit
Saturday, Jan. 17, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Rhythm Room
The Tucson Folk Festival turns 41 this year. This Phoenix show features 15 Arizona bands gathering to support the annual folk music celebration. Bands include Anamieke Quinn, Eric Douglas, Fresh Apples, Lizzie, Rising Sun Daughter and Smootmahooty.
Scorpion vs. Tarantula
Saturday, Jan. 17, 8 p.m.
Chopper John’s
SVT is celebrating the release of their new album, “The Longest War,” featuring 11 blistering tracks that only gain power when the band performs them live. They are joined by post-punk shoegazers Timber Giant and The Oblidiots (former members of Labor Party and MonkeyCat), who are making their debut, as well as Beaver Creek.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Sudan Archives: The BPM North America Tour
Saturday, Jan. 17, 8 p.m.
Crescent Ballroom
Violinist, singer and songwriter Sudan Archives made a lot of 2025 ‘best of’ lists with her album, “The BPM.” Publications like Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and Billboard all gave her much praise. Her experimental R&B is soulful, orchestral and architectural. It’s beat-driven and weaves in a variety of styles, like electronica, hip-hop, trap and hyperpop.
gavn!
Sunday, Jan. 18, 8 p.m.
The Rebel Lounge
Combining R&B and pop, this singer-songwriter, also a multi-instrumentalist, had a couple of songs explode on TikTok. “Sober” and “Let It Die” helped him build a huge following of fans who dig his expressive songs delivered with his vocal rasp.
