You can check out gigs by famed Soundcloud rapper Smokepurpp or Texas-born conjunto band Los Texmaniacs, get rowdy with comedic country singer Wheeler Walker Jr., or bust a move at electro-pop night D.A.N.C.E. Other highlights of this weekend’s concert calendar include shows by Petula Clark, Scorpion vs. Tarantula, Silverstein, and The Devil Wears Prada.
Details about each of these shows can be found below in our list of the best concerts happening in the Valley this weekend. And for even more live music happening around the Valley, hit up Phoenix New Times' online concert calendar.
Smokepurpp
Friday, November 30
The Pressroom
It would not be a stretch to say that without Smokepurpp, there would be no Lil Pump. Purpp and Pump have been thick as thieves since they met in grade school, and the two were even expelled the same day. When Purrp began to pursue music, he asked young Pump to freestyle over a track he produced, which became his self-titled debut single, "Lil Pump." Purrp is an accomplished rapper in his own right, of course; he's put out projects such as Darkstar and the Murda Beatz collab mixtape Bless Yo Trap. He has also claimed to have "birthed this generation" of rappers, which 2016 XXL freshman Denzel Curry, who actually did that, rightly called him out on. Gotta respect your elders, even if they're only two classes ahead of you. Douglas Markowitz
Scorpion vs. Tarantula
Friday, November 30
Chopper John’s
You could sum up a Scorpion vs. Tarantula show like this: Band walks into a bar, band destroys bar with
Petula Clark
Friday, November 30
Celebrity Theatre
Petula Clark is best-known for a series of effusive, infectious songs that helped define the image of the "Swinging London" during its glory years in the mid-1960s. Indeed, for those whose memory is still flush with those halcyon days when all things English dominated pop culture, she was a genuinely formidable presence, a feminine presence that complemented The Beatles, the Stones, The Who, The Kinks, and all those other acts that dutifully participated in the initial wave of the British Invasion.
In truth, the songs didn't stop in the '60s, even though her later efforts were never as formidable. Still, that didn't prevent her from mining her earlier arsenal. She remade "Downtown" in 1988, renaming it "Downtown '88," and it returned her to the U.K. top 10 and a belated appearance on the venerable Top of the Pops. Her last attempt at a hit was "Oxygen" in 1992, a song produced by singer Nik Kershaw.
Clark continues to tour, and in 2000, she starred in a one-woman show, a self-penned musical about her life and career. In November 2006, she was the subject of a BBC documentary titled Petula Clark: Blue
Old School! '90s R&B and Hip-Hop Dance Party
Friday, November 30
The Van Buren
Hip-hop fans, rejoice. A lot of landmark albums have celebrated a major anniversary this year, which is cause enough for celebration. To wit: Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders are all turning 25. Meanwhile, discs like OutKast’s Aquemini, Big Pun’s Capital Punishment, and Hieroglyphics’ 3rd Eye Vision are celebrating their 20th anniversary.
There’s a good chance you’ll hear tracks from many of these influential albums playing over the sound system of The Van Buren during the Old School! '90s R&B and Hip-Hop Dance Party on Friday night. As you'd probably guess by the name of the event, local DJs Slick 76 and Jorge Melo will spin up retro hip-hop and R&B hits throughout the evening, including joints and jams by many of the aforementioned acts. You might also hear tracks from such ‘90s faves as Beastie Boys, Warren G., Ice Cube, Usher, Tupac, and the Notorious B.I.G. The party starts at 9 p.m. Admission is $5. Benjamin Leatherman
Los Texmaniacs
Friday, November 30
Musical Instrument Museum
Grammy winners Los Texmaniacs are a beautiful marriage of conjunto, rock and roll, bajo sexto, accordion
Fortunate Youth
Friday, November 30
Club Red in Mesa
Out of Los Angeles comes a group of six friends whose mission to spread a positive influence through the power of reggae music has earned them the right to help represent California reggae across the globe. Formed in 2009, Fortunate Youth has continued to evolve as a band while keeping their message of “Peace, Love, and Unity” as a staple of their live performances and close connection with their supporters. Powered by good vibes, endless support from their fans, and lots of proper medication through the use of MMJ laws, Fortunate Youth will bring its positive vibes to Club Red in Mesa on Friday night. Josh Heinrichs, Skillinjah, Clint Stevens, and Torn at the Seam will open. David Garcia
D.A.N.C.E.
Friday, November 30
Crescent Ballroom
Silverstein
Saturday, December 1
Marquee Theatre in Tempe
Silverstein has never really stopped as a band. Playing across the globe since 2004, the rock band performs two sets per night. One is to celebrate their debut
Silverstein formed in 2000 in Burlington, Ontario, and they released When Broken is Easily Fixed in 2003. Though they fit in with the metalcore of the day with their use of clean and crunchy guitars and vocals, they never veered too close to what was
“We’ve always tried to stay current, but not necessarily buying into whatever the new trendy thing that’s happening,” says bassist Billy Hamilton. “We’ve seen a lot of trends come and go. There have been a lot of bands that maybe we’ve not necessarily aligned with but maybe toured with. We didn’t make a
Wheeler Walker Jr.
Saturday, December 1
Crescent Ballroom
It may be best not to try to define Wheeler Walker Jr. beyond what you’re getting from him
But no matter who you think Walker really is — country music bad boy or the Tony Clifton-
The Devil Wears Prada
Sunday, December 2
Club Red in Mesa
The Devil Wears Prada excels at dark, blanketing instrumentals that sweep from brutal crowd-moshing breakdowns and atmospheric bridges to intricate riffing and uplifting
Vocalist Mike Hranica, guitarist/vocalist Jeremy DePoyster, guitarist Chris Rubey, bassist Andy Trick and drummer Daniel Williams are hands-on in every aspect of the band and influenced by a broad spectrum of music, societal issues,