Farshid Etniko w/ Sandy Weltman Friday, July 5, 7:30 p.m. @ Jazz at the Bistro - $10-$20 By RFT Staff The definition of "world music" may vary greatly depending on whom you ask, but by bringing together influences from four different continents, Farshid Etniko surely qualifies. Guitarist Farshid Soltanshahi was born in Iran and educated in Paris before coming to St. Louis, and that worldly background has provided a variety of experiences and influences to inspire the band's music. Farshid's acoustic guitar and the superb Sandy Weltman on mandolin and harmonica lead the way. Call it Latin jazz with a Persian touch -- or call it original, intriguing and entertaining.
Tideland Friday, July 5, 9 p.m. w/ Trauma Harness @ Foam - $5 By Mabel Suen Tideland echoes the throes of the '90s with a modern blend of intense grunge, shoegaze and punk. Vocals get crooned over a noisy pop wall built up by guitars, with whispers of influences including Dinosaur Jr., Nirvana and Sonic Youth peeking out from underneath dense chords and hard-hitting drum hits. The feel-good, forward-moving songs sound like they're dunked under salty sea water, warbling from residual reverb and desperate yet determined to find its land legs.
Will Hoge Saturday, July 6, 8:30 p.m. w/ The Incurables @ Off Broadway - $15-$20 By Allison Babka Well over a decade ago, Will Hoge washed through St. Louis as backup for one of Aussie band Midnight Oil's final tours. His music -- usually about broken hearts -- was youthful but solid; you just knew this guy with the Springsteen sweat, Otis Redding soul and Merle Haggard twang was going somewhere. These days, Hoge is the headliner, with lyrics and bandmates that have matured with him. The heartbreak still is there, but it sits alongside war, poverty and other dark shadows in songs that inspire and ignite. A master when plugged in, Hoge is even better when he takes his beat-up old acoustic and sings while wandering through the audience Grand-Ole Opry style. Don't leave early.
The Reptilian Saturday, July 6, 8 p.m. w/ Alta, Foxing, Anodes, Strangers Now @ The Radskeller - $5 By Joseph Hess The Reptilian tears through quick, twisting songs of wiry riffs. The power trio line-up pounds through pieces bound by jazz glue. The Reptilian's key sound comes from sharp fret-tapping, where guitar and bass intertwine with a striking rip. The sound feels informed by equal parts emo and math-rock, where throaty screams glaze over shape-shifting beats. Each song remains fierce with tight structure, while the Reptilian's pop leanings poke out from behind the subversive sound. Dan Riehl manages to eke out lead vocals from behind the kit, which he bashes with unbridled force. Russ Wagner bends his ax in accordance with Riehl's percussive drive, lending melodic context to the dense drum-play. John Sacha's murky bass bonds with deep overdrive. The Reptilian pushes a deeply involved, fresh take on punk rock.
John Mayer Sunday, July 7, 7 p.m. w/ Phillip Phillips @ Verizon Wireless Ampitheater - $36-$75 By Christian Schaeffer From this 2010 show preview: Hating John Mayer has grown from a hipster pastime into a full-contact sport. Following a particularly damning Playboy interview -- in which he spoke crassly of his celebrity bedmates and dropped a racial epithet -- Mayer caught flak from every corner of the Internet. Perhaps it's a sign of the times that more people follow his Twitter account (@johncmayer) than his musical exploits, but Mayer's failed career as a raconteur has been a reminder that he should let his guitar do the talking. After all, he's one of the few modern musicians who can coast on only his charm, blue-eyed-soul vocals and nuanced, blues-guitar playing.
Note: Though we wish we could, we can't feature every great show happening in town in just one measly post. Look for plenty more recommendations this Friday in our weekend shows post, and peruse the St. Louis concert calendar for more ideas any time. Let everyone know what you're looking forward to seeing this week in the comments below, and send show tips any time to clubs@riverfronttimes.com to be considered for inclusion on these lists.
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