Tame Impala Wednesday, February 27, at Granada Theater, $22/$24 There is no edge to the earth, but if there were, Perth, Australia, would probably be in spitting distance of it. So it's unexpected for a band to overcome such geographic remoteness to find a place on the world stage. Tame Impala have accomplished this in the course of two years with the release of two remarkable albums. Psychedelic rock masterpieces, the albums make huge nods to the woozier sounds of Hendrix and The Beatles, yet don't come across as retro ripoffs. Maybe even more unusual is that the albums could be considered solo projects for multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker. In addition to writing all the songs, he played virtually all the instruments and vocals. He even recorded the tracks himself. But the live band has had a consistent five-piece membership that has toured extensively and does an amazing job bringing the dense sounds of the albums to life. The show sold out quickly, so if you weren't fortunate enough to get your tickets, you're going to be sitting this one out. --Douglas Davis
John Lewis Monday, February 25, at Absinthe Lounge, Free Frontman John Lewis, of Dallas' progressive funk rock group The John Lewis Band, will entertain the Absinthe Lounge crowd tonight with his rhythm and funk guitar expertise, as well as with a healthy mix of cover songs. Check him out if you're around the area. Or even if you're not. The best part: It's free. --Rachel Watts
Erykah Badu's Birthday Jammy Tuesday, February 26, at Granada Theater, $25 A couple of weeks ago Deb told you about EB's quickly approaching birthday blowout at Granada. The show will be hosted by experimental, electro hip-hop group The Cannabanoids, which is one of Erykah's side projects from Dallas. If you can afford to slink into work a little worn out the next day, go ahead and buy your tickets to the Tuesday night party now, while they're still cheap. I mean, it's Badu. It's her birthday. Let's show some local love. -- Rachel Watts
Dropkick Murphys Tuesday, February 26, at House of Blues, $27.50-$37.50 For a band out of Boston, it's tough to top headlining a gig in storied Fenway Park, home of the town's beloved Red Sox. But the Dropkick Murphys, who have already performed in front of the Green Monster, will soon offer up their take on Celtic-tinged folk-punk on another impressive Boston sports stage for their first ever St. Patrick's Day Irish Festival. While it's not the original Larry Bird-dominated Boston Garden, The TD Garden, home of the current Celtics basketball team, still has the trademark parquet floors. And those little brown tiles will soon have plenty of Guinness sloshed all over them on March 15. Before they get to the hometown St. Patty's party, the Ken Casey-led crew of badasses will bring their shout-along stories of the working class to Dallas. Along with the usual highlights of "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" and "The Irish Rover," new and soon-to-be-classic DKM tunes such as "The Boys Are Back" and "Rose Tattoo," off the excellent new record, Signed and Sealed in Blood, will be played for local audiences for the first time. --Kelly Dearmore
Nicholas Altobelli, Ryan Thomas Becker, Daniel Markham Thursday, February 28, at All Good Cafe, Free California singer-songwriter Nicholas Altobelli just sent the Observer a copy of his lastest folksy release, Without a Home, and it has scarce left my CD player since. The 10-track LP was produced by DFW's local claim to fame Salim Nourallah and will be released just two days before he headlines an excellent show at All Good Cafe on Thursday. Check out his brand spankin' new music video for the track "The Lucky Ones," which came out last week. Filling out the bill is a man of many bands, Ryan Thomas Becker, and psych-rock singer-songwriter Daniel Markham. Personally, I'll be there celebrating my birthday, so stop by for some some excellent tunes and potential birthday cake. --Rachel Watts
Foxtrot Uniform, The Frisky Disco, DJ Ridickulous Thursday, February 28, at The Grotto, $5 For the past couple of years, Fortlive.com has served as Fort Worth's go-to calendar site for all things music in Cowtown. For 2013, they're throwing another All-Star Showcase, which will feature rock 'n' roll up-and-comers Foxtrot Uniform, who just shifted from a low-fi duo to a filled-out five-piece band last month. Locals The Frisky Disco co-headline, after a DJ set from Smith Music Group (Cross Canadian Ragweed, Pat Green) artist DJ Ridickulous, who will be taking requests. To give you an idea of what to expect, the event's poster says "For fans of blues rock, like Jack White and The Black Keys." Admission is just five bucks, and all of the money goes straight into the bands' pockets, according to Fortlive.com. --Rachel Watts