Nas and Lauryn Hill Monday, October 29, at the Palladium Ballroom, $54.75 This pairing is an inspired one, and especially notable for fans of Lauryn Hill, who have been wondering where the follow-up to 1998's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill has been hiding. That (hopefully) comes with the release of her new album, Black Rage. And with that title, we can definitely expect a little invective from Ms. Hill. Nas also has a new album out, Life Is Good, which should provide some nice shading to the evening. -- Audra Schroeder
Poor Moon, Jacob Metcalf Tuesday, October 30, at La Grange, $10 Sub Pop indie rockers Christian Wargo and Casey Wescott, of Fleet Foxes fame, head up a side project called Poor Moon. If you're a Fleet Foxes fan, you'll be happy to know these guys share the same endearing harmonies. Check them out at LaGrange this week with local folk opener Jacob Metcalf. -- Rachel Watts
Joe Bonamassa Tuesday, October 30 at Music Hall at Fair Park, $59-$89 Blues guitarist "Smokin'" Joe Bonamassa will be playing a solo performance Tuesday after the recent release of his 10th solo album, Driving Towards the Daylight. Most well known for his role in the '90s rock band Bloodline, Bonamassa wrote rock songs with several sons of famous musicians, including Miles Davis and The Doors' Robby Krieger. -- Rachel Watts
Kendrick Lamar Wednesday, October 31, South Side Music Hall, $30 Much critical love has been given to Kendrick Lamar's new album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, which has only been out a week. On first listen, it's sort of frustrating for a hip-hop album -- songs will abruptly segue into skits or voice mail messages, as if Lamar is trying to sneak out of his own story -- but upon closer inspection, that's what so great about the album. Lamar has made indeed made a short film, the storyline made up of his observations of Compton: "Would you say my intelligence now is great relief/ And it's safe to say that our next generation maybe could sleep/With dreams of being a lawyer or doctor/Instead of a boy with a chopper/That hold the cul-de-sac hostage/ Kill them all if they gossip." -- Audra Schroeder
Tomahawk Wednesday, October 31, at Granada Theater, $35 Mike Patton has come a long way from his Faith No More days. Since the early Aughts, he's fronted the experimental metal band Tomahawk, who are prepping their new album for early 2013, appropriately titled Oddfellows. See them at Granada Theater Wednesday night for the perfect vibe to your Halloween evening. -- Rachel Watts
Necro Tonz Wednesday, October 31, at La Grange, $10/$15 KNON-FM 89.3's Blue Lisa is getting ready celebrate her 13th anniversary on the air, but she's not making it strictly a blues affair. She talked the Necro Tonz into reuniting for the perfect Halloween night topper as a celebration of music, Blue Lisa's career on the air, and a benefit for KNON. The Tonz haven't subjected an audience to their "Death Lounge" since 2005, when they ended a nine-year run after touring with The Cramps, releasing a couple LPs (one on local label Last Beat Records) and popping up in the odd horror film soundtrack, including American Nightmare. -- Alan Ayo
Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler Thursday, November 1 at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie, $35-$125 The now 71-year-old Bob Dylan is still trekking along on his North American tour with Dire Straits front man Mark Knopfler. The tour comes after the Sept. 11 release of his newest album, Tempest, full of historical allusions. I know we think it every year, but what if this is your last chance to see Dylan, guys? -- Rachel Watts
