Picked By: Lauren Novik

Everyone needs to catch Funeral Party at the Bootleg Theater on Tuesday, September 28 before they leave L.A. to jetset around the U.S.  21 an over concert addicts should know that though set time is 10:30 sharp, it will be packed- so get their in ample time and have a drink prior to performance!  Make the measly ten dollar investment and get your socks rocked off.

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Picked By: Cervante Pope

Who: The Black Keys and The Growlers

Where: The Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, Ca

When: Tuesday, September 28th at 7 p.m.

Cost: $30 (+ processing fees, click here to buy)

Age Restrictions: All Ages

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Picked By: Daniel Burnett

Who: The Maldives with The Horde and The Harem

Where: Chop Suey in Seattle, Wa

When: Wednesday, September 29th at 8 p.m.

Cost: Free with RSVP

Age Restrictions: 21+

Relentless music sessions and Filter magazine present a free concert headlined by The Maldives, a local indie-folk band who made an appearance on the main stage of this years Capitol Hill Block Party. Their quite compositions of acusotic melodies and swaying bluegrass influences are intertwined with occasional up-beat celtic-esque jaunty rhythms. Moments of southern rock drive the tempo into a more vigorous, crowd pleasing level. Joining them are The Horde and The Harem, another local band who will be taking to the stage in the wake of their recently released EP. A larger presence of bluesy or symphonic piano-driven melodies is heard from them than The Maldives – however the patiently formatted harmonies cause a kinship between the two acts. To these compelling performances check here and RSVP.

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Picked By: Daniel Kohn

Who: Band of Horses

Where: The Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, Co

When: Wednesday, September 29 at 7 p.m.

Cost: $35.25

Age Restrictions: 16+

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Picked By: Laurel Johnston

This Thursday, September 30th, University of Denver’s Newman Center will be home to the sweet strummed strings of The Punch Brothers and Chris Thile. The Punch Brothers are an exclusively all-string band, with a banjo, acoustic guitar, violin, string bass ,and of course, Chris Thile on mandolin. The Punch Brothers sound like a 21st century version of a good ol’ boy bluegrass band: they combine all the rich, vintage elements of folk and bluegrass with the shiny fresh perspective of youth for a sparkling amalgamation that you can’t help but clap to. Their ballads are as moving as their romps are exciting, the band pouring everything they have into every note of every song.

I saw them at Bonnaroo this past June, and though it was one of the first performances on the first day of the festival, the small covered outdoor stage area was packed to the gills. Chris Thile was absolutely superb on the frequently underrated mandolin, endless arpeggios and chromatic runs picked and strummed so quickly I thought the strings might catch on fire. Quite frankly, I had never been a huge fan of the genre until I saw The Punch Brothers. After that, my formerly closed door on bluegrass and even country music was suddenly thrown wide open. In addition to their stellar original tunes, The Punch Brothers performed covers of The Strokes’ ‘Room on Fire’ (see video below) and Radiohead’s ‘Morning Bell’, and their adaptations were simply stunning. Since June, the group has been very busy: not only did their latest album Antifogmatic drop this summer, but they’ve got dates scheduled with Dave Matthews Band and a performance with Steve Martin on Letterman in November. If you’re in the beautiful mountain town of Denver this Thursday, be sure to catch The Punch Brothers’ one-of-a-kind blend of old and new bluegrass and folk songs. If you’re on the fence about those genres, be prepared to be tipped over the edge.