Music News & Reviews
Three to see: New Pornographers land at Ace of Spades
Mind X 20th Anniversary
Rock/jam band
9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19
Torch Club
A Torch Club/Sacramento staple known for its 20-minute jams celebrates its 20th anniversary (as well as frontman Sean Barham’s birthday) with what figures to be quite the blowout, considering that even the regular, un-momentous local gigs from this razor-sharp outfit always leave a sweaty stage behind. 904 15th St, Sacramento. $8. www.torchclub.net
The New Pornographers
Rock/indie/pop
7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20
Ace of Spades
“Super group” can be an unfortunate title to cart around (we’re looking at you, Hollywood Vampires), and there’s no getting around the fact that the New Pornographers (which features Neko Case, Carl “A.C.” Newman and others) is exactly that. But individual accolades aside, a near-flawless melding of harmonious pop and indie rock gives this Canadian-bred act its own stock of street cred. Oakland’s captivating Rogue Wave opens. 1417 R St., Sacramento. $25 adv./$30 door. www.aceofspadessac.net
The Ballantynes
Rock/soul/garage
8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25
Press Club
You can hear it on first listen: Vancouver outfit Ballantynes is up to the best kind of no-good. Those ultra-catchy retro-soul hooks will get them in the door of any party, but that feisty garage-rock underpinnings will quickly get them banished to the back alley. With Celestions and the Collyer Bros. 2030 P St., Sacramento. $10.
Looking ahead: Colvin & Earle. Sept. 13 at the Crest Theatre
They’re both beloved and accomplished singer-songwriters in their own right, but the pairing of icons Shawn Colvin and Steve Earle has taken on a shimmering life of its own. 1013 K St., Sacramento. $35-$65. www.crestsacramento.com
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