The Mountain Goats | Photo by Jade Wilson
Every week, we present a curated list of live music in a wide range of genres all around the Valley. This week we’re taking a look at music that tells a story.
May 3
The Mountain Goats
When acclaimed songwriter John Darnielle isn’t fronting the oddly named indie-folk quartet, he’s penning bestsellers, including this year’s suspense novel Devil House. $40-50, 8 p.m., Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix, crescentphx.com
May 5
Sol de Mexico
Mariachi will get its due when the legendary 13-piece ensemble performs songs from the golden era of Mexican cinema. It’s truly a tale of how cinema brought the genre to prominence. 7 p.m., $35-65, The Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix, 602-664-7777, themadison.org
May 5
Lea Solanga
A Disney legend because of her work on the animated classics Mulan and Aladdin, many are unaware that Solanga is also a Broadway legend. Her perfect pitch and stunning voice helped her win the Tony Award for her role in Miss Saigon. 8 p.m., $45-$85, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale, 480-499-8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org
May 8
Danzig
Nearly two decades after it happened, fans and foes of Glenn Danzig still tell the story of the moment when Danny Marianino of the local group North Side Kings cold-cocked him in Tuba City. The punch occurred after the horror-punk icon closed the show early, not allowing the other bands on the bill to play. With three other bands sharing the bill with Danzig in Mesa, here’s hoping history doesn’t repeat. 5 p.m., $50-$55, Mesa Amphitheatre, 263 N. Center St., Mesa, 480-644-2560, mesaamp.com
May 8
Ray LaMontagne
The singer-songwriter behind the breakout hit “Trouble” performed every instrument and wrote, produced, and engineered every folky track on his latest album, Monochrome. But when he takes the stage at Arizona Federal Theatre, his trio will accompany him through his extensive catalog. $49.50-$99.50, 7:30 p.m., Arizona Federal Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix, 602-514-2919, azfederaltheatre.com
