Every week, we present a curated list of live music in a wide range of genres all around the Valley, and this week’s column features musicians with new bands or side projects.
June 5 June 6 June 7 June 10 June 11
Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters
It might be inaccurate to call ’60s-style rock group the Boxmasters a vanity project of Academy Award-winner Billy Bob Thornton. Their skill and mettle have led them to play with legends like ZZ Top and venues such as The Grand Ole Opry. 8 p.m., $50, Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-265-4842, rhythmroom.com
Olivia Jean
Yes, there’s a garage rock-esque cover of Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” on Olivia Jean’s new album Raving Ghost. But should you accuse the former lead singer of the goth group The Black Belles (and wife of Jack White) of being ironic, there’s more to this “bubblegum garage” record than meets the ear. Check out the catchy “Too Late” to see what we mean. 8 p.m., $12.50-$17, Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-368-3121, valleybarphx.com
Janet Jackson
The Poetic Justice actress finished a record-breaking Las Vegas residency before the pandemic. Now, the award-winning singer-songwriter (Ms. Jackson, if you’re nasty, as the song goes) is now traveling the Rhythm Nation to celebrate five decades in show business. 8 p.m., $39.95-$499.95, Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix, 602-254-7200, livenation.com
decker.
When he isn’t recording ambitious concept albums at the legendary EastWest studios in Los Angeles (Ouroboros, which comes out on June 9), Brandon Decker, the psychedelic folk singer-songwriter behind decker., is founding and curating music festivals (Sedona’s VortiFest) and learning karate with his son. He comes down from the Verde Valley to celebrate the release of his latest project. 8 p.m., $15-$20, Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix, crescentphx.com
Garbage & Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
The Oasis songwriter and guitarist has since walked back the comments that his former band was “bigger” than The Beatles. With that behind him, he continues to grow into a stunning tunesmith with his group Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. On “Open The Door, See What You Find,” the group’s new single, he croons about being happy with what you have, and he can’t possibly be disappointed with co-headlining a summer tour with Garbage. 7 p.m., $29.50-$149.50, Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix, 602-254-7200, livenation.com
