Though it bills itself as “the world’s first Gruntry [grunge + country] band,” Red Heart Alarm leans more toward the twangier of the two flannel-favoring genres. The quartet’s latest, Hammer Anvil Stirrup, does feature a few heavy guitar riffs and lyrics about darker topics like loss and addiction, but for the most part there’s a subtle country flair to it, especially on tunes like “Looking for Trouble” and album-closer “Autumn.” Corey Allred and Jared Monschein, who share vocal and guitar duties, create strong harmonies while bassist Scotty Summers and drummer Donovan Pfeifer make sure everything stays on course. With Whiting Tennis. Conor Byrne Pub, 5140 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-3640, conorbyrnepub.com. 9 p.m. $8. 21 and over.

THEESatisfaction, Neumos. Read more about the band in this week’s feature

here

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Those whose only exposure to actress Leighton Meester (aka Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl) as a singer is via her appearance on Cobra Starship’s 2009 hit “Good Girls Go Bad” are in for a surprise. Meester’s debut full-length, Heartstrings, which follows a handful of one-off singles, is more folk-pop than dance-pop, with Meester alternating between breathy vocals (the title track, “L.A.”) and a richer style (“Good for One Thing,” “On My Side”). She isn’t the first actress to try her hand at music, but Meester is one of the few who can rely on actual talent, and not just a name, to succeed. With Duke Evers. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151, showboxpresents.com. 8 p.m. $20 adv./$25 DOS. All ages.

After the members of folk-rock group Buffalo Springfield decided to go their separate ways, vocalist Richie Furay began working on a new project with fellow Springfielder Jim Messina on bass. That band, Poco, became a country-rock pioneer following the release of its debut album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces. It peaked commercially in the late ’70s with “Crazy Love” and “Heart of the Night,” and though lineup and label changes have been a major part of the band’s nearly-50-year career, Poco has always come out on top. Original pedal steel guitarist Rusty Young now leads a revamped crew, and Poco released its 21st album, All Fired Up, in 2013. With Firefall. Snoqualmie Casino, 37500 S.E. North Bend Way, Snoqualmie, 425-888-1234, snocasino.com. 7 p.m. $30. 21 and over.

There’s a timelessness to the ballads on the self-titled debut from country six-piece Annie Ford Band that makes them relatable to lovelorn listeners of all generations. “Dirty Hearts and Broken Dishes” and “My Brother” are particularly stirring, and even some of the more upbeat songs are lyrically down on their luck. On “Lovesick,” for instance, the Virginia-born Ford sings about a girl who just won’t let her go: “I’m lovesick and sick of loving/Please let me be.” There is a bit of fun here, though. The band really kicks it into high gear on “Frankie” and closes the album with the devious “Gotta Kill a Rooster.” With Ole Tinder, Pepper Proud. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880, sunsettavern.com. 9 p.m. $8. 21 and over.

Now in its third year, the multi-bill night known as Family Reunion is a reminder that, though it may sometimes feel like the opposite is true, someone always has your back. Hosted by KEXP’s Don Slack, Family Reunion benefits MusiCares, a program that helps people in the music industry with financial, medical, and personal issues. This year, a jam-packed lineup (Barb Hunter, Cooper Smith, In Cahoots, The Crying Shame, Massy Ferguson, Red Jacket Mine, The Ganges River Band, Long Dark Moon, the Swearengens’ Fredd Luongo, Inly, Casey Ruff, the Riveters, Jackrabbit, Matthew Harvey, and Gabriel Mintz) will perform the music of alt-country outfit Uncle Tupelo and the bands that grew out of its demise, Wilco and Son Volt. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599, tractortavern.com. 8 p.m. $12. 21 and over.