Friday, August 23

Les Claypool’s Duo de Twang The Primus mastermind’s latest endeavor is this bluegrass-influenced project, which finds him performing his highly technical slapping technique on a bass banjo. With Reformed Whores. The Neptune. 8 p.m. $29.50 adv./$34 DOS. All ages. ANDREW GOSPE

Lusine Seattle’s Jeff McIlwain’s builds his tracks on gradually evolving synth textures and metronomic beats, a formula he explores to great effect on February’s The Waiting Room. More immediate is Portland’s Natasha Kmeto, a hybrid R&B vocalist/producer signed to local label Dropping Gems. It’s fitting that Decibel Fest is behind this final KEXP Concert at the Mural, because these two, along with opener Vox Mod, are making some of the most interesting electronic music in the Northwest right now. Mural Ampitheatre. 5:30 p.m. Free. All ages. AG

Men Without Hats is a very different band, lineup-wise, at least, than the one-hit wonders were at the time of 1983’s “The Safety Dance.” Singer Ivan Doroschuk is now the group’s sole original member, recording last year’s Love in The Age of War, the group’s first album in nine years, with a new backing band. With The Scarves, COLOR, Crooked Veils. El Corazon. 7 p.m. $15 adv./$18 DOS. AG

Pixies Cover Night The Pixies are ideal for covers: their songs are simple enough that most bands could play them but nuanced enough to provide room for embellishment. At this show, nine acts will take on Frank and Kim’s classics. With Kithkin, Midday Veil, Tea Cozies, Charms, Ononos, Noddy, Gibraltar, Bad Motivators. Chop Suey. 9 p.m. $5 adv./$10 DOS. AG

Saturday, August 24

Black Sabbath Tony Iommi isn’t quite the household name Ozzy Osborne is, but the guitarist who launched a thousand metal riffs certainly is the star of the current Black Sabbath tour. Fittingly, it’s a simple show. Iommi and Osborne, alongside fellow founding member, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Tommy Clufetos from Ozzy’s solo act, just play their songs in front of a big screen. Ozzy is good for a maniacal laugh and wild glare here and there, but you probably already know his voice and presence have diminished in power. Not so with Butler and Iommi, whose musicianship now exceeds the recordings of the band’s early ‘70s classics and shines on tunes from their June release, 13. Donning shades and dressed all in black, content yet imposing on stage, Iommi embodies the spirit of the band and the often misunderstood but not ignoble genre it summoned to this world. With Andrew W.K. (DJ set). Gorge Amphitheatre. 7:30 p.m. $60 – $150. JASON SIMMS

DaM-Funk Los Angeles’s Damon Riddick has carved out a niche for himself making down-and-dirty electro-funk, and live, he’s as adept behind the decks as he is at playing keytar solos. With the Stepkids, Myron & E. Crocodile. 8 p.m. $15. AG

Drag The River is a quintessential road-warrior rock band, touring and releasing records constantly while honing their lyrical brand of alt-country. Sunset Tavern. 9:30 p.m. $10. AG

Linda’s Fest Linda’s celebrates the end of summer with this free block party, featuring Seattle Weekly favorites like art-rapper Katie Kate and afro-surf punk band Iska Dhaaf. This show also marks the final performance from hard-rock act Absolute Monarchs. With Constant Lovers, Tilson XOXO, Big Eyes. Linda’s Tavern. 5 p.m. Free. AG

Sunday, Aug. 25

Alyse Black This Seattle native takes her cues from jazz-indebted adult-contemporary singers like Norah Jones and Sarah McLaughlin. With Cami Lundeen, Holly Figueroa O’Reilly. Crocodile. 8 p.m. $10 adv./$12 DOS. All ages. AG

Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra Liebert With his band Luna Negra Liebert, Ottmar Liebert is one of the world’s most successful Latin guitarists: his new agey instrumental stylings have led to five Grammys and a double-platinum album, 1990’s Nouveau Flamenco. Triple Door. 6 p.m., 9 p.m. $20–$40. All ages. AG

Yogoman Burning Band A former Bellingham resident, I first encountered the uniqueness of Yogoman Burning Band at Boundary Bay’s weekly Reggae Night. If you’ve ever been, you’ll know the magical effect that YBB’s ska and soul sound has on the patio crowd—everyone swinging and swaying, channeling their inner island vibes. During their stint in the City of Subdued Excitement, YBB established itself as one of Bellingham’s most free-wheeling, feel-good acts, mixing sunny lyrics with big-band brass and jazz-inspired riffs. More recently, the band’s taken its talents to the road with the likes of Iron & Wine and Helio Sequence. The group has since returned to Seattle, where it’s more than prepared to continue the party. (With Victory Lap and Mile 9.) Nectar Lounge. $7. 8 p.m. KEEGAN PROSSER