For more live music to see in Birmingham, check out Weld‘s Live Music Calendar or visit our music section.
DanielDay | Friday, May 8 | 8:30 p.m.
Throwback rock band Zarinah and the Zaratans play music from the 1950s and 60s, providing cover versions of tunes from artists as diverse as the Yardbirds and Nina Simone – with, as they tease on the show’s Facebook page, a little Rogers and Hammerstein thrown in. The Birmingham natives, led by the strong vocals of Zarinah Shahid, advise you to “bring your mom” to the show – because “she knows how to twist!”
Della Memoria/The Heavy Hearts/Happy Lemmy
The Nick | Friday, May 8 | 10 p.m.
Della Memoria are touring behind their latest EP, last year’s Beautiful Dream. That release was a four-song collection of ethereal synthpop anchored by Emily Sholes’ smoky vocals, a sound similar to that of bands such as Braids or Young Ejecta – or, perhaps, a stripped-back version of Beach House. The group will bring an acoustic version of that sound to the Nick on Friday, joined by Birmingham band the Heavy Hearts and Hayden, Ala. rock group Happy Lemmy.
The Dead Milkmen/Bastards of Fate
Saturn | Saturday, May 9 | 9 p.m.
The Dead Milkmen are old pros at making sarcastic punk rock, and for good reason – they’ve been doing it since 1983. Though the group broke up in 1995 and only resumed full-time in 2008, they’ve retained their sardonic sense of humor – their latest album, Pretty Music for Pretty People, features tracks with titles such as “Big Words Make the Baby Jesus Cry” and “All You Need Is Nothing” – backing up that sense of humor with some catchy, jangly rock.
Dreamers/The Burning Peppermints/Ensul
Saturn | Tuesday, May 12 | 8 p.m.
Dreamers aren’t a difficult listen by any stretch of the imagination. The group’s brand of pop-rock goes down so easy – and with an effortlessness that makes them all the more impressive. For their Wednesday performance at Saturn, they’ll be joined by grungy lo-fi act the Burning Peppermints (from Birmingham) and alt-rock group Ensul.
WorkPlay | Tuesday, May 12 | 8 p.m.
Minneapolis hip-hop duo Atmosphere have been active since 1989. Their latest album, last year’s Southsiders, was arguably their most ambitious release to date, though it retained much of the introspective lyricism that defined much of Atmosphere’s discography. The duo, composed of “Slug” and “Ant,” are also known for creating their own record label, Rhymesayers (to which artists such as MF DOOM and Aesop Rock are signed), cementing their roles as instrumental, influential figures in the underground rap community.