1. Music Now 2012
What started in 2006 as the humble-but-earnest brainchild of The National’s Bryce Dessner has quickly become one of the city’s most anticipated events. This year, see Nico Muhly, festival veteran Sufjan Stevens, and Philip Glass alongside string sextet eighth blackbird, plus Sandro Perri, This is the Kit, Pedro Soler and Gaspar Claus. March 28-30, musicnowfestival.org
2. David Wax Museum
Paste Magazine called them “The breakout act at the Newport Folk Fest,” referring to David Wax Museum’s popular set at the 2010 festival that mixed Midwestern folk with traditional Mexican music. See the Boston-based band with local singer-songwriter Serenity Fisher at Covington’s Molly Malones. March 27, covington.mollymalonesirishpub.com
3. The Psychedelic Furs
1970s British group The Psychedelic Furs brings their brand of New Wave post-punk to Bogart’s, part of a much-touted reunion tour to revive their 1981 album Talk Talk Talk (John Hughes fans may remember that the album’s song “Pretty in Pink” inspired that iconic 1980s movie). March 31 at Bogart’s, bogarts.com
4. Bear in Heaven
The mustachioed electro-groovy Bear in Heaven emerged from Brooklyn in 2007 with their uber abstract debut album Red Bloom of the Boom. Hear a preview of their dance party-worthy third album, Beast Rest Fourth Mouth, officially due out in April. March 31 at MOTR, motrpub.com
5. Rumpke Mountain Boys
It may not be a high-profile show, but the “jamgrass” Rumpke Mountain Boys are a Cincinnati favorite, known for their scruffy arrangements of banjo, mandolin, bass, and acoustic guitar. March 27 at Stanley’s pub, myspace.com/stanleyspub
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