FRIDAY 4/29
Battery, a Metallica tribute act, rides the lightning all the way to Revolution, 9 p.m., $10.
Mediums Art Lounge pits two of America’s greatest contributions to music with “Jazz vs. Hip-Hop 2,” a night featuring Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers backing local emcees, including 9th Scientist, Osyrus Bolly, members of the Bully Gang and more, 9 p.m., $10 general, $15 reserved seating.
Thick Syrup Records hosts a showcase in Hot Springs when three bands from its roster, The Reparations, San Antokyo and Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth, take to Maxine’s Pub, 8 p.m., $5.
And, at Bear’s Den Pizza in Conway, the Toad Suck Review literary review hosts a night of rock music featuring Don’t Stop Please, Es Lo Que Es, The Sesh and Still Reign, 8 p.m., $5.
SATURDAY 4/30
The annual Blues on the River concert at Riverfest Amphitheater includes Floyd Taylor, Sweet Angel, L.J. Echols, Ms. Jody, Gwen White, the always-great Bobby Rush and a mystery guest, 2 p.m., $25 adv., $30 d.o.s.
DJ Big Brown will, apparently, die or be raised from the dead at Discovery for “Big Brown is Dead,” a night bringing the long-time club DJ back to the booth alongside a slate of others, including DJs Death, Justin Sane, Cybertribe and more, 10 p.m., $12.
The Weekend Theater hosts its annual “Breaking All the Rules” fund-raiser during which attendees are encouraged to “break all the rules” by cross-dressing for cash prizes, 6 p.m., $50.
And the Arkansas Travelers, at press time a respectable 7-7 after a rough start on the road, take on the 8-6 division leaders, the Northwest Naturals at Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m., $6-$12.