This Week’s Best Shows:

Who’s Bad? Tribute to Michael Jackson (at Canopy Club on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 9pm, $10): 

Until delving further, this was all that was available about the band:

And that was enough to make them worth seeing. The hat! The hair! The totally expected crotch grabs! While witnessing MJ in person would be wholly mind-blowing, the only chance you’ll ever have to see The King live would be if you somehow became a multi-millionaire or ten-year-old boy, both of which aren’t likely to happen any time soon, so for now, Who’s Bad? will (gladly) have to suffice.

Belikos with Curb Service, Sangamon and Organic Flow (at Highdive on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 10pm): If you’re Thriller-ed out, there’s also a great bill across town. The four bands hitting Highdive have different sounds but fit together well, meaning that if one isn’t your bag, there’s three others you’ll most likely enjoy. Larry Gates, under his Curb Service monicker, will assumedly be playing some of his new tunes, so make sure to get there early, as he goes on first.

Tall Tale (at Urban Outfitters on Friday, Sept. 5, 6pm, free): As the third of four Pygmalion Music Festival pre-parties, Tall Tale’s show is yet another opportunity to see great local music in a bizarre yet fantastic environment. It’s free, it’s early, and it’s bound to be great, but if you’re still unsure, ask yourself this: how often can you shop for skinny jeans while watching a live show?  Thought so.

 Avett Brothers (at Canopy Club on Sunday, Sept. 7, 9pm, $16): Pygmalion aside, this will be one of the best shows this semester. Fresh off the release of yet another record, The Second Gleam EP, the boys continue to write heartfelt bluegrass that is nothing short of stunning. In line with other jaw-dropping sibling-named bluegrass acts like The Wood Brothers and The Punch Brothers (who will be playing two days later), the Avetts are talented beyond belief, and put on a must-see show. Note: people who missed their show at Canopy last spring are making up for it by attending this one — don’t make the same mistake they did.

The Rundown:
Monday, September 1st:
Where I’ll Be: Laboring, ironically.
You Should See: Celebrate one of the best holidays at Zmick’s Monday Night Miracle featuring Herbert Wiser Band, 9pm, $3 suggested donation. 

Tuesday, September 2nd:
Where I’ll Be: Honestly? Probably at a scummy college bar.

Wednesday, September 3rd:
Where I’ll Be: Either conquering to-do lists, or seeing the show below.
You Should See: Make it a two-day Larry Gates sandwich by seeing him tonight at Boltini as Dj Legtwo (9pm, free), and then tomorrow at Highdive.

Thursday, September 4th:
Where I’ll (Hopefully) Be: Who’s Bad?, but I may have to leave for Chicago at night.
You Should See: Who’s Bad? Tribute to Michael Jackson at Canopy Club (9pm, $10 in advance) or Belikos with Curb Service, Sangamon and Organic Flow at Highdive (10pm).

Friday, September 5th:
Where I’ll Be: Attending art openings and eating cheddar cubes, but wishing I could see another show in my favorite store.
You Should See: Tall Tale at Urban Outfitters (6pm, free)

Saturday, September 6th:
Where I’ll Be: Seeing Derek Trucks at The Vic in Chicago!

Sunday, September 7th:
Where I’ll Be: Avett Brothers, without a doubt.
You Should See: If you like music, you shouldn’t even be thinking about doing anything besides going to Canopy tonight.