It’s the last weekend in April, and there’s plenty of rockin’ left to do. Not only will the Rumble be crowning a new champion, but BUFU Fest at the Cambridge Elk’s Lodge will showcase two days worth of new bands from Boston and beyond.
Thursday, April 24
Start off the weekend in Allston with a pretty stacked art rock bill. New York indie collective The Pains of Being Pure at Heart will be at Brighton Music Hall, touring behind their upcoming album “Days of Abandon” with British rockers Fear of Men (with The Able Body; 8 p.m., $13, 18+). Canadian experimental performance troupe Yamantaka//Sonic Titan will be joined by Brooklyn gaze punks Perfect Pussy at Middle East Downstairs (with Green Dreams, Parasol, and Fagettes; 7 p.m., $15, all ages). Local Ethiopian jazz funk crew Debo Band will play a set at the comfy Lizard Lounge (9:30 p.m., $15, 21+). For all you reggae lovers out there, or even those who just enjoy getting down from time to time, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad will bring some sunny vibes to The Sinclair (with Kevin Kinsella and Dubbest; 8:30 p.m., $18, 18+)
Friday, April 25
Local label BUFU Records, purveyors of some of the finest sounds from the underground, have now taken on the next level and put together a festival. BUFU Fest night 1 kicks off at Cambridge Elk’s Lodge with sets from Guerilla Toss, Juan Wauters of The Beets, Free Pizza and more acts both from the label and not on the label (5 p.m., $10-15, all ages). The revered Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble will now have is final round at TTs, choosing a new champion between Petty Morals, Goddamn Draculas, and this year’s wildcard Await Rescue. The show will also feature a set from this year’s special guest The Information (8:30 p.m., $12, 18+) Local legends in the making Mean Creek celebrate the release of a new album, “Local Losers,” atop an impressive bill of fellow Boston bands at Middle East Downstairs (with Pile, Ovlov, Heliotropes, and Young Leaves; 8 p.m., $10, 18+). The Both, a new group featuring Aimee Mann and Ted Leo, will play at The Paradise behind their debut self-titled album (with Nick Diamond of Islands; 7 p.m., $22, 18+). Mashup crew The Hood Internet will take their party to The Sinclair (with DJ Apt One; 8 p.m., $20, 18+). For two different helpings of funk, don’t miss Turkuaz and Alan Evans of Soulive’s new group Playonbrother at Brighton Music Hall (8 p.m., $12, 18+).
Saturday, April 26
BUFU Fest continues for night 2 at Elk’s Lodge in Cambridge with new Happy Jawbone Family Band side project The Lentils, Krill, Fat Creeps and more (3 p.m., $10-15, all ages). Leedz Edutainment celebrates 10 years of booking hip-hop in Boston with a huge show at Middle East Downstairs with The Lox, a supergroup featuring Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, and Styles P (with Edo G, Dutch ReBelle, Rite Hook, N.B.S, Stucat, Blak Madeen, L-SKI, Bullet Brak, and more special guests; 8 p.m., $30, 18+). Experimental electronic musician Baths will be at The Sinclair (with Young Fathers and P. Morris; 9 p.m., $15, 18+). For another local option, head to Church and catch Ross Livermore Band (with Jetty and Jugghead Band; 9 p.m., $10, 21+).
Sunday, April 27
The Uncluded, a new project featuring San Francisco lyricist Aesop Rock and Moldy Peaches’ Kimya Dawson, will tour through Cambridge, stopping at The Sinclair (with Baby Dayliner and Sir Jarlsberg; 8 p.m., $18, 18+). North Shore folk rockers Dreamtigers will top a pleasant local bill at Great Scott (with Stephen Brodsky, Decent Lovers, and Aisha Burns; 8:30 p.m., $8, 18+). For a heavier choice, check out Portland, OR’s Havania Whaal and Boston punks Lost Twin at O’Brien’s (with Big Buck Hunter and Mind Your Mother; 8 p.m., $8, 21+)
[Photo Credit: Mona Maruyama]
