This weekend, we as a nation celebrate music with the Grammy Awards on Sunday night. But screw that, it’s a bunch of out-of-touch old dudes anyway. Celebrate music your own way, with your own favorite bands. Here are this weekend’s best bets for how you can do so.
Thursday, Jan. 23
Tried-and-true troubadour Damien Jurado rolls through Brighton Music Hall behind his latest album “Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son,” which just came out on Tuesday (with Courtney Marie Andrews; 8 p.m., $14, 18+). For something completely different, Atlanta hip-hop goofball Wacka Flocka Flame will make a trip to Middle East Downstairs in anticipation of his next album Flockaveli 2, which will be out later this year and will feature Drake and Ne-Yo among others (8 p.m., $25, 18+). If you’re craving hip-hop and Waka Flocka doesn’t float your boat, swing by Good Life for Ice Cold!, a winter emcee showcase. Check out sets from local lyricist that include Michael Christmas, Tony Blu, Jacky Kicks, and Aklfow (10 p.m., $5, 21+). If you’re looking to dance in a way that you’ve never danced before, look no further than Lizard Lounge, where local Ethiopian pop collective Debo Band will kick off its winter residency (9:30 p.m., $10, 21+).
Friday, Jan. 24
Berfest, an annual indie rock festival that happens over three nights in Boston, Brooklyn, and Connecticut, celebrates its 10th year this year, coming to Middle East Upstairs and featuring a lineup that includes Pile, Fax Holiday, and a rare appearance from a local side project called Average C*ck (with Bad History Month, Kal Marks, and Flat Swamp; 7 p.m., $10, 18+). An electronic act is playing House of Blues, but please refrain from overdosing on tainted Molly. Actually, Lotus plays electronic music, but with instruments instead of laptops and turntables and they’re pretty damn good at it (with The Werks; 8 p.m., $25, 18+). O’Brien’s hosts another rock fix for your Friday, with a bill that includes Western Mass. punks California X and Sophomore Lounge garage-pop duo Saralee (with Onslo and Make It Up!; 8 p.m., $8, 21+). For another cheaper and more local electronic option, Zakim Records artist JSTJR is spinning at Middle East Upstairs with a crew of DJ friends (with Choppa Dunks, Mobsky, Steve Ford, Frydae, and Stoop Kids; 9 p.m., $8, 18+).
Saturday, Jan. 25
Local post-punks Grass is Green celebrate the release of its latest “Vacation Vinny” with the help of other awesome local rock acts at Elk’s Lodge in Cambridge (with Krill, Ovlov, Palehound, and Trespasser; 6:30 p.m., $8, all ages). For a more danceable option, Good Life hosts legendary Brooklyn DJ Tony Touch, who will spin for the first Fresh Produce of 2014 (10 p.m., $10, 21+). Boston’s premiere dub reggae collective John Brown’s Body will be at the Paradise, joined by Brooklyn electro-funk outfit Pimps of Joytime (with Strange Machines; 9 p.m., $20, 18+).
Sunday, Jan. 26
Former locals 3dCosby return to Boston for a set at O’Brien’s, joined by a familiar cast of locals (with halfsour, Bernie’s Garage, and Jordah; 8 p.m., $8, 21+). For a more soulful offering, Lizard Lounge hosts Sarah Borges, who will do an entire tribute set to jazz legend Sarah Vaughan (8 p.m., $15, 21+). North shore hardcore band Aviator kicks off a lengthy tour with a show at Great Scott which also features Topshelf Records’ My Fictions and more (with Au Revoir, Secret Plot to Destroy the Entire Universe, and Native Wildlife; 9 p.m., $8 ,18+).
