Weekend Music Preview, Sept. 30 – Oct.2

Another incredible weekend awaits live music fans in Edmonton, with everything from buzz bands, to metal, to country and jazz. While the biggest name of the weekend is undoubtedly Kings of Leon, who perform at Rexall Place on Saturday night along with The Sheepdogs, lesser known but still extraordinary music will emanate from performances by Jennifer Castle, Hollerado, and the Deep Dark Woods (pictured).

FRIDAY

Underoath. This Christian metalcore sextet hails from Tampa, Florida. Though there’s been enough turnover in the band since its founding in 1997 that there are no original members, they have received two Grammy nominations, and recorded six studio albums. Comeback Kid, The Chariot, and This Is Hell open. Avenue Theatre, 7pm, $23.50.

Evergrey. Another in a long line of premiere European metal bands invades the city with this progressive power group from Gothenburg, Sweden. Starlite Room, 7pm, $25.

Jennifer Castle. This sweet and alluring Ontario singer-songwriter is sure to make folk music fans out of everyone that attends. She may even break out her ‘guitlele’. Mark Templeton and Field + Stream open. Artery, 8pm, $10.

Marv Machura Band. The local folk rocker has the release party for his fourth album “I Want You”, with Carson Cole opening. Yellowhead Brewery, 8pm, $20.

Girls Girls Girls. Last weekend New City was the talk of the town after an epic performance from Mudhoney. This weekend the up-and-coming basement club features this “nautical vagabond” punk trio from London, England. 8pm.

The Frolics. Sonic 102.9’s Band of the Month showcase features this surf/punk group from Edmonton, as well as Feast or Famine and Red Ram. Pawn Shop, 8pm, $5.

Hollerado. The Southern Ontario band touches down in Edmonton with their ‘meet the mayor’ tour. And it’s true, they’re meeting with Stephen Mandel earlier in the day. Wildlife and Young Rival open. Wunderbar, 9pm.

SATURDAY

Kings Of Leon. While their 2008 album “Only by the Night” went platinum in the United States, and resulted in two BRIT awards, their 2010 effort resulted in a Grammy nomination for best rock song (“Radioactive”). The Sheepdogs, who recently adorned the cover of Rolling Stone, open for the Tennessee rockers. Rexall Place, 6:30, $29.50 and up.

Deep Dark Woods. These southern rockers – another Saskatchewan band – received rave reviews at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, and return to Edmonton for the third time this year. They have a huge local following, and it’s well-deserved. Royal Alberta Museum Theatre, 7:30, $15.

Tommy Overstreet. This country legend has accumulated eleven top ten singles in the Billboard country charts, and has seventeen albums to his credit. Laura Vison opens. Dow Centennial Centre, 7:30, $30.

Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. These indie popsters from New York combine overstretched fuzz and searing guitars with elegant melodies. Big Troubles open. Starlite Room, 8pm, $15.

Ninjaspy. The ska/metal band are headlining a birthday bash for Starlite Room talent booker Art Szabo, with opening acts Nobody Likes Dwight and Treeburning. Brixx, 9pm, $12.

SUNDAY

Nikki Yanofsky. This Quebec born jazz sensation saw her 2010 album “Nikki” top the Canadian jazz charts and get nominated for a Juno award in 2011. A new album is on its way, so fans should expect a lot of new material. Tommy Banks and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra open. Winspear Centre, 7pm, $79 and up.

Dean Brody. Another Canadian, this British Columbia country artist saw his 2008 track “Brothers” hit the top forty country charts on both sides of the border. Deric Ruttan and Aaron Lines open. Festival Place, 7:30, $38 and up.