5 concerts to see in Las Vegas this week
The National
The subtleties that distinguish one record from the next in these Ohio-born indie rockers’ oft-pensive discography become a shade more pronounced on their latest, “Sleep Well Beast”: Tempos have more torque behind them upon occasion, electronic accents percolate in places, guitars swell to new heights periodically. The constant: frontman Matt Berninger’s cloud-covered outlook. “Nothing I change changes anything,” he moans on “Walk It Back.” C’mon, dude, give yourself a little credit. See the National at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. Tickets are $50.50 to $126; call 702-693-5000.
KRS-One
“Let us get back to what we call hip-hop” KRS-One commanded 30 years ago on “My Philosophy,” a classic salvo from South Bronx crew Boogie Down Productions. An all-time great MC, KRS-One has been railing against the watering down of rap since he first started heating up mics in the early ’80s. “Don’t bother dissing me, or even wishing we’d / Soften, dilute, or commercialize all the lyrics,” he continues. “ ’Cause it’s about time one of y’all hear it / And hear it firsthand from an intelligent brown man.” Listen up at 8 p.m. Thursday at Beauty Bar. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 day of show; call 702-598-3757.
The Toasters
From rude boys to men, these ska lifers have been at it since the year Ronald Reagan was first sworn in as president. If “Ska Is Dead,” as the title of one of their numerous compilation albums contends, rigor mortis has yet to set in as The Toasters return to the road 37 years in. See them at 8 p.m. Thursday at Backstage Bar & Billiards. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 day of show; call 702-382-2227.
Mustard Plug
Overdose on ska and be laid to rest in a plaid burial shroud with yet another scene staple hitting town this week. Prepare for “Skapocalypse Now!” at 8 p.m. Friday at Backstage Bar & Billiards. Tickets are $15; call 702-382-2227.
Glaare
Glaare’s dusky post-punk lives in the shadows and is all the better for it, the coed Los Angelinos countering the sunshine of their home state with a sound akin to permanent midnight. See them at 8 p.m. Saturday at Starboard Tack. Free; call 702-684-5769.
