Tuesday, Feb. 21: Young The Giant at The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($16)
You may know the Irvine, California-based alt-rock band Young The Giant by its previous name, The Jakes. More likely, though, you don’t know Young The Giant at all. But with cushy opening slots on recent tours with the likes of Incubus and Minus The Bea,r and a great deal of radio play on the wings of its 2010 self-titled (new name) debut, the re-booted band won’t stay out of your consciousness for much longer. Walk The Moon opens. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., therave.com)

Also: Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound at Turner Hall, 7 p.m. ($10)  
(1032 N. Fourth St., pabsttheater.org)

And: Dirty Dozen Brass Band at Potawatomi’s Northern Lights Theater, 8 p.m. (FREE)
(1721 W. Canal St., paysbig.com)

Wednesday, Feb. 22: Evan Christian at The Jazz Estate, 10 p.m.
As far as these music round up posts go, skilled local jazz man Evan Christian is to Wednesdays as Sigmund Snopek is to Tuesdays. But just because the resident Estate guitarist is the default option when there’s little else written on the mid-week calendar doesn’t mean Christian isn’t worth consideration. (2423 N. Murray Ave., jazzestate.com)

Thursday, Feb. 23: The Directionals at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9:30 p.m. ($5)

MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Friday, Feb. 24: The Promise Ring at Turner Hall, 7 p.m. ($16)
These days, it seems like bands operate under the never-say-never mantra. Joining the waves of bands coming back together is the city’s biggest and most influential group, The Promise Ring, who helped re-popularized emo between the late ‘90s and the early 2000s. Since parting ways in 2002, The Promise Ring alumni have turned up in a variety of respected local acts, including Maritime and Snowbirds. The seminal band briefly returned to the stage in 2005. This time around, the band will treat its hometown and Chicago to a pair of rare and super special performances that may never happen again… until 2018 or so. Celebrated Workingman opens. (1032 N. Fourth St., pabsttheater.org)

Also: Dropkick Murphys (Milwaukee Admirals Post-Game Concert) at Bradley Center
(1001 N. Fourth St., bradleycenter.com)

And: Sat. Nite Duets at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
(2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)

Saturday, Feb. 25: Korn at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($37)
Though Doomtree poses a much more enticing modern music option Saturday, a hoard of Wisconsinites will likely still opt to throw on some Adidas apparel and travel back to the late 1990s—a time when the letter R was brazenly written backwards and Korn owned the TRL countdown. Like America’s love of Carson Daly and ‘N Sync, the fanfare surrounding the nu metal pioneers has subsided significantly this century. Yet Korn trudges on. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., therave.com)

Also: Doomtree at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($12)
(1032 N. Fourth St., pabsttheater.org)

And: Protestant at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
(2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)

Sunday, Feb. 26: God’s Outlaw at Frank’s Power Plant, 1 p.m. ($3)
Milwaukee’s own God’s Outlaw melds country classics, Johnny Cash covers and raucous originals to hone a rowdy, toe-tapping and binge-drinking soundtrack. Start your Sunday off right with an early afternoon performance by one of the city’s most appealing and underappreciated acts. (2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., frankspowerplant.angelfire.com)

Juniper Tar will play the Cactus Club this Friday, Feb. 17.

Wednesday, Feb. 15: Conspirator featuring The Disco Biscuits’ Aron Magner and Marc Browstein at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($15)
Originally started as a side project in 2004 by two members of Philadelphia-based electronica fusion band Disco Biscuits, Conspirator has taken on a life of its own in recent years. The group combines the visceral thrill of trance music and over-the-top lighting with a live band with a penchant for going off on jamming tangents. (1032 N. Fourth St., pabsttheater.org)

Also: Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe: The Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” at Northern Lights Theater, 8 p.m. ($26/$20/$15)
(1721 W. Canal St., paysbig.com)

Thursday, Feb. 16: The Daredevil Christopher Wright with Big Falls at Tonic Tavern, 9 p.m. (FREE)
Bon Iver officially put Eau Claire on the national music map with his Grammy wins and brilliant acceptance speech last night. And though the major labels might not exactly be flocking there anytime soon in search of the next big folk thing, the fact remains that there is some serious talent collected in the sleepy western Wisconsin town. The Daredevil Christopher Wright is among the best, a 3-piece group of classically trained musicians that specialize in constant and always spot-on harmonies, kitschy upbeat melodies and minimalist instrumentation. The group will most certainly be crooning tracks off of its infectious new EP, The Longsuffering Song. (2335 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., tonictavern.com)

Also: Catacombz with Head On Electric and Slow Walker at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9 p.m. ($5)
(1001 E. Locust St., linnemans.com)

Also: Two Fresh & Nit Grit with Mindspyk and Haywyre at Miramar Theatre, 9 p.m. ($18)
(2844 N. Oakland Ave., themiramartheatre.com)

Also: Cody Simpson with Jessica Jarrell at The Rave, 7 p.m. ($25)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., therave.com)

MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Friday, Feb. 17: Juniper Tar with Chaperone at Cactus Club, 10 p.m. ($5)
Coming hot on the heels of being featured on indie rock gatekeeper Daytrotter and in the midst of preparations for the release of new LP Since Before, Juniper Tar is taking some of its ever-shrinking free time to rock the Cactus Club with Chicago-based Chaperone. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)

Also: Scrimshaw with Sprout and Boy With Bosoms at Frank’s Power Plant, 9:30 p.m. ($5)
(2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., frankspowerplant.angelfire.com)

Also: Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires with Little Barrie at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($15)
(1032 N. Fourth St., pabsttheater.org)

Saturday, Feb. 18: Trolley with The Melismatics and Revolush at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
Continuing a solid weekend of rock at the ol’ Cactus Club is Milwaukee power-pop maestros Trolley with special guests The Melismatics. The Minneapolis-based group swings to the same sugar-coated power-pop beat, but much like Trolley, the delivery is genuine and delivered with a little extra kick live. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)

Also: Tim Schweiger & the Middlemen with Summer Girlfriends and Paul Caporino at Frank’s Power Plant, 9:30 p.m. ($6)
(2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., frankspowerplant.angelfire.com)

Also: The New Red Moons with The Union Suits at Circle-A Cafe, 8 p.m.
(932 E. Chambers St., circle-a-cafe.org)

Sunday, February 19: The Midwest Beat with The Pharmacy and Bobby Hussy at Circle-A Cafe, 8 p.m. ($5)
There are plenty of bands out there these days citing jangly early ’60s pop as an influence. But where most of these groups go off in different directions, Brew Town’s own Midwest Beat stays the course. The result is a wholly enjoyable throwback experience complete with tight harmonies, upbeat antics and a raw energy that oozes with authenticity. (932 E. Chambers St., circle-a-cafe.org)

Also: Night Flight featuring Gel Set and Windbreaker at Quarter’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace, 10:00 p.m. (FREE)
(900 E. Center St.)

Also: Rookie of the Year with Mechanical Kids and School Boy Humor at Miramar Theatre, 6 p.m. ($10)
(2844 N. Oakland Ave., themiramartheatre.com)