-- Patterson Hood: Co-founder of the très hip Athens, Georgia rock/alt-country/cowpunk band Drive-By Truckers performs solo tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Swedish American Hall, 2170 Market (as Sanchez); $15. -- Arise, Hollowhed, Agenda of Swine, and Alta Mira: Scary loud heavy metal will help wipe away poor Brit's depressing performance (and the subsequent vaginal shot sequel later on in the evening [NSFW]). The thrashing starts tonight at 9 p.m. at Elbo Room, 647 Valencia;......

It's not too early to make plans for Halloween weekend, and if you want to make this year especially memorable, hop a plane to Las Vegas for the Vegoose Music Festival. It's an impressive lineup of tons of bands in one place: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Mars Volta, The Raconteurs, Cat Power and the Memphis Rhythm Band (we'll see about that), Gomez, Fiona Apple, Jenny Lewis, BRMC, and a bunch of those jammy/jazzy......

Last year's phenomenal lineup of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival earned it one of our esteemed 'Fistie Awards for Best Musical Event, for being both amazing and free of charge. They've just announced the line-up for this year's fest, taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 6, 7 & 8 in Golden Gate Park. Highlights include Elvis Costello, Alejandro Escovedo, Linda Ronstadt, Drive-By Truckers, Emmylou Harris and many, many more. Check out the full......