• THURSDAY 8/26
Out at Denton’s Trotline in Benton, Big John Miller belts out soul hits with support from his band, 8 p.m. The Last Waltz Ensemble, a tribute act to The Band during its time with Bob Dylan as well as its output from the Big Pink, plays Revolution, 9 p.m., $8. On the other side of the River Market, another, completely different tribute act shreds away as Battery pays tribute to Metallica, 9 p.m., $10. Vino’s brings in a night of post-hardcore with Moment of Fierce Determination, Burning the Past, Taifias and Hourglass, 7 p.m., $5. On Louisiana, the new club, Sway, lights up with help from DJ Silky Slim, all night, $3. Throwback cock-rockers Triple Cobra roll into Hot Springs for a show at Maxine’s; they’re joined by self-described “comedic cabaret pop-punk sensations” Flameing Daeth Fearies, 8 p.m., $5 suggested donation.
• FRIDAY 8/27
Cool Shoes returns for their monthly dance party; this time around, Cool Shoes regulars DJ Wolf-E-Wolf and Sleek man the decks at the Downtown Music Hall stage, 10 p.m., $5 over 21, $8 under 21. The Arkansas-born, Austin-residing Ouachita brings its dusky take on ’70s Southern rock to the brave souls at Midtown Billiards, 12:30 a.m., $8 non-members. High-energy classic rockers Katmandu play a free show at Capi’s, 8:30 p.m. The party rock band familiar to Little Rock clubbers and nightlifers, Boom Kinetic, plays Sticky Fingerz, 10 p.m., $8. Juanita’s hosts promoters I Love the Good Life’s monthly Zodiac party with Final Fridays: The Virgo Zodiac Affair, 9 p.m., $5 early admission.
• SATURDAY 8/28
Super-sized Springfield, Mo., family band Big Smith brings its backwoods, traditional sounds to Revolution; local country deconstructionists Mockingbird Hillbilly Band pick and grin first, 8:30 p.m., $8. Vino’s hosts a thumping, flashing night of techno with a house music dance party, 8 p.m., $5. Conway’s long-time home for metal, Soundstage, brings a night of thrashing and wailing with Safe to Shore, Forever Eternal, Medic Red and Kingdom Under Siege, 8 p.m., $7. Singer/songwriter Shannon Boshears plays Markham Street Grill and Pub, 9 p.m. At Sonny Williams’ Steak Room, Thomas East rounds out his standing weekend stint as house pianist, 7 p.m. At the Weekend Theater, the “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” continues its run, 7:30 p.m., $14-$18.