DAVE RAWLINGS MACHINE Sept. 23
Best known as Gillian Welch's longtime musical partner, Dave Rawlings is a fine vocalist and guitar-picker in his own right. His collaborations with Welch tend to have a timeless quality, evoking everything from folk to jazz, even rock, and that's also true when he fronts his own project, the Dave Rawlings Machine. Welch is part of the Machine, and on this tour so are Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, the Punch Brothers' Paul Kowert and Willie Watson, formerly of Old Crow Medicine Show. (DN) Bing Crosby Theater, $32.50, 8 pm
CONOR OBERST
Sept. 28
Conor Oberst and his band Bright Eyes are synonymous with the burgeoning Omaha, Nebraska, indie music scene. Bursting into the spotlight in the early aughts after work with other groups through the '90s, Oberst's fiercely melancholic and angsty (could we say emo?) songs helped many teens cope. Now 34, his recent solo release Upside Down Mountain shows that he has the capacity to be happy without compromising the introspective aspect of his music. His upcoming Knitting Factory show features opener Jonathan Wilson, who recorded and produced Oberst's new album. (LJ) Knitting Factory, $25, 8 pm
PIXIES
Oct. 3
Founding bassist Kim Deal (also of the Breeders) is no longer in the Pixies, and there's nothing we can do about that. But all of the other original members — Black Francis on guitars and vocals, Joey Santiago on guitar and David Lovering on drums — will be on the INB Performing Arts Center stage when they play in October. One of the most influential alt-rock bands of all time, the Boston band suffered through a nasty breakup in 1993 only to reform in 2004. Even with Deal's departure last year, the Pixies are still going strong, recently released a new studio album, Indie Cindy, something they hadn't done in more than two decades. Paz Lenchantin (formerly of A Perfect Circle) plays bass on this year's tour. (LJ) INB Performing Arts Center, $40-$50, 8 pm
SAFE IN SOUND EDM FEST
Oct. 9
Any sonic booms you might hear on Oct. 9 are most likely nothing to worry about. Rather, they'll be part of the aural onslaught of bass drops on display when the Safe in Sound EDM music festival takes over Spokane Arena. The tour aims to bring a whole new sound-and-light experience to fans in 20 cities on its inaugural run, and in Spokane that means artists Adventure Club, Destroid, Flux Pavilion, Z and Terravita will all be taking advantage of a state-of-the-art 150,000-watt sound system. (DN) Spokane Arena, $35-$55, 6 pm
ALLEN STONE
Oct. 24
Soul-singing Washingtonian Allen Stone brings his young, groovy talent back to Spokane this fall. With goofy hair and eccentric hipster flair, Stone redefines what R&B looks like. Discouraged by what he thinks computers can produce to replace people, Stone keeps his music, especially his live performances, filled with irreplaceable soul. Stone quickly gained popularity in 2011 with his self-titled album on his own label, including radio hits like "Sleep." Now, alongside his new co-producer Magnus Tingsek — who Stone discovered as an Internet fan himself — he's working to release a new album later this year. His concert here falls near the end of an 85-date headlining tour. (MS) Knitting Factory, $20, 8 pm
MUDHONEY
Oct. 24
This year marks the 26th anniversary of both the iconic Seattle grunge band Mudhoney and its record label Sub Pop. If that makes you feel old, you're not alone. That both have survived after the decline of grunge music is truly amazing. After coming through Spokane last year opening for Pearl Jam, Mudhoney brings its brand of fiery, fuzzed-out rock to an intimate show at the Bartlett. Be sure to prepare your best ripped-up jeans and flannel shirt for the show; they're practically required attire to get in. (LJ) The Bartlett, $25-$30, 8 pm
CHARLIE DANIELS BAND
Nov. 2
Daniels has proved remarkably savvy in using his 1979 Grammy-winning megahit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" as a means to keep playing to crowds. But he was going long before that, starting in the biz in the 1950s, as a songwriter for Elvis and later as a session man for Dylan. He's popped up on occasional collaborations with folks like Hank Williams Jr., and has even dabbled in politics, defending both Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush. But, as the man in the Geico ad says, he still plays a mean fiddle. (DN) Northern Quest Resort & Casino, $45-$65, 7:30 pm
MÖTLEY CRÜE
Nov. 22
"All bad things must come to an end," reads the tagline of Mötley Crüe's Final Tour. These bad boys are certainly not boys anymore, but they still rock with the same fervor as the good old days. Though their career peaked in the 1980s and '90s, they've had respectable record sales in the new millennium, showing the world they won't fade out but instead go out with a bang. Joined by special guest Alice Cooper, Mötley Crüe celebrates their influence by soaking up the glory one last time. (MS) Spokane Arena, $20-$75, 7 pm
MICHAEL W. SMITH: CHRISTMAS
SPECTACULAR
Dec. 18
Even if you've never heard of Michael W. Smith — one of the most successful contemporary Christian artists of all time — at this concert, it doesn't matter: It's all about Christmas. Smith's piano stylings, easy voice and boyish face will be on full display at the INB Performing Arts Center just in time for the holiday season. The upcoming Spokane performance will include original and traditional songs from his new Christmas album, as well as from his previous three holiday efforts. (LJ) INB Performing Arts Center, $45-$75, 8 pm