>>> Friday, Dec. 28

GLASS ELEVATOR

The opening song, "Life is Glorious," on Olympia's own Glass Elevator's most recent album, starts off sounding like '70s Italo-prog rock outfit P.F.M., and once all the jittery drums clear away it starts to sound like a long-lost Unicorns track. Song number two sounds like Ween at its smoothest and most Philly soul-worshiping. Later, "Black Pearls" is a driving garage rocker and "I Do (If I Love You)" is a Beatles-esque swooner drenched in sweet harmonies. This is how Glass Elevator rolls. Though it has often been labeled a psychedelic rock act, Glass Elevator's influences are far flung, its sound is surprisingly soulful, and its giddy experimentation is infectious. Once all the dust clears, it's a hard proposition to begin pinning Glass Elevator down - and it's this unpredictability that makes it one of the South Sound's most exciting bands. - Rev. Adam McKinney

LE VOYEUR, W/ I LIKE SCIENCE, 9 P.M., NO COVER, 404 E. FOURTH AVE., OLYMPIA, 360.943.5710

>>> Saturday, Dec. 29

SETH BOYER

In many ways Alaska gets the snub when it comes to popular music. Perhaps it owes to its geographical remoteness from the lower 48, inhibiting many from touring. Despite the rise in Internet and social media, on par most people could only name one Alaskan artist, Jewell - who got famous upon leaving the largest state in the union. Into this scenario steps Seth Boyer, a singer-songwriter with more in common with a group like Fleet Foxes than the aforementioned famous Alaska counterpart. Seth's smokey songs resonate with an earthy vocal flare and agile guitar playing reminiscent of Nick Drake. Tacomans are in luck as Boyer, on a visit to his family in Seattle, has been booked for a one off engagement at Bob's Famous Java Jive. Seth will be performing an inmate set in the tiny musical landmark that plays up his primary strengths, hushed words about desolation and wanderlust. - Timothy Grisham

BOB'S JAVA JIVE, 8-10 P.M., $5, 2102 SOUTH TACOMA WAY, TACOMA

>>> Monday, Dec. 31

CAMPUS MLK STAGE

You know how the best snacks tend to be a mixed bag? Right? Like a hearty trail mix, almonds, raisins, sesame sticks and chocolate all rolling around together, each a tasty little morsel in it's own right? That's how I imagine the Campus MLK New Year's Eve event will go down. It looks to be a mixed bag of goodies to feed the soul. Campus MLK's event embeds itself into First Night Tacoma with DJs and breakdancing by Fab-5, The Koomaniacs, Write@253, Jai X Jrm, MLKBallet, Q-Dot and Rockwell Powers. 

"In addition to the live performances, DJing, dancing and painting, we'll also feature spoken word and readings from Write@253 participants, ballet from the talented instructors of MLKBallet, and invite everyone in to our writers lounge for some creative writing fun and hot cocoa," explains Katy Evans, a Campus MLK founder. "I'm excited about pretty much every aspect of the Campus MLK First Night stage. I think this event will be a real manifestation of the vision of Campus MLK, and a celebration of the creativity and talent of Hilltop and Tacoma."

The fun-packed evening kicks off right after the First Night parade and ends before the final main midnight celebration. -Nikki McCoy

GRAFFITI GARAGES, 6:30-10:30 P.M., FREE, SOUTH SEVENTH AND BROADWAY, TACOMA

>>> Monday, Dec. 31

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT NEW FRONTIER

Until I saw the listing for this show, I had no idea how I would be spending New Year's Eve. Now that I know this is happening, there's no contest. When the New Frontier Lounge assembles Wheelies, Bandolier, Bath Party and MILK - the new joint of Josh McKay (Paris Spleen) and Johnny Lorenson (Snak Pak) - that's a great bill for any night, let alone the most treacherous night of the year - New Year's Eve. The jagged edges of Wheelies' indie rock will mix with the sunny AM pop of Bandolier, the slippery psychedelic surf of Portland's Bath Party, and the chunky garage rock of MILK. This is the kind of show where toasting is offered at midnight, but will likely be happening anyway (and many times) throughout the whole night. Beware the New Year's Eve. - Rev. AM

THE NEW FRONTIER LOUNGE, W/ WHEELIES, BANDOLIER, BATH PARTY, MILK, 9 P.M., NO COVER, 301 E. 25TH ST., TACOMA, 253.572.4020

LINK: Live music and DJs in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area