[PUNK] + THU., APRIL 17
All things punk, pop-punk, folk-punk and in between converge this weekend around Bloomfield and Lawrenceville at Don't Give Up the Ship! Fest, a new multiple-venue festival featuring dozens of acts, most local but some national. Tonight's show at The Mr. Roboto Project features Brightside, Philadelphia's Radiator Hospital, Save Ends and more; Mikey Erg, The Holy Mess, World's Scariest Police Chases and others headline shows the rest of the weekend at Roboto, Kickback Pinball Café, Howlers, Hambone's and Thunderbird Café. It's all put together by the Don't Let the Scene Go Down on Me Collective. Festival passes are available for the fantastic price of $25, and individual shows go for $6 apiece. Andy Mulkerin 6:30 p.m. Continues at various venues throughout the weekend. 5106 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. $6. www.theghostwrite.org
[JAM ROCK] + SAT., APRIL 19
Brooklyn-based Turkuaz is a group that is not easily defined: Rock, jazz, funk, reggae and pop all come out in its tunes. The nine-piece band makes sure that all its members are heard, which could explain why its style isn't easily summed up in one word. The band plans to release a new album, Future 86, very soon. In the meantime, check them out tonight at the Rex Theater with special guests Alan Evans Trio. Kayla Copes 8 p.m. 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. $12. 412-381-6811 or www.rextheater.com
[HIP HOP] + SAT., APRIL 19
With Riff Raff, the question always seems to be, "Is this guy for real?" The Houston rapper — who brings his Neon Icon tour to Altar Bar tonight — has made it clear that he is, sort of: As he told Rolling Stone, "I'm not, like, ‘comedy rapping.'" There may be a method to his madness, but between his steady blitz of goofy music videos, his drolly perplexing self-descriptions (he's the Rap Game Herman Cain and the Rap Game Marilyn Manson), and his deranged social-media presence (sample tweet: "OLD NEW WAVE MUSiC iNTALLED iNSiDE MY BRAiNiUM" ), trying to "get it" might be missing the point. With Grand Theft. Margaret Welsh 7 p.m. 1620 Penn Ave., Strip District. $25-27. All ages. 412-206-9719 or www.thealtarbar.com
[POP/ROCK] + TUE., APR. 22
Jessica Lea Mayfield just released her second album, Make My Head Sing, mixing pop with just a touch of punk rock. The first single from this album, "Oblivious," has a '90s grunge sound; another tune, "I Wanna Love You," is a love song with a dark twist. Another notable Ohioan, Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, produced her first album, Tell Me. Check her out tonight at Club Café along with special guests Gambles. KC 8 p.m. 56 S. 12th St., South Side. $12. 412-431-4950 or www.clubcafelive.com