Thu., Aug. 20 (IRL)
Bobby Thompson and The Groove
7-9 p.m. Pittsburgh Shrine Center Pavilion, Cheswick. Free.
Every week this summer, a different band or musician performs as part of the Miller Lite Thunder Thursdays Summer Music Series, put on by Syria Shriners in conjunction with Moondog’s and the Starlite Lounge through Oct. 1. Masks are required and social distancing is strictly enforced. No outside food or beverage are allowed, but a full bar will be available along with food from The Starlite Lounge.

Fri., Aug. 21 (IRL)
Bars Make Writers: Open Mic Competition
8 p.m. Level Up Studios, Garfield. $10
Calling all singers and rappers. This is a chance to showcase your spit game while helping support disabled musicians. The Dreamz of Music foundation is holding an open mic at Level Up Studios with a prize package including $150 cash, a beat produced by Blaze Bundlez, one week of Radioplay from Hotxxmagonlineradio, and more. Interested parties must sign up at least 24 hours in advance.

Sat., Aug. 22 (IRL)
The Knockoffs
6-9 p.m. Voodoo Brewery, New Kensington. Free
Spend your Saturday evening outside, listening to acoustic covers from The Knockoffs. Tunes will range from rock and pop songs of the ’90s to current releases. Masks are required, and those 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Attendees are asked to “BYOC (bring your own chair.)”

Sun., Aug. 23 (livestream)
Geenpool “Better That Way (Quiet Storm Remix)”
genestovall.bandcamp.com
Geenpool prides himself on mixing multiple genres in his music, and that mentality comes through strong in “Better That Way (Quiet Storm Remix).” With classical undertones, thanks to Sloan Monro on violin, and soulful funk aspects with Samuel Appa playing piano, Jason Rafalak on electric bass guitar, and Justin Bechak playing moog synth, this track is both soothing and upbeat.

Mon., Aug. 24 (Music to stream)
JM the Poet. Function (featuring Jordan Montgomery and Victor Muthama)
jmthepoet.bandcamp.com
“Function” is the lead single from JM the Poet’s upcoming album, Deja Vu. The bassline and instrumentals are simple, leaving room for the sharp-tongued lyrics to shine through.

Tue., Aug. 25 (IRL)
Sweaty Already String Band
6:30-8 p.m. Townsend Park, Murrysville. Free
Pack a lawn chair and head over to Townsend Park for the last day of The Murrysville Recreation Department’s Tuesdays at Townsend. Bluegrass group Sweaty Already String Band is closing out the series, with food and drink available from Pittsburgh Smokehouse and Helltown Taproom Export, respectively.

Wed., Aug. 26 (Music to stream)
 The Gotobeds “Have You Checked the Tapes?” and “Blazing Sun of Youth”
thegotobeds.bandcamp.com
 Loud and blazing, these two tracks from The Gotobeds are previously unreleased tracks from the band’s Debt Begins at 30 album sessions.