[AMERICANA] + FRI., AUG. 30
August closes out in Oakland with a free concert from WYEP's Final Fridays featuring singer-songwriter Bobby Long. The Brit, who's been bunking in New York for the past couple of years, will rock Schenley Plaza with his voice, guitar and Americana-folksy style. Bastard Bearded Irishmen open, playing the Irish rock 'n' roll that Pittsburgh has come to know them by. Kira Scammell 7 p.m. 4100 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Free. All ages. 412-381-9131 or www.wyep.org
[SKA-PUNK] + SAT., AUG. 31
If the passing of time has got you longing for late-'90s third-wave ska, Masters of the Universe has you covered tonight. The eight-piece band, which features some vets of local punk and ska bands past, has been around in one form or another since the mid-'00s, but coalesced in its current form last year. Tonight's show at Altar Bar serves as a release show for the band's new full-length, In a Galaxie Far Far Away. The Pressure and Hey Compadre open. Andy Mulkerin 7 p.m. 1620 Penn Ave., Strip District. $10. 412-206-9719 or www.thealtarbar.com
[ELECTRONIC] + TUE., SEPT. 3
East meets Midwest at Brillobox tonight with a double headliner from electronic artists Shigeto and Beacon, on the Ghostly International Tour. With bleeps and bloops reminiscent of video-game synths, wrapped in hypnotic melodies, the Ghostly International artists are sure to generate a gentle ambiance that's cool and calm, yet deep and danceable. Shigeto's new LP No Better Time Than Now dropped last week; this is your chance to catch it while it's fresh. Special guest Heathered Pearls will open the evening. KS 9 p.m. 4104 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. $8. 412-621-4900 or www.brillobox.net
[INDIE ROCK] + WED., SEPT. 4
San Francisco-via-Brooklyn band Weekend — not to be confused with sex-jam singer The Weeknd, or the actual weekend, which is still a few days off — has come up with one of the year's more impressive entries in Jinx, a full-length that brings to mind shoegaze, post-punk and even '80s pop a la The Smiths and Tears for Fears. The contemplative trio kicks off its fall tour tonight at Brillobox, playing along with post-rockers Dead Leaf Echo and indie-rock locals Nevada Mountains. AM 9 p.m. 4104 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. $8. 412-621-4900 or www.brillobox.net
[LOCAL] + THU., SEPT. 5
Tonight at Cavo in the Strip, you'll find the eighth — and penultimate — installment of this year's inaugural RAW Pittsburgh art-and-music series. The series, which features local visual artists and musicians, leads up to a final event in November in which one artist in each featured category (art, music, fashion, etc.) will be named as the series' artist of the year. Tonight's music comes from rapper Yuri, synth-pop outfit Badboxes and singer-songwriter Ricardo Iamuuri. AM 8:30 p.m. 1916 Smallman St., Strip District. $10-15. www.rawartists.org/pittsburgh
