[INDIE POP] + FRI., DEC. 26
Here's an alternative to sitting around in a post-holiday coma: Badboxes is bringing some electronic cheer to brighten your holidays at home. The local trio will pour out some heavy, self-proclaimed "Northern pop" in Cattivo tonight. The band wasn't fully formed until after lead man Harrison Wargo released Badboxes' first EP, JSMN. Now, a year later, the first track off its 2014 release, Violet, will still hook you in a second. Put down that leftover eggnog and dance off some of those comments your extended family made yesterday at dinner. Samantha Ward 9 p.m. 146 44th St., Lawrenceville. $6-8. 412-687-2157 or www.cattivo.biz
[INDIE FOLK] + SAT., DEC. 27
The weekend between Christmas and New Year's is a classic opportunity for Pittsburgh expats to come home and hang out with family and friends — and perhaps to consider doing what Brooke Annibale did earlier this year and move home for good. Annibale, who's picked up stronger than ever in the months since she returned to town after a few years in Nashville, brings her shoegazey indie folk — which has been featured on shows like Teen Mom and Pretty Little Liars — to Club Café tonight. She headlines, and Kevin Garrett plays as well. Andy Mulkerin 6 p.m. 56 S. 12th St., South Side. $8. 412-431-4950 or www.clubcafelive.com
[JAM ROCK] + SUN., DEC. 28
Dopapod is sort of a jam band, but there's more to it. The four-piece combines funky beats with a mix of keyboard sounds, from classic rock organ to outer-space noises that suggest electronica. (Keys player Eli Winderman does a ton from behind his airplane-cockpit-looking console.) The band's sets come replete with a light show, and walk the line between well-written pop songs and extended jams. The palindromic outfit brings its "New Year's Eve Tour" to the Rex Theater tonight, but maybe don't go expecting a ball-drop or "2015" glasses. AM 8 p.m. 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. $12-15. Age 17 and over. 412-381-6811 or www.rextheater.com
[DJS] + WED., DEC. 31
Looking for a New Year's Eve party that isn't hosting a cover band or, worse, a monotonous DJ and an overpriced ticket? Round Corner Cantina is hosting a night of DJs, featuring Pittsburgh favorites Pandemic Pete and Edgar Um and New York City's Uproot Andy. Um is known around Pittsburgh as a multi-media artist as well as co-founder of Honcho's techno and house-music ragers. Pandemic and Uproot are both known for their world-beats creations, hybrids of traditional folk music and contemporary beats. Dubbed "¡No Mames New Year's Eve!", the event is sure to introduce you to some unlikely beats. SW 7 p.m. 3720 Butler St., Lawrenceville. $15-20. 412-904-2279 or www.roundcornercantina.com
