For live-music fans, the month of March is like Christmas.
Thanks to a pair of high-profile festivals, 35 Denton and Austin's South by Southwest, the sheer number of bands making their way to our region in the coming days and weeks creates a spike in shows worth catching on North Texas stages.
This year, more than in the past couple years, the SXSW overflow is pronounced, resulting in a concert calendar that boasts a little something for everyone. (The music portion of SXSW gets going in earnest Tuesday.)
Here's a roundup of what concertgoers can expect to see and hear in North Texas over the next few weeks.
Bronze Radio Return at Prophet Bar
This Connecticut sextet is becoming one of the year's fast-rising acts, thanks to a fistful of placements on TV shows like American Idol and in commercials for Nissan and the PGA. Bronze Radio Return is touring in support of its 2011 sophomore effort, Shake!Shake!Shake! (which was recorded with producer Chad Copelin in Oklahoma).
8 p.m. Saturday. Prophet Bar, Dallas. $10, $13 at the door.
Little Barrie at Lola's Saloon
A London trio whose sound blends rock, R&B and funk, Little Barrie has spent more than a decade in the music business. The band's most recent LP, 2010's King of the Waves, was co-produced by Edwyn Collins.
10 p.m. Saturday. Lola's Saloon, Fort Worth. $10, $12 over-21s, $16 under-21s.
Ivan & Alyosha at Prophet Bar
The irresistible harmonies of this duo (aka Tim Wilson and Ryan Carbary) give wings to its latest long-player, All the Times We Had. Burnished by folk-flecked instrumentation and poetic lyrics, this is music that sticks with you.
8 p.m. Saturday. Prophet Bar, Dallas. $10, $12 at the door.
Ryan Bingham at Billy Bob’s Texas
The gravel-voiced country troubadour has cooled a bit since the days of Crazy Heart, when it seemed like the New Mexico native was everywhere. He’s still making great music, although he’s doing it without his band, the Dead Horses, and on his own label, Axster Bingham Records, which released his fourth studio album, Tomorrowland, last year.
10:30 p.m. Saturday. Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth. $18-$35.
Andrew W.K. at Trees The man who taught us all to party hard (way, way back in 2001) is still having as much fun as ever, and while his career has been dogged by delayed albums — his last, official U.S. release was seven years ago, with 2006’s Close Calls with Brick Walls — Andrew W.K. cannot rest until everyone everywhere is having a rowdy blast. With Urizen, the Virgin Wolves, the Phuss and Fever Dreamer.
7 p.m. Sunday. Trees, Dallas. $19-$22.
Royal Teeth at Cambridge Room at House of Blues
The New Orleans six-piece classifies its sound as "indie dance pop," and it will have its full-length debut later this year. For now, the curious can seek out an EP, Act Naturally, available digitally.
8 p.m. Sunday. Cambridge Room at House of Blues, Dallas. $10, $12 day of show.
Major Lazer at House of Blues
Masterminded by in-demand producer and DJ Diplo, with assistance from fellow producer/DJs Walshy Fire and Jillionaire, Major Lazer scorches synapses with its hip-hop/house music fusions.
9 p.m. Monday. House of Blues, Dallas. $25-$30.
Maserati at Live Oak Music Hall & Lounge
This psych-rock foursome hails from Athens, Ga., long a hotbed for the next big thing in music. Formed in 2000, Maserati released its fifth album, the majestically titled Maserati VII, last year.
9 p.m. Monday. Live Oak Music Hall & Lounge, Fort Worth. $10.
Flosstradamus at Lizard Lounge
DJs J2K (Josh Young) and Autobot (Curt Cameruci) make up Flosstradamus, something of a veteran act in the hip-hop and electronic dance music scenes. Fresh off a trio of EPs last year, the pair is hard at work on a release that features DJ Sliink.
7 p.m. Tuesday. Lizard Lounge, Dallas. $20
Futurebirds at Live Oak Music Hall & Lounge
Its music has been described as "psychedelic country," and during the past half decade, this Athens, Ga. sextet has developed a reputation as a solid live act.
9 p.m. Tuesday. Live Oak Music Hall & Lounge, Fort Worth. $10.
Mona at Three Links
In six years, the Nashville-based alt-rock quartet has made quite a noise. It was singled out as a band to watch by MTV in 2011, winning the "Brand New" award, and in 2012, the group released its self-titled debut.
8 p.m. Tuesday. Three Links, Dallas. $10, $12 day of show.
They Might Be Giants at House of Blues
These quirky pop stalwarts are, incredibly, entering their 31st year in the music business with no signs of slowing down. The duo just released its 16th studio album, Nanobots, which finds it, after a spell entertaining kids, dealing with more adult topics.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday. House of Blues, Dallas. $23-$45.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at Club Dada This indie rock duo claims roots in Portland, Ore. and New Zealand, and its psychedelic-tinged sound earned them praise from critics upon the release of its 2011 self-titled debut. Unknown Mortal Orchestra released its second album last month. With Foxygen and Wampire.
8 p.m. Tuesday. Club Dada, Dallas. $12-$14.
Desert Noises at Dan’s Silverleaf
The appropriately named Utah quartet Desert Noises cites eclectic influences — Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac and Tame Impala, among others — and blend jangly folk-rock with psychedelic impulses. They released a new EP, I Won’t See You, last fall. With Soil and the Sun.
8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Dan’s Silverleaf, Denton.
Free Energy at Club Dada
Philly quintet Free Energy doles out high-octane power pop, and worked with acclaimed producer John Agnello on its second LP, Love Sign, released in January.
8 p.m. Wednesday. Club Dada, Dallas. $10.
Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band at Granada Theater
Idaho native and singer-songwriter Ritter has been making music since his childhood, and his latest, The Beast in Its Tracks, is another in his series of finely wrought albums.
8 p.m. Wednesday. Granada Theater, Dallas. $24-$41.
The Zombies at Kessler Theater
The English rockers -- best known for classic singles like Time of the Season and She's Not There -- still have a pair of founding members (Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent) actively touring, and have remained prolific, releasing Breathe Out, Breathe In in 2011.
7 p.m. Wednesday. Kessler Theater, Dallas. $20-$50.
The Dear Hunter at Club Dada
The Rhode Island prog-rock foursome, a side project for the Receiving End of Sirens' Casey Crescenzo, will release its fifth album, Migrant, next month.
9 p.m. Thursday. Club Dada, Dallas. $15-$17.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at McFarlin Auditorium
The Australian music legend took a breather from writing bleakly beautiful screenplays to refocus on music, which resulted in the just-released (and fantastic) Push the Sky Away. His return to North Texas for the first time in eons, unsurprisingly, sold out quickly, but the more enterprising fans may find a way in.
8 p.m. Thursday. McFarlin Auditorium, Dallas. Sold out.
Bajofondo at Kessler Theater
"Neo-tango" collective Bajofondo counts among its members Oscar-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla, and it has been active for more than a decade.
7 p.m. March 15. Kessler Theater, Dallas. $17.50-$30.
Alt-J at Granada Theater
The foursome hails from Leeds, England, and its widescreen, folk-pop sound has earned loyal fans -- and critical acclaim. The band's debut LP, An Awesome Wave, won Britain's prestigious Mercury Prize last year.
8 p.m. March 16. Granada Theater, Dallas. Sold out.
Local Natives at South Side Music Hall
Gorgeous, sparkling harmonies, Afropop melodies and exuberant songs like 2010's Airplanes helped make this Los Angeles quartet an almost instant favorite, and stoked anticipation for the group's second album, Hummingbird, released earlier this year. With Superhumanoids.
9 p.m. March 16. South Side Music Hall, Dallas. Sold out.
Spillover at Sandbar Cantina and Double Wide
Those looking to re-create the SXSW experience will get the biggest bang for their buck at this three-stage extravaganza, which features a staggering selection of national acts -- Zechs Marquise, Pallbearer and Ducktails are among the headliners -- and plenty of locals as well.
1 p.m. March 17. Sandbar Cantina and Double Wide, Dallas. $20.
Lianne La Havas at Cambridge Room at House of Blues
Part of the boomlet of British neo-soul singers like Emeli Sande, singer-songwriter Lianne La Havas will stop through DFW on her way back from a very busy SXSW, where she’ll be showcasing material from her debut album, last year’s Is Your Love Big Enough?
8 p.m. March 17. Cambridge Room at House of Blues, Dallas. $17.50 advance, $20 day of show.
Dawes at Good Records
The Los Angeles country-rock outfit is preparing its third album, Stories Don't End, for an April release, and to stoke interest, the Taylor Goldsmith-led crew is performing free shows at indie record shops across the U.S.
7 p.m. March 18. Good Records, Dallas. Free.
Joshua James at Prophet Bar
A decade into his career, singer-songwriter Joshua James is already being compared to heavyweights like Bob Dylan and Neil Young. His intense, soul-searching songs anchor albums like last year’s From the Top of Willamette Mountain. With David Ramirez and Isaac Russell.
7 p.m. March 18. Prophet Bar, Dallas. $10 advance, $13 day of show.
Leagues at the Live Oak Music Hall & Lounge
Leagues’ Facebook page describes the Nashville trio’s sound as “ethereal joy explosions of pop and rock,” and sure enough, the group’s debut, You Belong Here, is a winning collection of epic songs. (The band will also play a free in-store performance at Good Records at 6 p.m. March 18.) With the Unlikely Candidates.
9 p.m. March 19. Live Oak Music Hall & Lounge, Fort Worth. $10.
The Weeks at Club Dada
The Mississippi quintet the Weeks makes rock music steeped in the Southern-fried sound popularized by acts like My Morning Jacket and Kings of Leon, the latter of which signed the group to its indie label Serpents and Snakes. The band’s sophomore LP, tentatively titled Dear Bo Jackson, is due out this spring. With the Jonny Fritz Duo.
8 p.m. March 19. Club Dada, Dallas. $10.
The Relatives at Kessler Theater
It's taken the better part of three decades, but this Dallas-bred "psychedelic gospel" group has finally released its debut LP, The Electric Word. Led by the charismatic Rev. Tommie West, this album release will be glorious in every sense of the word.
7 p.m. March 22. Kessler Theater, Dallas. $15-$22.50.
Preston Jones, 817-390-7713
Twitter: @prestonjones
