MUSIC—Portland’s soul maestro, Ural Thomas, rings in 2015 with his hot-ticket backing band, the Pain. That should be enough to ensure that you’ll start the year on the right foot, but with a bill that includes roots-rock shredders Houndstooth and DJs Cooky Parker and Bobby D spinning the hits, it could be enough fun to last you all year. NED LANNAMANN
Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 9 pm, $25-30
COMEDY/MUSIC—Are you an introvert who finds New Year’s Eve and its requisite traditions (bandage dresses, dancing, godawful noisemakers) utterly baffling? You are not alone! If you’d rather stay in with cats and Netflix than go to a party, here’s a party for you: New Year’s Geek, with comedy from Mercury-approved Barbara Holm and John Hodgman-approved Joseph Scrimshaw, and tunes from noted party eschewers the Doubleclicks. MEGAN BURBANK
Brody Theater, 16 NW Broadway, 10:30 pm, $15-18