GET ‘EM HIGH—With razor-sharp lyrics and a delivery that’s at once laidback and powerful, Talib Kweli’s a hell of a hiphop artist in his own right, even if he’s most famous for his collaborations (Mos Def, Hi-Tek, Madlib, some guy named Kanye). Tonight he’s in Portland, no doubt doing a few tracks off of his latest solo album, Gutter Rainbows. EH
w/Fashawn, Animal Farm, T&E; Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 9 pm, $18-20, all ages
HEADBANGERS’ BALL—Cram in your earplugs and limber up that neck, because tonight is your chance to bang your head to the star-studded Metalliance Tour lineup. Catch local heroes Red Fang debut new material from their epic Murder the Mountains album, plus a headlining set from Helmet, who will perform Meantime in its entirety. Prepare for things to get heavy. EAC
w/Saint Vitus, Crowbar, Kylesa, & more; Roseland, 8 NW 6th, 7 pm, $18, all ages