THURS JAN 16
Cold War Kids, Overcoats
The second half of the aughts was rich with indie anthems boasting catchy hooks, orchestral backdrops, and a lot of hand clapping. Cold War Kids were one of the many artists producing such bangers, bouncing to the alt-rock charts in 2007 with the infectious single “Hang Me Up to Dry.” Fast-forward 13 years and the California indie band is still churning out stick-in-your-head tunes accompanied by the smooth falsetto vocals of frontman Nathan Willett. While more polished and pop-heavy than the band’s scratchier early stuff, Cold War Kids’ newest work offers and hip-shaking beats that will draw new and old fans to the dance floor. (Thurs Jan 16, 8:30 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $32-34, all ages) ALEX ZIELINSKI
Starover Blue, Silver Medal, Young Elk
Portland-based experimental dream-pop outfit Starover Blue has a sound that takes me back to the soft-singing pop and country singers of the ’90s—but their influences are vast, and it all ends up sounding like beautiful gloom pop. Having departed from their folksier roots, on last year’s Ordinary Magic, lead singles “Chameleon” and “Anemone” are vivid and delicate, but also highly climactic and fully fleshed out. The four piece now comprises singer/songwriter Kendall Sallay-Milotz (also taking on guitar, synthesizers, and beat programming), Dirk Sallay-Milotz (synth, guitar, beat programming), drummer James Alton, and bass/guitarist Kyle Polensky. Ethereal doesn’t even begin to cover it. (Thurs Jan 16, 8:30 pm, Holocene, $8-10) JENNI MOORE