SWEET AND DANDY
Gleason Fest scored a bit of a coup this year for its headliner, booking Portland's Dandy Warhols for the annual ALS fundraiser inspired by local activist Steve Gleason happening this year on Aug. 10 at Riverfront Park. The long-running alt-rockers released a new album this year, Why You So Crazy, and will be joined at Gleason Fest by the Grizzled Mighty, Delbert and Left Hand Smoke. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 29, and are $30, or $80 for VIP, through TicketsWest outlets. (DAN NAILEN)
CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC
After performing in a benefit show at the Bing a couple weeks ago, the Spokane rock band Lads had their van broken into, and $6,000 worth of gear was stolen. So now they're the subject of a benefit themselves: The Bartlett is hosting a show this Saturday where Lads will perform alongside local duo Ray Badness, and ticket sales will go toward the band replacing their equipment. You can donate to Lads' gofundme.com/helplads, or score some tickets for this weekend's concert at thebartlettspokane.com. (NATHAN WEINBENDER)
HOOPFEST BONUS
It's always cool when an NBA star swings by the world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, but one of this year's guests is extra special thanks to his local roots. Current Denver Nugget and Washington Huskies legend Isaiah Thomas (born and raised in Tacoma) is dropping by Hoopfest Sunday for a special game of H-O-R-S-E against a local differently abled athlete on one of the Post Street courts sponsored by Guardian Insurance. If you're banging around downtown this weekend, keep an eye out for the All-Star. (DAN NAILEN)
THIS WEEK'S PLAYLIST
Some noteworthy new music arrives online and in stores June 28. To wit:
The Black Keys, Let's Rock. Okay, let's!
The Allman Betts Band, Down to the River. If you like that Southern Rock thing, you recognize the names involved and will act accordingly.
Chris Staples, Holy Moly. Delve into the Seattle singer-songwriter's latest before he plays a house show in Spokane July 13.
The Alarm, Sigma. A new album from the Scottish rockers is welcome, as is their show at the Bing Aug. 7.
Summer Cannibals, Can't Tell Me No. The Portland quartet delivers what very well could be one of the sweetest jams of the summer. (DAN NAILEN)
ON THE BATON
The Spokane Symphony announced Tuesday that British conductor James Lowe would be its new music director — the eighth in the symphony's 74-year history. When the Inlander interviewed Lowe in February, he had a great answer when we asked him about his guilty pleasures. "Hmm, as long as your proclivities lie within the bounds of the law, I'm not sure I believe in the concept of guilty pleasures," Lowe said. "I love food and wine and could happily spend a lazy afternoon in an English village pub in front of the fire with a pint, a good book and a packet of salt and vinegar crisps. Guilty for skipping Pilates? No way!" Lowe's introduction at the helm of the Spokane Symphony will come with the season-opening Masterworks 1: American Rhythms shows Sept. 14-15. (DAN NAILEN)
