Rock Candy

Thursday:

The tribute concert for Victor Wiley starts at 5 at the Revolution Room. It's free, all ages and everyone is welcome. Last we talked to Mike Poe, he was still lining up acts, but I know Nasty Abbotts, Western Meds and The Crisco Kids will play. Probably dozens others will join them. Poe and Stacy Mackey say they and the family want the spirit to be celebratory. Everyone's invited.

Down the street, at Sticky Fingerz, the Brasher brothers face off. The younger, Justin, fronts Hot Shot Karate, a Fayetteville-based indie band, while his older brother heads up local post-punkers The Moving Front. A lot of the folks at the Wiley party will likely head down to this show en masse. Moving Front guitarist Mark Lewis says that the band is donating proceeds from the show in Victor's name. Isaac Alexander opens with material from his eagerly-anticipated solo debut. 9 pm, $5.

At Juanita's, up-and-comers Shiny Toy Guns play dance-pop off their debut from Universal. The Hourly Radio and DJ Platinumb open. 9 pm, $15.

Also, Market Street hosts the movie "Air Guitar Nation" on two screens at 9 pm. At 8 there'll be an air guitar contest (participants sign up at 7 pm). And at 11, Monster Cloud, from Oklahoma City will be live in concert. Get more info here.



Friday:

Mardi Gras Indians from the Wild Tchoupitoulas and Golden Commanches accompany the New Orleans Rhythm Conspiracy in a concert on the Arkansas Queen. The boat holds 200. Get your tickets early here or at the Riverboat gift shop in NLR. The boards at 10 p.m. and takes off at 11 p.m. just as Riverfest will be winding down.

Speaking of, 10s of thousands will be on both sides of the river as Little Rock's biggest festival kicks off. Jim Harris' cover story this week gives you a rundown on all you need to know, but at the risk of being redundant, here are a few Rock Candy picks:

Riverfest loves nostalgia acts, which I think wear thin pretty quickly, but I mean, love IS a battlefield and I continue to have mad, non-ironic love for Pat Benatar, who plays at 9:15 at the Triple-S Alarm Stage on Friday.

The Times Musician's Showcase was before my time, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that this year's winner Cooper's Orbit has a show on the Amphitheatre Stage at 7:45 also Friday.

On Saturday, the Budweiser Stage in NLR and the Triple S-Alarm Stage both have a wealth of acts to see. In NLR, all-star local rockers The Big Cats kick things off at 1:30. Soul Asylum, who got silly at the end, but were really a good band, come later at 4:30, just before George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars. LL shuts the night down at 9:45. In Little Rock, at the Triple S-Alarm Stage, impressive local pop-rocker Brian Frazier plays at 1:30, followed by Localist's "Hip Hop Summit," a roster of all those who've volunteered at the hip-hop school, the after-school program and brainchild of TJ Deeter. Juggernaut Glitch, the Backyard Crew, 607, Epiphany, 607 and g-force will all perform. Later, at 9:15 bluesman Keb' Mo' takes the stage.



On Sunday, this run of bands at the Budweiser Stage in NLR has me giddy:

1 p.m. Tel Aviv
2:30 p.m. The Good Fear
4 p.m. Gym Class Heroes

That's two of Arkansas' best followed by probably the biggest band in the country right now. The kids will be out in full-force.

ALSO: Jim Mize and the Germans play at 1 p.m. on the Triple-S Alarm Stage. That's another one of Arkansas' best.

Sunday: Looks like the Thicke show at the Village is canceled.