10 super exciting concerts that aren't Movement happening in metro Detroit this week

Thursday, 5/26 - Claire Cronin, Meshes, Double Winter @ The Jam Handy - Multidisciplinary artist Claire Cronin is here to drop her timeless, expertly executed, haunting folk music. Backing her up on an equally haunting, drone-based accompaniment is Deerhoof guitarist John Dieterich. The result is so good, it’s just been released on her debut album (Come Down a Storm) by Ben Goldberg of the sorely missed publication Badaboom Gramophone’s label Ba Da Bing. If you like Shirley Collins, Neutral Milk Hotel (but don’t like any of the bands who people say sound like Neutral Milk Hotel), and Terry Callier, then you might like Cronin. Doors at 8 p.m.; 2900 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; thejamhandy.com; $7.

Friday, 5/27 - Bloc Party @ The Majestic Theatre - No, it’s not a block party, but Bloc Party. And while there may be some partying when the band plays the Majestic, the set list will most likely contain tracks from their new album, Hymns. Just released earlier this year, Bloc Party lead singer Kele Okereke says that despite the album’s name, it does not consist of hymns sung during Sunday church services. Rather, it contains a theme of faith and devotion. Bloc Party is bringing along fellow rockers Ms. Mr. and Oscar on their U.S. and Canada tour. Doors at 7 p.m.; 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; majesticdetroit.com; Tickets are $30.

Friday, 5/27 - Islands @ The Loving Touch - The band Islands has been super busy the past couple of years. Frontman Nick Thorburn not only worked on their latest album in 2013, but after that he penned the soundtrack to the ever-popular podcast Serial. After all of that, the band has gotten back together and they pumped out not only one, but two separate new albums for 2016. Released a few weeks ago, the pop-rock albums are full of catchy lyrics and addicting guitar riffs. The band Lush Life opens. Doors at 8 p.m., 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; thelovingtouchferndale.com; Tickets $12.

Friday, 5/27 - The Urinals @ UFO Factory - Surely by now, we all know the basic origin story for this enormously catchy and excellent Los Angeles punk band. Their first show was assembled as a parody of punk, for a talent show at the dorm they lived in at UCLA in 1978. But their fun, artsy, short, two-chord songs that were rarely longer than 90 seconds long were so good, that they continued as a band — going on to release some of the finest DIY genius 7 inches in all of musical history, self-released on their own Happy Squid label. The reformed Urinals are charming, loud, and entirely awesome; slip away from Trip Metal Fest for this. Doors at 9 p.m.; 2110 Trumbull St., Detroit; ufofactory.com; $10.

Friday, 5/27 - Concert for the Song of Hiawatha - @ Blind Pig This event is a concert, fundraiser, and celebration wrapped into one. The Concert for the Song of Hiawatha will help raise money for the documentary film, Song of Hiawatha, which tells the tale of Cult Heroes’ frontman Hiawatha Bailey. There’s no better way to honor a musician than with a night full of music. The evening will feature musical performances by Glitter Trash, the Seat Belts, and Maxi Chanel from the House of Chanel. The celebration will be hosted by Bailey, the celebrant and topic of the documentary. Attendees will be able to watch an 18-minute selection from the film. Doors at 8 p.m.; 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor; blindpigmusic.com; Tickets start at $10.

Fri. 5/27- Sun., 5/29 - Trip Metal Fest @ El Club - Trip Metal Fest is easily the best free festival in recent memory. If you’re a fan of experimental sound, you’ve likely been chattering on about this for months, and planned to attend even before they dropped the entrance fee to zero. The Nate Young-curated event primarily takes place over the course of the weekend at El Club, with performances by Morton Subotnick, Hieroglyphic Being with Marshall Allen, Lexie Mountain, Andrew WK, Creode, and so much more. There are also live interviews to be held at Trinosophes and films to be shown at Trinosophes, Third Man, and Cinema Detroit. Events start at different times; 4114 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; check tripmetalfest.com for start times and various locations; Free (with the exception of the Everything Is Terrible! screenings at Cinema Detroit on May 28, which are $12).

Saturday, 5/28 - Hip-Hop Smackdown @ The Fox Theatre - For those who don’t want to partake in Movement activities this weekend, the gloves will be off at the Fox Theatre on Saturday night with a good old fashioned Hip-Hop Smackdown. Eight fantastic rappers will be throwing down in a head-to-head rap battle that will get the crowd going. There will be battles between Uncle Luke vs. Juvenile, Lil’ Kim vs. Trina (most excited for this one, honestly) Scarface vs. Too Short, and the Lox vs. E-40. Blood, sweat, and tears will be shed at the Fox, and we can’t wait. Doors at 8 p.m.; 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit; olympiaentertainment; tickets range from $55-$125.

Sunday, 5/29 - Americana IV @ Casa de Bevlove - This year’s Americana festival brings some of the best up-and-coming rhythm and blues and hip-hop artists from throughout the Detroit region. This is a nonstop party that features music from the likes of Lind-Say; Tim Shumack; SG featuring Neff, Bud, H matic, and RC; Britney Stoney; GMC featuring Sheefy McFly and Count Mack; Detroit Che and Bevlove; DJing by Stacye J; and a special light show by Prince of Darkness. Doors at 7 p.m.; 4304 Trumbull St., Detroit; bevlove.bandcamp.com; $7.

Wednesday, 6/1 - Modern English @ Small’s - The British are coming; the British are coming! Well, the Modern English are coming. Best known for their stunning single, “I Melt With You,” from their 1982 album After the Snow, the classic new wave act have regrouped and are prepping to re-release and reissue their debut album Mesh & Lace. The reissue will be available on both CD and vinyl format, and will mark the first time the album is available on vinyl in the U.S. In honor of the reissue, the band will be performing the entire track list while on this tour. Doors at 8 p.m.; 10339 Conant St., Hamtramck; smallsbardetroit.com; Tickets start at $15.

Wednesday, 6/1 - The Orb @ The Magic Bag - Need a little bit more techno to settle those post-Movement blues? Look no further than the Orb, which consists of Alex Paterson and Thomas Fehlmann, described as the veritable pioneers of electronic dance music. Their newest release is called Moonbuilding 2703 AD, and is full of psychedelic synth bliss, deep textures, and head-banging beats. The duo’s been making music since 1988, so you know that these electronic heroes will not disappoint. Doors at 8 p.m.; 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; themagicbag.com; Tickets $20.