Shawn Mullins

Thursday, April 14 at Akron Civic Theatre, 8 p.m.

The Grammy-nominated musician, best known for his 1998 hit “Lullaby,” will bring his blend of folk, alternative and country rock to the Civic on its special cabaret club stage. Mullins released his most recent album, “My Stupid Heart,” last year as a way to work through the heartbreak of his third failed marriage. Local favorites Hey Monea! will kick off the up-close-and-personal event with an acoustic set. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Civic Theatre Box Office for $30.

Johnnie Clampett & The Walkers, She’s Alright, Purple KniF

Friday, April 15 at Musica, 8 p.m.

Celebrating 35 years of performing, Johnnie Clampett & The Walkers bring their rockabilly stylings to Musica for a seriously special event. Longtime crooner Becky Armstrong and guests Marky Ray and David Loy will join the musicians as they play a few Eddie Cochran numbers, along with some old tunes from the back catalog and current fan favorites. Purple kniF will kick things off with instrumental surf rock inspired by 20 years of playing lower east side dives and the Coney Island boardwalk. She’s Alright, a side project of The Numbers Band’s Jack Kidney, Chris Butler from The Waitresses and Half Cleveland, along with local greats John Teagle and Bob Basone,, will also perform an eclectic set of blues-inspired, old-school jams. The show costs just $10 to attend, $12 for those under 21.

Helen Welch

Wednesday, April 20 at Pub Bricco

UK native Helen Welch performs jazz renditions of contemporary classics, from Broadway numbers to Beatles hits. She describes herself as Natalie Cole meets Karen Carpenter, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Connick and Nancy Wilson, marrying a wide range of styles together, while collaborating with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and other local musicians. She is set to record a new album this month, which Akronites can get a taste of in advance inside the intimate Jazz Room at Pub Bricco.

Michale Graves (from The Misfits), Seance, Dead Federation, C.j. Gunn

Wednesday, April 20 at Annabell’s, 10 p.m.

Members of the Fiend Club will recognize Graves as the lead singer for the 1990s re-incarnation of the Misfits, as well as Marky Ramone’s band Blitzkrieg in the later 2000s. The punk rock vocalist now performs as a solo act, accompanied by a backing band, and will hit Annabell’s to do a full electric set. Also on the bill are ambient/trance Canton-based Seance, local horrorpunk outfit Dead Federation and Cleveland rocker C.j. Gunn. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Wylie, Maggie Sailer, Cheap Sk8s

Monday, April 25 at Hive Mind, 7:30 p.m.

Hailing from Bloomington, Ind., pop punk band Wylie heads to Akron’s premier DIY space, along with singer/songwriter/ukulele sensation Maggie Sailer and Kent-based hardcore trio Cheap Sk8s. A donation of $5 is suggested to experience this diverse lineup in all its glory.

Girls Rock Camp Akron Fundraiser

Thursday, April 28 at Jilly’s Music Room, 7:30 p.m.

Empowering girls ages 10 through 16 has been the goal of Girls Rock Camp Akron since its inception. After being selected as a winner of the Knights Art Challenge, it’s safe to assume many exciting opportunities are in store for young women in Akron who are interested in playing music. The organization will hold a free, educational fundraising event at Jilly’s, featuring live music by acoustic guitarist and vocalist Diana Chittester. Raffle and auction items will be available, including a guitar signed by the Indigo Girls and many other special items donated by Joan Jett, Chrissie Hynde and several other ladies who rock.

Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair

Friday, April 29 at Goodyear Theater, 8 p.m.

Akron’s newest concert venue will kick off an impressive band roster with a star-studded lineup, featuring legendary alternative rockers The Smashing Pumpkins. The musicians will perform a special acoustic-electro set, dubbed “In Plainsong,” a deliberately more intimate concert experience than their usual sold-out stadium shows. Notorious singer-songwriter Liz Phair will open the evening for her first U.S. tour in six years. Ticket prices range from $49.50 to a special VIP package — which includes a pre-show, three-song acoustic performance and Q&A session with Billy Corgan — for $325, available through Ticketfly.

Teens Rock 2016

Saturday, April 30 at Akron-Summit County Public Library, 6 p.m.

There’s a tremendous amount of musical talent all across the Greater Akron area, and the Main library downtown is giving an up-and-coming demographic a chance to shine. Teen rockers aged 11 to 19 will compete in a battle-of-the-bands style event, and one group of performers will be selected to win a grand prize. The event starts early in the evening so audiences of all ages can enjoy listening to their peers play loud and proud in the otherwise quiet venue.

Past Events

The Dandy Warhols

Wednesday, April 6 at Musica, 8 p.m.

Noted for their early-to-mid 2000s hits “We Used to Be Friends” and “Bohemian Like You,” The Dandy Warhols are embarking upon a country-wide tour to celebrate the release of their album, “Distortland,” dropping April 8. The Dandys make their way downtown April 6 for an all-ages show. Advanced cost $20 and are available for purchase at Square Records, Urban Eats Cafe or online at Ticketweb.com.

Peggy Coyle Trio

Wednesday, April 6 at Pub Bricco, 7:30 p.m.

As part of its celebrated Live Jazz Wednesdays, Pub Bricco welcomes vocalist Peggy Coyle, accompanied by upright bass and guitar, who blends standard, modern and blues-inspired jazz into her sets. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free.

The Sam Blakeslee Large Group, Tri-C JazzFest Prep Ensemble

Thursday, April 7 at BLU Jazz+, 7 p.m.

Cleveland-based trombonist/composer Sam Blakeslee hits the intimate BLU stage for a special edition of the venue’s big band residency. The performer will be accompanied by the Tri-C JazzFest Prep Ensemble, featuring special guests Nadav Remez, Dan Pugach and Nicole Zuriatis from New York City. Blakeslee has shared the stage with Aretha Franklin, Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson and Sean Jones, among other greats, and currently performs with his Large Group, consisting of a 17-piece contemporary jazz orchestra. General admission tickets cost $15.

Blue Oyster Cult

Saturday, April 9 at Tangier, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

“Godzilla,” “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Burnin’ For You” … need we say more? The classic rock legends — who have sold a cool 24 million albums since the dawn of their career in the ‘70s — will drop by Tangier for two powerful sets to kick off the first weekend in April. Tickets for the all-ages show cost $40 and up and can be purchased in advance at TheTangier.com.

(Featured photo courtesy of theage.com.au)