Live: Music Picks Dec. 18-24 

• Casey Romney
• The North Valley

Devil Whale of a Christmas
If awkward office Christmas parties aren't your thing but you're in the mood to party holiday-style, come enjoy live local music and Christmas merriment at Devil Whale of a Christmas. Hosted by Salt Lake City rock band The Devil Whale and now in its 11th year, Devil Whale of a Christmas is meant to showcase local music, gather together local musicians and their friends, and celebrate the festive season. This year's lineup includes psych-rock/blues bands Max Pain & the Groovies and The North Valley and rock acts The Pleasure Thieves and Starmy. (Kolbie Stonehocker) The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 9 p.m., free, TheUrbanLoungeSLC.com

Utah Blues Society Member Appreciation Party
Originally founded in 1994 and resurrected by Tony Holiday in 2013 after a nearly 20-year hiatus, The Utah Blues Society is back and here to stay. In addition to upholding its mission of "keepin' the blues alive" this year, The Utah Blues Society reached some important milestones in 2014, including attaining nonprofit status in November. The Utah Blues Society is throwing a free member-appreciation party to thank the dues-paying members of the society, but everyone is welcome to attend the celebration. From 7 to 8 p.m. will be a social hour, followed by a blues trivia quiz hosted by Brian Kelm, president of the society and host of the show Red, White & Blues on KRCL. The rest of the evening will be dedicated to live music, with performances from the River House Band, Candy's River House Band and more names that will be revealed that night. (Kolbie Stonehocker) The State Room, 638 S. State, 7 p.m., free, TheStateRoom.com

• Sounds of Satellites

Sounds of Satellites
In a recent interview with the blog Musicology Online, guitarist Sean Fadling of Sounds of Satellites said that what makes the California band's music stand out is that "it's honest music, and people seem to connect with that." One area that seems to particularly reflect that honesty is Sounds of Satellites' lyrics. Written in a style that sounds like someone is pouring every ounce of frustration, anger and disappointment into a journal that they don't expect anyone to read, the lyrics on Sounds of Satellites' debut album, March's God in Quotes, are jagged and acidic. In "Lead Clouds," lead vocalist Chance Espinoza shout-sings, "God, do you screen your calls?/ Because I can't hear you./ Did heaven build a wall to shut me out?" And those words are a fitting match for Sounds of Satellites' hard-hitting sound, which is made up of pounding percussion and intricate, ear-grating guitar. (Kolbie Stonehocker) Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), 8 p.m., $6, KilbyCourt.com

• Royal Bliss

Royal Bliss
Despite once being dubbed the "unluckiest band in rock," Salt Lake City alt-rock band Royal Bliss has continued to move upward since coming together in 1997. The band's latest project, full-length album Chasing the Sun—released in February—showcases Royal Bliss' ability to blend the strong vocals of lead singer Neal Middleton, gritty guitar and driving percussion to create a raucous but classic hard-rock sound. Royal Bliss is performing at their venue The Royal as part of their series of local Merry Blissmas shows, so you can most likely expect to hear a rendition of their new Christmas song, "I Just Want You (for Christmas)." Also on the bill will be fellow local rock acts American Hitmen and Opal Hill Drive. (Nathan Turner) The Royal, 4760 S. 900 East, 8 p.m., $12 in advance, $15 day of show, TheRoyalSLC.com; limited no-fee tickets available at CityWeeklyStore.com

SATURDAY DEC. 20

• DJ Flash & Flare

10th-Annual Cocktail Party: DJ Flash & Flare
Remember that episode of Mad Men where Sterling Cooper staffers fill the water cooler with creme de menthe and everyone gets hammered while they're waiting to hear the results of the Nixon/Kennedy presidential election? The moral of the story is that creme de menthe is gross, but also that where alcohol goes, a party will follow—which is probably one reason why The Urban Lounge is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its annual cocktail party this year. At tonight's free event, partiersare invited to imbibe fancy cocktailsfrom the bar, mix and mingle, and—once that holiday spirit has got you good and limbered up—dance to fresh beats from genre-masher DJ Flash & Flare. (Kolbie Stonehocker) The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 9 p.m., free before 10 p.m., $4 after 10 p.m., TheUrbanLoungeSLC.com

SATURDAY DEC. 20

• Porch Lights

Velour All-Star Christmas Special 2014
Leave it to Velour to pull off a show of this magnitude—in one night, no less. For Velour's All-Star Christmas Special, 25(!) local music veterans and newcomers will take to the stage for a night of stellar live music and holiday cheer. In short, this will be a must-see event. The lineup will feature VanLadyLove (indie-rock/pop), Timmy the Teeth, The Strike (pop rock/funk), Colby Stead, Isaac & Spencer Russell, Quiet House (folk-core), Devin Powell, Porch Lights (indie folk), Officer Jenny (pop), The National Parks (indie rock), Faith Johnson, Joshua James, Ryan Innes, House of Lewis (hip-hop), Mindy Gledhill, Desert Noises (indie rock/blues rock), Coral Bones (indie pop/electronic), Robbie & Caitlin Connolly, Tess Comrie, The Brocks (indie rock/electronic), Book on Tape Worm (folk rock/pop), The Blue Aces (pop rock), Jenn Blosil, Bat Manors (indie dream pop) and John Allred. This will be the last Velour concert until Jan. 2 and seats are limited, so get those tickets soon. (Kolbie Stonehocker) Velour, 135 N. University Ave., Provo, 8:30 p.m., $8, VelourLive.com

SUNDAY DEC. 21

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• Steve Sherman
• Tommy Castro & the Painkillers

Tommy Castro & the Painkillers
In 2012, California blues-rock vocalist/guitarist Tommy Castro took his career in an entirely new direction. Up till that point, he'd been playing his music backed by a horn section, but with the formation of his new guitar-driven band, The Painkillers, Castro's style took on even more grit and fire. And the relationship seems like it's a musically harmonious one. Tommy Castro & the Painkillers' debut album, The Devil You Know, released earlier this year, is a swaggering powerhouse that features original material and covers of songs by classic blues artists such as J.B. Lenoir. And Castro and Co. bring plenty of energy to every track, making good on their name. "A lot of folks are having hard times these days," Castro says in a press release. "And they need something to lift them up and make them smile—our music kills the pain." (Kolbie Stonehocker) Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main, Park City, 8 p.m., also Dec. 22-23, $23-$35 in advance, $28-$40 at the door, EgyptianTheatreCompany.org