Live: Music Picks Sept. 3-9 

FRIDAY SEPT. 4

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• Howard Jones

Howard Jones
Say what you will about '80s synth-pop maestro Howard Jones: He dressed funny; in the hair department, he one-upped A Flock of Seagulls and went full-on Flock of Peacocks; his songs are—eeeewww—poppy. Actually, that's what they said about him back in the day—even as he strung together hits like he was making a macaroni necklace. And you know you like at least one of his songs. The synth-pop/reggae lite tune "Like to Get to Know You Well" scores the reversal-of-fortune montage in Savage Steve Holland's beloved 1985 cult comedy Better Off Dead. The inspirational "Things Can Only Get Better" and the be-happy ditty, "New Song," are kryptonite for the doldrums. Even when he's bummed out, like in his no-fault break-up ballad "No One Is to Blame," Jones is still looking on the bright side. And "Joy" from his CD/DVD, Engage (HowardJones.com), is no different, talking about being the change you want to see in the world. The one difference is that, nowadays, HoJo's not so flashy—but that's fine. 'Cause it was always about the music, anyway. (Note: This is the first of three Howard Jones preformances at the Egyptian this weekend. Details below.) (Randy Harward) The Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main St. (Park City), Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 6 p.m., $39-65, EgyptianTheatreCompany.org

FRIDAY SEPT. 4

• Cazzette

Cazzette
Sweden's on a roll with progressive house music. While Avicii collaborates with Coldplay and Madonna, Cazzette—also from Sweden—is collaborating with bubble-pop artists like A-Trak, The High, and Newtimers, easing their way up the ladder. The duo bass-dropped into the scene in 2012 with their debut LP Eject, which garnered respectable reviews. Now, they're best known for their R&B-infused track "Beam Me Up" and its clever video, which has accrued more than 7 million views on YouTube. They also scored a No. 1 hit on the Billboard dance charts with "Blind Heart," featuring vocals Terri B. They're touring their latest EP, Desserts (LE7ELS) which dropped earlier this year. (Robby Poffenberger) Park City Live, 427 Main, Park City, 9 p.m., $20-$40, ParkCityLive.com

SUNDAY SEPT. 6

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• Aloe Blacc

Aloe Blacc
Go back far enough, and you'll find neo-soul singer Aloe Blacc's rap career. Maybe that's where the strong beats on his smooth, hip-hop and R&B influenced albums come from. His concerts are akin to stepping back into 1960s New Orleans, from the steamy horns to the musician's dapper attire. Add the slick James Brown-esque dance moves, Bill Withers-like voice and some of the darker subject material, like poverty, and it's a soulful glimpse out into a less-affluent world. The themes on his 2014 release, Lift Your Spirit (XIX Records/Interscope Records), are generally either joyful or political. Even though "Wake Me Up" was originally released as a collaboration with Swedish DJ Avicii, he tours his own version, an alternative-rock acoustic arrangement. (Tiffany Frandsen) Deer Valley's Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater, 2250 Deer Valley Drive, Park City, 7 p.m., $45-$85, DeerValley.com

TUESDAY SEPT. 8

• On an On

On an On, Eliot Sumner, Dosh
Experimental indie band On an On, from Minneapolis, is touring their newest record, And the Wave Has Two Sides (Roll Call Records). Like a fusion of Sufjan Stevens, Tame Impala and something entirely new, their music is likewise representative of two sides of experimental indie sound: On some tracks, gloomier than their 2013 debut, Give In, but when it's rocking, it's encouraging and upbeat. Their evolved sound is as melodic and beautiful as Give In, but this time, they worked with producer Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins, White Stripes, My Morning Jacket), and he brought out a deeper level of experimentation, with more elements from the keys and catchy backup vocal hooks. All three of the bandmates contribute vocals, which are drifting and beautiful over the restless bass and beats. Opening the concert is the feisty electro-indie artist Eliot Sumner and electro-experimental instrumentalist Dosh. (Tiffany Frandsen) Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 8 p.m., $10 advance, $12 day of show, KilbyCourt.com

TUESDAY SEPT. 8

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• Zedd

Zedd, Dillon Francis, Madeon, Alex Metric
Master of beautiful melodies and edgy electronic strategy, Zedd (alias of Anton Zaslavski) is touring his 2015 EDM release, True Colors (Interscope Records). The German/Russian DJ has produced albums from Ellie Goulding, Lady Gaga and Foxes. The spectrum of artists he works with is reflected in his own DJ albums, tracks of which range from triumphant and playful, like "Straight Into the Fire," to dramatic and anguished, like "Papercut." At Saltair, it might be easier for him to stay behind his DJ equipment, but he has been known to meander over to the piano to play "Stay the Night." At the end of August, Zedd called out the British-bop band One Direction, whom he says ripped off the melody and phrase "All my life" from the chorus of his track, "True Colors," on their single, "Drag Me Down" (which dropped 2 1/2 months after his). Madeon and Alex Metric open. (Tiffany Frandsen) The Great Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, Magna, 7:30 p.m., $38.50 in advance, $40 day of show, TheSaltair.com

WEDNESDAY SEPT. 9

• The Australian Pink Floyd Show

The Australian Pink Floyd Show, Led Zeppelin 2
If you want to hear the most exasperated sigh of your life, try asking Robert Plant about the possibility of a Led Zeppelin reunion. The same sigh could be heard from any surviving member of the Pink Floyd lineup. Since two of the biggest bands in history aren't touring, these tribute acts are in high demand, and the best of them can make a real living doing it. Led Zeppelin 2 and The Australian Pink Floyd Show have a few decades of combined cover experience under their belts, and a deep desire for accuracy. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then they're probably the bands' biggest fans—why settle for cheap imitations? (Robby Poffenberger) Usana Amphitheatre, 5200 S. 6200 West, 8 p.m., $25-$44, Usana-Amp.com