Pink and the rock band the Hives will be in town.: AP

Bad girl, good show
It’s no surprise that Pink wails her way through much of recent album “The Truth About Love.” She’s a poster child for brash, cheeky pop anthems. One minute it’s true love. The next she’s punching you in the gut and taking off in your car. Pink’s bellowing vocals and personality hold everything together, and she’s been a fierce proponent of live stage vocals (always a plus). But it’s her athletic routines that usually wow the crowd. Oh, and the Hives are opening too. When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday; Where: Toyota Center, 1510 Polk; Tickets: $29.50-$99.50.

Get 'Foxy'

Apply the “you are what you eat” idea to music, and it becomes clear from Foxygen’s new album that the band’s Jonathan Rado and Sam France consume a steady diet of classic ’60s pop. Even the album title suggests yesterday’s sounds today: “We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic.”
It’s a mission statement and rallying cry. It’s brilliantly applied at times. The band’s songs are punchy and inviting, as well as distinctive, which isn’t always the case with contemporary bands basking in the past. Take “On Blue Mountain,” which manages to include one section that suggests ’60s girl groups as well as another that suggests the Rolling Stones’ best-known anthem of misogyny. Despite a punny-more-than-funny band name they’ll likely regret, they’re also quite witty. “There’s no need to be an (expletive),” goes one lyrical quip. “You’re not in Brooklyn anymore.” With Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Wampire. When: 8 p.m. Thursday; Where: Fitzgerald’s, 2706 White Oak; Tickets: $12; 713-862-3838

Get social

Houston, Have You Heard? It’s Social Media Week, so jump on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook and Vine and ... Do something. But before that, head to Cactus for the first-ever community-curated playlist. Owner Quinn Bishop and Cristina Acuna took suggestions from locals on songs inspired by Houston or performed by a Houston band. The most popular tunes are on the playlist, and one local act will perform. And of course, there’s free beer. When: 5 p.m. Thursday; Where: Cactus Music, 2110 Portsmouth; Tickets: Free.

The rest of the week

Thursday 2.21
Stamps: Houston girl Ren Patrick returns home for a lunchtime show with Stamps, now a duo featuring Adam James. They’ve been working on new music in Los Angeles, trading in the indie-pop sound that marked earlier recordings for a bigger, bolder dance-pop groove. Patrick grew up working in both theater and music, and she has the voice, looks and charm required to become a superstar. When: noon Thursday; Where: University of Houston, UC Satellite, 4800 Calhoun; Tickets: Free.

Dave Mason:English guitarist Dave Mason did more than his share to soundtrack the late 1960s and ’70s, having played in Traffic and served as one of Delaney & Bonnie’s “and friends.” He showed up on Eric Clapton’s “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,” as well as George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass.” And his “Alone Together” is one of the ’70s’ great albums. Suffice to say he knows a lot of songs. When: 8:30 p.m. Thursday; Where: Dosey Doe, 25911 I-45 North, The Woodlands; Tickets: $78-$118.

Friday 2.22

An ode to this Texas staple is Friday.: Handout

National Margarita Day: Is there really any need to explain? Lots of places around town are celebrating this annual ode to Texas’ favorite drink, on the rocks or frozen, with special events and pricing. Pico’s Mex-Mex (5941 Bellaire) and El Gran Malo (2307 Ella) are in on the festivities. And so is pretty much any place that serves them. More at www.nationalmargaritaday.com.

Craig Kinsey and Hank Schyma: This new monthly series kicks off with two local favorites. Kinsey fronts the Sideshow Tramps; Schyma leads the Southern Backtones. They’ll be crooning solo, and likely together, in this intimate setting. When: 8 p.m. Friday; Where: 2201 Preston; Tickets: $10, BYOB and food, dessert provided.

Carnaval Do Brazil: Talk about sensory overload. This Brazilian-themed celebration promises psychics, face-painters, samba dancers, a parade, a snake-keeper, stilt walkers, live music, DJs and more. Guests receive beads and masks, and there will also be authentic Brazilian food and percussion performances. When: 8 p.m. Friday; Where: Stereo Live, 6400 Richmond; Tickets: $25 and up.

Ricardo Arjona: The Guatemalan performer is still touring behind album “Independiente,” released more than a year ago. His new show promises lots of colorful sequences and characters, some played by the musicians. Arjona has dabbled in almost every style imaginable throughout the years, from ballads and rock to Tejano, Afro-American and Latin sounds. When: 8:30 p.m. Friday; Where: Toyota Center, 1510 Polk; Tickets: $21-$150.

Saturday 2.23
Big Squeeze Accordion Contest: Texas Folklife’s seventh annual event scours the state for great accordion players, and there are two chances to shine in Houston. Saturday’s auditions are at 3 p.m. at Talento Bilingüe de Houston, 333 S. Jensen, followed by an accordion jam featuring former Big Squeeze champ and Houstonian Johnny Ramirez and Tina Vega of Promesa Mortal. The second stop is 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Big Easy, 5731 Kirby, featuring Big Squeeze champ Keyun Dickson and finalist Ruben Paul Moreno. Auditions are free and open to the public. Call 512-441-9255 or go to www.texasfolklife.org.

Chase Hamblin & the Roustabouts: Hamblin says he’s “the descendant of one of America’s first gypsies and the great-grandson of a vaudeville songwriter.” He was born in Tulsa, Okla., and raised in Italy, France and Singapore before settling in Houston. That colorful history has shaped his sound, which veers from ’60s psychedelia to glam rock to power pop. New record “Vaudeville” is a terrific listen, blending Beatles-esque melodies, whimsical production and Hamblin’s flexible, expressive voice. When: 3 p.m. Saturday; Where: Cactus Music, 2110 Portsmouth; Tickets: Free.

Walker Lukens : A nomadic singer-songwriter, Walker Lukens is based out of New York these days, but Houston is among his old haunts, back when he played with Carousel Shy. His music is as restless as he is. Upcoming album “Devoted,” due in April, opens in soulful singer-songwriter-piano man mode but blossoms into a masterful and expansive collection of progressive contemporary indie pop. He’s bright with a lyric, easy with hooks and also shows some experimental urges, especially with songs such as “Kindle to Your Fire” and “Lover,” which are built on clever overlapping vocal loops and a shower of percussion. It bounces between assertive and ethereal. He’s joined by local favorites Buxton, who seem to have been quiet in these parts for a spell. When: 9 p.m. Saturday; Where: Continental Club, 3700 Main; Tickets: $11.

Bebel Gilberto : Bebel Gilberto’s father helped sell bossa nova to the world, and her mother was also a popular singer. So she grew up immersed in music and also in the shadow of João Gilberto and Miúcha. But 12 or so years ago, Gilberto released “Tanto Tempo,” which found her doing something her father had done years earlier: redefining a beloved music style for her times. She released “All in One” three years ago, so it’s possible she has some new songs in the mix. When: 8 p.m. Saturday; Where: Arena Theatre, 7326 Southwest Freeway; Tickets: $25-$45.

Chase Hamblin has a free show Saturday.: Eric Hester/handout

Chase Hamblin & the Roustabouts: Hamblin says he’s “the descendant of one of America’s first gypsies and the great-grandson of a vaudeville songwriter.” He was born in Tulsa, Okla., and raised in Italy, France and Singapore before settling in Houston. That colorful history has shaped his sound, which veers from ’60s psychedelia to glam rock to power pop. New record “Vaudeville” is a terrific listen, blending Beatles-esque melodies, whimsical production and Hamblin’s flexible, expressive voice. When: 3 p.m. Saturday; Where: Cactus Music, 2110 Portsmouth; Tickets: Free.

Graveyard : Sure, Scandinavia has turned out an unthinkable amount of black metal. But the region has also produced some terrific hard-driving classic-rock bands that rely less on facepaint and, um, darkness. Among the best of them is Graveyard, which makes the kind of fuzzed-out, bluesy Camaro rock that predates metal. Their “Lights Out” was a standout recording last year. With the Shrine. When: 8 p.m. Saturday; Where: Fitzgerald’s, 2706 White Oak; Tickets: $15.

Monday 2.25

Tame Impala :On the subject of buzzy bands, Australia’s psych-tronic rock band Tame Impala had a strong 2012 with the release of “Lonerism.” The band’s show at Fitz has long been sold out, but it recently announced a signing/meet-and-greet, which will allow fans to set eyes upon the band while its album plays in the background. Unless you’re chummy with a scalper, it may be the best way to see the group. It will require purchase of “Lonerism” at Cactus Music, which is hosting the event. When: 3 p.m. Monday; Where: Cactus Music, 2110 Portsmouth. …