Grab your 10-gallon hats and slip into your rockin’- and rollin’-est cowboy boots. Country music icon Reba McEntire is coming to St. Louis. While the redhead’s over-40-year career has proved to be an inspiration for several newer country artists like Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes and Faith Hill, Reba continues to put out No. 1 hit after No. 1 hit.

Their most recent album, “The Grande Theatre: Volume 1,” features songs specifically designed for concert play (all were composed in a weeklong session in a Dallas concert hall). Considering that the veteran band still denies rehearsing for live shows, this may be the best time to see the Old 97′s in their preferred element.

Not only is Ben Folds a performer, he is also a judge for “The Sing-Off.” Opening for him is “Street Corner Symphony,” the runner-up from this past season.

When I heard that Relient K was playing a concert at Off Broadway this Thursday, I almost cried for two reasons. One, they’re one of my favorite bands and two, I can’t go. But then I remembered that if lonely people can live vicariously through the romantic lives of others, so too can I live through others’ concert experiences.

Matt Costa began his career opening for Jack Johnson’s summer 2005 tour, but don’t hold that against him. So take a leisurely stroll on what promises to be a beautiful Sunday night to the Firebird and enjoy a head-bopping show that will both relax and cheer you for the week ahead.

To encourage Wash. U. students to check out local shows, Cadenza presents our new weekly feature, “Now Hear This!” in which we preview an act that will be playing in the 314 over the weekend. A Tampa reviewer wrote that a recent Deer Tick show whipped band and fans into a “redneck chaos.”

It was wild. The air smelled of marijuana smoke, inexpensive beer and Papa John’s pizza. The temperature was crisp, the light was scarce and the energy was intoxicating.

If you don’t know Tegan and Sara (T and S) by now, you’re missing out. For over 10 years, the indie pop/new wave Canadian duo has put forth some of the most lyrically complex, emotionally resonant music out there. They’ve toured with Ben Folds, Rufus Wainwright and The Killers, and they’ve performed at Coachella, Lollapalooza and Lilith Fair.

Happenings around St.Louis for Jan. 26-31.

“Black Ice,” AC/DC’s 16th studio album, is both a triumphant return to form and more proof that AC/DC is the most consistent band in history. They have been touted as fathers of heavy metal, punk rock, blues and straight up rock and roll and have managed to handle all of these labels with a suitable amount of swagger.