Sound Advice

Platinum-selling blues rockers Big Head Todd and the Monsters are playing Hoyt Sherman Place on Jan. 12. The band will be performing selections spanning over three decades. Tickets start at $46.

Mark your calendars for the Winter Blues Fest hosted by the Central Iowa Blues Society. On Feb. 9-10, there are 20 blues acts. Included are the Iowa Blues Challenge winners Matt Woods and Rush Cleveland Trio. Also performing are the Cashbox Kings, Josh Hoyer and Tony Holiday. Tickets in advance cost $25 for Friday, $35 for Saturday or $55 for both nights. For a complete lineup and more info, visit www.cibs.org.

The Val-Air Ballroom renovations are nearly complete. Their first concert on Feb. 29 in the revamped venue is Greensky Bluegrass, a popular bluegrass band, which recently sold out three concerts at Red Rocks in Colorado. Opening band is High Hawks. All tickets general admission, $35, plus fees. 

Don’t forget the new Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee. Flatland Calvary, a country and Americana band, performs on Feb. 3, with Zach Top, opener. Tickets from Live Nation start at $35 for general admission. n