It’s been a bit since Chesapeake Energy Arena had a high-profile concert, and this week they are coming at you hard with two: Shania Twain and Def Leppard. Take a wild stab at which one we’re more excited about. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are some quality gigs for those who like their music on the heavy variety (Auric, Marriages/Creepoid), a member of Fun. and more in this week’s top concert picks.
The Fatty Acids with Wildings and Elms
Thursday, Aug. 6
Blue Note Lounge | Oklahoma City
Catch the band whose name sounds like a burger special at Irma’s.
Charli XCX and Bleachers with BORNS
Friday, Aug. 7
Cain’s Ballroom | Tulsa
Your chances of seeing Lena Dunham in Oklahoma effectively double (from 0.1 percent to 0.2 percent) when her Fun. boyfriend’s solo project Bleachers comes to town with modern pop tastemaker and songwriter Charli XCX.
Auric with Idre and Similarity
Friday, Aug. 7
Dope Chapel | Norman
Welcome Arkansas sludge-metal outfit Auric (accompanied by the heady rock of Idre and Similarity) and wave goodbye to your hearing.
Marriages and Creepoid with Nebulae
Saturday, Aug. 8
89th Street Collective | Oklahoma City
Make sure to pack earplugs and a dour attitude for this bill of foreboding shoegaze and rattling noise rock.
Def Leppard with Tesla
Monday, Aug. 10
Chesapeake Energy Arena | Oklahoma City
What Wimbledon is to tennis, Def Leppard concerts are to unironic mullets.
SBSM with Queequeg and Ecchi
Monday, Aug. 10
The Shop | Oklahoma City
I get the distinct feeling that the Def Leppard concert won’t overlap with the crowd for this DIY punk show all too much.
Rocky Votolato with Dave Hause and Chris Farren
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Opolis | Norman
Dallas-born, Seattle-based singer-songwriter Rocky Votolato nearly retired from music a couple years back. That changed with his new album Hospital Handshakes, which dropped in April.
Shania Twain with Gavin DeGraw
Wednesday, Aug. 12
Chesapeake Energy Arena | Oklahoma City
Shania Twain was the original Taylor Swift. The first woman to ever have three straight diamond-selling albums (that’s over 10 million apiece, y’all), she’s preparing to release her first studio LP since 2002 sometime in the next year. Pay your respects as she plays her final world tour, her first in 11 years.
