Whoa! This is gonna be killer. JD McPherson at the Ale House in Troy at 8pm on Wednesday, July 24. Tickets are $15. ‘Nuff said…

If you’re as bummed out as we were about the cancellation of Vieux Farka Toure’s concert (due to dangerous weather conditions) at the Central Park Music Haven in Schenectady last Sunday evening, well, we’ve got a bit of good news for you. Toure will return to Nippertown for a benefit concert at the Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy at 7pm on Thursday, October 24. Tickets are $20 and are currently available.

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES: Tonight’s (Wednesday, July 10) free Summer At the Plaza Concert with Kansas, Arc & Stones and Crossfire has been moved indoors to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center due to the threat of bad weather.

The traveling edition of Mali’s award-winning Festival in the Desert will stop in Troy for a free, all-ages show in Freedom Square at 5:30pm on Friday, July 26. Artists and musicians from Mali continue to practice their art despite upheaval and violence in their homeland. In support of and to highlight their tenacity, the Festival au Desert: Caravan for Peace, brings legendary Malian artists to the U.S. The Caravan will shine a light on two of Mali’s greatest contributions to the world’s music: the Tuareg sounds and Malian blues, both revealing the deep and gritty roots, and the striking skill and musicianship of Mali’s beleaguered artists. Featured performers in Troy will include Tartit/Imharhan (who transform from a very traditional mixed female/male ensemble to a band that reflects the often experimental, fascinating Tuareg adaptation of Saharan nomad music to contemporary sounds) and Mamadou Kelly (a virtuoso acoustic guitarist and soulful singer who made a name for himself by playing with greats like the late Malian blues legend Ali Farka Toure).

Pete Donnelly (of the Figgs) is headed back to Valentine’s Music Hall in Albany on Saturday, July 27 to preview his upcoming sophomore solo album Face the Bird for part two of WEXT-FM’s anniversary party. Also on the bill are Bear Grass and Olivia Quillio.