Bloglander

Valentine’s Day, man. It’s there to love or to hate. Even if you have a Valentine, the extra preparation — shopping for cards/candy/flowers, scoring choice dinner reservations, the manscaping — can be extremely stressful. Perhaps then the best way to celebrate the day and/or weekend of love would be to check out some local music. Let the stress melt away. Get wrapped up in the feeling of great music and know that really, you’re never alone.

TONIGHT

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Apparently, marching bands aren’t just for parades and halftime shows anymore. At least that’s the approach that the MarchFourth Marching Band (M4 to their fans) has taken. Instead, the 20-piece-or-so act performs at concert venues, which they will do at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint tonight at 8 pm. And man, are these shows rowdy. Featuring carnie-attired brass players and drummers, electric bassists, guitarists and more, the mostly instrumental band is like one big, spectacular Mardi Gras celebration. In fact, they came together back in 2003 in Portland for a Fat Tuesday celebration. Adding to the spectacular of a MarchFourth performance are the hoop dancers and stilt walkers. Everything they can do can only be described as joyful … and a little bit crazy. Their show is $25. Also note there’s an after party at the Hive, essentially across the street. If you made the drive up there already, why not?

SATURDAY

Mon Cheri is back in action Saturday at the Bartlett with Bristol opening. The reunion will start at 8 pm and is $12 in advance and $15 the day of. This one doesn’t have many tickets left, so hurry.

For those who love metal, it’s your lucky weekend. The Hop! is hosting the Lilac City Metal Fest, which features acts like This or the Apocalypse, Razor & Tie's Sworn In, longtime hardcore band Shai Halud and a whole bunch more. The show starts at 3 pm — that’s nine hours of eardrum-exploding, heavy, distorted mania. Cost is $15 in advance and $17 the day of for the all-ages show.

Knitting Factory has a lineup of local indie rockers with The Lion Oh My, Lavoy, The Rustics, Death By Pirates and Daethstar. The show starts at 8 pm and costs $5 for those under 21 and free for those over.

Meanwhile, Jones Radiator will be putting on a free show with Sea Giant, Ditto & Black Beacon. Show up around 9 for a good seat.

SUNDAY

Females can rock hard too! The garage rockers the Pack a.d. is a female duo proving just that. They’ll play the Bartlett Sunday with the Static Tones. The all-ages show starts at 8 pm and will cost you 10 bucks.

Classic rockers the Freeway Revival is hitting up John’s Alley in Moscow Saturday and Sunday this weekend. $5 both nights.