Don't Miss the Show of The Week

Two festivals are among the musical offerings in the Valley this week, while our proximity to Coachella means the clubs are overflowing with great young indie bands. And then, you have the Arctic Monkeys at the Marquee Theatre.

Country Thunder USA

Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Willie Nelson and Miranda Lambert are among the stars lined up for the 17th edition of this huge country-music gathering near Florence. The four-day festival draws 100,000-plus music fans yearly with its good-time mix of twangy tunes, the great outdoors and vendors selling everything from cowboy hats to hot tubs. For the full schedule of acts, go to the Web site listed below.

Details: Wednesday, April 14 through Saturday, April 17. Canyon Moon Ranch, 20585 Price Station Road, off Arizona 79, just east of Florence. $25 to $500. 866-802-6418, countrythunder.com.

- Larry Rodgers


Glendale Jazz and Blues Festival

Pioneering jazz-rock guitarist Larry Coryell, the Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet, blues guitarist-singer Tinsley Ellis and California's Rick Estrin & the Nightcats headline this free, two-day festival in downtown Glendale. Standout Arizona acts, such as Alice Tatum, Carvin Jones and the Sugar Thieves, also join in the fun. See the Web site listed below for full schedule.

Details: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, April 17and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, April 18. Downtown Glendale, 58th and Glendale avenues. Free. 623-930-2299, glendaleaz.com.

- Larry Rodgers


Arctic Monkeys

By the time the Arctic Monkeys hit the streets with the reckless abandon and working-class heroics of "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not," the buzz was such that by week's end, it had become the fastest-selling debut by a British rock act ever. In the four years since rocking us into submission, they've lived through the hype without spawning a backlash - due, in no small part, to the fact that the albums they've made since then, "Favourite Worst Nightmare" and "Humbug," found them playing to their strengths without simply repeating the formula. Of course, it helps that they're amazing live, which is what ultimately matters when they take the stage at Tempe's Marquee Theatre.

Details: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe. $26; $24 in advance. 480-829-0607, luckymanonline.com.

- Ed Masley