2018 is not over

As you reflect on the past year, ask yourself: “Did I support local music?” In Sacramento, there’s always a live show worthy of your attention, and if we’re measuring by degrees, the answer is “Not enough.”

But before you add “In 2019, I will see City of Trees Brass Band live” to your list of resolutions, there are still some great gigs in this year’s final days, including one by that New Orleans-style jazz tribe.

It’s never too late to enjoy Sacramento music. Here are some sonic ways to seize the day before the New Year countdown starts:

Phono Select Records

“Carpe diem” is easier to pronounce if you don’t have to spend any money. But this show looks so good, you should be paying for it. Phono Select Records is putting on a free bill that includes the indie-psych pop of Vasas, Trinidad Silva and Art Lessing and the Flower Vato. Listen to Vasas’ 2017 song “Such a Dog” on Bandcamp, and melt your heart away to guitars overdriven to the stars and free-ranging folk-vocals ringing down to Earth. Saturday, December 29, 6:30pm; No cover. 2475 Fruitridge Road.

Shine

Let Mastoids’ January 2018 LP Emergence Tremens persuade you to go outside and see them live. It’s alternative rock with an ear for crunched hardcore and punk. Fissure your ear drums to them, then see your doctor, but not before you enjoy pleasing pop-punk from Attack of the Hooligans! and Free Candy that night. Saturday, December 29, 8pm; $8; 1400 E Street, Suite A.

Old Ironsides

As the Camp Fire recovery effort continues, so does the pairing of philanthropy and great local music. Old I’s benefit for the people of Paradise packs 11 artists in one night of country, blues and rock. If you haven’t seen Michael Ray live, he’ll remind you of why the blues are still relevant. The night ends with Drop Dead Red, a Sacto alternative blues-rock troupe led by a room-filling vocal presence in Carly DuHain. Friday, December 28, 6:30pm; $5 donation, sliding scale; 1901 10th Street.

Blue Lamp

At the second Black Lives Rap Fest, you can support the fight for racial equality and bob your head. The bill of socially conscious, hardcore lyricists includes Bueno, Y.K., Lil Marvaless, Brrazey and Brannon Picket. Check out the collab track “Pray 4 Me” by Lil Marvaless. She’s a rhyme exterminator who happens to bear the stage name of her mom, a Sac rap legend who guest-starred on 2Pac, Mac Dre and Master P records, to name a few. Proceeds benefit Black Lives Matter Sacramento. Marvel at the nimble words of the next in the lineage. Sunday, December 30, 9pm; $10 donation; 1400 Alhambra Boulevard.

Crocker Art Museum

The Crocker’s monthly series, Audio Muse, has Sacramento’s standout music-makers complementing walls of mesmerizing art with a live performance. In December, emo pop-rock/electronica is the sound-pairing, courtesy of Cemetery Sun, who will play in front of genre-bending digital art from Justin Wood. Thursday, December 27, 6:30pm; $10-$20; 216 O Street.

Torch Club; Holy Diver

You haven’t seen your brother in a year, and that meant a drunken night across downtown. You could reconsider your immediate past, or look to the future’s promising live music lineup: On 15th Street at the Torch Club, City of Trees Brass Band’s Holiday Hangover show brings the Big Easy’s jazz parade to your sobering ears. No more drinking, brother! It’s Saturday now, which means we can attend another Holiday Hangover show, this time to mellow out to reggae jams from Arden Park Roots at Holy Diver. Two waters, please. Thursday, December 27, 9pm, $6, 904 15th Street; Saturday, December 29, 7pm, $12, 1517 21st Street.