Well, it’s finally here. Beats & Blogs weekend is upon us. Are you ready for the show of the year? Nay. Show of century? You better be. Don’t worry though, we also give you options for tonight and Sunday including Kurt Baker at Panchos and Yawn and Lincoln Hall and more.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

FRIDAY

KURT BAKER
Kurt Baker is a founding member of the punk rock “outfit” known as the Leftovers. He has gone solo for a record of covers of his favorite power pop tunes of the 70′s and 80′s. Did I just say power pop? I did. Less Cheap Trick oriented and more skinny tie loving, the album none the less covers some pretty great tunes from the Knack, Elvis Costello, Rick Springfield, and Joe Jackson amongst others. Guilty pleasure or pleasure pleasure? You decide. Now, what would you say if I threw in the Daniel James Gang, the Larroquettes, and the Demerits? Well, you’d probably say I was crazy. I may be friends because, yes, for the low low price of not much money you can see all four. But act now! (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 12/17. Panchos. 18+. $5.

THE BAREHAND JUGBAND
Surely there is no better jug player than Lisa Simpson, but Chicago’s own The Barehand Jugband does a mighty nice job of playing laidback, knee-slapping jug-based bluegrass music with silly lyrics and song titles such as “Take a Whiff” and “What’s That Tastes Like Gravy.” Be advised that this is an early show. Loud Loop Press wouldn’t want you to stay out too late on Friday because we want you in tip top shape on Saturday night… (Audrey Leon)

5:30 p.m. Friday, 12/17. The Hideout. 21+. $5 suggested donation.

SATURDAY

BEATS & BLOGS FEAT. WHITE MYSTERY, HOLLOWS, RABBLE RABBLE & RADAR EYES
If this were California in the late ’80s, perhaps the bill would consist of Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer. If this were Seattle in the early ’90s, then maybe the bill would be Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden. But, alas, this is Chicago in the early teens, and our big four (for Beats & Blogs promotional purposes) are the raw, garage and psychedelic sounds of White Mystery, Hollows, Rabble Rabble and Radar Eyes. And while the music is what we pay the measly $10 (That’s $2.50 a band!) for, it’s also a celebration of Chicago’s best independent media that do what they do as a labor of love simply because we all respect and dig Chicago’s music scene. Eighteen blogs, publications, and websites can’t be wrong, can they? I think not. Missing this show is simply not an option. (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 12/18. Subterranean. 17+. $10.

SUNDAY

YAWN
Bringing all their computerized melodies and big beats to Lincoln Hall this weekend is random, psych-pop quartet, Yawn. Nestled somewhere between Animal Collective and Sigur Ros, these kids are known for putting on a full-blown performance and not just a rock show. It’s no wonder their awesome-enough-to-make-Pink Floyd-jealous laser light video was able to procure the highly coveted number one spot on our Top 10 Local Music Videos of 2010. While the lineup is amazing, it will be bittersweet show as this is the beginning of the farewell shows for New York’s highly talented ambient rockers As Tall As Lions. Also joining the lineup are indie soft-rock specialists Apres Vous from Ohio. (Britni Day)

7:00 p.m. Saturday, 12/19. Lincoln Hall. All Ages. $15.