SANTA CRUZ

Follow the day with the Polyphonic Spree

The stage at Moe’s Alley will be filled with the sight of colorful robes and the sounds of psychedelic music blended with symphonic pop when the Polyphonic Spree perform Thursday.

Formed in 2000 by Tim DeLaughter, the lead vocalist and guitarist of ’90s alt rockers Tripping Daisy, the Polyphonic Spree are a “big band” in the literal sense of the world, having as many as 27 members at some point. The Dallas band’s colorful attire and free-spirited attitude, not unlike what you might find at a hippie commune, garnered a lot of attention in the early to mid 2000s as they started performing major festivals like Coachella and South By Southwest. This was only further emphasized with their euphoric anthem “Light and Day” with its blend of orchestral instruments and aspirational lyrics about following the day and reaching for the sun, resulting in a top 40 UK single, an appearance in an episode of “Scrubs” and several TV commercials and movie trailers ever since. They also have provided arty takes on songs by Nirvana, Rush, The Bee Gees and more. The Polyphonic Spree are a band that truly have to be seen to be believed. Philadelphia indie rockers Another Michael will open.

The concert is 8 p.m. Thursday at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $36 in advance and $42 the day of the show. This is a 21-and-older concert. For more information, go to MoesAlley.com.

Chappell Roan dance night is hot to go at Catalyst

In addition to being a venue for bands and artists from throughout the world to perform, the Catalyst Club also hosts dance nights with themes ranging from Broadway to “Shrek” to Taylor Swift. This Friday will feature a selection of songs by one of pop music’s hottest rising stars: Chappell Roan.

Roan, 26, has been recording since she uploaded her first song to YouTube a decade ago. However, her popularity exploded this year after being featured as the opening act on many dates on Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts World Tour, a performance at Coachella and being a prominent presence on TikTok. Her upbeat sound that harkens back to the glory days of ’80s pop has led to hits like “Good Luck, Babe,” “Hot to Go,” “Pink Pony Club” and “Red Wine Supernova.” DJs will be spinning these and other songs while also serving themed cocktails and hosting local drag queen performers in keeping with Roan’s drag-inspired aesthetic. Pink cowboy hats are highly encouraged.The show is 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave. Tickets range from $23.48 to $26.72. This is an 18-and-older event. For more information, go to CatlaystClub.com.

Rio Theatre gains an Angel (Olsen)

Angel Olsen, a Libera Award-winning indie singer, will be playing at the Rio Theatre Monday.

Based out of Asheville, North Carolina, Olsen has released six albums that blend indie rock with art pop and a tinge of alt country. She has collaborated with the likes of Sharon Van Etten, Mark Ronson, Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Jim James and performed on shows like “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Her latest album, 2022’s “Big Time,” was praised as one of the best records of the year by publications like the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, The A.V. Club, Entertainment Weekly and Time Magazine.

The show is 8 p.m. Monday at the Rio, 1205 Soquel Ave. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $47.25 for general admission and $57.74 for Gold Circle members. For more information, go to RioTheatre.com.

Folk legend Judy Collins performs at the Rio

From being a mainstay in the ’60s folk scene to giving audiences their first exposure to Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell to releasing her first album of completely self-written material, Judy Collins has a long and storied career in her six decades of recording. There will be plenty to see when she plays the Rio Theatre Tuesday.

After playing piano since her childhood, Collins became inspired to pick up a guitar after falling in love with the folk revival of the early ’60s. She began recording traditional folk songs, then began covering tracks by the likes of Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan as well as then largely unknown singer/songwriters like Cohen. Her 1967 album “Wildflowers” featured the first songs she had written herself in addition to her biggest hit: a recording of Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” In 2022, she released “Spellbound,” her first album of all original material. Consisting of poems she had been writing since 2016, “Spellbound” sees Collins ruminate on topics like her youth in Colorado and the life of Trappist monk and social activist Thomas Merton.

The concert is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Rio, 1205 Soquel Ave. Tickets are $39.50. For more information, go to RioTheatre.com.

This week’s calendar was compiled by Nick Sestanovich.