TURN IT DOWN

Friday, May 11 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. All ages, $12, $10 adv., 7 p.m.

Since 2007, Doug Mains & the City Folk have been a fixture in the local indie-folk scene, releasing a series of acoustically-driven Americana records—including 2016’s “These Broken Members.” The pensive songwriting echoes traditional folk, but is enhanced by a buoyant accordion, imaginative percussion and thunderous, classical string harmonies. Led by its chief songwriter Mains (vocals/acoustic guitar), the band also comprises Kelly Briski (violin/vocals), Rob Germeroth (percussion), Kim Wren (bass) and Josh Michels (cello/accordion). Friday, the band headlines at Mac’s Bar and—according to an April 30 Facebook post—is awarding a gift basket to the fan who travels the furthest to attend the gig. Warming up the stage is fellow Lansing-based songwriter Brandon Grafius, who officially releases his new “Highways and Backroads” LP at the show. Monte Pride also performs.

Thursday, May 17 @ The Robin Theatre, 1105 S Washington Ave, Lansing. $25, $20 adv., ticket cost includes open bar, 6 p.m.

Chicago-based stand-up comedian Pat McGann has appeared on both “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Late Show with David Letterman,” but on May 17, he brings his quick wit to the intimate Robin Theatre. Proceeds from the event benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital— ticket cost includes open bar and Momma Cindee tamales. The emerging funnyman, named one of Chicago’s “Top 10 Funniest” by Reader’s Digest, debuted in 2016 with his “Sounds Good” comedy album and has been featured on “The Bob & Tom Show” and “Gotham Comedy Live.” McGann, a regular at Zanies Comedy Club, has also earned spots at notable fests like the Great American Comedy Festival, Laugh Fest and the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. McGann created and hosted the Emmy Award-nominated television show, “The Chicago Stand Up Project,” a PBS program.

Saturday, June 2 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. 18kknd, $20, $15 adv., 9 p.m.

Michigan rap icons the Dayton Family headline a June 2 show at The Loft—opening is DJ E-Nyce. Comprising Bootleg, Shoestring and Backstabba, the Flint-based Dayton Family formed in the early ’90s, and by 1995 dropped its gritty debut LP, “What’s on My Mind?” One year later, the gold-selling “F.B.I.” hit stores. Both records are now regarded as Michigan underground rap classics. Named after their home turf of Dayton Avenue in Flint, the group has always ignored the glamour of rap and focused on the darker side of the genre. All Music Guide said the Dayton Family has “sincerely emulated their Midwestern mentality,” calling it “a dark, grim mentality focused on modest survival rather than riches or fame.” While a flurry of legal problems over the last two decades hindered the trio’s success, periodic solo albums have kept the staunch cult following afloat.