Turn it down

Marcutio at The Loft

Thu., Dec. 20, The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over, $5 for 21 and over, $7 for 18 and over, 9 p.m.

For those looking to rave one more time before it all ends, perhaps the “Mayan Underworld Rage” at The Loft is the place to be. The event, which happens Thursday and will feature a light show, features Michigan DJs spinning techno and dubstep tracks. Headlining the event is Marcutio, a Kalamazoo-based DJ who spins a mix of space rock and dreamstep. He will be joined by Dan Greenhoe (live drums) and MC Wulf Hogan. Also getting behind the decks are Xphixiate (dubstep/glitch), DJ K.I.P.A (progressive trance), Fahzee (dubstep/booty bass), Yung AnAKin (dubstep/glitch) and a special appearance by Glitter Majik. Aside from loud-and-bumping tunes throughout the night, this Nemesis Productions and K@M Promotions-hosted show will also feature a live art exhibition by Geoph Aldora Espen and a VIP after party. 

Appleseed Collective at Mac´s

Thu., Dec. 20, Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $7, 9 p.m.

A combination of Dixieland, bluegrass, ragtime beat and western swing is how the Appleseed Collective describes its rustic low-key sound. Thursday, the Ann Arbor-based “Americana jazz folk” five-piece stops at Mac’s Bar. Local openers include Wisaal (Arabic-American fusion) and The Whiskey Pickers (Americana). The Appleseed Collective formed in late 2010 and quickly began cutting their teeth in an underground current of house shows and DIY fests, like the Earthwork Harvest Gathering in Missaukee County, Mich. The band has shared stages with Steppin’ In It, The Ragbirds, Seth Bernard & Daisy May and Frontier Ruckus. Earlier this year, the Appleseed Collective released its debut, “Baby to Beast,” a fan-funded album with a “green-thumb pledge of support.”

Big Willy at Green Door

Thu., Dec. 20, Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 21 and over, free, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Local blues-rock band Big Willy released its second album, “Out for Trouble,” in September at the Green Door. Thursday, the band returns for another night of blues. Big Willy is rooted in the blues, rock ‘n’ roll and some classic soul. Since the band formed in 2004, it has shared the stage with the likes of Tab Benoit and Larry McCray. The guys also recorded an episode of “Backstage Pass,” a documentary-style show aired on PBS. This second album is a follow-up to the band’s 2009 full-length “King Without a Crown.” As for the new album, front man Will Rideoutt says: “This record still has the Big Willy sound that we’ve established, but the lyrics, the music, and the arrangements are on a whole new level.”

L. Soul at Mac´s Bar

Fri., Dec. 21, Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, all-ages, $6 advance, $8 at door, 6:30 p.m.

Levon Reid, also known as L. Soul, performs soulful, creative, opinion-heavy hip hop. Reid, who plays an all-ages show Friday at Mac’s Bar, is in the studio working on a follow-up to his debut, the “No Love City: Twilight Zone” demo. He has also shot three music videos: “Ronin Soul,” “Trippy” and “Welcome to Kananon,” all of which are streamed on YouTube. L. Soul performs at the Detroit Masonic Temple on Dec. 30, with some of the footage to be used on the upcoming talent-search series. You can follow L. Soul on Twitter at @LSoulHipHop. Opening the show at Mac’s Bar is Kidd 989, Smooth Samurai, Karry Smith and Tay Rhodes.

Know Lyfe hosts b-day bash

Fri., Dec. 21, The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, all ages, $15 at door, doors 5:30 p.m.

The band may have started in a dark Lansing basement back in 2000, but since then Know Lyfe has gigged consistently and earned a national following along the way. Friday, the progressive-metal band plays a special gig celebrating the birthday of its lead singer, Alfonso Civile. The group released its debut album, “Autumn is the Glorification of Death” in 2004 and its next release, 2005’s EP “Veins and Vines,” sold 4,000 copies independently. Their newest release, "Empire of Wolves," was released last year. Opening the all-ages gig at The Loft are Adrenachrome, Of Virtue, Occasus, Hessain, Born and The Dinosaur Wars. Special guests include DJ Romance and C. Phear. Free entry for all service men and women of the United States Armed Forces.