If there’s one show this week that’s truly worth your time (aside from those already spotlighted elsewhere in this issue), it’s gotta be Mos Def’s Tuesday, August 25 set at Flames Central. Def broke out in the late ’90s alongside Talib Kweli in Black Star and while he’s only put out a handful of albums in the last decade, he’s rarely been out of the spotlight. Sometimes, it has nothing to do with hip hop — his film career has included roles in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Michel Gondry’s Be Kind, Rewind, and his political views could politely be called fringe. His newest album, The Ecstatic, is widely considered his best since his debut, though, and that’s sure to make for an excellent set.

Moving back to the weekend, Saturday, August 22 brings back an age-old dilemma: A little bit country or a little bit rock ’n’ roll? The HiFi club will host the Hot Blood Bombers and Hot Live Guys, two bands utterly devoted to pure, balls-out rawk. It might just be a coincidence that both hail from the Prairies (the Bombers are from Regina and the Guys from Winnipeg), but they both do play with the kind of energy that can level mountains.

On the other hand, the Spaghetti Western Festival will bring Canadian country music to three Calgary venues that same day. From 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Olympic Plaza will be hosting a free event and from 9 p.m. onward, the Palomino and the No. 1 Legion will keep the country coming. With a lineup that includes Leeroy Stagger, Steve Coffey, The Smokin’ 45’s and Greg Cockerill, there’s plenty of reason to stick around.

Speaking of Cockerill, this Sunday, August 23 will be his last time hosting the Murdoch’s Bar & Grill open mic night. After a four-year run, he’ll be moving out East, so Sunday’ll be your last chance to join in.

Lastly (or firstly, since we seem to be going in reverse order), don’t miss Braids (a.k.a. Calgary’s former Neighbourhood Council) at the New Black Centre on Friday, August 21. The band’s incredibly packed Sled Island set was proof that the already talented indie-rock quartet is only getting better with age and a solid hometown crowd is just what they need to kick off their latest tour.