Nine ways to ’09

The Dandy Warhols
Metro. $65, advance $55.
The venue notes that “formal attire [is] encouraged,” which seems rather bizarre for a band that became notorious for bassist-keyboardist Zia McCabe’s predilection for topless rocking. The indulgent stoners never take their space jams and hippie-glam too seriously, so balloons and confetti fit right in.

Future Rock + Daedelus
Abbey Pub. $35, advance $25.
The live-electro headliners oft appear as “Daft Rock” and “Aphex Rock,” covering digital-music luminaries Daft Punk and Aphex Twin. The local trio carves a unique niche for itself—part jam-band, part IDM tribute act. L.A.’s Daedelus cuts and pastes postmodern laptop-hop like Beck’s deepest, darkest right-brain id.

Holy Fuck + Aleks and the Drummer
Subterranean. $30.
It’s been the year of hipster f-bomb bands, with Fucked Up, Fuck Buttons and Holy Fuck all making waves. Toronto’s HF pummels techo-rock at punk velocities. With a live drummer, it’s like Kraftwerk trying to be the Ramones.

Hum
Double Door. Sold out.
The underdogs from downstate reunite for better flashbacks to ’90s air-guitar-inducing eardrum assaults than those offered by the Smashing Pumpkins. Bonus: The singer won’t mock you.

Justice + Peanut Butter Wolf
Congress Theater. $60.
In a bit of a victory lap after a smashing two years, the Parisian duo of Justice spins a set of hard and heavy dance.

Local H + Sybris + Office
Bottom Lounge. $40, $35 advance.
A diverse lineup of established local bands, from the keyboard glee of Office to the dreamy droning of Sybris, closes out the first year of the city’s newest rock house.

Jay Reatard + Miss Alex White & Francis
Empty Bottle, $25
The Memphis hesher kicks out dirtbag, gas-huffing garage-rock thrills.

The Sea and Cake
Schubas. $40.
The skittering, toe-tapping art-pop of the smooth local institution pairs perfectly with adult beverages, and not just because guitarist Archer Prewitt played in the Coctails. This is the pick for those looking for a more laid-back, sophisticated celebration.

Umphrey’s McGee
Auditorium Theatre. $63–$73.
Hippie-dippy McGee forefather Phish set the template for New Year’s Eve jam-band blowouts. We expect a typically loose, celebratory vibe riddled with cover songs, solos and more than a little bit of awkward Dave Matthews–like dork-dancing.

For the top New Year's Eve club shows, click here.