We at the Source agree, there isn't enough hip hop in this town; but what Bend does have is pretty dope.

Two mainstays of the local rap culture will be appearing on stage at the Domino Room tonight; Jay Tablet and Amsterdam.

Jay Tablet—one half of the Cloaked Characters duo— has long stalked this town as well as all the Western states. The ultra-friendly Tablet has a charismatic onstage persona that translates to killer performances with slow-burning rap jams punctuated by a jagged concrete flow. He released the stellar solo album Tablife earlier this year and you can catch some tracks from that record here. Also available below is a video of a Tablet freestyle back in October at Bend's Dojo.

Another Bendite, Amsterdam— aka Gabe Van Eikeren— joins Tablet for this special night of hip hop trading off the strength of a couple of stout mixtapes he made last year featuring smooth rap coupled with trance beats. His 2013 album Avarice even made our top 150 of the year list coming in at 133. Take a listen below and you'll hear why.

The show kicks off at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10 at the door. Many other acts are appearing and the event site even promises an after-party at midnight. (As if one would be necessary after four hours of raising the roof with this bunch)

Bend's biggest local music festival is offical! Occupancy permits for Bend Roots are approved and the festival will host its first shows at the renovated rubbish yard tonight.

• Event organizer Mark Ransom performing at last year's Church of Neil at Pakit.

The blissful sound of acoustic singer/songwriter Matt the Electrician has a lot of lyrical substance backing it up. Read more on that in last week's piece about the Austin artist. He'll be playing tonight at The Belfry in Sisters and the performance is well worth the drive.

Need extra convincing? There's also this:

Matt the Electrician

7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24

The Belfry

302 Main St. Sisters, OR

That's right, the guy who used to play his dub rock and blues everywhere and anywhere in Bend, has finally returned. For one night anyway.

A few years ago, Lawrence traded in the High Desert for the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles while also making trips to Nashville to record and write music. Earlier this year, he released a collaborative album as The RTL Project involving local artists Jay Tablet and Rory Oneders of the hip hop duo Cloaked Characters. (see our piece on Jay Tablet in this week's paper).

Lawrence will be playing along side old songwriting buddy and Bend favorite Franchot Tone for the unveiling of the new Silver Moon Brewery logo tonight at the tap room.

Show starts at 6 p.m.

TONIGHT! Ian McFeron will play 7 pm-10 pm at the Old St. Francis McMenamins, 700 NW Bond St.

AMERICANA—It is tough to assign a hometown to Ian McFeron, as he tours some 200-plus days. But it's easier to pin down his musical influences (Bob Dylan, John Lennon and a cart full of Americana crooners). And there's a reason Seattle-grown McFeron's music sounds like that of Ryan Adams and John Hiatt: He shares bandmates with those artists.

See for yourself:

Listen to his latest album, Time Will Take You on Spotify.

There's a reason for that: their music is effervescent and stirring.

Here's a quick teaser for Viracocha. The release show will be tonight at The Workhouse (50 S.E. Scott St.), 9 p.m.

Viracocha Teaser from Isles on Vimeo.

The former Player's Bar and Grill hosts the timeless smoky vocals and rambling guitar of Tom Vandenavond, tonight at 8 pm. Here is a taste of what you'll get for NO COVER CHARGE to compliment your dinner and drinks.

One of the first Horned Hand productions since their closure in late June, Vandenavond played the former venue several times in their two year run. Keep an eye out for more from Horned Hand productions in the near future including a Mead, Music and Motorcycles event at Nectar of the Gods Meadery on August 3.

On top of the great music, Blue Pine has a high-end pub menu including delicious Creole seasoned, grilled FROG LEGS! Best washed down with a light beer.

Tonight! Back from their first European tour, Larry and His Flask kick off Rise Up International’s Back Stage Concert Series.

The show is a CD release party for Hobo's Lament , an album they recorded over the last year. It's going to be a rockin' good party, as it always is with the Flask, with openers Slaughter Daughters and Grit & Grizzle.

The best part is you can party and feel good about yourself because the show is a benefit for local organization Rise Up International's overseas art workshops. Woot woot!

Watch this video and GET STOKED!

Like "Lord of the Rings?" So does Durham, North Carolina band Bombadil, sort of.

The band's name comes from the mysterious musical Tom Bombadil, a shadowy fringe character called "the oldest and the fatherless" in J.R.R. Tolkien's popular fantasy epics. Granted, like many LOTR film fans, no one in the band has read the books, but sufficed to say, they have some nerdy friends who suggested the name.

• Photo by Liz Devine.
• Bombadil dances on the ceiling, but they sound nothing like Lionel Richie.

The folk-rock foursome tell elaborate, well-crafted stories with elusive themes, the personalities of instruments, the colors of songs, and other similar whimsical variations. Many of the songs sound sad, but are beautiful, bubbling with a country twang and abstract lyrics that serve as the stitching between the multi-insturmentalist members.

They will be joining indie favorites Dr. Dog and Dawes this weekend in Portland at the Crystal Ballroom, but tonight, they're right here in Bend. Here's a little preview of what you can expect, plus three other bandmates.

Best of all, IT'S FREE.

Matt Hopper is pretty darn phenomenal, a cross between Jack White, Tom Petty and just a dash of Wilco. And he's playing in Bend. Tonight!

• Matt Hopper plays tonight at the Horned Hand.

Check out his most recent album and get down to the Horned Hand tonight, show starts at 8 p.m. with opener Vandella. Don't miss this.

Tonight at the Horned Hand, local boys (and girl) Harley Bourbon will be making their triumphant return to the venue alongside Shade 13 and Last To Leave from Reno, NV.

• Eight members means eight times the awesome.

Listen to Last To Leave's album below. Their folk-punk should be a perfect fit for the Bend scene.

We know you don't have plans for tonight, so check them out!