FRIDAY

Frontwoman Lzzy Hale lends vocal heat to the hard-rock band Halestorm

Metal band Halestorm gets maximum return from big-voiced singer Lzzy Hale, who makes you believe it when she scream/shouts, “I am the fire!” (It’s also the name of the band’s latest single.) With a woman out front, metal anthems about throwing off the shackles of fear and unfaithful friends, while enjoying the pleasures of “freaks and hell raisers,” take on new dimensions. And the band — Lzzy’s brother, drummer and percussionist Arejay Hale; guitarist Joe Hottinger; and bassist Josh Smith — rocks a cathartic, rapid-fire and well-tuned brand of classic hard rock and metal, appealing across generations. Fans of Joan Jett, Alice Cooper, Shinedown or Foo Fighters will find something to like here.

The band, from Pennsylvania, released its first album in 2010. It has earned the respect of fans and festival programmers with a massive performance at Rock in Rio in May. Its song “Love Bites (So Do I)” from the album “The Strange Case of …” won a Grammy in 2013 for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance. Lzzy and crew appear at The Republik on a stop between Vancouver, B.C., and Osaka, Japan.

Where: The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Cost: $28

Info: 855-235-2867 or flavorus.com

SATURDAY

Isle show by comedian who took on Cosby

Stand-up comic and social commentator Hannibal Buress has been building attention for several years now, but his routine ripping into Bill Cosby as an accused rapist, widely credited for helping to blow the lid off of the Cosby scandal this summer, brought him into the public eye.

He’s an Emmy-nominated comedian, writer and actor who’s long been a favorite of fans and critics, with The New York Times calling him “supremely gifted and respected.”

Now, with a Comedy Central series in the can and a largely sold-out national comedy tour in progress, he’s emerging as a star.

“Why? With Hannibal Buress” premiered on Comedy Central in July, and Buress is working on his next one-hour standup special, planned to premiere on Netflix in 2016.

He’s a cast member on Comedy Central’s hit series “Broad City,” which began shooting a third season in September, as well as the co-host of Adult Swim’s spoof talk show, “The Eric Andre Show,” which is heading into its fourth season.

This year he also served as host of The 2015 Webby Awards, and he took part in Comedy Central’s “Roast of Justin Beiber” on March 30.

In addition to his TV and standup comedy, Buress appeared in the 2014 comedy film “Neighbors,” starring Seth Rogen and Zac Efron. Alongside Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, he’s in “Daddy’s Home,” set to premiere on Dec. 25, and he’s lending his voice to animated films “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Angry Birds.”

Where: The Republik

When: 8 p.m., Saturday

Cost: $29.50 in advance; $39.50 premium seating

Info: 855-235-2867 or flavorus.com

WEDNESDAY

Singer embraces ‘heartbreaking’ soundscapes

Singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata’s touching, intimate music has been heard on dozens of television shows, from “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Smallville” to “30 Rock.” She’s been dubbed a “troubadour of heartbreak,” and doesn’t shun the label. But while it’s true that her songs are often pinned to the resigned end of a relationship, Yamagata also expresses a survivor’s strength.

She’s also a musical survivor, releasing her first EP in 2001. Her most recent, this year’s rough-edged “Tightrope Walker,”earned comparisons to both Roberta Flack and Tom Waits. In between, she’s anchored multiple world tours, performing at Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, South by Southwest, Austin City Limits, Glastonbury and Bonnaroo. NPR’s Ann Powers proclaimed her “the heir to Bonnie Raitt,” and the Philadelphia Inquirer praised Yamagata as the songwriter who’s “restoring female pop’s good name.”

For her Hawaii dates, Yamagata will appear with Michael Chaves (who’s also backed John Mayer), a multi-instrumentalist who contributes bass, rhythm guitar and keyboard samples, and Zach Djanikian (Amos Lee) on keyboard and guitar. Expect lush soundscapes, promoter Doug Allsopp says, and moods that swing from devastatingly intimate to electric cool.

Where: Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art

When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday

Cost: $30-$35; $45 premium seats available via buffalo-records.com

Info: 532-6097 or honolulumuseum.org

FRIDAY-DEC. 12

Audiences can join ‘Reindeer Games’ improv

Got holiday spirit? Can you go with the flow? Honolulu Theatre for Youth is here to bring joy with the premiere of “Rudolf’s Reindeer Games,” an interactive, improv-inspired holiday play, created by veteran improv actors Garrick Paikai and R. Kevin Doyle, and HTY.

Each rendition of the play will differ slightly, but every performance will be full of songs, sketches and games.

Artistic director Eric Johnson says “Reindeer Games” fulfills his long-held desire to bring the spirit of “Saturday Night Live” and “Second City” to HTY’s family audience.

“R. Kevin and Garrick are just the guys to do this,” Johnson said in a media release. “They have been training our company for months on how to turn audience suggestions into great theatre, and the results are going to be hilarious. Each show will be like unwrapping a delightful surprise gift.”

Audiences are encouraged to bring a surprise “gift” to performances. Wrapped, nonbreakable, family-friendly presents could be opened to inspire a scene or song.

Where: Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew’s Cathedral

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Dec.11; 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 5 and 12; sensory-friendly performance with American Sign Language interpretation, 2 p.m. Dec. 12

Cost: $10-$20; recommended for ages 8 and older

Info: htyweb.org or 839-9885