Abi Carter, Cheap Trick and more: 5 shows to see in the Coachella Valley this week

Here are my picks for this weekend's can't-miss live performances in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities.

More desert events to attend: From a pool party to beer fest, here's 10 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week

HOT PICK

Saturday

Pop: Indio native and the most recent "American Idol" champion Abi Carter has been on a whirlwind tour since winning the singing competition series in May. She has traveled from New York to Nashville, then to the desert, back to Nashville, and later to Minneapolis and Dallas.

On Saturday, Carter will return to perform at Acrisure Arena .

When Carter returned to the Coachella Valley for her hometown visit ahead of the show's finale, a tradition for the Top 3 contestants, she reunited with former teachers at George Washington Charter School in Palm Desert, spent time with young gymnasts at the Indio Community Center and even took a trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. She closed out her day by returning to her hometown for a parade and concert.

During the season finale, Carter shared with guest mentor Jon Bon Jovi that she hopes to lean into the indie music genre during her career. In an interview with the Desert Sun, she said at the end of the day, she wants to stay true to what feels right for her.

"I think the hardest thing going into this career is wanting to please everybody, and I feel like when I've written songs in the past, I've wanted to do something that I thought would be popular," Carter said. "I think what I want to do going forward is being more in line with myself artistically and kind of wanting to use music as therapy rather than my goal being for something to be popular."

If you go: 7 p.m. Saturday, Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert. Tickets start at $30.15. acrisurearena.com

BEST BETS

Thursday

Cabaret : Broadway actor and singer David Burnham has appeared in the productions "Wicked," "The Light In The Piazza" and "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." He's also performed with symphonies across the U.S. and has headlined concerts around the globe.

On Thursday, Burnham will perform songs from the Great American Songbook and selections from "Wicked," "Jersey Boys," "Chicago" and more at Coachella Valley Repertory as part of its Summer Cabaret Series.

If you go: 7 p.m. Thursday, Coachella Valley Repertory, 68-510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City. Tickets $50. cvrep.org

Thursday - Friday

Rock: In 1992, at the same time that Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" became popular and alternative rock was widely played on the radio, the band Cracker from Redlands, featuring former Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman, released the song "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)." The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Modern Rock Chart.

If you don't remember that song, you've probably heard the 1993 hit "Low," which has been featured on many film soundtracks.

Cracker will perform on Thursday and Friday at Pappy and Harriet's.

If you go: 9 p.m. Thursday and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Pappy and Harriet's, 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. Tickets $39.50. pappyandharriets.com

Friday

Comedy: Comedian Chad Bradbury will headline Friday's "Laughs and Drafts" night at Coachella Valley Brewery Co. Izzy Ortiz and Elijah James will also perform.

If you go: 8 p.m. Friday, Coachella Valley Brewing Co., 30-640 Gunther St., Thousand Palms. Tickets $7.18 to $9.85.

Saturday

Rock: Cheap Trick is widely regarded as an iconic and influential rock band, known for hit songs such as "Surrender," "Dream Police," "The Flame" and "I Want You To Want Me." In 1979, the band's live album "Cheap Trick at Budokan" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry due to its significant cultural, historical and aesthetic impact.

Cheap Trick will perform on Saturday at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa.

If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. Tickets $65 to $115. aguacalientecasinos.com

A previous version of this article included incorrect dates for Cracker's concerts at Pappy and Harriet's.

Previous reporting by Desert Sun staff writers Shad Powers and Ema Sasic was included in this report.

Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Abi Carter, Cheap Trick and more: 5 shows to see in the Coachella Valley this week