Music: Best Bets

Take a look at any of the end-of-year lists for best albums of 2012, and you’ll see Kendrick Lamar’s name near the top. From Rolling Stone to SPIN and even NPR, Lamar’s Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City made appearances, in big part due to his narrative rap style and tracks like “Backseat Freestyle” and “Swimming Pools (Drank).” He comes to Baton Rouge via the Governors Ball in New York City. At 25 and with only two full albums under his belt, he’s already a headliner at multiple festivals this summer, so his show at the Baton Rouge River Center June 10 is sure to draw a crowd. brrivercenter.com

In celebration of his 65th birthday, legendary guitarist and producer Todd Rundgren decided to move his multi-day festival from his home in Kauai to the banks of the Mississippi River. Toddstock II v6.5, as he’s dubbed it, will take place June 17-22 at Nottoway Plantation, featuring nightly jam sessions with special guests and more. Known for classic rock songs like “Hello It’s Me,” as well as a new album, State, he released in April, Rundgren envisions the mainland version of his festival as something of a musical village, with fans camping out on the grounds of the plantation all week. Find out more and get passes via toddstock2v65.com.

June 5: Portland-based The Thermals brings its punk-inspired sound to Spanish Moon. spanishmoon.com

June 15: Sea Wolf, the name for singer/songwriter Alex Church’s sweet Twilight soundtrack-ready acoustic pop project, will take the stage at Spanish Moon.

June 22: Country crooner and bluegrass instrumentalist Vince Gill brings that high lonesome sound to L’Auberge Casino & Hotel. lbatonrouge.com

June 28: Remember when country star John Michael Montgomery and R&B group All-4-One had hits with takes on the same two songs”I Swear” and “I Can Love You Like That”in the ’90s? Well, Montgomery will share his versions at the Texas Club. thetexasclub.com

June 30: Interested in more crooning, folk-ish lyricism? Josh Ritter performs at Manship Theatre with special guest Milk Carton Kids. manshiptheatre.org

IN NEW ORLEANS: Mumford & Sons will vigorously attack some banjos at Mardi Gras World June 13, while Cyndi Lauper will softly strum a dulcimer (less is sometimes more, y’all) at the House of Blues June 30.

START PLANNING NOW FOR: Essence Music Festival, July 4-7, which features a laundry list of top artists, such as Beyoncé, her sister Solange, Maxwell, LL Cool J, Janelle Monáe, Trey Songz, Emili Sandé and New Edition.