Kevin Gates celebrates release of Stranger Than Fiction – For Baton Rouge rapper Kevin Gates, the acclaim has been a long time coming.

For Baton Rouge rapper Kevin Gates, the acclaim has been a long time coming. In a few years time, he’s gone from a teen talent to a certified star, thanks to critically heralded mixtapes such as this year’s The Luca Brasi Story, which Pitchfork called one of the better indie releases of the year so far. Gates will release a new full-length album, Stranger Than Fiction, this Friday with a party at The Varsity Theatre. Tickets are $25-$60 and are available via TicketWeb. Doors open at 8 p.m.; the show starts at 8:30 p.m. and will feature performances from Gates, DJ Ya Boy Earl, Max Minelli and Billsberry and live art by Jacob Zumo. For more information, click here.

Authority Zero, Ballyhoo!, Versus the World. Three jam/punk bands perform at The Varsity Theatre. Advance tickets are $12 and available via TicketWeb. Tickets are $15 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m.

Summer Sounds at St. James. Baritone Stephen Rushing sings at St. James Episcopal Church. Tickets are $10 at the door; cash or check only. 7 p.m.

Erin Miley. A free acoustic performance from the singer-songwriter at Tallulah inside the Renaissance Hotel. 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Under the Streetlamp. The doo-wop and Motown group performs at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel through Sunday. Tickets are $20 and available through Ticketmaster. Wednesday-Friday show times are 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday show times are 4 p.m.

Killer Whale, Kid Carsons, Denton Hatcher, Caleb Caudle. Experimental folk music at Chelsea’s Café. 10 p.m. For more information, check out Justin McGowan’s blog here.

Nights+Nights, Roman Discipline, ganzfeld. Electro-pop and rock at Mud and Water. 9 p.m.

Royal Cyclops presents: A local songwriters’ showcase. Four local singer-songwriters perform a free show at Backstreet Lounge (Map it!). 7:30 p.m.

Selfawarewolf, Relatives, The Cavemen. Freak-out alternative and indie rock at The Spanish Moon. $7. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Lucy and the Gamblers. The energetic, soul/funk band performs at Chelsea’s Café. 10:30 p.m.

Lyfe Jennings, Vivian Green. A night of R&B at the Belle of Baton Rouge (Map it!). General admission tickets are $30 and available through Ticketmaster. VIP tickets are also available for $60. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.

Left Hand Luke. Final concert in the free Summer Beat series. 5:30 p.m. For more information, check out Matthew Sigur’s article for 225 here.

Cory Landry. A free acoustic rock performance at Tallulah inside the Renaissance Hotel. 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

The Psychedelic Furs, The Technicolors. The band behind hits such as “Pretty in Pink” and “Love My Way” performs at The Varsity Theatre. Tickets are $30 and available via TicketWeb. Doors open at 8 p.m. Show starts at 9 p.m.

Dirty Bourbon River Show, Mayhaps. Two Louisiana bands perform at The Spanish Moon. $7. Doors open at 9 p.m. Show starts at 10 p.m.

Beaucoup Boogie. The local rock, funk and soul band performs at Chelsea’s Café. 10:30 p.m.

Keith Sykes. The singer-songwriter performs at Red Dragon Listening Room. Tickets are $30. 8 p.m.

Six Market Blvd. Southern rock at Mud and Water. 9 p.m.

What Cheer? Brigade.A 17-piece brass band from Providence, R.I. performs at a house show at 3253 Ivanhoe St.(Map it!) Donations for the band will be accepted. 7 p.m.

Dirty Slums Tour featuring Slum Village. The classic Detroit hip-hop group performs at The Spanish Moon. Tickets are $15 in advance here and $17 at the door. Doors open at 9 p.m.

LiL iffy, Tiny Archibald, Godric Johnson. Video game and literature-influenced hip-hop hits the stage at Culture Bar (Map it!). 9 p.m.