Shows that welcome 2016: Music to our ears.

If you’re like us, you appreciate having New Year’s Eve options that don’t break the bank and that incorporate entertainment aside from simply guzzling so-so drinks in a chock-a-block bar. This holiday seems to carry loaded expectations for many, so we’ve come up with a few low-pressure ideas that promise to start off the next calendar year on a great musical note. 

YOU’RE ON A BOAT WITH RABBIT WILDE!

What better place than atop Lake Union to usher in the New Year with fabulous views—and surrounded by even more fabulous talent? Rabbit Wilde from Bellingham brings their porch-stomping string band aboard the historic SS Virginia V steamship (docked in SLU next to the MOHAI) for a rockin’ NYE fiesta. The band has a new record “The Heartland” coming out February 19th, an album “melding the choicest bits of indie rock, pop, blues and soul, and orchestral arrangement in with their trademark brand of front-porch-shaking folk.”

Get your tickets before they’re gone!

JAZZ IT UP WITH SHABAZZ 

Rock out with Shabazz Palaces at Neptune Theatre. Doors open on the 31st at 9:00 pm. Led by Ishmael Butler, Shabazz Places is a Seattle-based experimental hip-hop group that promises to shake things up with their magnetic sound.

Tickets cost $29 (with fees).

GO RETRO AT NECTAR LOUNGE

Time travel to the 80s at Fremont’s Nectar Lounge for the Neon New Year’s Eve Celebration, featuring locally legendary 80s new wave tribute band Nite Wave (they opened for Billy Idol!) and 80s hard rock tribute group Voyager. Seattle’s only boy band tribute #All4Doras and DJ Baby Van Beezly round out the line-up.

Tickets cost $25 in advance online or at the box office ($40 on the day of the show).

MCMENAMINS DOES IT AGAIN

Head to the new McMenamins Anderson School in Bothell for their inaugural New Year’s bash. The venue boasts several bars/restaurants, and Irish instrumental band Giants Causeway opens the 31st revelry at 9:00 pm. They’re followed by Bellingham’s beloved  Polecat, who offers famously high-energy shows and a unique take on roots music—a mesmerizing blend of bluegrass, country, celtic, rock, reggae and world music.

Advance tickets cost $10; think Champagne toasts, a balloon drop, party favors and more.

GOOD VIBES & DANCING WITH NIGHT SHIFT 

Night Shift, the nomadic pop-up dance party in Seattle is hosting a NYE dance party from 10:00 pm to 3:00 am at 1509 Broadway on the hill. All summer long, Night Shift hosted the “Day Shift” series at Captain Black’s full of good people, good drinks, sunshine, and most importantly, amazing beats. If you’re looking for great music and dancing in a chill atmosphere, this is the event for you.

Ring in 2016 with the best local DJs and crews, including:

• Night Shift Sound: Melenie / Canh Solo / Sosa / Epaulets
• Au Jus (B2B): Tony Snark / Drunkunkle
• Cell Phones (B2B): Ca$h Bandicoot / Soffos / Radical Kid / DJ Zai

Advance tickets cost $32.64 (fees included). Get your tickets before they sell out!!

NEW YEARS DAY AT TRACTOR TAVERN 

And if you’re looking for some good tunes on New Year’s Day? Head to Ballard’s Tractor Tavern for Hair of the Dog: The Paperboys with guests at 9:00 pm for $20.

If you ask us, 2016 is already sounding full of sweet promise.