Even if you ignore a certain midget’s ridiculous three-concert, three-location marathon on Saturday, the upcoming weekend still holds a rich, if particularly wallet-draining, bounty of fine musical entertainment. Be it two legends of the piano or a rapper whose catchphrases are nearly as ubiquitous as his guest spots, there’s something for everyone’s palette.

Cold War Kids – Orpheum Theatre 03/27/09

DOORS OPEN @ 8:00PM

Hailing from Fullerton, CA, whiskey-throated singer Nathan Willett and the rest of the Cold War Kids hit the Orpheum Theatre this Friday. Fresh off their cinematic second record, 2008’s Loyalty to Loyalty, the Kids have become well known for their fiery live shows, ably mixing gritty blues-rock with Willett’s unique howl. The show is currently sold out, but last-minute tickets can be found at ticketluck.com and other ticket sites not named Ticketmaster.

Orpheum Theatre

842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Phone: 877-677-4386

SOLD OUT!!!

Billy Joel & Elton John – Honda Center 03/28/09

DOORS OPEN @ 7:30PM

True proof that rock never dies, this dynamic duo of rock elder statesmen (Joel is 59, John a spry 61), look to pound the ivories in Anaheim this Saturday as part of their lucrative “Face to Face” tour, which has been going on-and-off since 1994. But don’t expect to get off cheap: tickets start at a cool $100, going directly to the Billy & Elton Retirement Fund. Somehow, I don’t think they’ll be taking requests from the audience anyways.

Honda Center

2595 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806

Phone: 714-704-2420

Tickets available at ticketmaster.com and the Honda Center box office.

Lil Wayne – Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk 03/29/09

DOORS OPEN @ 7:15PM

After spending years as the hip-hop world’s hardest working man, appearing on dozens of mix tapes and singles, 2008 was finally Lil Wayne’s time to shine: the epically gangsta Tha Carter III sold millions of copies, Wayne was named the rapper of the year by numerous publications, and he was even nominated for eight Grammys (not that that means that much to begin with). Wayne now has an ill-advised mission to take over the rock world with the announcement of new “rock” record Rebirth scheduled for June, a mission that reportedly has included a rap version of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.” We at THE POP FIX don’t know how exactly how well that will go over, but we’re sure that his show at Universal City will be thug enough for his new legion of fans.

Gibson Amphitheatre

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

Phone: 818-622-4440

Tickets available at ticketmaster.com and the Gibson Amphitheatre box office.