Scarlet

Laser-precise riffs, versatile vocals and colossal percussion aren't enough to separate an ambitious metalcore act from its peers, so Scarlet turned its small-venue shows into arena-size spectacles. On its 2004 tour, the group used glowing columns to spell out its name in assorted patterns. To supplement selections from January's excellent This Was Always Meant to Fall Apart, Scarlet promises another illuminative extravaganza, plus live re-creations of the album's entrancing electronic effects. But hauling high-tech equipment in frequently unattended vans carries risks — and despite the limited practical applications of burgling giant light-up letters, Scarlet has weathered several robberies. These thefts thrust the group deep into debt, meaning this concert counts as a charitable contribution. Save the stub for a tax-time deduction, and bask in the fluorescent glow.