Andrew Jackson Jihad, The Gunshy, Blackbird Raum

"Acoustic" isn't often synonymous with "energetic," but acoustic duo Andrew Jackson Jihad is the exception. Musically, the songs are borderline campfire sing-alongs, and guaranteed, the room will be filled wall to wall with fans singing every single word at the top of their lungs. When I interviewed singer Sean Bonette a couple years ago, he described their sound as "sad in the key of happy," because their lyrics are dark and uncomfortably honest. This is precisely why everyone sings along so loudly. It's cathartic-almost celebratory-to just vent such truths within the context of happy music. (Aaron Carnes)