Pitchfork

With the Pistons falling short in the conference final, the auto industry dealing with record-high oil prices, and Eminem and Kim divorced again, Detroit residents sure need something to cheer themselves up (and I doubt the fact that the Tigers are doing OK will suffice.

Enter the Comerica TasteFest, a five-day extravaganza of free samples from local restaurants, free activities for kids, and free stage shows, all of which are supposed to make people wanna give the city more props. (Did I mention that it's free?)

The shows take place from June 30-July 4 in the New Center district of downtown and include performances by Common, Ray Davies, Cat Power & the Memphis Rhythm Band, the New Pornographers, Kings of Leon, Amadou and Mariam, Dabrye, Blanche, Demolition Doll Rods, the Paybacks, Mavis Staples, and perhaps the best band to ever appear on a Fourth of July bill, the All-American Rejects.