In this day and age, when club music rules the airwaves and phat beats are what get you to the top, it’s not easy being in a rock band trying to make it big. But the spirit of rock is far from dead in this town.

In fact, it’s thriving, with watering holes around the city having regular gigs for upand- comers and big names alike. And you’d better brace yourselves this month, because KL turns it up to 11 with three massive international rock outfits that will suit every taste.

The first is the edgy pop stylings of Avril Lavigne. Packaged for the budding punkprincesses of tomorrow, the Canadian vixen with an attitude will be hitting Malaysian shores once again on the Asian leg of her Black Star Tour. Her brand of pop-punk girlpower will definitely get fists pumping in the air and stores to run out of black T-shirts.

If you prefer a more soulful experience, catch the melodies of Dashboard Confessional, the band that brought you such hits as Hands Down, Vindicated and Belle of the Boulevard, when front man Chris Carraba performs in an intimate solo acoustic set at KL Live. The band’s soft indie sound won us over and might have been the only good thing to come out in the “emo” era a few years back. Malaysian fans have been restlessly waiting for this concert, especially after the band had to cancel their planned performance in KL last year due to a scheduling mix-up.

For those looking for something a little darker in tone, Evanescence will be performing in Malaysia for the first time, so you might want to get your black eyeliners (or guy-liners) ready. This goth rock band took the world by storm back in 2003 with hits like Bring Me to Life, Going Under and My Immortal and are here to show off their latest works. Founded by front woman Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody, Evanescence has come a long way as a band and is making a long awaited appearance, being their first ever Malaysian concert since their rise to fame nine years ago.

With so many distinct styles to choose from, take your pick for what to rock out to this February. Or better yet, go for them all and get ready for a head-banging good time in pure KL fashion – in the mosh pit!

Avril Lavigne Live in Malaysia 2012
Where: Merdeka Stadium
When: 18 February
Admission: RM98, RM198, RM298
Web: ticketpro.com.my

Dashboard Confessional Solo Acoustic Show
Where: KL Live
When: 22 February
Admission: RM88 (Early bird), RM118 (Normal price) and RM138 (At the door)
Web: airasiaredtix.com

Evanescence Live in Malaysia
Where: KL Live
When: 23 February
Admission: RM98, RM198, RM298
Web: ticketpro.com.my