XbXrX
Every XbXrX song is screamy, poundy and about a minute and a half long. Intense metal-punk.
Sept. 23, First Unitarian Church, 21st and Chestnut sts., 866-468-7619.

Madeleine Peyroux
After disappearing for seven years and busking on the streets of Paris, Peyroux's comeback was hailed as the second coming of Billie Holiday. Her label recently had to hire a private dick to track her down after another, much briefer, skedaddle. Hopefully the flighty vocalist will make it to her Philly gig.
Sept. 23, Keswick Theatre, Easton Rd. and Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650.

Astral Artists Rising Stars
Rising stars, indeed, and rising fast. The conductor, Rossen Milanov, is easily one of the most exciting orchestra leaders of his generation, and his Haddonfield Symphony Chamber Orchestra is a stepping stone for the best orchestra players.
Sept. 25, Trinity Center for Urban Life, 2212 Spruce St., 215-735-6999.

Ska Is Dead III
That's supposed to be defiant or ironic, but really, ska is actually dead, right? Bring flowers for The Toasters, Mustard Plug, Planet Smashers, SGR, Westbound Train and Case of the Mondays. Wait — no ska-pun band names? No Ska Face or Ska't Baio or Kindga Ska? Maybe ska is evolving!
Sept. 25, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE.

Suicide Girls

Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis
The Nawlins throwback pianist re-emerges from the pretty-boy actor's shell on Occasion, a set of duos with the more adventurous Marsalis brother. The conversational set is trad enough that Wynton would approve. Just don't mention Buckshot LeFonque; it makes him break out in hives.
Sept. 27, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

Jaguares
At this point, these Mexican rockers have broken free of the rather limiting Rock En Espanol tag just by sticking to the game plan: Bold guitars and catchy, classic rock melodies.
Sept. 28, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE.

Philadelphia Orchestra
By placing Beethoven's Fifth in the context of newer music by Lindberg and Dutilleux, Cristoph Eschenbach stresses the eternal modernity of one of the most recognizable pieces of music ever written, music that, miraculously, has not lost any sense of its ability to astonish and inspire.
Sept. 28, Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

Ditt Ditt Darium
Since fiddler Alicia Bj°rnsdotter moved to Philly we've seen the solo shows, we've seen her collaborations with local talent, and now we have a chance to see her working with Ditt Ditt Darium, four young Swedish women, two fiddlers and two singers.

Sept. 29, Lansdowne Folk Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Ave., 610-622-7250.

Kusangala
How often do you get to see a jazz harpist? Gloria Galante of West Chester U. plucks the strings, joined by Philly sax mainstay Odean Pope.
Sept. 30, Harold Prince Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.

Lafayette Gilchrist and the New Volcanoes
Baltimore's new-school funk jazz keysman celebrates the release of his second CD.
Oct. 1, Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131.

Dafnis Prieto Small Big Band
The Cuban-born drummer brings a double quintet, including B3 organ and cello, to play a mix of Latin jazz and chamber music.
Oct. 1, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.

Los Lobos
This is the tour we have been waiting for, those of us who live to see them pick up the traditional Mexican instruments for another shot of La Pistola y el Corazon, their famous all-trad album. The Lobos are calling it Cancionero 2005 and they will be playing music from all parts of Mexico.
Oct. 2, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

Architecture in Helsinki
Damn, is this fuckin' gentle. This has got to be the catchiest, most blissful shit out there. The boy-girl vocals and smooth pop melodies will knock you on your ass.
Oct. 5, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE.

The Decemberists
Picaresque is one of the best CDs of 2005, and Portland's troupe of theatrical indie rock kids meticulously reproduces it on stage. Do your part: When Colin Meloy gives the signal, scream like you're being chewed alive by a giant whale.
Oct. 7, Electric Factory, Sixth and Callowhill sts., 215-336-2000.

Dolce Suono
Irrepressible flutist Mimi Stillman inaugurates a new series with a collection of superb players from the Philadelphia Orchestra, Curtis and Temple. An interesting program of Mozart, Vivaldi, Foote, Gershwin, Porter and a new piece by Lawrence Ink.
Oct. 7, Hall of Flags, Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St., 215-898-7552.

Beau Django
Gypsy jazz, in the style of Django Reinhart and Stephane Grappelli, thrives in Philly. The Art Museum, so solid and subdued, is a perfect counterpoint to their lively tunes.
Oct. 7, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th St. and the Parkway, 215-684-7506.

The Low Budgets
Philly's own Low Budgets make dirty, smirky punk with a little bit of new wave synths and a lot of beer. Easily this town's most underappreciated bar band.
Oct. 8, Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., 215-222-9194.

Roscoe Mitchell Quartet
The Art Ensemble of Chicago multireedist kicks off Ars Nova Workshop's 40th anniversary celebration of Chicago's influential Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, joined by AACM's first president and father figure, pianist Muhal Richard Abrams.
Oct. 8, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-387-5125.

The Nethers
Lovely, dark and deep, the Nethers make folksy bluegrass pop with peppy strumming, angelic vocals and smart, pretty arrangements.
Oct. 8, Tritone, 1508 South St., 215-545-0475.

Wayne Shorter Quartet
Where would modern jazz be without Shorter's compositional efforts?
Oct. 8, Keswick Theatre, Easton Rd. and Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650.

Crooked Still

Campbell Brothers
Sacred steel guitar is said to have been born in Northwest Philly. The Campbell Brothers proved to big crowds at the Philly Folk Festival that they are some of the style's premier exponents. The Campbells had a whole hillside up and literally jumping for joy, without a mourner's bench or baptismal font in sight. Gospel reached out and gathered in that crowd.
Oct. 8-9, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

Suicide Girls Full Live Show
Punk ass.
Oct. 9, Starlight Ballroom, 460 N. Ninth St., 800-594-TIXX.

Coco Rosie
These spooky indie-pop ladies sound like they're singing psychotic baby talk through a haunted Victrola, and they're backed by moody, samply electronics and a head-bobbing beatbox. Run for your life.
Oct. 14, First Unitarian Church, 21st and Chestnut sts., 866-468-7619.

Chick Corea and Touchstone
The fusion pioneer recently recorded an entire album inspired by Scientology guru L. Ron Hubbard's novel To the Stars. And you thought Tom Cruise was batshit.
Oct. 14, Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

Franz Ferdinand
I say don't you know. You say you don't know. I say take me out. I say you don't show. Don't move time is slow. I say take me out.
Oct. 14, Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow sts., 215-336-2000.

The New Pornographers
Twin Cinema, the latest from this Vancouver septet (sometimes an octet or a nonet), is their sharpest, most elegant CD to date. This witty, catchy band is inching ever closer to power pop perfection.
Oct. 14, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE.

Mamar Kassey
Afro-pop hits West Philly hard with the long anticipated tour of one of Niger's most celebrated bands.
Oct. 15, Crossroads, 48th St. and Baltimore Ave., 215-729-1028.

Peggy Seeger
Even the militant smokers at the Folk Festival were falling down with laughter over Peggy Seeger's song about winning a smoking cessation at her favorite bistro. Apocryphal? You'll have to ask her!
Oct. 15, Folksong Society, Summit Church, Greene and Westview sts., 215-247-1300.

Orchestra Europa
This ensemble draws in operatic elements as well as purely instrumental in this all-Mozart program. A bracing antidote to all of the annoying Beethoven being played this season.
Oct. 19, Irvine Auditorium, 34th and Spruce sts., 215-898-3900.

Tish Hinojosa
Hinojosa has been a stubborn inspiration to many. She loves to blend her San Antonio upbringing into her songwriting, but won't be made a novelty act. When Nashville assured her she'd be a hit if she'd only agree to wear traditional Mexican dress on stage, she told them to forget about it and returned to Texas, where they understand her roots. Apparently many folks in Philly also appreciate this mix as she enjoys a long-lived popularity here.
Oct. 20, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770.

Philadelphia Classical Symphony
New and old takes on spiritual music, with old-timers Bach and Vivaldi, and some interesting new stuff from John Adams and Aaron Kernis. Julianne Baird, soprano, is guest soloist.
Oct. 21, Holy Trinity Church, 19th and Walnut sts., 610-664-8481.

Ravi Coltrane
John and Alice's boy has made good. His latest, In Flux, is a strong post-bop effort, with Ravi loosening up and finding his own voice.
Oct. 21-22, Zanzibar Blue, Broad and Walnut sts., 215-732-4500.

Relâche
Our scrappy and happily resilient new- music ensemble here engages in a bit of nostalgia. Well-received music of past seasons by Cynthia Folio, Mark Hagerty and Guy Klucevsek demonstrates the ability to challenge and stimulate an audience, while being flat-out entertaining at the same time.
Oct. 22, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-574-8248.

David Sanchez
Don't call it Latin Jazz. While the tenorist brings his Puerto Rican heritage into play, he utilizes the influence in original ways, rather than the tired bebop-over-congas style that has frozen the music in place.
Oct. 22, Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131.

Phil Ochs Night
Ochs is long gone, but his spirit of well-written and beautifully sung social commentary lives on. Local heroes like Kim and Reggie Harris along with John Flynn join Magpie and more in far-from-mute testimony that free speech still lives and sings in this country.
Oct. 23, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

Joseph Jarman/Chris Chalfant
The right-brain side of the Art Ensemble of Chicago's reeds (to Roscoe Mitchell's more intellectualized left), Jarman's Zen Buddhism plays into his opposed patterns of blunt noise and serene quiet. In duets with pianist Chalfant.
Oct. 24, Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St.

The Rev Tbagg and Friends
If you haven't yet experienced the tragicomic freakshow that is The Pup Tent Revival, play catch-up at this free gig. This cabaret's got a little bit of lots of things, from the dark stand-up of the skull-headed Mr. Deadguy to the earnest, skillful strumming of singer-songwriter Hugh Brady.
Oct. 27, Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., 215-222-9194.

Bulgarian Bebop
Billed as "Legends of Bulgarian Wedding Music" and influenced by underground Charlie Parker tapes, four gypsies playing jazz. Yes, with an accordion.
Oct. 28, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.

Ghostface
This Wu Tang alum gets gritty and pretty at the same time, rapping his harsh worldview around soulful loops and groovy horn riffs.
Oct. 28, Theater of the Living Arts, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.

Johannes Quartet
The performances of this young ensemble have generated plenty of buzz, with luminous playing that seems to combine European warmth and New World virtuosity. Music of Mozart and Schubert.
Oct. 28, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

Freddy Cole
How would you like to try to live up to being Nat's kid brother?
Oct. 28-29, Zanzibar Blue, Broad and Walnut sts., 215-732-4500.

Von Freeman Trio
As Chicago institutions go, Freeman predates the Sears Tower by about half a century. There are taller buildings now, but no one can outblow the Windy City tenorman.
Oct. 29, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

Anthony Braxton Sextet
The rare artist who has genuinely earned the title "genius," both in the "artistic contributions" and the "much smarter than you'll ever hope to be" senses. Shortly before turning 60 this year, the Professor released a multidisc set of standards and played a show with Detroit noisemeisters Wolf Eyes. At Ars Nova's AACM 40th anniversary fete, he continues to look simultaneously forward and backward.
Nov. 4, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-895-6546.

Jim Malcolm
Here is a chance to scope out the home of those legendary Tuesday night Bromberg jams without feeling self-conscious. Malcolm, lead singer with Scots/world band Old Blind Dogs, will be solo, offering the trad songs he was raised with and the new originals that are earning him all manner of songwriting awards and accolades.
Nov. 4, Green Willow, 4 W. Fifth St., Wilmington, Del., 302-798-4811.

The Perceptionists/Mr. Lif
Indie hip-hop's most charismatic stream of consciousness MC, Mr. Lif teams up with The Perceptionists to drop pop culture references and elaborate metaphors over upbeat beats and high-energy grooves.
Nov. 4, First Unitarian Church, 21st and Chestnut sts., 866-468-7619.

La Guitara
Pissed that female guitarists weren't getting recognition (or respect) for their prowess, singer-songwriter Patty Larkin put together the La Guitara comp to showcase skilled, mostly acoustic axewomen. Joining Larkin on the La Guitara tour are Kaki King, Muriel Anderson and Mimi Fox.
Nov. 5, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

Crooked Still

Do not miss this Boston group as they lay their carefully polished chops on Appalachian music, blending it with whatever their imaginations suggest. Yes, this is the home group of cellist extraordinaire Rushad Eggleston.
Nov. 6, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

Eric Bogle
Famed for his heartrending historical songs like "No Man's Land," Bogle leavens the politics with a wicked sense of humor. NB: this Australian rarely tours the U.S.
Nov. 6, Folk Song Society, venue TBA, 215-247-1300.

Jeffrey Siegel
Pianist Jeffrey Siegel has enjoyed a solid, if understated career, with playing of rigor and imagination. Here, he boldly ventures into the realm of music education with a subject, Beethoven, who allows for plenty of meaty material.
Nov. 7, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

Cassatt Quartet
With Marc-André Hamelin, piano. When he is not gobbling up massive new piano scores, wunderpianist Hamelin does a little composing of his own. This is a double premiere: Hamelin's Quintet for Piano and Strings, and Powers That Be, by Jay Reise.

Nov. 9, Amado Hall, Irvine Auditorium, 34th and Spruce sts., 215-898-6244.

Regina Hexaphone
Folksy (but not affectedly so) and catchy (but too sugary), this North Carolina makes alluring, sublime acoustic music.
Nov. 11, Tritone, 1508 South St., 215-545-0475.

Ellis Marsalis

Choral Arts Society
A program titled War and Peace: Finding a Voice generally reflects the anguished and contemplative artistic response to war, although there has been jingoism as well through the years. Matthew Glandorf opens his first full season as music director with music of James Macmillan, Anton Bruckner, Thomas Tomkins, Herbert Howells and Hugo Distler, concluding with the grand Lord Nelson Mass of Haydn.
Nov. 12, Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2110 Chestnut St.; Nov. 13, Daylesford Abbey, 220 S. Valley Rd., Paoli; 215-545-8634.

Sage Francis
It's the end of the world, and Sage Francis is pissed. With hard consonants and fightin' words, the MC calls society's rats and government cheats to the floor.
Nov. 12, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE.

Orchestra Underground
This is the local premiere by this offshoot of the venerable American Composers Orchestra. This group embraces a multidisciplinary approach, including dancing and electronica.
Nov. 13, Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.

Leon Bates
Settlement's Alumni Series continues with the terrific pianist Leon Bates, a Philly original. He continued his studies at Temple with the legendary Natalie Hinderas. He will play music of Schubert, Schumann, Takemitsu, and another Philly original, Samuel Barber.
Nov. 13, Settlement Music School, Mary Louise Curtis Branch, 416 Queen St., 215-320-2650.

Okkervil River
Lost in the oh-the-lyrics-are-so-literate! overkill is the fact that Okkervil River also rocks. Passionate and twangy, the Austin four-piece stimulates more than your brain.
Nov. 13, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888.

LCD Soundsystem
The thing is, do the kids who like this electro-hipster-dance-funk project even notice the New Order/Depeche Mode references? Us oldheads enjoy it on so many more levels, but we feel shooting pains in our lower backs when we dance.
Nov. 16, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE.

Ye Ren
Bassist William Parker outpaced JB as the hardest-working man in show bidness years ago (though you can still count on him being a tad late for most shows thanks to the NY-Philly commute). This visit teams him with altoist Gary Hassey and Philly percussionist Toshi Makihara.
Nov. 17, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-573-3234.

Christian McBride
Michael Brecker's current struggle with MDS and his search for a bone marrow donor has sadly removed him from the co-bill with Philly bassist McBride, but the insertion of Odean Pope's sax choir with Ravi Coltrane will likely become a tribute to Brecker's resilience.
Nov. 18, Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

Mitsuko Uchida
Her early Mozart concerts and recordings, now a generation in the past, instantly established her as an artist of legendary vision and ability. For this Philadelphia Chamber Music Society recital, Uchida returns to her first triumphs, with an all-Mozart recital. For lovers of great piano playing and, especially, Mozart lovers, this is not to be missed.
Nov. 18, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

Bright Eyes
We should catch Conor Oberst with a butterfly net and put him in a jar and look at him all day long.
Nov. 19, Academy of Music, Broad and Locust sts., 215-893-1999.

Ellis Marsalis
The patriarch of the Marsalis franchise, in duets with local pianist Orrin Evans.
Nov. 19, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

Donovan
Gentle and open when it was distinctly unfashionable, Donovan seems to be a perpetual draw. He's gone through some interesting phases, from Universal Soldier to Mellow Yellow to spaceman, and most recently a beatnik-inspired jazzy collection. Donovan is magnetic and charming, whatever he decides to explore.
Dec. 2, Keswick Theatre, Easton Rd. and Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650.

Network for New Music
Leon Fleisher is known locally as a revered Curtis teacher, and a venerable member of Baltimore's Peabody Conservatory faculty. Music lovers with longer memories can recall a brilliant solo piano career, one of the most celebrated of the post-World War II American generation. Chronic muscular injuries to his right hand ended his concert career, but he has emerged as a great champion of the left-hand repertoire, and lately has ventured back into two-hand material. His Network for New Music debut will, naturally, center on adventuresome material, including music by Rochberg, Korngold and Perle.
Dec. 2, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia
Music Director Ignat Solzhenitsyn has selected an invigorating program, including music of Mendelssohn and Stravinsky, a new work by Bruce Adolphe, and concluding with the magnificent Bach cantata Ich Habe Genug.

Dec. 4-5, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

1807 and Friends
1807 and Friends is a local, rather informally constituted chamber music ensemble, but they make music at a world-class level. This all-Russian program includes music of Glazunov, the epic String Quartet No. 8 of Shostakovich and the rarely heard Sextet for Piano and Strings by Glinka, the father of Russian music. The guest piano soloist for the Glinka will be the wonderful Andrew Willis, a one-time music director of 1807.
Dec. 12, Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St., 215-438-4027.

Living Colour
I ate a cough drop! I ate a cough drop! I ate a cough drop! I ate a cough drop! Personality!
Dec. 18, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400.