Sideshow Cabaret

With the friendly vibe of an open mic and the eclectic lineup of an old-school variety show, Sideshow is the sharpest, most surprising cabaret in town. Last time I was there I saw a spoken word poet, a singing Skeletor and a stripteasing dancer. Don't forget the Lunchbox Cowgirls, Kendall Roark's roots-groovy house band.

Jan. 30, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888, www.sideshowcabaret.com.

Every once in a while, Bethlehem's psycho blues preacherman Brother JT revives his old garage band to save our souls. Or make us feel better about hell.

Feb. 3, The Khyber, www.thekhyber.com.

She's fine as an acoustic siren, plucking the strings and letting an agile voice and lots of lyrical heartbreak carry the day. But when the drums and bass come in, she actually sorta rocks and things start getting fun. Fun is the best.

Feb. 10, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Taking the name from the Andy Warhol vixen, Justin Moyer's drag persona drops nutball lyrics about celebrities to a dancerock soundtrack, backed only by a laptop and no insecurities.

Feb. 10, Tritone, 1508 South St., www.plainparade.org.

All hail the original kings of hardcore: Rza, Gza, Method Man, Raekwon, Master Killa, Ghostface Killah, U-God and Inspectah Deck. R.I.P., ODB.

Feb. 11, Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts., www.electricfactory.com.

It's half shocking that WXPN's caught on to the freaky blues and hip-hop of Slo-Mo and Mic Wrecka. The hip-hop half. Maybe we underestimated our friendly neighborhood indie radio station. Maybe somebody over there is reading City Paper. Hi, guys!

Feb. 14, World Café Live.

Last time this suave Cuban-ish swing ensemble came round, everybody was all, Yay! they never play Philly. Now they're back like five minutes later, and if they weren't such a good time we'd be all, I'm so over it.

Feb. 16, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, www.electricfactory.com.

These Philly psych kids make a maze out of their music, twisting and turning their lyrics and melodies, sometimes bravely backtracking. This show marks the unveiling of their second full-length, Roomful of Lions. Admission gets you a copy.

Feb. 17, The Khyber.

Dead baby dead.

Feb. 17, Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow sts., Upper Darby, 215-568-3222, www.electricfactory.com.

Those first two are part of Philly's refreshing wave of funny freaky hip-hop groups popping up. Sweatheart is artsy urban doodlebug Thom Lessner's dancey little punk project.

Feb. 18, The Khyber.

The new album has got a real Hall & Oates thing going on. If they can't sell it in Philly, they're doomed.

March 4, Electric Factory.

Case you forgot, Sugar Town is what the Plain Parade ladies call their all-female music showcase. It's been a while, but they're back as a quarterly event, with Sally Crewe and The Sudden Moves, a catchy, stompy, sassy rock outfit outta Austin, by way of Yorkshire. Perfect excuse to hit unpause. Keep it up.

March 9, venue TBA, www.plainparade.org.

Welly well well well. Look who it is. Feeling better, then? Glad you could make it. You're only like eight years late.

March 14, World Café Live.

The forever young Matt Pond has long since taken his ethereal folk-rock project to Brooklyn, but don't you feel like he's ours still? Like he owes us money or something?

March 20, World Café Live.

The Mates' latest is a sharp piece of shout-pop, and Maria Taylor's creaky acoustic is always a great escape. But, damn, it's been a long time since The Gossip came round to darken our stages with that intense blues throwdown vibe. Beth Ditto will rock you but she's gonna make you pay her back in sweat and dancing.

March 24, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619, www.r5productions.com.

I know you think 'cause they're all quiet little art types you can walk all over 'em, but check this from the band's Web site: "We feel the need to dispel any notions that we are financially sitting pretty because of the acclaim our music has enjoyed. It's true, we've released a couple of records and we're grateful to all of the writers who have taken the time to write about them, but unfortunately our record sales do not reflect this. … Please, do not steal our music thinking that we can afford it." Aw, now I feel bad about swiping all that text without making a donation.

March 25, First Unitarian Church.

Every Philly rock critic will be giving a lecture before the show.

April 7, First Unitarian Church.