Soundadvice

Get Out!

Some old-timers would be happier if Maria McKee kept up the sweet li'l cowgirl act forever, but that's not where she's at anymore. Late December has more in common with Broadway than with the roots rock of Lone Justice or her early solo records. The title track's got an awkward stab at rap, but all's forgiven when the lady belts.

—M.J. Fine

Sun., July 22, 7:30 p.m., $20, with Ingrid Williamson, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Boasting a contagious sound that doesn't quite fit in with hip-hop or rock, Dice Raw's Nouveau Riche — you may recognize them from the cover of City Paper back in '04 — is quickly emerging as a national fixture. And, they are co-signed by ?uestlove. Really, what else do you need? Kidding, of course.

—Deesha Dyer

Thu., July 19, 7 p.m., $8, with Subliminal Orphans and Hey Hey, The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 267-671-9298, www.iourecords.com/thefire.

Time off's been good for Kelly Willis. She's back to the grind after having four kids in five years — we'll ignore last year's Christmas album — and she's never sounded freer. It's great to hear her sweet voice glide and crack again on Translated from Love's cheery country tunes, and her new-wave-meets-rockabilly cover of Adam Green's "Teddy Boys" is a blast.

—M.J. Fine

Wed., July 25, 8:30 p.m., $25, with Carsie Blanton, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Things could get mighty nostalgic on Saturday when World Café Live brings in a trio of musical artists who carry the history of several seminal country rock acts in their guitar cases, including The Byrds, The Desert Rose Band, Buffalo Springfield and Poco. Richie Furay, Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen are all giants of the genre. Expect soaring vocals, sweet rootsy guitar and a rambling good time from these genuine journeymen.

—Deni Kasrel

Sat., July 21, 7:30 p.m., $35-$45, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Everyone's talking about hip-hop being dead, but they're forgetting its sister genre, funk, which has been buried deep underground for some time now. However, George Clinton isn't letting it go so easily. The amusing, colorful and always animated funk pioneer is 25 years deep into music and still taking the stage, resurrecting the atomic dog around the globe.

—Deesha Dyer

Mon., July 23, 7 p.m., $14-$24, with United We Funk All-Stars, Robin Hood Dell East, Ridge Avenue and Huntingdon Drive, 215-685-9560, www.delleast.org.

Never heard the Philadelphia Orchestra? Great chance — even if classical's not really your scene — at their last Mann concert this summer. Rossen Milanov's stirring all-Tchaikovsky program offers the thunderous 1812 Overture, with fireworks enhancing the thrill, and the gorgeously romantic Swan Lake suite. One of the world's greatest sopranos, ultramusical Bulgarian diva Krassimira Stoyanova, sings the impassioned "Letter Scene from Eugene Onegin," plus an unbelievably haunting folk-style song. For just 10 bucks you can listen while picnicking, snuggling and watching stars on the cool lawn.

—David Shengold

Fri., July 27, 8 p.m., $10-$50, Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.