Rock/Pop Calendar

by Patrick Rapa

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Published: Jan 13, 2010

MC Lyte/Big Daddy Kane/Chubb Rock

Sit back and appreciate the sheer mass differential among these three late '80s/early '90s hip-hop veterans. Jan. 16, House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., 609-236-2583, houseofblues.com.

Lady Gaga

Today Gags is a pop supernova spokes-ham for Polaroid who wears sunhats made from her own hair. Tomorrow she'll be pulling off fantastic crimes that shake Gotham City to its very core. Jan. 16, Borgata, 1 Borgata Way. Atlantic City, N.J., 866-692-6742, theborgata.com.

Ruder Than You

Give the Philly ska-reggae ensemble credit for its two decades worth of skanking. And then a little more for not making ska puns. Jan. 30, North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 215-787-0488, northstarbar.com.

Mariah Carey

I didn't see Precious Pushy Sapphire: Based on the Novel Glitter by Butterfly, but I hear it was good. Feb. 1, Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby, 610-352-2887, livenation.com.

Slayer/Megadeth/Testament

Megadeth has had eight drummers. Testament has had 10 drummers. Slayer has had only four, and three of them have at one time been members of Testament. Slayer and Megadeth once shared a guitarist on an interim basis. Feb. 13, Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J., 856-365-1300, livenation.com.

Welcome to My Face

Philly's finest hair-metal-tribute act hosts its "2nd Annual Valentine's Day Show for the Bitches!!!" at the Khyber, where high-vocalizing frontman Casey Parker used to pour. Feb. 13, Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888, thekhyber.com.

Mos Def

The charismatic Brooklyn MC returns to make good on his cancelled December show. He and Talib Kweli just reunited for "History," a deep lyrical jawn that makes you wanna rip all your old Black Star CDs. Feb. 18, Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-5483, thetroc.com.

St. Vincent

Annie Clark and co. scored big last year with their second album, Actor — No. 8 in CP's Top 21 — so here comes the victory lap. I'm surprised they're playing such a small room. Buy your tickets early. Feb. 25, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

P.O.S.

With brainy wordbending and some righteous punk indignation, Minneapolis MC P.O.S. would be a hip-hop superstar in a fair world. Of course, if the world were fair, what would he write about? March 7, First Unitarian Church.

Jay-Z

Wow, Jigga's still leading the pack after all these years! I mean, who woulda thought to write a song about how great New York City is? Genius. He's right, The Big Apple is "where dreams are made of!" Sigh. March 13, Borgata.

Air

The Versailles electro-pop duo dropped another underrated Urban Outfitters shopping soundtrack last year. Were you too busy buying a funny little thing? March 18, Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St., 215-627-1332, livenation.com.

Joanna Newsom

Two nights in the F.U. Sanctuary then it's back to Lothlorien for you, elf maiden! March 19-20, First Unitarian Church.

The XX/JJ

Yeah, it's a gimmick sending artful Brits The XX and ambient Swedes JJ out on tour together but, oh mighty Thor, think of the Scrabble points. March 29, First Unitarian Church.

Japandroids

Powered by heavy riffs and visceral thrills, this guitar-drums Canuck duo is 75 percent sweat and 25 percent swagger. March 30, First Unitarian Church.

Vampire Weekend

Oh settle down, they're just a band. (This goes for haters as well as fans.) April 2, Electric Factory.

Wilco

They're just a band (again). April 10, Electric Factory.

Screeching Weasel

These silly Chicago slackers are said to have influenced all the best and worst things about popular pop-punk. When they play Philly for the first time in forever, you should either punch Ben Weasel for inspiring Blink 182 or just enjoy the masterfully stupid music. April 23, Trocadero.

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