Music this week

Live music and more, tonight through Thursday, compiled by Tom Di Nardo, Shaun Brady, Sara Sherr, Jonathan Takiff and Damon C. Williams.

POP

Eddie Shaw & the Wolf Gang: Chicago blues man has sax appeal. He used to blow for the legendary Howlin' Wolf. Warmdaddy's, 1400 S. Columbus Blvd., 8 and 10 tonight, $15, 215-462-2000.

From Autumn to Ashes: Metalcore band ain't just burning leaves. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St. 7:30 tonight, $10 (all ages), r5productons.com.

Smash Palace: Turnabout's fair play, as these veteran Philadelphia players take their balmy, British invasion sound back to the palace. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St. 10:30 tonight, $10, 215-928-0770.

Savoy Brown: Original front guy Kim Simmonds keeps this veteran British blues band honest. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 8 tonight, $29.50, www.st94.com.

Pattern Is Movement: Albert Einstein would have loved these guys. Steve Reich, ditto. It's all in the numbers, man. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 9 tonight, $8, 215-238-5888.

Musical Box: While the newly revived Genesis snubs its prog-rock roots, this polished tribute band keeps filling the Keswick with fully staged re-creations of that finer, theatrical stuff. Tonight, "Selling England By the Pound"; tomorrow, "The Black Show." Keswick Theatre, Glenside, 8 tonight and tomorrow, $38.50, 215-572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.

Ian Hunter and the Rant Band: One of the most distinctive of British rock iconoclasts has a great new crop of spitfire songs. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $23-$25 (all ages), 215-922-LIVE.

Q102 Jingle Ball: Wherein many of today's pop chart toppers jump out and sing a few (often with prerecorded backing tracks) as a favor to the radio station that plays 'em to death. This year, see "American Idol" stars Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis, plus the resilient Avril Lavigne, nu reggae man Sean Kingston, "High School Musical" star Ashley Tisdale, plus Good Charlotte, Natasha Bedingfield and Keri Kilson. Tweeter Center, 1 Harbour Road, Camden, 5 p.m. Sunday, $49.50-$65, 215-336-2000.

The Clarks: Pittsburgh's gift to the world of cheery, chiming rock cranks it out with conviction. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $20, 215-222-1400.

Adrienne Young and Her Little Sadies: Fans of alt bluegrass bands should tune their ears to this first-class wondergroup. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7 p.m. Sunday, $16, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Daryl Hall & John Oates: Expect a good helping of tunes from their album of Philly-soul-styled Christmas originals, one of the best of last year's holiday music crop. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. Monday, $55-$125, 215-893-1999.

The Milwaukees: They don't sound like the Boss or Bon Jovi. But they connect in a similar fashion with an honest, punchy, soul-bearing expressiveness. And how can we not like a band that repeatedly name checks Philly? Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 8 p.m. Tuesday, $8, www.thekhyber.com.

Racoon: Melodic rock quartet from Amsterdam seems well-versed in the musical ways of the States. A good opener for the latest incarnation of the Lemonheads (now featuring members of the Descendents). The New Rivals share the bill. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, doors open 7 p.m. Thursday, $15-$17 (all ages), 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Project H.O.M.E. Benefit: Come out and party for a good cause - rehabbed housing for the needy - with music by Soraia, Fat City Reprise, Maybe Pete and the Old Souls. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd. St., 9 p.m. Thursday, $8, 215-238-5888, thekhyber.com.

ALTERNATIVE

Sweet Jane: Record and vintage clothing shop co-owned by DJ Mike Trombley opens with a bash featuring Hurrah's Shawn Ryan, Billy W and Bleached Black's Kyle M., Sweet Jane, 1742 E. Passyunk Ave., 7-10 tonight, free, www.myspace.com/mikethesights.

Sick on South Street: Punk-and-roll night hosted by Jukebox Zeros frontman Pete Santa Maria goes monthly, featuring the Victims, the lost, first-wave NYC punk band. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9 tonight, $6, 215-545-0475, www.tritonebar.com.

Hell Under the El: For more of the same, check out the Blessed Muthas, Florida ska-punk band Cerephesis, the Mad Conductor, Clamfight and King Friday the 13th. El Bar, 1356 N. Front St., 9 tonight, $6, all ages, 215-634-6430, www.myspace.com/hellundertheel.

She Keeps Bees: When Jessica Larrabee lived in Philadelphia, she fronted English System. Now based in Brooklyn, she's morphed into a rootsier PJ Harvey and an engaging performer. She opens for the Forms and Pattern Is Movement. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd Street, 9 tonight, $8, 215-238-5888.

Unholy Sideshow Release Party: Philly's freak show troupe finally gets immortalized on DVD with Total F-cking Destruction, the Hellcat Girls Burlesque, the Hydrogen Jukebox and Carnivolution Sideshow on hand to celebrate. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 9 tonight, $15, 215-922-LIVE.

Diplo: Hollertronix DJ, MIA producer and baile funk promoter stops by with Blaqstarr, DJ Sega and Dirty South Joe. Fluid, 613 S. 4th Street, 9 tonight, free, 215-629-3686.

Boys Noize: Berlin DJ otherwise known as Alexander Ridha has remixed Justice, Feist and Bloc Party. He brings his face-melting grooves to Making Time. Pure, 1221 St. James St., 9 tonight, $10, 215-735-5772, www.igetrvng.com.

Songs on the Green Line: Sherman Arts' Rich Wexler and Green Line Cafe's Douglas Witmer put out a compilation of local artists to benefit Cooperativa San Fernando, a farmer-owned coffee cooperative in Peru. Release parties feature some bands on the CD (Birdie Busch, Fan of Friends, the Weeds). Green Life Cafe, 4239 Baltimore Ave., 7 tonight and tomorrow, free, all ages, 215-222-3431, www.shermanarts.org.

Combat 215: England Belongs To Twee DJ Mike McKee's jokey oi! cover band plays with Stations and a Mummer DJ to benefit uninsured friends with broken bones. LAVA Community Center, 4134 Lancaster Ave., 7 p.m. tomorrow, $10, all ages, 215-387-6155, http://lavazone.org.

Mobius Band: Postal Service-like electro-pop group and toy keyboard enthusiasts, with Middle Distance Runner and Epochs. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 215-684-0808, northstarbar.com.

Fuse: Monthly dance party for women by women features sets by electro-cutie Nicky Click and hip-hop duo Girlz on Bikes. XO Lounge, 1437 South St., 10 p.m. tomorrow, $5-7, 215-735-7351, www.myspace.com/phillyfuse.

Girls Rock Philly: Summer rock camp in a joint benefit with the Food Trust. Line-up includes the Espers' Meg Baird, Voodoo Economics, camper bands Happy Accident, the Consequences and Shakura, plus DJ Version Girl. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8 p.m. Sunday, $5, 215-739-9684.

Girl About Town: Launch party for all-lady local music blog includes lovely shoegaze duo the Sky Drops, Greyhounds, Sqaaks and new post-Cordalene project The Mural and the Mint. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd Street, 8 p.m. Sunday, $8, www.phillygirlabouttown.com.

HIP-HOP

Bilal: Premiere Philly neo-soulster should rock the house up good, then funk it down easy. North by Northwest, 7165 Germantown Ave., 10 tonight, $30, 215-248-1000.

Hip-Hop Toy Drive: The good folks at 215HipHop.com have put together this benefit featuring OuterSpace, Reef the Lost Cauze and the Illvibe Collective. Bring an unwrapped toy. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd. St., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 21+, 215-238-5888.

Bring Back the Culture: Reggae promoter Lady Dawn has put together a stunning roots show featuring Tarrus Riley, Gyptian and Pressure, among others. Pangaea Nightclub, 5915 Lancaster Ave., 10 p.m. tomorrow, $30, www.caribbeanbeatz.com.

Hip-hop on fire: In the mood for knocking beats and fresh lyricism? Check out this set with veteran rhymers Adam 12 and Triple Nickles, plus hip-fusion bands Greenlyte All Stars and Rowdee Black Giants. The Fire, 412 Girard Ave., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $7, www.iourecords.com/thefire.

CLASSICAL

Anonymous Four: Acclaimed female vocal quartet returns from retirement for a glorious medieval program of Ladymasses from the 13th and 14th centuries. St. Mark's, 1625 Locust St., 8 tonight, $22.50, 215-569-8080.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Conductor Antonio Pappano, head of London's Covent Garden opera house and Rome's Santa Cecilia Orchestra, makes his podium debut here. Macedonian-born pianist Simon Trpceski also debuts in the virtuosic Prokofiev Third Piano Concerto. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 2 p.m. today and 8 p.m. tomorrow, $38-$113, 215-893-1999.

Philadelphia Singers: David Hayes leads the annual "Christmas on Logan Square" program, a staple for over 25 years; the group's brass ensemble and Wanamaker organist Peter Richard Conte join in the festivities. St. Clement's Church, 20th and Cherry streets, 8 tonight, 5 p.m. tomorrow, $30-$40, 215-893-1999.

Peter Nero & the Philly Pops: Nero has invited famed dancers Olga Pavlova and Yevgeni Anfinogenov, with vocalist Lisa Howard, the Pops Festival Chorus and the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 8 tonight and Wednesday, 2 p.m. tomorrow, 7 p.m. Sunday; through December 23, $26-$100, 215-893-1999.

Vox Ama Deus: Valentin Radu conducts the 1749 London Covent Garden version of Handel's "Messiah." Holy Trinity Church, 1904 Walnut St., 7 tonight, 610-688-2800.

Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia: Alan Harler leads the 120-voice chorus, with organist Michael Stairs and the Academy Brass. St.Paul's Episcopal Church, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., 4 and 8 p.m. tomorrow, $30, 215-893-1999.

William Bolcom & Joan Morris: Composer-pianist and his versatile soprano wife give their annual recital of vocal wonders - this time, cabaret songs of the 1920s and 1930s. Field Concert Hall, 1726 Locust St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $22.50, www.pcmsconcerts.org.

Philadelphia Orchestra: The Orchestra's only performance of Handel's ubiquitous "Messiah," teamed with the Philadelphia Singers, will be led by British conductor Christopher Warren-Green in his local debut. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 2 p.m. Sunday, $48-$103, 215-893-1999.

Ignat Solzhenitsyn: Noted Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia conductor in a solo piano recital, a tasty all-Brahms program. Field Concert Hall, 1726 Locust St., 3 p.m. Sunday, $28, 215-893-7902.

Relache: Annual holiday presentation again assembles a warmly dressed audience for Phil Kline's "Unsilent Night," heard on many provided boomboxes while attendees walk around Rittenhouse Square. Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, 6:30 p.m. Monday, free, 215-574-8248.

BALLET

Pennsylvania Ballet: The holiday isn't complete without Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," with the stunning choreography by George Balanchine, plus new sets and costumes. Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, 7 tonight and Thursday; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. tomorrow; noon and 4 p.m. Sunday, plus 18 more shows through Dec. 31, $13-$112, 215-893-1999, www.paballet.org.

JAZZ

Huntsville/ Frode Gjerstad Trio: Two very different Norwegian trios: alto saxophonist Gjerstad's free-jazz group with bassist Oyvind Storesund and drummer Paal Nilssen-Love; and Huntsville, an experimental electro-acoustic drone unit. International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 8 tonight, $25, www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

Angelica Sanchez Quartet: Arizona-born pianist/keyboardist has a stellar group, with bassist Drew Gress added to her regular improvising trio of drummer Tom Rainey and her husband, tenor saxophonist Tony Malaby. An exciting addition is French guitarist Marc Ducret. International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Monday, $15, arsnovaworkshop.com.

Menage a Trois at Tritone: Triple-bill of local trios balance between jazz and rock: guitarist Tim Conley's fusion-inflected group with keyboardist Jason Fraticelli and drummer Tony Catastrophe; keyboard-focused power rockers Blivit; and Chance Trio, the fantastic chamber-jazz trio of trumpeter Bart Miltenberger, bassist Michael Taylor and guitarist Matt Davis. Tritone, 1509 South St., 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, $7, 215-545-0475.

Ivo Perelman/Dominic Duval: Improvising duo of Brazilian-born saxophonist Perelman and NY bassist Duval. Also on the bill, Finnish guitarist Raoul Bjorkenheim with Philly's acrobatic percussionist Toshi Makihara. Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 8 p.m. Thursday, free, arsnovaworkshop.com.

Trio TAQ: Polish Cultural Institute presents trio led by Polish piano prodigy Martin Masecki, who won the 2005 Moscow International Jazz Piano Competition. Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 8 p.m. Thursday, $15, 215-568-3131.