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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.

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

POP

Augustana/David Ford/Wild Sweet Orange: Alt-rocking, piano-centric Augustana is the headliner, but we're equally intrigued by Ford, another of those sensitive, brooding, new-age Brits with a voice that makes you cry just like a little ... whatever. Oh, and please to note, the labeling of "The Fillmore at" is no longer being appended to the name of this famed concert venue, which we prefer to call just TLA. What an ink saver! Theater of Living Arts, 334 South St., 7 tonight, $20, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Duke Robillard: New England blues guys like the Duke take a lighter, more jumpin,' nostalgic approach to the music. His new album, "A Swinging Session," and current five-piece concert band reflect that on jazzy jitterbuggers like "Deed I No" and slippery, boppin' instrumentals like "Red Dog." Arden Club, 2126 The Highway, Arden, Del., 8 tonight, $25, 302-798-3378, www.groovetickets.com.

Highway 61: Dylan tribute band contains musicians who worked with Bob - namely violinist Scarlett Rivera, bassist Rob Stoner and drummer Winston Watson - and is the "go to" group when a filmmaker needs to score an unauthorized documentary. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 8 tonight, $19.50, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

The New Deal: They're an improvisational jam band. No, they're into electronica. Actually, they're both, answering to the description "livetronica," and first show of the Jam On the River weekend. TLA, 334 South St., 11:59 tonight, $23, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

'On the Road and In the Round': Award-winning singer/songwriters Julie Gold, Craig Bickhardt and Don Henry share a stage and their tunes. A gazillion artists have covered their work. The Arts Scene, 530 E. Union St., West Chester, 8 p.m. tomorrow (dinner available from 6:30 p.m. at Cafe Menta), $15, 610-644-6555, www.theartsscene.org.

Simone: Though she's done stints in R&B groups and on Broadway, she's now focused on the jazz-centric music of her late, legendary mom, Nina Simone. The younger has a terrific voice and handle on the material, and will do it up live (just like on her new album) with the dynamic, horn-rich Rob Stoneback Big Band. A real holiday treat. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $40, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Disco Biscuits: If their waterfront set earlier in the day wasn't enough, catch an extended late show by this Philly-spawned band. Jam on the River at Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 11 p.m. tomorrow, $31.50/$35, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Jam on the River: Day Two of the festival features a revised schedule of Lotus, Deadmau5, the Avett Bros., RJD2 and American Babies. Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street, 1 p.m. Sunday, $10 (or free with ticket stub from any other Jam-affiliated event). 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Kate Walsh/Brandi Shearer/Quincy Coleman: There's strength in numbers as these three disparate females tour together. British import Walsh charms with a fragile, achingly pretty, folk-waltzing nature. Shearer is as dark, ruminative and intoxicating as a good brandy. Coleman is the most versatile, cabaret-ish artist of the bunch, trying on all kinds of musical hats. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8 p.m. Sunday, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

English Beat: Ska-rock super group carries on, with founding member Dave Wakeling up front. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $33, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Dark Star Orchestra: The Grateful Dead rise again in the jazzed-up treatments of this homage-plus band. Jam on the River at Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 11 p.m. Sunday, $25-$30, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Firewater: Another of those global mash-up bands that make you delightfully dizzy, as they pass a bottle spiced with Gypsy, klezmer, Middle Eastern and Indian flavors. With opening act Death in the Park. North Star, 27th and Poplar streets, 8 p.m. Sunday, $12, 215-787-0488, www.northstarrocks.com.

Holly Cole: Canadian export puts her smoky voiced, sophisticated cabaret-jazz spin on every tune she touches. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, $25, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Filter: Richard Patrick and company celebrate his long-in-coming return to music-making under this name. The new CD ain't quite as heavy as the old days (or his work with Nine Inch Nails) but better than decent. Ours and Opiate for the Masses share the rocking bill. TLA, 334 South St., 8 p.m. Tuesday, $23/$25, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Abigail Washburn and The Sparrow Quartet: Old-timey banjo player and singer works up bluegrass with the grace of chamber music. And look who's playing behind her: Bela Fleck. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville. 8 p.m Tuesday, $29.50, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Marie Digby, Eric Hutchinson: Vibrant-voiced Digby has gotten huge on YouTube (more than 26 million views) and with lots of exposure on MTV and CW shows with tunes like "Say It Again." Hutchinson is an infectious, piano- and guitar-pumped popster with a sly, outsider-looking-in perspective on life and love. Devotees of Ben Folds, Jamie Cullum and Billy Joel (in his youth) will make a fast connection. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, $16-$21, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Sea Wolf: Crafty singer/songwriter Alex Brown Church prowls in Fairmount and is worth howling about. Jealous Girlfriends and Cheers Elephant open. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 9 p.m. Thursday, $12, 215-787-0488, www.northstarrocks.com.

HIP-HOP

Ruder Than You CD Release Party: Contrary to popular belief, this roots mash-up band has not disbanded. They're back on the circuit stronger than ever. Here they'll perform cuts off their latest release, "God's Ghetto." Wareika Hill and the Philly Reggae Girls will also be in the building. Rotunda, 4012 Walnut St., 7 tonight, free, 215-573-3234, www.therotunda.org.

Linen Party: Perhaps the most smoothed-out, classy event of the weekend. DJ Quick will provide the aural delights for this indoor and outdoor event. North By Northwest, 7165 Germantown Ave., 10 p.m. Sunday, $15, 21+, 215-248-1000, www.nxnwphl.com.

DJ A.M. and Jazzy Jeff: Two turntable veterans team up for what should be a spectacular event. DJ A.M. has more rock in his background, while the legendary Jeff not only pioneered the scratching craft, he keeps the spirit of hip-hop alive through his "Hip-Hop Forever" albums. mur.mur, Borgata, One Borgata Way, Atlantic City, 10 p.m. Sunday, $25, 1-866-my-borgata, www.theborgata.com.

L&S CD Release Party: Billed for the duo of La'Trese and Summer, local lyrical heavyweights Ethel Cee, Baby Blak, Verso, Nickelz and Kev Turner will perform, along with Kawshen, BORN and Prodigal Genius. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. Thursday, $10, www.iourecords.com/thefire, 267-671-9298.

ALTERNATIVE

Islands: Former members of Unicorn advance their chamber-pop with a live string section. New York City comedy troupe Street Carnage and Toronto's lo-fi retro-rockers the Magic open the show. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8 tonight, $10, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Air Traffic: Moody Brit-poppers recall the Verve, Keane and bits of Coldplay. With Philly indie-pop supergroup The Bye Byes and West Chester's Venemous. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 tonight, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Turnaround Vs. Immediate: Cat Power member Gregg Foreman, mod-pop DJs Immediate and guest Spank Rock spin tons of '60s rock and maximum R&B. The Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., $5, 10 tonight, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Colin Langenus: Guitarist/vocalist for the noise-rock duo The Usaisamonster performs as part of the Fuzz exhibit, along with West Philly's Tickley Feather, who record for Animal Collective's Paw Tracks label. Space 1026, 1026 Arch St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $6, all ages, 215-574-7630, http://space1026.com.

Peek-A-Boo Revue: Philadelphia's longest-running burlesque troupe is performing to raise money for Vegas, where they've been invited to compete in the 2008 Miss Exotic World Competition and Reunion. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. tomorrow, $18-30, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Frightened Rabbit: Scottish foursome is best-known stateside for "Good Arms Vs. Bad," heard on "Grey's Anatomy." Also, Ar Duvall, K-Bar-T, Heavy Hand and Shannon Pelcher. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $8, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

Firewater: Brooklyn band's leader, Tod A., took a three-year break to travel to the Middle East and India, which informs the world-punk sound of their disc, "The Golden Hour." With Death in the Park. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 8 p.m. Sunday, $12, 215-684-0808, www.northstarbar.com.

Efterklang: The 12-piece group from Denmark includes a mini choir and orchestra. Fellow countrymen and electro-folk quintet Slaraffenland opens. First Unitarian Church Sanctuary, 2125 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Monday, $12, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Kemialliset Ystavat: Finnish psych-folk group mixes in trippy, found-sound loops. Two Espers-side projects opening: Anahita (which includes Fursaxa) and ANS (with Feathers' Meara O'Reilly). Also: San Francisco's Skaters. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Monday, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

The Bee Team: Co-ed indie-pop cuties pair up with the Armchairs. Silk City, 5th and Spring Garden streets, 9 p.m. Tuesday, $5, 215-592-8838, www.myspace.com/phillysilkcity.

The Break Off: Make Yr Break's DJ Bunnystyle and Alex do their monthly queer electro and hip-hop party. Barbary, Frankford and Delaware avenues, 9 p.m. Wednesday, free, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Joe Lally: Fugazi bassist plays with a full band, along with the Glorytellers (Karate's Geoff Farina) and more. The Barbary, Frankford and Delaware avenues, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, $10, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Dark Meat: 18-member psych-blues orchestra from Athens, Ga., rolls through town playing two shows, one at Space 1026 (with Quiet Hooves), the other at Johnny Brenda's (with Popo). Space 1026, 1026 Arch St., 7 p.m. Thursday, $7, all ages, 215-574-7630, http://space1026.com. Johnny Brenda's, 9 p.m. Thursday, $8, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Suishou no Fune: Tokyo drone/psych-folk duo joins kindred spirits Bardo Pond and Brooklyn's Revival Time. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 9 p.m. Thursday, $8, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

JAZZ

Rhys Chatham: A piece for 100 guitars may sound anything but minimalist, but composer Rhys Chatham confines that unwieldy orchestra to a very narrow set of gestures. Chatham is premiering a new 100-guitar piece, a format he's been working with for nearly 20 years, performed by students of the Williamsport Uptown Music Collective alongside ringers like Akron/Family guitarist Seth Olinsky. It's a long drive to central Pennsylvania, but worth the effort. Community Arts Center, 220 W. 4th St., Williamsport, 7:30 p.m. tonight, $10, 570-326-2424 or 800-432-9382, www.pct.edu/commarts.

The Wade Dean Enspiration: South Carolina-born saxophonist formed his young quintet with fellow students at the University of the Arts, playing a blend of jazz and '70s soul. Alongside Dean, the band features tenor saxophonist Michael Pracher, pianist Jason Brown, bassist Ian Rafalak and drummer Anwar Marshall. Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 8 and 10 p.m. tonight, $10, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.

Sci-Fi Philly: In its second week, the city's newest avant-jazz series features a visit from Dutch saxophonist John Dikeman, playing with drummer Toshi Makihara and bassist Jon Barrios; plus a host of locals, including sax mainstay Elliot Levin, trombonist Dan Blacksberg and the intriguing duo of violinist Katt Hernandez and Buchla Music Easel synth player Charles Cohen. Gojjo, 4540 Baltimore Ave., 8 p.m. Sunday, $5, www.scifiphilly.com.

Matt Davis' Aerial Photograph: Guitarist Davis continues his yearlong documentary-music project, "Philadelphia, 2008," premiering new music for his 12-piece chamber-jazz ensemble based on interviews with various Philly communities. This month's "City of Transcendence" focuses on religion and spirituality. Tritone, 1509 South St., 10 p.m. Thursday, $10, 215-545-0475, www.tritonebar.com.

CLASSICAL

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players: Ensemble returns to Cape May Music Festival with quartets by Haydn, Shostakovich (the powerful No. 8) and Dvorak (No. 6, the folk-tinged work subtitled the "American"). Episcopal Church of the Advent, Washington and Franklin streets, Cape May, 8 p.m. Tuesday, $20, 800-275-4278, www.capemaymac.org.

Bay-Atlantic Symphony: All-Mozart program, led by Jed Gaylin, kicks off the Cape May festival's three-concert orchestra series. The bookends are the Contradance, K.534, and the mighty Symphony No. 40, with pianist Enrico Elisi soloing in the minor-key Piano Concerto No. 20. Congress Hall Hotel, 251 Beach Drive, Cape May, 8 p.m. Thursday, $25, 800-275-4278, www.capemaymac.org.