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

Sound Tribe Sector 9/Umphrey's McGee: The jamming comes in two varieties - hip-hop-, funk- and electronica-flavored, and farm-fresh, crunchy granola. Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Spring Garden Street, 7 tonight, $29.50 and $49.50 (the latter ticket also gets you in to Umphrey's McGee's 11 p.m. second set at TLA, 334 South St.), 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Coldplay: We were supposed to host their U.S. tour opener in June. But this makeup date should find the guys even sharper, especially with their harder-rocking new material. Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 8 tonight, $49.50-$97.50, 800-298-4200, www.comcasttix.com.

The Machine: Pink Floyd tribute band is so true to the code, they're even working with the same light show deployed by Floyd mainstay Roger Waters. For added sensory thrills, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra will help crank up the rock classics. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 52nd Street and Parkside Avenue, 8 tonight, $25-$65, 215-893-1999, www.manncenter.org.

George Michael: This guy can't get arrested (you should pardon the expression) on the radio anymore but should have enough resident good will and hits (solo and Wham!) to pull a good-sized crowd. Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $48-$253, 800-298-4200, www.comcasttix.com.

Mark Knopfler: Truth is, it's hard to tell a Knopfler solo show from the concerts he does fronting Dire Straits. There's lots of overlap of material and just as much magical guitar playing by the man. Get their own time to hear Jesca Hoop, one of the most haunting female voices and tunesmiths we've heard in a long while. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 52nd Street and Parkside Avenue, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $39.50-$69.50, 215-893-1999, www.manncenter.org.

Tilly & The Wall: The tap dancing percussionists that first got 'em noticed are a bit of a vaudeville gimmick, but this bubbly pop, female-fronted band still wins with their growing arsenal of musical charms. With the Ruby Suns and Pony Pants. First Unitarian Church 2125 Chestnut St., 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $12, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com

Ten Out of Tenn: There's strength in numbers from these Nashville-based troubadours. We're real fond of Butterfly Boucher, a transplant from Australia, and also have heard good things from Griffin House and Matthew Perryman Jones. With American Songwriting Magazine coordinating the show, the other seven talents on the bill should prove equally rewarding. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $14-$19, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Jimmie Dale Gilmore: Lubbock, Texas, gave us Buddy Holly and Jimmie Dale, too. Nuff said. Jenny Scheinman, a noted New York jazz violinist who's recently found her voice and writing chops, is in the opening slot. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 7:30 p.m. Monday, $30-$40, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Spiritualized: Where will this musical state of mind land this time around? The dark and heady, stretched-out psychedelic swirl that marked the British group's ascent (and most intoxicating concert recordings) gives way to a tarter, more intimate sound on the new album "Songs in A & E." Inspired by the cable channel? Nah, by visits to the Accident and Emergency Ward for frontman Jason Pierce, who's suffered more than his share of health issues in recent years. He wrote a lot of the new set "in hospital." Philadelphia's raspy rocking War on Drugs, plus the Dirtbombs will also be filling prescriptions. TLA, 334 South St., 7 p.m. Tuesday, $27, 215-922-1011, www.livenation.com.

Hippiefest: Everybody thinks of Eric Clapton as the front guy of Cream. But it was really Hippiefest notable Jack Bruce who set the vocal tone and bass beat on megahits like "Sunshine of Your Love." Also jumping out on this bill is Eric Burdon, who howled "We Gotta Get Out of this Place" with the Animals and "Spill the Wine" with War. Rounding out the show, the Turtles, Badfinger's Joey Molland and flower children (now flower grandparents?) Melanie and Jonathan Edwards. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 52nd and Parkside Ave., 8 p.m. Tuesday, $39-$79, 215-893-1999, www.manncenter.org.

The Police: Here's the rescheduled show (from last Nov. 14). Now it's one of the very last the reunited supertrio will do, before calling it quits again. (Sting is already thinking about his next solo tour, we hear.) Elvis Costello and the Imposters make for an equally arresting opening act. Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, $53-$228, 800-298-4200, www.comcasttix.com.

Young Dubliners: Irish transplants to West Coast America spirit this rousing Celtic rock band. Sharing the bill: Patrick's Head. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, $19-$24, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

O.A.R.: Yet another night of good jamming on the pier, with the explosive, multicultural Ozomatli and DJ Spooky also rowing in and making waves. Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Spring Garden Street, 7 p.m. Wednesday, 215-336-2000, $33.50 and $38.50 (buy two of the latter tickets and also get an MP3 download of O.A.R's new "All Sides" album), 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Old '97s: There's still life left in Americana music, with these pumped players leading the charge. Their new album, "Blame It on Gravity," is one of the best (of any genre) we've heard this year. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 7 p.m. Wednesday, $20, 216-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Wolf Parade: Riveting indie rockers based in Montreal share that tremulous tingle and some of the grand pretensions of town-mates Arcade Fire. Must be someone they ate. With special guest Wintersleep, as calming as their name sounds. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $22, 315-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Susan Cowsill: While forever tied to that hokey '70s band that bore her family name, Cowsill has surely risen above it, making her way in the alt-country world in collaborations with artists like the Continental Drifters, Lucinda Williams and Adam Duritz. Sharing her bill: the Nightbirds. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $10, 215-684-0808, www.northstar

bar.com.

Brave Combo: You've never heard a polka band as cool and rocking, wifty and eclectic as this. Come and get it! Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 9 p.m. Thursday, $15-$18, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

84: Seminal underground Philly hip-hop crew, featuring Fat Nice and Aul Purpis on the mike and Blaak the 9th Man on the wheels of steel - will give a spirited run-through of cuts from their forthcoming self-titled album. NYC's Broken Code will join 84, as will roots-based hip-hop band the Dialects. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 10 tonight, $8, 267-671-9298,

» READ MORE: www.iourecords.com/thefire

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And 1 Mixtape Tour: The original streetball organization plans to put space between itself and also-ran competitors during this exhibition (which is sure to feature a live DJ and other hip-hop niceties). For the game, the And 1 squad will take on its Summer League invitees. Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad St., 4 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 215-204-2400, www.liacourascenter.com.

Bob Marley tribute: 14th Annual Peoples Festival celebrates the late reggae icon with performances by hip-hop legend KRS-One, the Universal African Drum and Dance Ensemble, the Image soca band and reggae artists Natty Rebel and Junior Lion. Plus a children's village, food court and vendors. Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, Rosa Parks Drive (between French and Market streets), Wilmington, 2 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 609-247-4656, www.peoplesfestival.com.

Marley Brothers: Of course, the Marley brothers will be out this way on Thursday, but if you can't wait, head for the beach to see Stephen and his brother, Damian Marley. Joey Harrington's Surf Club, 1900 Ocean City Ave., Ortley Beach, N.J., 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, $30, www.surfclubnj.com, 732-793-6625.

ALTERNATIVE

Love City: Latest band in Philly's garage-rock revival is creating quite a buzz. This show is the release for their debut single, "Regretting," an organ-drenched stomp in the spirit of the Animals and Nuggets. Opening are their '90s predecessors Mondo Topless and San Francisco's Fault Lines. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 tonight, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

West Philadelphia Orchestra: Over a dozen jazz, classical, experimental and indie musicians celebrate the music of Romania, Hungary, Serbia and Macedonia. G. Calvin Weston's latest venture, the Nassira Project, opens the show. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 9 tonight, $8, www.northstarbar.com.

Fishstock 4: Hell Under the El's annual benefit for cystic fibrosis research features blues, punk and more with Sister Blue, Tommie Griggs, Handsome Petes, Whiskey Livin', Decontrol, the Shock, Rebel County and others. El Bar, Front and Master streets, 2 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 215-634-6430, www.myspace.com/hellundertheel.

Gillian Grassie: Philadelphia might have its own Joanna Newsom in this harp star, who would fit in your CD collection between Feist and St. Vincent. With Assemble and Bernie Bridges aka Turban Cowboy. Green Line Cafe, 4426 Locust, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $5, all ages, 215-222-0799, www.shermanarts.org.

Hellcat Girls Burlesque: Punk-rock burlesque troupe performs its first full show since the unforgettable John Waters tribute on New Year's Eve. Old Souls open. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 215-684-0808, www.northstarbar.com.

Tall Firs: Recording on Thurston Moore's label Ecstatic Peace, these psych-folk rockers split the different between their boss' band and Townes Van Zandt. With Kurt Vile and National Eye. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 10 p.m. tomorrow, $8, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

Karaoke Gong Show and Guitar Hero Shred-A-Thon: Make a fool of yourself in multimedia, hosted by Skeletor. Balcony, 10th and Arch streets, 10 p.m. tomorrow, free, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

John Martin tribute: The late Philly amp-builder from DiPinto Guitars offered his services to the likes of the Black Keyes, L7 and countless local bands. Members of Hi Soft, Le Resistance, the Sparklers, Chet Delcampo and other Martin friends and admirers pay tribute. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 7 p.m. Sunday, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Aimee Wilson and Porchfront Factorye: Locals fuse Indian ragas and Eastern European and Appalachian folk on a variety of instruments. Opening are classical harpist Timbre and folkies Sisters 3. Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 8 p.m. Monday, $5-10, all ages, 215-573-3234, www.therotunda.org.

'Iron Maiden & the New Wave of British Heavy Metal': Many kids today love Iron Maiden's music as much as their T-shirts. This DVD explores the indie-metal scene that paralleled punk in the U.K. but got far less press. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 8 p.m. Monday, free, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Monday Night Club: Apogee and birthday girl/drag queen hostess Needles Jones host a Fringe Festival preview with the Cheap Sedated Hams, Temple of Bon Matin, N Crowd and Killer Bass. Balcony, 10th and Arch Streets, 10 p.m. Monday, free, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

We Are Scientists: XTC-inspired dance-rockers return with a new collection, "Brain Trust Mastery." Manic post-punkers Oxford Collapse and Ben Folds-like Jukebox the Ghost open. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Tuesday, $15, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Dark Horse & the Carousels: It's time the kids experienced the Philly garage-punk band live, so they're headlining an all-ages show with Radiates, So So Glos and Graffiti Monsters. Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 6 p.m. Wednesday, $6, all ages, 215-634-7400, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Dollyrots: L.A. femme-fronted power pop joins riot-grrrl-inspired The Lopez, Dear Althea, and My Version Of It. Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $8, 215-222-1255, www.millcreektavernphilly.com.

Icy Demons: Chicago/Philly members of Man Man (and formerly Need New Body) do the record release party for their debut, "Miami Ice," on brand new label Obey Your Brain. With another Need New Body spin-off Buffalo Stance, and Make A Rising, a new generation of experimentalist fun. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Mambo Showcase: The artists and musicians of the popular local moving company are throwing a benefit for mover Chris Thomas, who injured his finger while hoisting a piano. First there's an art preview at Bambi Gallery, followed by a music showcase at Johnny Brenda's featuring the Extraordinaires, Sounds of Kaleidoscope and Dog and Pony. Bambi Gallery and Boutique, 1817 Frankford Avenue, 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, 215-423-2668, www.bambiproject.com. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Avenue, 8 p.m. Thursday, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Bon Iver: Leader Justin Vernon wrote all his songs at a cabin in the Wisconsin woods, and they sound that way, earning him raves from Pitchfork and an opening slot with Wilco. Bowerbirds open. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Thursday, $12, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

BALLET

Ballet X: Enterprising company from Pennsylvania Ballet alums Matthew Neenan and Christine Cox turns to three female choreographers for a world-premieres show. Wilma Theater, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 tonight and tomorrow night, 2 p.m. Sunday, $25, 215-546-7824, www.balletx.org.

CLASSICAL

Philadelphia Gilbert and Sullivan Union: The sarcastic mirth of the classic "Pirates of Penzance," with Florrie Marks as music director, Anita Pitcavage as piano accompanist and stage direction by Julie C. May, bubbles here locally in a fully staged and costumed production. Catch this send-off show before they head to the G&S Competition in Buxton, England. Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, 2 p.m. Sunday, plus the Bull Center, East Rosedale Avenue and High Street, West Chester, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, $15, 610-745-9127, www.pgsu.org.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops: Nero leads his ensemble back into the '70s, with guests Sha Na Na giving the Mann audience a chance to tap their toes. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 52nd and Parkside Avenues, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $20-$70, 215-893-1999, www.manncenter.org.

Hugh Sung: Noted local pianist and Curtis faculty member performs Mussorgsky's enormously challenging original version of "Pictures at an Exhibition," Chopin's G Major Ballade and Dances by contemporary composer Charles B. Griffin. Woodmere Art Museum, 9601 Germantown Ave., 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, $10, 215-247-4076, www.woodmereartmuseum.org.

Gordon Turk: Resident artist on the huge Hope-Jones instrument performs works for organ and orchestra, collaborating with Philly musicians billed as the Rittenhouse Orchestra. The program, conducted by Jason Tramm, includes Poulenc's glorious Concerto for organ, strings and timpani, the Fantasie Dialogue by Leon Boellman and Guilmont's Symphonie No. 1 for organ and orchestra. Great Auditorium, Pilgrim and Ocean Pathway, Ocean Grove, N.J., 7:30 p.m. Thursday, $13, 800-965-9324, www.oceangrove.org.