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

The Duhks: Newly fronted by smoky-throated Sarah Dugas (replacing Jessee Havey), these Manitoba, Canada-based folk-rockers bring a dark edge to material old and new. Fellow countryman Luke Doucet also deserves your ears in the opening slot. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7:30 tonight, $16, 215-928-0978, www.tinangel.com.

James Taylor: Got a friend at QVC? If so, you may be able to slide into James Taylor's performances at the TV shopping channel's West Chester studio today. Otherwise, watch him live on the air, at 5 and 9:30 p.m., introducing material from his first-ever "Covers" album.

Brian Culbertson: Keyboard- and horn-playing standard-bearer of smooth jazz is now roughing up his sound, "Bringing Back the Funk" on his new album and tour with the Funk Experience and special guests Average White Band. Did Brian see the (second) fall of FM radio station WJJZ coming? Keswick Theatre, Easton Road and Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $35 & $45, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Xavier Rudd: The emphasis is on the exotic with this amazing Australian. He's a one-man band juggling everything from the didgeridoo and stomp box to assorted guitars and harmonica while also singing in his culture-conscious, tribal/jam-rock/world-rhythm ways. TLA, 334 South St, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $22, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Paul Weller: Affectionately known as "The Modfather," this very British rocker serves up tunes from his extensive solo, Jam and Style Council years. The Rifles fire first. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 7 p.m. Sunday, $38.50, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

The Kooks: Their name was nicked from a David Bowie song, while the title of their second album ("Konk") and their dexterous, mixed-bag music also tips a hat to the Kinks and their hang out, Konk Studios. The Kooks, massive in Britain for a couple of years, are building quite the following here. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8 p.m. Monday, $18, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Lori McKenna with Mary Gauthier: A just-about-perfect alt-country bill. Both are wonderful songwriters and performers on their own. And together? World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Monday, $30-$40, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

James: Yet another English phenom who's been more buzzed about than heard on these shores, James has influenced the likes of Oasis, Coldplay and Arcade Fire with tunes like "Sit Down," "Born of Frustration" and the infamous "Laid." Now on the comeback trail after a seven-year layoff, their new album, "Hey Ma," still revels in earnest intimacy and full-bodied melodicism. Unkle Bob opens. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 7 p.m. Tuesday, $20-$22, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Flogging Molly: Cityfied punk-rock and firebrand Irish folk music make for a hearty mash-up in this group, just as it does in role models the Pogues. Throw your fist (and beer) in the air if you really care. Loved Ones and Beat Union share the bill. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8 p.m. Tuesday, $27-$29, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Marc Broussard: Second-gen Louisiana talent always brings the swamp soul music to a boil. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, $35-$50, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Ron Sexsmith: Canadian singer-songwriter, best known for "Constant Heart," has lots more delicious bittersweets like that one. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, $18, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Jackson Browne: What a happy surprise. Mr. Browne has relearned the fine art of balancing his protest nature with the sweetly harmonious, hopeful humanist bent and keyboard-centric band sound of his early, most successful years. It all comes together on his forthcoming album "Time the Conquerer," his best work in eons. The classic "Everyman" is newly evoked in "Off of Wonderland," while even political themes are handled with irresistibly catchy tunes on "The Drums of War" and "Going Down to Cuba." Purchase a Browne concert ticket and get the new CD for just the shipping cost - a nice way to bump up first-week sales. Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets, 8 p.m. Thursday. Opt in for the "Ticket + CD" offer on Ticketmaster. $39.50, $45.50 and $65. 215-336-2000, www.ticketmaster.com.

Old Crow Medicine Show: This tangled-up-in-bluegrass country band wants to take you higher with tunes like "Alabama High-Test" and "Methamphetamine," and also get you thinking with their M.L.K. tribute, "Motel In Memphis," from the new album "Tennessee Pusher," dropping in a couple weeks. Old Crow has played the Opry but fits in equally (or better) with Jerry's Kids at a hippy jam band fest. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, $25, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

HIP-HOP

Ill Bill: This emcee showcase is hard to pass up. The superb, underrated Sean Price (Brooklyn's renown Boot Camp Clique) joins Jersey's Viro The Virus, King Syze and Writtenhouse for this lyrical bonanza, bound to be classic. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9 tonight, $18, 21+, 215-787-0488, www.northstarbar.com.

The Zodiac: Virgo Edition: These astrological-themed events are always fun - and worthy of attendance, given that DJs Roxy and Nex Millen routinely provide a satisfying show. A bonus: DJ Jay-Ski is this week's featured DJ. Poesh Wonder hosts. Medusa Lounge, 27 S. 21st St., 10 tonight, $5, 215-557-1981.

Tarrus Riley & Duane Stephenson: The rowdy dance-hall reggae vibe takes a back seat to the smooth singing of reggae newcomers Riley and Stephenson. Established soundman Dean Fraser will join in the fun. Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $27 advance, $32 DOS, 18+, www.thetroc.com, 215-922-LIVE.

Reggae Wednesdays: Speaking of reggae juggling, two of the area's sharpest reggae producers, Sarge and Curly Locks, ply their trade with this show. Curly Locks has worked with many reggae artists, including singer Da'Ville. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $5, 21+, 215-787-0488, www.northstarbar.com.

ALTERNATIVE

The Julie Mittens: Dutch noise trio freaks out with Brooklyn's Air Waves, Prince Rama Ayodava and Reading Rainbow. Marvelous Music, 208 S. 40th St., 8:30 tonight, $5, all ages, 215-386-6110, www.myspace.com/badmasterrecords.

Get Positively Sick on South Street: This month's installment includes the return of '90s punk-popsters Grady, the Fiendz (New Jersey's answer to All and the Descendents), and the debut of the Thirteen, a power-pop band whose album was produced by the Figgs' Pete Donnelly. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9 tonight, 215–545–0475, www.tritonebar.com.

Silk City Follies: As part of the Unofficial Fringe Cabaret, Christa D'agger hosts an evening of raucous, wild, weird and raunchy rock-'n'-roll theater. Silk City, 5th and Spring Garden streets, 9 tonight, free, 215-592-8838, www.myspace.com/phillysilkcity.

Sorted: Beloved, long-running Britpop dance party with Mike Z and Dave Pak. Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 10 tonight, $5, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Highwire Festival: Local label Fire Museum hosts an afternoon of local forward-thinking artists: Make A Rising, the Espers' Helena Espvall, Eric Carbonara, George Korein, Radio Eris and more. Highwire Gallery, 2040 Frankford Ave., noon-8 p.m. tomorrow, $5, all ages, 215-426-2685 www.kenbmiller.com/highwire/performances/upcoming_concerts.html.

Northern Liberties Music Festival: Rained out last week, the new date includes Bardo Pond, Birds of Maya, Kurt Vile and the debut of Human People (Michael Robinson of Holland Boys and King God). Liberty Lands Park, 913 N. 3rd St., 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, free, all ages, 215-413-3181.

School of Rock: If you've missed any of the junior rockers' shows, play catch-up with their best of the season. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 6 and 9 p.m. tomorrow, $19, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Huma: Engaging shoegaze-pop trio plays with scrappier Surefire Broadcast. Also: Shenandoah Davis and Steve Quaranta & Paper Masques. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $5, 267-671-9298, www.iourecords.com.

Unofficial Fringe Late Night Cabaret Closing Party: Includes a performance of the Ballet Deviare, which use a live metal band as their soundtrack, as well as the Open Stage Variety Show hosted by Big Mess' Greg Giovanni. Also: Megan Bridge and Peter Price's dance collaboration, "Fidget." Painted Bride, 230 Vine St., 10 p.m. tomorrow, free, 215-925-9914, www.myspace.com/scottrjohnston.

Badmaster Records Presents: Local noise label hosts Portland lo-fi electro-rockers Intelligence, the Fugazi-like Gods and Queens and scrappy duo Hot Guts. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8:30 p.m. Monday, $8, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Monday Night Club: Naughty Neil Diamond impersonator Dirty Diamond hosts the "Suicide Idol" game show. Balcony, 10th and Arch streets, 10 p.m. Monday, free, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Feadz: Paris DJ, known for his hip-hop and electro tracks for Mr. Oizo and Uffie, is on Ed Banger Records. He spins at Dave P's weekly Snacks series. Woody's, 202 S. 13th St., 9 p.m. Tuesday, free, 215-545-1893, http:// igetrvng.com.

Witchcraft: Swedish band brings its '70s hard-rock riffage with fellow countrymen Graveyard and glammy Brooklynites TK Webb & the Visions. Johnny Brenda's, 9 p.m. Tuesday, $12, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

R5's HeeHaw Bro Down: Sean Agnew brings live bands, DJs and various special guests. Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 10 p.m. Tuesday, free, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Why? R5's favorite eclectic band returns with Mount Eerie, another project for the Microphones' Phil Elverum. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $12, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Hypernova: Iranian rock band influenced by the Strokes and Queens of the Stone Age makes its Philly debut with the Candy Butchers-related Major Labels and the Rowdies. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $8, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

Panic: Kyle M and Jem spin the Smiths, Morrissey and all things Britpop. Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 10 p.m Wednesday, free, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Parenthetical Girls: Pop experimentalists from the Pacific Northwest open for Wolf Parade side project Sunset Rubdown. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Thursday, $12, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Lau Nau: Finnish freak-folk ingenue opens for Tickley Feather and Indian Jewelery. Marvelous Music, 208 S. 40th St., 8:30 p.m. Thursday, $5, all ages, 215-386-6110, www.myspace.com/badmasterrecords.

Girl About Town Presents: Philly music-blog hosts Brothers and Sisters (members of And You Will Know Us By The Trail of the Dead), Adam and Dave's Bloodline, the Wilco-like Phonograph and Oranges Band side project Impossible Hair. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. Thursday, $10, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

Death Vessel: The man behind Death Vessel is German-born, Brooklyn-based Joel Thibodeau, who has a freakishly high voice and a mellow, neo-folk sound, not to mention local connections with the Espers' Meg Baird, who guests on his Sub Pop debut. With Micah Blue Smaldone and Peasant. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Franford Ave., 9 p.m. Thursday, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

JAZZ

Bull Fonda Duo: A vocals-bass duo playing standards sounds simple, but singer Katie Bull and bassist Joe Fonda are inveterate risk-takers, and their duo constantly finds new approaches to their bare-bones configuration. Moorestown Library, 111 W. 2nd St., Moorestown, N.J., 7 tonight, 856-234-0333, www.moorestown.lib.nj.us.

Tranestop Community Jazz Concert: Rescheduled from July, the 29-year-old Tranestop Resource Institute presents its 13th annual Community Jazz Concert, "Spirit in the Yard," intended to pay homage to saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders and the late vocalist Leon Thomas. Appearing will be TC III's Full Circle Ensemble, led by the son of Philly jazz's first couple, Trudy Pitts and Mr. C; singer Ella Gahnt's trio; and young alto saxophonist Nasir Dickerson's Renaissance Messengers. Felicia's Gardens, 500 E. Washington Lane., 2 p.m. Sunday, free, 215-438-3178.

CLASSICAL

Steven Zohn & David Yearsley: Flute-fortepiano team dips into the deep chamber catalog of Bach's most accomplished son, Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach. Many of these works were written for amateur flutist Frederick the Great during his 30 years in the crown prince's Berlin court. Rock Hall, Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 7:30 tonight, free, 215-294-7600, www.temple.edu/boyer.

Destination: Opera: Jason Tramm, new music director of New Jersey Opera, conducts a gala in the 6,500-seat hall. Marathon concert features the New Jersey Opera chorus plus sopranos Nataliya Tymchenko and Marquita Lister, tenors Vladimir Galouzine and Manrico Tedeschi, and baritones Gregg Baker (a Philly favorite) and Boris Statsenko, with the Triumphal Scene from Verdi's "Aida" as a finale. Weekend events include a visit to Enrico Caruso's house. Great Auditorium, Pilgrim Pathway, Ocean Grove, N.J., 3 p.m. Sunday, $20-$100, 800-965-9324, www.destinationopera.com.

Delaware Valley Opera Company: Paul D. Osimo, an enthusiastic opera lover who helped found the company in 1979, will be honored in a program of arias from famous operas and operettas. Vocal artists include sopranos Maja Lisa FritzHuspen and Marlee MacArthur, mezzos Paula Rivera and Teresa Seri, tenor David Price and baritone Enrico Adriano. Leverington Presbyterian Church, 6301 Ridge Ave., 3 p.m. Sunday, free-will offering, 215-725-4171, www.dvopera.org.