Music critics' picks

Named after the first aircraft that exceeded the speed of sound, Irish band Bell X1 combines earthbound and high flying elements to super-sonic effect. Like the best rock talents from their land (think Van Morrison to U2), it begins for these guys with a powerful melody and an uncommonly poetic, passionate approach, as seen in their luminmous new "Blue Lights on the Runway" album. Front guy Paul Noonan has a wired and weathered vocal quality somewhat akin to David Bryne (Talking Heads) and Paul Buchanan (Blue Nile). The band's oft-understated keyboards, synths and processed, guitar-centric sound nod at times to the ghosts of Roxy Music and Procol Harum, though Bell X1 clearly creates its own collective space, mysteries and magic. Duke Special and Harlem Shakes open.

World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 tonight, $21-$26, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com. Plus a "Free at Noon" from the venue, noon-12:45 p.m. today on WXPN (88.5 FM).

- Jonathan Takiff

Hip hop and video games have gone hand in hand since Biggie Smalls lamented on being too broke to afford a Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis. Both trace their roots to the '70s, grew in the '80s and '90s and are ever more popular today. Local lyricist Jawnzap7 brings the two worlds together for a good cause with Wordplay, an evening of music and games. Jawnzap7, of the Burn-Down All Star Collective, has over 10 years in the rhyme game. Joining him is fellow Philadelphian Reef The Lost Cauze, whose mike skills have gotten him recognition across the globe as one of the best young rhymers in hip hop. Also, Boston hip-hop act Blak Madeen, local duo Hustle Simmons, DJ Akshun and Burke of Kontra, and the Rap Pack. DJ Cramske controls the wheels of steel between acts. It all supports Child's Play, a nonprofit that provides games for children in hospitals.

The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 9 tonight, $10, 267-671-9298, www.iourecords.com/thefire.

- James Johnson

Psych-punk band Birds of Maya is something of a Philly ambassador to visiting like-minded groups from Japan, like DMBQ. This time, they play with their predecessors Flower Travellin' Band, who formed in 1970 and are considered their country's answer to Led Zeppelin. Recording for Atlantic and Warner Bros., the band opened for Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Dr. John, Blues Project and almost played with the Rolling Stones but missed out due to visa troubles. Having split in 1976, they reunited last year. This is their first Philly show.

Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Monday, $13-$15, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

- Sara Sherr

John Coltrane has always cast a long shadow over saxophonists from Philly, and although Sonny Fortune left the city more than 40 years ago he never fails to acknowledge that debt. But no matter how conspicuously Fortune wears Trane's influence, he's in possession of far too inventive a mind to ever fall back on imitation. The altoist's homecomings over the past few years have been regular and welcome, with lengthy sets full of unpretentious burning. As usual, Fortune will be joined by a crew of locals with whom he's worked for years - pianist Bob Butta, bassist Lee Smith and drummer Steve Johns.

Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 8 and 10 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, $20, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.

- Shaun Brady

Disturbing, disorienting, eerie, fascinating - words fail to describe Alban Berg's spooky, expressionist 1925 opera "Wozzeck." The tale of a morally adrift soldier, used in an experiment by a scheming doctor, overflows with powerful images. Curtis Opera Theater's vocal artists and members of the Curtis Orchestra present a fully staged work with the Opera Company of Philadelphia and the Kimmel Center. We'll never see it at the Academy, though the American premiere was conducted in 1931 by Leopold Stokowski - after over 100 rehearsals and with the Philadelphia Orchestra in the pit, at the old Met. Corrado Rovaris will conduct, with 1993 Curtis grad and Tony-winning actor Shuler Hensley in the demanding title role.

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 tonight, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, $40-$130, 215-893-1999, www.curtis.edu.

- Tom Di Nardo