What's on area stages, tonight through Thursday

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

David Bryne: Opening night attraction at the Mann, Bryne is focusing on the pensive, oft mellow material he put together with longtime bud Brian Eno for the recent "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today" album. Eno won't be in the house, but the boisterous Slav rockers DeVotchKa will, in the opening slot. Another lure - Starr Catering has taken over (and upgraded) the hilltop dining tent service. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 52nd Street and Parkside Avenue, 8 tonight, $25-$59, 215-893-1999, manncenter.org.

Ellis Paul: One of New England's most seasoned singer/songwriters returns, with Robbie Schaefer opening. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7:30 tonight, $20, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes: King of Jersey soul rock returns. Shout out for some Tom Waits covers, subject of a recent, most excellent Southside album. Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville, 8 tonight, $29.50-$42.50, 610-917-1228, www.thecolonialtheatre.com.

The Iguanas: New Orleans party band covers all the warm-weather bases, from good-time Louisiana rock and R&B to Caribbean jammin'. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 tonight, $23-$33, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Doves: If you like Coldplay, you'll fly high with this earnestly voiced, majestically scored and more forcefully rocking band. Opener Wild Light is equally worth your attention. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 9 tonight, $25, 215-922-LIVE, thetroc.com.

The Decemberists/Robyn Hitchock: While born in the U.S.A., the Decemberists' extended ballad tales suggest they were bottle fed on English folk rock of the 1970s. Hitchcock, working this time with his all-star (sidelining REMers) band, is the prime preserver of England's playful psychedelic pop. Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $29.50-$32.50, 610-352-2887, www.livenation.com.

Art Brut: Jaded, sardonic sort Mark E. Smith fronts this snappy British band. With Cymbals Eat Guitars. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Todd Snider: Who sings about a baseball pitcher on LSD? About never getting your stuff together? This super-amusing and bewilderingly under-appreciated singer/songwriter. He's coming through to trumpet a new album, "The Excitment Plan," produced by Don Was. Mary Gauthier takes command in the opening spot. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $25-$35, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Swing Out Sister: Cool, swinging, jazz-flecked pop duo breaks out the hits and compatible newbies from their "Beautiful Mess." Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7 p.m. Sunday, $28-$33, www.worldcafelive.com.

PJ Harvey: Polly Jean sharpens her acerbic, sometimes vengeful punk edge with longtime partner John Parish. Opening act: Pop Parker. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 8 p.m. Sunday, $38.50, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Booker T: Stax/Volt keyboard legend and singer arrives sans MGs this time, yet still moving and grooving. The Dirk Quinn Band warms up. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, 8 p.m. Monday, $25, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Jenny Lewis: This sometime actress and former voice of Rilo Kiley carries on as an alt-country and gospel-attuned popster. Deer Tick (John McCauley) and Farmer Dave are walking that line, too. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 8 p.m. Monday, $21/$23, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

A.A. Bondy: This guy slowly creeps up and grabs you with a simply drawn yet ultimately effective folk/blues demeanor. With Holly Miroda. Kungfu Necktie, 1248 N. Front St., 8 p.m. Monday, $10, 866-468-7619, www.r5productions.com.

Blk Jks: Pronounced "Black Jacks." A dynamic mash-up of punk, soul, dub and their native South-African flavors makes these imports one of the most unique taste sensations of the season. So So Glows opens. Kungfu Necktie, 1248 N. Front St., 8 p.m. Tuesday, $10, 866-468-7619, www.r5productions.com.

Piers Faccini: Born in England, raised in France and well-traveled through Africa, this international troubadour combines elements of all three cultures in his exotic, textured sound. "Grey's Anatomy" and "Without a Trace" have used his music. Fan Ben Harper hails Piers as "Joseph Spencer meets Nick Drake meets Soundgarden." With Zach Djanikian. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, $12, 215-928-0978, tinangel.com.

Detroit Cobras: Defrosted from a cryogenic state, the Cobras warm up the primordial sounds of early '60s garage rock and tremulous girl groups. Blondie fans will dig 'em. With Dex Romweber Duo and Love City. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $12, 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

John Vanderslice: Crafty singer/songwriter is known as a prankster and for his breezy/haunting variants on indie pop. Expect some of the former and a heap of the latter from his new "Romanian Names" album. The Tallest Man on Earth opens. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Thursday, $12, 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.