Music critics' picks

Swedish singer/songwriter Anna Ternheim emotes in impeccable English, in a dry, semidetached and fragile voice that suits her observant sketches of damaged souls, severed ties and rare connections. Ternheim's latest, "Leaving on a Mayday," is enhanced with haunted, chamber-pop production by Bjorn Yttling (of Peter, Bjorn and John fame). Live, I suspect we'll hear from just the girl and her guitar. Still, be prepared to have your heart broken. And that goes triple, with show-sharing Asobi Seksu and Loney, Dear. The Asobis, fronted by vocalist/keyboardist Yuki Chikudate and guitarist James Hanna, keep an atmospheric chill on, whether Yuki's singing in English or Japanese. Swedish export Loney, Dear, the indie pop project of Emil Svanängen, delivers lushly scored and achy breaky vocalized pop melodramatics.

Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $12 and $13, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

- Jonathan Takiff

With his 2005 solo debut, "Monkey Barz," and his subsequent albums and mix tapes, Sean Price has made a strong case for being one of the best lyricists of the decade. While P is no newcomer to the game, having gotten his start in 1993 as a member of the duo Heltah Skeltah, the Brooklyn MC's standout solo work has given his career a second wind of sorts. Aside from his headlining performance, showgoers also have Cymarshall Law to look forward to. The UK-born rapper lives in New Jersey and has made fans all over the globe with his humorous punch lines and heartfelt lyrics. Notable local acts Ethel Cee and Reef The Lost Cauze take the stage for hometown fans.

Marathon Upstairs, 201 S. 40th St., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 215-222-0100.

- James Johnson

If you're a fan of the tweaked sonics of Animal Collective or the trippy electro-pop of MGMT, check out Neon Indian, a blog-beloved duo featuring 21-year-old Mexico-born, Texas-raised Alan Palomo and eye-popping visuals from Alicia Scardetta. It's a thrift store of throwaway '80s synth pop, video game soundtracks and cheap vintage electronics. Bryn Mawr newcomers Post Post open the show.

Barbary, Frankford and Delaware avenues, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, $10, all ages, 267-295-2710, www.r5productions.com.

- Sara Sherr

Christian McBride doesn't get back home to Philly as often as he used to. His returns are always a family affair - backstage at the Keswick earlier this year, family members gathered for pictures with Chick Corea and John McLaughlin when McBride appeared with the fusion legends' Five Peace Band - but this show brings the reunion onstage. For one set, McBride will team up with his bass-playing father, Lee Smith, and great-uncle Howard Cooper. The Philadelphia All-Star Band, including Odean Pope, Byron Landham, Jaleel Shaw and Joe Sudler, starts the show. McBride will also recreate his radio show "Conversations With Christian," talking and playing with pianist Bruce Hornsby. Finally, he'll unveil his new quintet, Inside Straight. If you can't make it home much, make those rare visits count.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts., 8 p.m. tonight, $26-$64, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

- Shaun Brady

Since the 1920s, the Philadelphia Orchestra's woodwind section has been internationally acclaimed as a symphonic all-star team. Bassoonist Daniel Matsukawa is a member, and he'll come stage front this weekend to solo in Mozart's Concerto for Bassoon. It's deceptively simple and requires a brilliant artist like Matsukawa to make it sing. Returning British conductor Roger Norrington also leads two Fourth Symphonies - by Beethoven and by the English master Ralph Vaughan Williams. The latter is much more dramatic and intense than his often-pastoral works, but represents an undeniable 20th-century masterwork.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 2 p.m. today and Sunday, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $10-$120, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.

- Tom Di Nardo