Music critics' picks

One of our longest-lasting holiday traditions is the Philadelphia Singers' joyful Christmas On Logan Square program, setting the hushed mood with a opening candlelight procession. Led by David Hayes, this year's bill includes David Shapiro's "Et incarnatus est," Judith Weir's "Illuminare, Jerusalem," "The Shepherd's Carol" by King's Singers alumnus Robert Chilcott, plus works by Biebl and Holst and Abbie Betinis' "The Babe of Bethlehem." Wanamaker organist Peter Richard Conte is at the console. Britten's magnificent "A Ceremony of Carols," with Coline-Marie Orliac playing the celestial harp accompaniment, is the major work for this superb chorus' seasonal gift.

St. Clement's Church, 20th and Cherry streets, 5 p.m. tomorrow, $25-$43, 215-751-9494, www.philadelphiasingers.org.

- Tom Di Nardo

Pony Pants formed in 2005 - a collision of synth-pop hooks, metal guitars and dance beats. The West Philly trio, made up of energetic, clarion-voiced singer Emily Kovach and guitarists/beatmakers/brothers Ryan and Steve Ellis, rocked basements and bars and even got a nod in Pitchfork. Their rise paralleled the rebirth of the West Philly DIY scene and Danger Danger Gallery. Unfortunately, with Steve Ellis' move to California, tonight's show will be its last. But they're going out in style with some of their friends, notably Mike McKee-led Amateur Party, who will have 30 test-press copies of its new LP, tourmates Barking Spiders and To Tremble.

Space 1026, 1026 Arch Street, 2nd Floor, 7 tonight, $7, all ages, 215-574-7630.

- Sara Sherr

Talented R&B singer/songwriter Brian McKnight has been a performer for more than half his life. Now 41, his real introduction to R&B fans came in the form of his self-titled 1992 debut. Since then, McKnight has racked up an impressive number of accolades, including the unfortunate distinction of most Grammy nominations (16) without a win. But his records sell phenomenally well, with three platinum and three gold albums in his nine- album discography. His most recent album, 2009's "Evolution of a Man," displayed McKnight's staying power and his ability to work with other artists, which have come to define his career. It reached No. 20 on the Billboard 200 and featured collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Jill Scott.

Keswick Theatre, 291 Keswick Ave., Glenside, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $39.50 and $49.50, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

- James Johnson

Saxophonist Ben Britton usually shares the bandstand with his trumpet-player brother John. Their co-led debut as the Britton Brothers Band is a strong, groove-heavy celebration that fits comfortably into the hard-bop tradition without feeling stuck in the past. John is currently studying in Rochester, N.Y., but Ben is an adjunct professor at Montgomery County Community College, so he'll step into the spotlight alone as the leader of Unconventional Riot, a quartet that promises to be equally strong. The lineup, drawn from the local scene, features guitarist Matt Davis, drummer Gabe Globus-Hoenich, and bassist Jordan Berger.

Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 7 p.m. Tuesday, $10, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.

- Shaun Brady

If the Grateful Dead had grown up in New Orleans instead of San Francisco, they'd probably have come out jamming like swampadelic rockers 7 Walkers. The Dead's sturdy percussion backbone Bill Kreutzmann is on the drum riser, while that group's lead lyricist Robert Hunter is responsible for the buzzed, bemused and beatific wordplay that flavors 7 Walker's self-titled debut album. But the rest of the band - the Dr. John-meets Warren Haynes-ish bluesy vocalist Papa Mali (a/k/a Malcom Welbourne), legendary Meters-running bassist George Porter Jr. and multi-nstrumentalist Matt Hubbard - clearly favor Louisiana home style cooking, which adds Southern spice even when covering (as surely they will) Dead tunes like "Wharf Rat," "Sugaree" and "Death Don't Have No Mercy."

World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $29.50-$50.50, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

- Jonathan Takiff