GLISTEN TO WALLS' SHOEGAZEY TECHNO

Most people will be going to this gig for bombastic, electronic-post-rock brainiacs Battles, who are one of the greatest live acts on earth now. But you should arrive early (I mean early; Neptune shows start punctually) for Walls. The British duo of Alessio Natalizia and Sam Willis creates soft-focus techno that draws on shoegaze-pop and chillwave elements (gleaming guitars, diaphanous synths, childlike vocals) for tracks that blossom into cinematic expansiveness. Their two albums on revered German electronica label Kompakt—Walls and Coracle—abound with the sort of warm, enveloping tracks that can lure indie rockers into the techno camp... where they will be trapped, with pleasure, forever. Neptune Theatre, 8 pm, $19, all ages.

SATURDAY MORNING CARTOON'S ANIMATED HIPHOP

Y'all probably know a lot about Live & Direct participants Black Stax, Specs One, and OC Notes (all of whom The Stranger's covered in depth), but it's possible that Saturday Morning Cartoon aren't on your radar... yet. The local duo of Jonnie Storm (vocals) and Nitro Fresh (beats, talkbox embellishments) should be discussed in the same breath as other rising 206 hiphop artists like Katie Kate, Helluvastate, 10.4 Rog, etc. SMC's productions are richly detailed, orchestral funkscapes that bear repeated listens in your whip or your crib (hope those slang terms still have cultural currency). Go straight to "Black Black" and "Baddest" from Cereal Box Superheroes on SMC's Bandcamp page for ample proof. With Zeta Barber. Lo-Fi Performance Gallery, 9 pm, $7, 21+.

MELISSA MANCHESTER AT TROUBLE

The 60-year-old pop diva Melissa Manchester makes a surprise live performance at Terry Hecker's renowned Trouble disco night. Best known for MOR hits like "Don't Cry Out Loud," "Midnight Blue," "Walk on By," and the Grammy-winning "You Should Hear How She Talks About You," Manchester is in town for the Seattle Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, for which this edition of Trouble is a benefit party. Her music is featured in the new movie Dirty Girl, which premieres on Seattle screens October 14. With Dicso and DJ FITS. Fred Wildlife Refuge, 9 pm, $10, 21+.