LORI GOLDSTON, SK KAKRABA, IJI
We have all heard someone play a xylophone, but until now, you may not have ever witnessed true mastery on the instrument. Hailing from northwest Ghana, which has produced countless talented xylophone players, SK Kakraba boasts the most impressive xylophone pedigree you're likely to see stateside. Experienced live, Kakraba's percussive dexterity is spirited and stupefying. Tonight, an accomplished band joins him, opening up propulsive and transformative dimensions to his music. With Stranger Genius Award–winning cellist Lori Goldston, and the freewheeling pop group iji. Heartland, 8 pm.
JOYCE MANOR, MERRY CHRISTMAS, THE EXQUISITES
Two sun-kissed pop-punk bands from the shores of Long Beach, California, descend upon the Vera Project tonight. Joyce Manor make stirring compact music, perfect soundtracks for being stuck at home during a never-ending summer and wandering aimlessly around old neighborhoods. Their songs really take hold once howled, screeched, and sung along to (preferably in a big, sweaty, and joyous pit). Merry Christmas's windswept take on brainy/brawny punk rock recalls spunky lo-fi bands like Guided by Voices and Superchunk. Rounding out the lineup is one of Seattle's most fiery and raspy groups, the Exquisites. Vera Project, 7:30 pm, $11 adv/$13 DOS.
WIMPS, SATAN WRIDERS, DUDE YORK, THE NARX
Wimps, Dude York, and the Narx should be three of your favorite local bands, if they aren't already. In their short life span, the Narx have left a lasting mark with their uproarious and juvenile punk clobbering. (Aside: I've been waiting to hear one of their songs that I know only from its totally awesome title, "Getting Head on a Bus in Heaven," for way too long. Consider this a very public calling out that the song needs to see the light of day.) Dude York, whose teen pop only gets sweeter with age, have a much-anticipated new album due out this year. Wimps' mighty, trenchant, and taunting rock songs prove that nice guys can finish first. You'll also want to welcome the murky stoner jams of Stockton, California's Satan Wriders with open ears. Cairo, 8 pm.
