The Cribs are well-connected, sassy, and smart Brit pop boys who hit the States without the usual Brit press flurry. Ra Ra Riot are
a jangly American indie-pop septet, whose elated and melancholic
songs reference the Police (vocals) and Dexy’s Midnight Runners
(fiddle) without sounding retro. But the most exciting act here may be
Jeffrey Lewis—he of the antifolk Crass-covers album and
the comic-strip “music videos.” Don’t be late. (Chop Suey, 1325 E
Madison St, 324-8000. 8 pm, $12, 21+.)