Weekly Notable Shows
Highlights—and otherwise—of the week's calendar.
Wednesday, March 1
Jamie Cullum
He's young, he's impish, he's British, he's trad, he plays piano, he sings, he's huge, he's boring. Moore Theatre, 8 p.m. $26
Mary Gauthier + Sera Cahoone
Alt-country singer-songwriter Gauthier's Mercy Now recently finished eighth in the Nashville Scene's annual country-music critics' poll, and local opener Cahoone's self-titled new CD is already drawing notice—a smartly configured pairing. Tractor Tavern, 8 p.m. $10 adv./$12
Matt Pond PA
These hardworking indie rockers have been around roughly as long as Death Cab, with whom they share lyrical similarities and soundtrack guest spots (Pond covering Oasis for the OC). They may be at the top of their game with Several Arrows Later (Altitude). Youth Group and Sea Navy open. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $11 adv./$12 All ages
Thursday, March 2
Animal Collective
Freak folk and avant-rock at its most strenuously poppy from a loose conglomeration of mostly New Yorkers. Neumos, 9 p.m. $13 adv./$15. All ages
Friday, March 3
Orthrelm + Bloodhag + Zombi
The headliners' OV was one of the weirder metal crossover hits of last year (well, it made Pitchfork's top 50, at least)—a single, 45-minute track consisting mostly of hyperspeed tweedling guitar runs that works like very cranky ambient. In the middle are a local group that play "short heavy metal songs about science fiction and fantasy authors" (it says so on their Web site) and opening are a two-piece devoted to Italian horror soundtracks. Quite a bill. Vera Project, 7 p.m. $6 with club card/$7
Satoshi Tomiie
N.Y.C.-based Tomiie is first to head up the new Renaissance series, 3D, a triple mix of live sets, original tracks and remixes, and a compilation of (non-artist-produced) come-down favorites. You might just hear it all during this four-hour set, supported by Chronus. Element, 9 p.m. $10 before 11 p.m./$15
Saturday, March 4
Band of Horses + Mt. Egypt + Tiny Vipers
Fresh from Sundance, where they played with Sub Pop brethren Iron and Wine and the Fruit Bats, BOH release Everything All the Time this month. With former members of Carissa's Wierd and the Charming Snakes, it's good stuff. Neumo's, 9 p.m. $8
Ben Folds
He's tossed the "Brick" for "Bitches Ain't Shit"—here's hoping for further, and better, revelations. Paramount, 8 p.m. $25–$35
Robyn Hitchcock and the Minus 5
Even if you're not all that big on Hitchcock's cod-surrealist lyrics, the guy's a charming performer and has lots of catalog to pick from. So do his backing band, who celebrate the release of a fine new self-titled album. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $15
Vicci Martinez + Tom and Kendel (Paperboys) + Jared Clifton + Carrie Akre + Karen Pernick
This "Songwriters/Storytellers" event features prolific local musicians—with variations on a folk theme—and their personal anecdotes about how and why they make the music they do. Triple Door, 7 p.m. (All ages) and 10 p.m. $17.50 adv./$21
Mercir
The local quartet (since the addition of instrumentalist Neal Vickers) make emotional, haunting electronica that's at its best on Windchimes and Landmines, debuting tonight among performances from Awesome, Plan B with LP Recklaw, Kid Hops, and RA Scion. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $8 Also Sun., March 5, at Easy Street Records Queen Anne, 4 p.m. NC
Son of Rose
Don't sleep on this minimalist electronic producer, whose intriguing compositions were just lauded in Wire. He goes on between opener Kaz Nomura and headliner Zachary Watkins. Gallery 1412, 8 p.m. $5–$15
Wizards of Wor + the Vaccines + the Fakies + the Projects + Dirty Poor Crazy People
Seattle has a dumbfounding lack of skate parks. Since it's taking the city so long to rebuild what they've razed, a group of citizens have been constructing Marginal Skatepark DIY-style, for the kids. All proceeds from this show benefit their righteous efforts. Sunset, 6 p.m. $5
Sunday, March 5
Jackie-O Motherfucker + Super Geek League + Grails
Beauty is in the streets, as well as "free jazz, noise rock, graffiti, space rock, folk music," etc., for this experimental troupe, playing tonight with Portland's graceful Grails and local weirdos Super Geek League. Something for everyone! Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $7
Trespassers William
Prime for tomorrow night's Low performance by catching the ethereal folk of Trespassers, whose Having (Nettwerk) is a must-own for Mazzy Star and Azure Ray fans. Rendezvous, 10:30 p.m. $5
Monday, March 6
Bon Jovi
It takes cheek to title your new album Have a Nice Day, as these veteran arena rockers have, but if you're going, it's for the '80s hits. KeyArena, 305 Harrison St., 206-684-7202, 7:30 p.m. $47.50–$85.50
Stereolab + Hot Chip
Showbox, 8 p.m. $18
Tuesday, March 7
Dengue Fever
Dengue Fever's blend of American, Cambodian, and Ethiopian influences made an impression the last time they played Seattle. Tonight, Forgotten Sol and Swampdweller open. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $7
DMBQ
The Japanese noise-rock kings and queens return, in support of last year's The Essential Sounds of the Far East (Estrus) and with a great, ferocious live show. The King Cobra and zZz open. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $8
Low
For a band that traffics in what some consider a stagnant sound, Low have evolved plenty in the last few years—most recently, with bassist Zak Sally's departure. Their new, louder musical direction made the Great Destroyer (Sub Pop) one of 2005's best. Lavender Diamond open. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $13 adv./$15
Pink Mountaintops
If you like Black Mountain, wait'll you hear them stripped down and lightened up (in more ways than one). The Can't See and Whalebones open. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8
