M83

One-man French electronica band M83 sometimes receives comparisons to shoegaze, the ambient pop sound so named because the people who play it tend to spend sets staring at their sneakers. But “stargaze” is a much better term, and not just because this band is named after a galaxy. M83’s operatic sound is space incarnate, the ideal soundtrack for all your best flying dreams. This year’s glorious pop opus, Saturdays = Youth, is Anthony Gonzalez’s symphonic tribute to ’80s synth-pop (note the Boy George and Molly Ringwald lookalikes on the cover), paying homage to the decade’s synth pioneers while etching its own permanent place in electronic music’s evolutionary chain. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S., 628-3151, www.showboxonline.com. $20 (all ages). 8 p.m. SARA BRICKNER
Tue., Nov. 25, 8 p.m., 2008