Music critic's picks

A not-so-funny thing happened to the big-beat flamenco guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela on their way from Mexico City to Philadelphia last month. Rodrigo Sanchez was barred from boarding a plane because the U.S. Embassy had suspended his visa, confusing him for a suspected bad guy with a similar name. But was that other guy half of a duo dubbed "new artist to watch" by Rolling Stone, or "the next Buena Vista Social Club" by the Wall Street Journal?

His name now cleared, Rodrigo and his feisty female partner Gabriela are here Wednesday to show off their punk-inspired take on Spanish folkloric music. As the duo rip through the strings and rhythmically bang their guitars on originals, traditional tunes and unlikely flamenco fare like "Stairway to Heaven," don't be surprised that listeners hoot and holler as if they're rolling at a rock concert.

Electric Factory, 7th and Willow, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, $25, 215-336-2000,

» READ MORE: www.livenation.com

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— Jonathan Takiff

It was a rocky and rocking week for the Philly Popped Festival, plagued by schedule and venue changes. But the show goes on — three shows, in fact, that represent a wide range of sounds and scenes in local underground rock. Indie buzz-bands Dr. Dog and the Spinto band are at the Starlight Ballroom. Electro-popped Hail Social joins Phil Moore Brown's Afro-beat funk at a free afternoon festival in front of Philebrity headquarters. And Sub Pop signees P-ssed Jeans bring the noise with the grindcore of Total F—ing Destruction to the Firefighter's Lounge.

Starlight Ballroom, 460 N. 9th St., 8 tonight, $15, all ages. Philebrity, 1000 N. Hancock St., 2-7 p.m. tomorrow, free, all ages. Firefighter's Lounge, 6 p.m. Sunday, $10, all ages.

» READ MORE: www.poppedphiladelphia.org

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— Sara Sherr

The collaborative nature of jazz lends itself to what-if musings about how this and that musician would work together. One of those scenarios was realized last year when guitarist Pat Metheny and pianist Brad Mehldau unveiled their self-titled duo CD. The release last month of "Quartet" marked the progression from one-off wish fulfillment to full-fledged collaboration.

Their 16-year age difference is bridged by Metheny's boundless adaptability and the beyond-his-years sagacity that has made Mehldau, still in his early thirties, one of the most innovative musicians of his generation.

Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, 8 tonight, $49.50, 215-572-7650,

» READ MORE: keswicktheatre.com

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— Shaun Brady

The locally based Young Tappers Association and founder Nyrobi Goldstein have added their own twist to the hoofing craft, which will be on display in the show "Percussions and Rhythms." It incorporates hip-hop, jazz, spoken word, percussion and Goldstein's unique style of tap, which uses the entire tap shoe.

Brinae Ali is a member of Savion Glover's Broadway group, TiiDii; Baakari Wilder and Vincent Bingham performed in "Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk."

Freedom Theatre, 1346 N. Broad St., 7:30 tonight through Sunday, $20, 215-765-2793,

» READ MORE: www.phillytappers.com

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— Damon Williams

Orchestra 2001 artistic director James Freeman knows firsthand about the rarity of women in major symphony orchestras only a generation ago. His mother, the pioneering Boston-based violinist Florence Knope Freeman, played chamber music and opera but was never allowed to join her husband in the Boston Symphony. Her remarkable artistic life will honored by a new commission, "Romanza" by talented local composer Andrea Clearfield, with the busy violinist Gloria Justen in the solo role. Also on the program: Joseph Schwantner's "Sparrows," sung by its dedicatee, soprano Lucy Shelton.

Trinity Center, 2212 Spruce St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $30, and Lang Concert Hall, Swarthmore College, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $30, 215-922-2190,

» READ MORE: www.orchestra2001.org

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— Tom Di Nardo