Tonight through Thursday, compiled by Tom Di Nardo, Shaun Brady, Sara Sherr, Jonathan Takiff and Damon C. Williams.

POP

Was (Not Was): Back with "Boo!" their first new album in some time, these guys are still living La Funksta Loco. Two dapper, heritage R&B singers - Sweet Pea Atkinson and Sir Harry Bowens - are up front wailing, with stomping, brassy, prog-soul-powered tunes. However, those twisted, satirical lyrics by band masterminds David Weiss and Don Fagenson are coming from another galaxy, steeped in the absurdist rock tradition of Frank Zappa, George Clinton and Captain Beefheart. Clever guy Todd Snider will likewise amuse in the opening slot. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 tonight, $30-$40, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com. (Note: WCL price quotes now include processing fees!)

Teitur: Fans of Bright Eyes, Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass and Rufus Wainwright will appreciate this plaintive and empathetic artist with a daringly modern, minimalist sense of arrangement. First name pronounced tie-tor, last name Lassen, the fellow hails from Denmark's Faroe Islands and will be introducing material from his upcoming CD, "The Singer." Old Spring Pike and Iceland's Helgi Jonsson share the bill. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8 tonight, $15, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

The Acorn: Melodic rockers (in the Coldplay vein) share the extended musical story of "Glory Hope Mountain," based on the life of front man Rolf Klausener's Honduran-born mother. With Quintero and Maria Rose. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd. 9 tonight, $10, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Andy Palacio Tribute Tour: Earthy, invigorating Garifuna music and dance of Central America (a fusion of Latin, African and Caribbean influences) and its recently deceased, best-known cultural ambassador are celebrated by the Garifuna Collective, the female vocal ensemble Umalali, and rising stars of Garifuna music Aurelio Martinez, Lloyd Augustine and Adrian Martinez. Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 8 tonight, $30, 215-898-3900, www.pennpresents.org.

The Kills: This he-'n'-she duo will murderlize you with their edgy, sexy, post-garage rock. Are they really hot-to-trot lovers, or do they just play the role onstage? You decide. Telepathe opens. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $12, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Anti-Flag: Fists in the air, protesting punk-rockers carry on in the spitfire tradition of the Clash. Opening act Street Dogs also howl. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $16, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Newton Faulkner: There are two young white guys with long dreadlocks, sweet voices and wistful smiles making a (mellow) noise out there. But unlike "American Idol's" Jason Castro, Britain's Faulkner is the complete package, already a star on home turf without a TV show to prop him up. His bell-like voice never falters, his balmy, original, folk-pop songs make a strong first impression. Plus the guy is master of a dynamic, pluck-and-hammer guitar technique that suggests time well-spent listening to fellow countrymen John Renbourn and Bert Jansch. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $16, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Apocalyptica: Roll over, Beethoven. The hardest, heaviest ensemble of string players we've ever heard is this cello-metal band from Helsinki, Finland. Little-known here and newly signed to Jive Records in the U.S., they have sold millions of albums worldwide. Trocadero, 10th and Arch Streets, 7 p.m. Sunday, $16/$18, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Ben Taylor: The apple didn't fall far from the tree with the talented offspring of two very famous singer/songwriters named James and Carly. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7 p.m. Sunday, $16, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Flight of the Conchords: Any pop, hip-hop and soul aficionado with a sense of humor has to love this New Zealand comedy and song duo, for their apt (though seemingly unintentional) parodies of contemporary music styles. Given their star status on HBO, it's no wonder this show sold out in, like, five minutes. Maybe you can talk your way in by telling the stage door guard you're president of the lads' fan club and really need to be there. (On the sitcom, they're painfully unsuccessful, with only one fan.) Tower Theater, 69th and Market streets, 8 p.m. Monday, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Tina Dico: Danish-born, British-based songstress best-known here for vocal contributions to ambient popsters' Zero 7's second album. But the girl's got gobs of shimmering pop-rock material of her own to introduce from her new "Count to Ten" disc, including the punchy troubadour's tale, "On the Run," and the haunting benediction, "Everybody Knows." Fans of K.T. Tunstall will get it right away. With Fishboy, Jason Ager, Milk. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $8, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

HIP-HOP

Hip-Hop Lives!!! The perfect reaffirmation of the vitality of hip-hop can be found when DJ Skipmode spins a this monthly sets. The hard-working Reef the Lost Cauze will join in on the fun, as will Electric City and The Antidote. Manhattan Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 10 tonight, $7, 21+, 215-739-5577, www.electriccitywebsite.com.

mtvU Campus Invasion Tour: Urban music sensations Wyclef Jean, Lloyd and Flo Rida will join pop outfits the Bravery, Simple Plan, Cobra Starship and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus for this spring-break-styled event. Here's hoping Jean does "Five-O," which appears on Elephant Man's latest release, "Let's Get Physical." Penn's Landing Festival Pier, Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street, 3:15 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-928-8801, www.pennslandingcorp.com.

Fat Burndown: It's always a treat when like-minded fusion bands Fat City Reprise and BurnDown All-stars swarm a stage. Fans should expect the BDAs to run through tracks "Big Smokey" and "Gold Mine." Fillmore at the TLA, 336 South St.,

7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $14, 215-336-3600, www.livenation.com.

DJ Cru Cut: Outerspace's resident spinner has established a monthly set at a swanky lounge that doesn't disapoint, with a wide array of breakbeats and classic material. Bubblehouse, 3404 Sansom St., 10 p.m. tomorrow, $5, 21+, 215-243-0804.

ALTERNATIVE

Anahita: New psych-folk duo featuring Fursaxa's Tara Burke and the Espers' Helena Espvall makes its debut at the Fuzz exhibit at Space 1026, 1026 Arch St., 8 tonight, free, 215-574-7630, http://space1026.com.

Emerge: Female answer to the Blue Ball kicks off tonight with the return of beloved Philly DJ Cozmic Cat, performances by Marga Gomez, Shooting Ropes, Alia, Odd Girl Out and more. Proceeds go to LGBT charity Sapphire Fund. Transit, 600 Spring Garden St., 9 tonight, $20-30, 267-514-2088, http://emerge.sapphirefund.org.

L.A. Riots: Los Angeles DJ duo of Jo'B and Daniel Le Disko have remixed Justice and Hot Chip; the Cure is next. Their first area appearance is part of the monthly "It's 4 a.m. in Philly" party. Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 9 tonight, free, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Acoustic MEWsic: Fan of Friends and Little Ocean play the vibrant South Philly gallery's new performance series. Mew is co-owned by Carolynne McNeel of Rarebirds and Ports of Call. Mew Gallery, 906 Christian St., 4-6 p.m. tomorrow, free, 215-625-2424, mewgallery.org.

Stars of the Lid: Electronic/ambient drone duo from Austin makes a rare Philly appearance with Stereolab-inspired Christopher Willits. St. Mary's Church, 3916 Locust Walk, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $20, all ages, 267-765-5210, r5productions.com.

Best Fest Benefit Show: Need New Body offshoot Buffalo Stance joins Skeletonbreath, Paper Napkins, Rowan & Hastings, Air Jordan and Fun Machine to raise money for the annual West Philly outdoor music event. Danger Danger Gallery, 5013 Baltimore Ave., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $5, all ages, www.myspace.com/dangerdangergallery.

Mr. Unloved: Irreverent Mose Allison/Tom Waits-like pianist is always a twisted delight. With Malcolm Tent and Pat Conway & Friends. Plaza Diner, 34 E. Snyder Ave., 9:30 p.m. tomorrow, $5, all ages, 215-755-7899, www.myspace.com/hellundertheel.

Sorted 10-Year Anniversary Party: Event that introduced rock DJ nights as events in Philadelphia turns 10. Expect to hear everything good and British. Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 10 p.m. tomorrow, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Earth: Early '90s instrumental psych drone rock band jams with like-minded Brooklyn art-metalists Kayo Dot and local Cream-like power trio Birds of Maya. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Avenue, 9 p.m. Monday, $10, 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

Monday Night Club: Needles Jones-hosted weekly features soulful avant punks the Baptist Preachers and the rootsy Knife & Fork Band. Balcony, 10th and Arch streets, 10 p.m. Monday, free, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Snacks: New series hosted by Dave P of Making Time brings in some DJs from the Get Physical roster: M.A.N.D.Y. (Berlin), Heidi (London) and Audiofly (Barcelona). Woody's, 202 S. 13th St., 10 p.m. Tuesday, $5, 215-545-1893, www.igetrvng.com.

Cave Singers: New alt-country project featuring former members of Pretty Girls Make Graves stops in Philadelphia before joining Death Cab for Cutie on tour. Love As Laughter opens. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $8, 215-684-0808, northstarbar.com.

Midnight Juggernauts: Australian dance band that's a bit Bowie and a bit Kraftwerk returns after touring with Justice. If you're missing Supersystem, they've turned into Shy Child, a duo on Kill Rock Stars. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Sgt. Sass: Fierce, gay rap duo makes for a fun midweek evening at Silk City, 5th and Spring Garden streets, 9 p.m. Wednesday, 215-592-8838, www.myspace.com/phillysilkcity.

JAZZ

Brian Betz/Denis DiBlasio: Inter-generational pairing of baritone saxist/flutist DiBlasio and his former Rowan University student, guitarist Betz, returns to the site where their recent "Live at Chris' Jazz Cafe" was recorded. That disc was half of a two-CD set of burning swing that obliterates differences in age and styles. This time around, DiBlasio is the featured guest with Betz's trio. Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 8 & 10 tonight, $12, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.

Wine and Jazz Festival 2008: Longwood Gardens follows up last year's inaugural fest with another ideal pairing of vintage local vino and jazz. Sample wares of more than a dozen local wineries while artists including David Leonhardt, Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble and Marlon Simon create their own tasty blends. Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, noon-5:30 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday, $10-$60, 610-388-1000, ext. 100, www.longwoodgardens.org.

William Parker's "Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield": Premiere avant-jazz bassist has assembled an impressive octet to explore the politically themed work of the R&B legend. Besides devising jazz arrangements of Mayfield's music, Parker teamed with poet Amiri Baraka to create new pieces inspired by his legacy. Baraka's words will be recited by Philly spoken-word artist Ursula Rucker, and Parker's band will be completed by pianist Dave Burrell, vocalist Leena Conquest, trumpeter Lewis Barnes, saxophonists Darryl Foster and Sabir Mateen, and drummer Hamid Drake. Painted Bride, 230 Vine St., 7 and 9 p.m. tomorrow, $25, 215-925-9914, www.paintedbride.org, www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

Rick DellaRatta & Jazz for Peace: In September 2002, vocalist/pianist DellaRatta led a band of Israeli, Middle Eastern, European, Asian and American musicians in a concert at the United Nations. Since then, he's continued to play Jazz for Peace concerts around the world, arriving here in a benefit for the Darfur Alert Coalition, a locally based nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of the genocide in Sudan. Arch Street Meeting House, 4th and Arch streets, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $35, 484-250-2795, www.jazzforpeace.org.

Helen Sung: Though even the Chinese-American pianist herself groans at the title of her latest, "Sungbird," the CD is a lovely take on Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz's "Espana." Sung and her working quartet will bring her blend of improvisation and classical elegance. Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 8 and 10 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com.

Weasel Walter and Guests: Whether you consider his music extreme jazz, instrumental hardcore or just plain aggression, Bay Area-based drummer/provocateur Walter probably doesn't care; his brutal sonic assault lays out all in its path. For this show, he'll be joined by locals who can keep up with his pedal-to-the-floor pace. Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $10, www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

CLASSICAL

Philadelphia Orchestra: Christoph Eschenbach leads the gigantic Mahler Eighth Symphony, subtitled the "Symphony of a Thousand." The enormous forces are a who's who: sopranos Christine Brewer, Marisol Montalvo and Michaela Kaune, mezzos Stephanie Blythe and Charlotte Hellekant, tenor Vinson Cole, baritone Franco Pomponi and bass James Morris. Add to those famed voices the Philadelphia Singers Chorale, the Westminster Symphonic Choir, the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia and the American Boychoir. You might get another chance in about 90 years. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 tonight and tomorrow, $38-$113, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.

Garrick Ohlsson: American master pianist who brilliantly recorded the huge, complete catalog of Chopin turns mostly to Russian works in Sonatas by Scriabin (No. 10), Prokofiev (No. 2) and Norman Dello Joio, plus shorter keyboard gems by Scriabin and Rachmaninoff. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 8 tonight, $22.50, 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.

Piffaro: The Renaissance Wind Band: Warming up for a performance at a German festival, the band offers a program of music from London's royal court of Elizabeth I by William Byrd, Thomas Tallis and others who filtered music from the continent into courts, cathedrals and pubs fill this season-ending bill. St. Mark's, 1625 Locust St., 8 tonight; Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Avenue, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $15-$30, 215-235-8469, www.piffaro.com.

Symphony in C: Rossen Milanov leads a Latin-based program, with Rimsky-Korsakov's "Capriccio Espagnol," Chabrier's "Espana," Ravel's "Bolero" and works by Falla and Marquez, plus the Concerto and "Oblivion" for solo bandoneon by the Argentinian tango master Astor Piazzolla with Astral artist Lidia Kaminska as soloist. Gordon Theater, Third and Cooper streets, Camden, N.J., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $15-$40, 856-429-1880, www.symphonyinc.org.

Christopher Millard, Camille Churchfield and Lydia Artymiw: Canadian bassoon master Millard, a Curtis grad, teams with pianist Artymiw in works by Hurlstone, Miroshnikov and Sluka, and with flutist Churchfield in the Doppler "Rigoletto" Fantasie and the Villa-Lobos "Bachianas Brasileiras" No. 6. As a bonus, Artimiw performs the Mozart K.333 piano sonata. Field Concert Hall, Curtis Institute, 1726 Locust St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $22.50, 215-569-8080, www.pcmsconcerts.org.

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia: Ignat Solzhenitsyn returns as both soloist and conductor in the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21. In addition, he'll also lead the eloquent and flowing Beethoven Symphony No. 6, the beloved "Pastoral." Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Monday, $36-$81, 215-893-1999, www.chamberorchestra.org.

Opera Delaware: Mark Adamo's new setting of "Little Women" is conducted by David Lawton, with direction by Leland Kimball. The work is sung in English with projected supertitles. Grand Opera House, 818 N. Market St. in Wilmington, Del., 2 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. May 9-10, $25-$68, 1-800-37-GRAND, www.operade.org.

Eliot Fisk and Zaira Meneses: Guitar virtusosos perform Mexican classical and popular works in celebration of the Frida Kahlo exhibition. Van Pelt Auditorium, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, $20, 215-569-8080, philamuseum.org.

American Society of Ancient Instruments: The ensemble of 17th-and 18th-century instruments will perform baroque music with trumpet soloist Elin Frazier to celebrate their 79th festival season. Old First Reformed Church, Fourth and Race streets, 3 p.m. Sunday, $15, 610-935-4579, www.baroque-asai.org.

Choral Arts Society: Matthew Glandorf leads the chorus in music written for special occasions for the English royal family, including Handel's Coronation Anthems, John Tavener's "Song for Athene" (performed at Princess Diana's funeral) and music by Hubert Parry. First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, 25 W. Chelten Ave., 3 p.m. Sunday, free-will offering, 215-843-8811, www.fpcgermantown.org.

Cynthia Raim, Ida Levin and Peter Stumpf: This piano-violin-cello team, comprised of three sterling musicians well-known to this area, perform an all-Schumann bill consisting of the Four Romances, both sets of Fantasy Pieces (Opp. 12 and 73) and the Op. 80 Piano Trio. American Philosophical Society, 427 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Monday, $22.50, 215-569-8080, www.pcmsconcerts.org.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Christoph Eschenbach leads a new work by French composer Marc-Andre Dalvabie, "La Source d'un regard," as well as Prokofiev's scorching Fifth Symphony, written during the last years of WWII. Thierry Escaich, organist at Paris' St. Etienne-du-Mont, solos in the Fred J. Cooper instrument in his own Organ Concerto No. 1. Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center, 8 p.m. Thursday and May 10 and 13; 2 p.m. May 9, $38-$113, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.