Back Door Slam

They're a power-trio in every sense of the word. Even the scorching temps at the XpoNential Festival Sunday were no match for British blues-rockers Back Door Slam's incendiary performance. Hailing from the tiny Isle of Man, the three barely-out-of-their-teens band members have been building buzz locally; Sunday's World Cafe Live gig marks their third area appearance in less than a month. Despite their youth, guitarist/singer Davy Knowles, drummer Ross Doyle and bassist Adam are heavily influenced by masters like original Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn; Knowles calls the latter two to mind with his confident, exhilarating solos. Onstage, the nimble-fingered Knowles provides the trio's visual and sonic flash, while Doyle and Jones give this music powerhouse its rock-solid foundation. It all adds up to something quite memorable.

- Nicole Pensiero

---

Back Door Slam with guest Eion Harrington at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. Tickets: $19, $24. Phone: 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Joan of Arc + Ponytail

Prolific Chicago musician Tim Kinsella has led Joan of Arc since the mid-'90s, albeit with countless hiatuses and detours along the way. Between that band, Cap'n Jazz, Owls, and Make Believe, Kinsella long ago cemented his place as an influential figure in indie circles. Joan of Arc's new Boo! Human marks yet another cryptic showing, relying on a revolving cast of more than a dozen musicians who made use of a sign-up sheet and a week in the studio. The resulting songs are tender yet tangled, peppered with sexual and political lyrics. Also delving in their own heads with dynamic results are Baltimore's Ponytail, whose Ice Cream Spiritual is instilled with a twitchy, art-school cool.

- Doug Wallen

---

Joan of Arc with Ponytail and Olafur Arnalds play at 8 p.m. Wednesday at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St. Tickets: $10. Phone: 267-765-5210.

Kenny Chesney

Like his idol, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney is made for summer. For this superstar, nothing is better for what ails you than a little time kicking back in the sun by the sea. Combine that none-too-deep philosophy with anthemic '70s rock that is stadium-ready, and it's no wonder the three-time Country Music Association entertainer of the year has sold trillions of records. For something more satisfying, though, you need to look to the undercard: LeAnn Rimes and Keith Urban are both capable of outshining Chesney artistically, but the real treat is the least-known of the performers on the bill: California country-rocker/honky-tonker Gary Allan.

- Nick Cristiano

---

Kenny Chesney, with LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban and Gary Allan, at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field. Tickets: $79.50 to $99.50. Phone: 215-336-2000, www.lincolnfinancialfield.com.