The Trolley Drops jug band takes pop classics and standards like “Rudolph,” then gives them a twist as jazz, rock, and country. At Discretion Brewing, 5:30pm Friday
Folk singer songwriters Lou Hazel & Alexa Rose, from Appalachia—movingly human, sometimes fun and whimsical, sometimes longing and sad, often all at once. Sunday at Felton Music Hall, 8pm
Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar makes socially and politically charged music. His band’s performances are superb, combining African rhythms with heavy, psychedelic rock textures. At Felton Music Hall, Thursday.
The Django Festival Allstars carry on Django Reinhardt’s blazing hot-jazz tradition with virtuosic guitar, accordion and violin. At Kuumbwa on Monday, Dec. 1.
One part Stone Temple Pilots, one part Alice in Chains, and eight parts their own sensibilities, Drawing Heaven is for anyone with a love for classic, heavy rock. Plays Saturday at Blue Lagoon, 8:30pm
Sub Pop artist Lael Neale has a unique voice that does the storytelling work with support from her dreamy and roomy guitar playing. Friday at Crepe Place, 8pm
Becca Stevens incorporates jazz, pop, folk and elements of indie rock melodies under songs that bare her soul while still maintaining creative wordplay that lacks pretension. Performing Thursday, 7pm at Kuumbwa
Imagine if Tenacious D got into Steely Dan and Robert Hunter instead of Dio and Metal. That's The smooth ’n’ hilarious Schoolcraft & Murray. Saturday at Ugly Mug, 7pm.
