Rock/Pop

A Benefit For Trevor Butler's Family

This past July, local musician Trevor Butler of Bottom of the Hudson tragically died in a van accident in North Carolina. In a benefit for his family (and for his bandmate Greg Lytle, who was seriously injured), Man Man, The Wrens, The A-Sides and Nymph will perform.

Sept. 20, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 868-468-7619, www.r5productions.com.

Chicago rapper Common brings his warm beats and smart rhymes to town, supporting his well-regarded Finding Forever. Q-Tip opens.

Sept. 25, Electric Factory, 421 N. 7th St., 215-627-1332, www.livenation.com.

Composed of veterans of local bands including Hilliard, Grandfabric and The Rarebirds, Grammar Debate celebrates the release of Cheetah vs. Helicopter with this show.

Sept. 27, the Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Rilo Kelly (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett and friends have proven their ability to push fans' buttons, with their slick-pop, big-time new album Under the Blacklight. Maybe their revamped sound will make more sense to everyone in a live setting.

Sept. 25, the Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Coming off some acclaimed Sonic Youth projects — last year's excellent Rather Ripped and a Daydream Nation tour — Moore brings his own show to town, supporting his mostly acoustic Trees Outside the Academy.

Sept. 30, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Here's how I see this playing out: Eddie finally checks in to Jerk Rehab; Alex joins up with Michael Anthony and Hagar; Roth reforms Van Halen with an all-little people backing band; no one's really sure what became of Wolfgang. And then they all get back together again in five years.

Oct. 1 and 3, Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 215-336-3600, www.comcast-spectacor.com.

The iconoclastic punk rockers celebrate their 30th anniversary and a new album, Natural.

Oct. 2, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Tribute band Girlfriend in a Coma performs, plus Karaoke Obscura will give you a chance to be Morrissey, and, for good measure, DJ Deejay will spin the classics to make sure heaven knows you're miserable now.

Oct. 5, the Khyber.

The Boss, The Big Man, Mighty Max, Little Steven, The Professor and The Ones Who Don't Get Nicknames arrive in town for an evening of compulsive microphone-sharing.

Oct. 5, Wachovia Center.

The Mountain Goats (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

The story-weaving John Darnielle made the slow rise from obscure cassette-only releases to his prominent status as a pre-eminent indie music-maker. Darnielle brings The Mountain Goats back to town.

Sept. 22, North Star, 2639 Poplar St., 215-787-0488, www.northstarrocks.com.

This Glasgow trio has written perhaps the best couplet of the year: "Get out to a bar/ Get out like a blonde gets out of a car." Go and do likewise.

Oct. 7, First Unitarian Church.

Baldy McComplain, his drummer and some hired hands. Despite all their rage, they are still just rats in a CAAAAAAGE.

Oct. 19, 21 and 22, Tower Theater, 19 S. 69th St., 610-352-2887, www.livenation.com.

I'm kinda torn, see. On one hand, Art Brut put on one of the best live shows around, even if their new album, It's a Bit Complicated, is rather subpar. And on the other hand, I'm one of those rare rock critics who cannot abide The Hold Steady.

Oct. 23, Electric Factory.

The New Pornographers (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

On Challengers, The New Pornographers try to stretch out into introspective, muted territory, with middling results. Get there for early for Emma Pollock, formerly of The Delgados, whose solo debut Watch the Fireworks is an orch-pop delight.

Oct. 26, the Trocadero.

Sugar Town, Sara Sherr's ladycentric evening, celebrates the woman inside the man, with performances from Helen Back and the Str8 Razors and Liberty City Kings. DJs Ricky Paul and Ryan Creed will spin.

Oct. 27, Tritone, 1508 South St., 215-545-0475, www.tritonebar.com.

A few years back, inspired by a City Paper feature, '90s local folk-rockers The Low Road performed a few celebrated reunion shows. The good vibes must've persisted, resulting in this re-reunion gig.

Nov. 10, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

The former frontman of Gorky's Zygotic Mynic, Childs embarks on his first U.S. tour since the band's breakup, with Kilgour of The Clean along for the ride.

Nov. 13, Johnny Brenda's.

(m_pelusi@citypaper.net)