Talib Kweli/Res Guess that whole Black Star reboot is gonna be a slow build. For now we get Talib solo, dropping Brooklyn conspiracy hip-hop you can groove to. Get there early for Philly soul-rocker Res. Jan. 19, World Café Live, worldcafelive.com.
Man Man Philly's stompy cabarockers didn't get the hometown love they deserved for last year's Life Fantastic. It mighta been their best yet. This show's a good chance to grab Honus Honus by the white pants, run our fingers through his luxurious mustache and swear we'll never take him for granted again. Jan. 21, Union Transfer, utphilly.com.
Jeff Mangum Move along. This is the most sold-out show of all time. Jan. 25, Irvine Auditorium, r5productions.com.
Megadeth Seems like every other metal mainstay has mined its iron man status for a barely ironic return to prominence. Maybe Bruce, Eddie and the rest are ready for a Some Kind of Monster/Osbournes/Anvil moment. Surely they've earned a one-off gag in a Funny or Die vid at least? Jan. 26, Susquehanna Bank Center, livenation.com.
Aimee Mann You may be surprised to learn that Aimee Mann, known for her guest appearances on Portlandia and all those comedy podcasts, is also a pretty decent singer-songwriter. Jan. 26, World Café Live.
Sugar Town's 11th anniversary With Tritone changing hands — and Sara Sherr moving Sugar Town to Kung Fu Necktie in February — this is a fine time to say goodbye to the place and hello to the fine female rockers in The Shondes, Lust2Love (a Go-Go's tribute band), Butterscotch Grimm and Jurassic Shark (a Girls Rock Philly group). Raise a glass to the memory of Rick D while you're there, too. Jan. 28, Tritone, tritonebar.com.
Die Antwoord Do you enjoy choppy aggro/po-mo South African weirdo-rap? Not sure, are you? Feb. 9, Trocadero, thetroc.com.
Sharon Van Etten One day you'll kick yourself for not catching the lovelorn Brooklyn singer-songwriter back when she played places this small. Feb. 10, Johnny Brenda's, johnnybrendas.com.
Umphrey's McGee In the words of Peter Laviolette: Show me some jam. Feb. 11, Electric Factory, electricfactory.info.
Slow Club It's about time this adorable Brit-folk duo came around to perform Paradise for us live. I'm tired of pressing play. Feb. 15, Johnny Brenda's.
Saul Williams Nobody seems to be poetry slamming anymore, but hip-hopping wordsmith Saul Williams still has something to say. His latest album, Volcanic Sunlight, just dropped a couple months ago. Feb. 22, World Café Live.
Magnetic Fields Stephin Merritt and co. come to town to celebrate the release of their new album, Love at the Bottom of the Sea. Actually "celebrate" is overselling it. Let's say "begrudgingly acknowledge." March 7, Union Transfer.
Black Keys After rocking out to El Camino, I no longer doubt the Akron duo-plus can rock a place as big as the WFC. But do I want to see them there? Undecided at press time. March 10, Wells Fargo Center, livenation.com.
Dr. Dog A double shot of these indie-jam Philly favorites. March 24-25, Electric Factory.
First Aid Kit This sisterly Swedish duo writes rootsy Led Zep-style folk epics. Their Game of Thrones-y second album, The Lion's Roar, drops soon. March 31, Union Transfer.
Wild Flag City Paper called their self-titled debut the best album of 2011, and we stand by it. It's not like that time we acted like Vampire Weekend was so great. That was just a phase. April 3, Trocadero.
Wu Lyf When they're not ducking interviews or deleting their own Wikipedia page, these preppie British Satanists actually make some gravelly good guitar pop. Word is they put on an amazing live show, once you pin them down. April 24, Union Transfer.
