THE SHOWDOWN: Outrageously Bubbly

Playing this week in Philly: Sia @ the Troc, Bon Iver @ Tower Theater and Death Cab For Cutie with Frightened Rabbit @ the Mann Center.

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THE SHOWDOWN: Outrageously Bubbly

POSTED: Monday, August 1, 2011, 1:00 PM

Monday: Originally identified as a dramatic chanteuse, Australian singer Sia has since proven to be extremely versatile. From collaborations with the ever-changing downtempo group Zero 7 to her own increasingly hooky solo albums, Sia’s career continues to take unusual and delightful turns. Sia’s most recent material has been almost outrageously bubbly, so get ready to jump up and down a whole lot. w/ Oh Land & Ximena Sarinana, 8 p.m., $22, Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-6888.

Tuesday: The duo that makes up Graffiti6 knows how to mix it up. DJ TommyD and singer Jamie Scott appear to come from different backgrounds, but their shared loves for all kinds of music makes their pairing work very well. Not unlike Erasure, Graffiti6 combines dance music with a variety of other styles, including soul, folk and hip-hop. The real focal point is the exuberant energy that the band exudes every second of the show. w/ She Came Crashing, 9 p.m., $12, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684.

Wednesday: More so than any could’ve imagined, Bon Iver’s transformation from Justin Vernon’s solo outlet to an expansive full band has served to make the project much better. With multiple guitarists and percussionists in tow, Vernon’s richly textured new songs can be faithfully recreated live. Bon Iver’s new album is a marked departure from the hush tones of Vernon’s beloved debut, but the change in sound is natural and breathtaking. w/ The Rosebuds, 8 p.m., $63-$158, Tower Theater, 69th & Ludlow Sts., 610-352-2887.

Thursday: After The Clash, guitarist Mick Jones formed Big Audio Dynamite, a move that would divide fans of his previous band into distinct camps. Some loved how Jones embraced the dance music of the day, while others derided the band for not being ‘punk’ enough. No matter your stance, this reunion of B.A.D. is monumental. Expect to hear all of the band’s mid-‘80s hits as well as deep cuts and some great stories from the always effervescent Jones. w/ HR/Human Rights, 8:30 p.m., $29.50-$39.70, Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St., 215-627-1332.

Friday: You might remember that Death Cab For Cutie played a surprisingly small (for them, anyway) show at the Trocadero earlier this year. This move shows that, no matter how successful they become, the guys in Death Cab are still into things that other bands might consider being beneath them. That Troc show sold out mighty quickly, but there’s plenty of room for you and everyone you know at this concert. Death Cab’s newest album, Codes And Keys, has already proven to be quite the smash hit, but they’ll no doubt dig into their catalogue for some old favorites. w/ Frightened Rabbit, 7:30 p.m., $35-$39.50, Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave., 215-878-0400.

Saturday: The Men, a group of smarter-than-you-probably-give-the-credit-for Brooklyn punks are, well, smarter than you probably give them credit for. Song and album titles are often copped from more famous acts, and even lyrics from other tunes make their way into the band’s own material. This love for other folks’ music really works in the band’s favor, giving their raucous shows a sense of dimension and direction. w/ Whatever Brains, Night Sins & Streetwalkers, 7 p.m., $8-$10, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919.

Sunday: Okay, first thing’s first: a few years ago, singer Terri Nunn acquired the rights to the “Berlin” and has been touring with a new lineup ever since. Just because it’s not the original band (save for Nunn’s iconic intonations) doesn’t mean you’re going to get anything less than one hell of a nostalgia trip. Berlin was one of those bands whose songs often transcended the group itself. Hits like “Take My Breath Away” and “The Metro” remain well known and popular, even if the band’s classic era has passed. Still, reliving those glory days with Terri Nunn is a great opportunity to ask your high school sweetheart to dance. w/ DJ Robert Drake, 8 p.m., $20-$48, World Café Live, 30th St. & Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

(eric.schuman@citypaper.net)

See Also:

Jerry Blavat @ the Free Library, tonight

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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