EYEDEA & ABILITIES The Minnesota duo’s latest album, “By the Throat,’’ showcases off-the-beaten path wordplay and inventive backing tracks, delving deeply into a punky band sound. Nov. 28, 9 p.m., $15, Middle East, 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com
BILAL This neo-soul man from Philly once was touted as one of the next big things after D’Angelo and Maxwell. Mega-fame never materialized as urban music became more digitized, but Bilal continued to make thoughtful jazz-tinged R&B records that fans of real singing and live instrumentation can appreciate. Dec. 2, 9 p.m., $22, Middle East, 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com
LIVINGSTON TAYLOR “Last Alaska Moon,’’ his new album that includes a soulful cover of “The Girl Is Mine,’’ isn’t out yet, but chances are that Taylor will be previewing it. Dec. 2, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., $30, Scullers, 617-562-4111, www.scullersjazz.com JAMES REED
