SWANS Influential across a wide spectrum of genres and artists - from avant heavy metal rockers Tool to folkie Devendra Banhart - Michael Gira is taking flight again with Swans, in service of last year’s “My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky.’’ Sept. 29, 8 p.m. Tickets: $25. Royale. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com
AUDRA MCDONALD Raves pretty much follow this four-time Tony winner everywhere she goes. So we feel confident that a Celebrity Series concert by the “Private Practice’’ star, currently finishing up her run in the ART’s Broadway-bound production of “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,’’ will be a winner. Oct. 2, 5 p.m. Tickets: $35-$83. Symphony Hall. 888-266-1200. www.bso.org
THE BANGLES The harmony-drenched pop group is hitting the road behind “Sweetheart of the Sun,’’ its first new album in seven years. So expect to hear a few contemporary tunes splashed among hits like “Walk Like an Egyptian’’ and “Eternal Flame.’’ Oct. 4, 8 p.m. Tickets: $29.50. Wilbur Theatre. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com SARAH RODMAN
MARIA MULDAUR This longtime roots-music veteran can make any style her own, from gospel to soul to blues to jug band music. Muldaur is touring behind her brand-new “Steady Love,’’ a collection of R&B and funk recorded in New Orleans. Sept. 29, 8 p.m. Tickets: $20. Bull Run Restaurant, Route 2A, Shirley. 877-536-7190. tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com
LATIN ROCK FEST Presented by Boston’s Latin rock dance party Clandestino, a roster of local acts representing Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, and Dominican Republic will perform at this event, along with guest DJs and VJs. The proceeds will benefit Children’s Hospital. Sept. 30, 9 p.m. Tickets: $25. Middle East Downstairs. 866-777-8932. www.ticketweb.com
THE GOURDS You never quite know what you’re going to get from the Gourds, and that’s been the case since they first gained a certain measure of notoriety with their offbeat cover of Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice.’’ There was much more to them then, and there has been over the course of the 10 records they’ve released since, including their latest, “Old Mad Joy.’’ Sept.30, 7 p.m. Tickets: $15. Johnny D’s. 617-776-2004. www.johnnyds.com
TONY MEMMEL Wisconsin native Memmel is a classically trained vocalist. He also plays the guitar, piano, and harmonica despite the fact that he is missing his left forearm. He’ll be bringing his folky Americana, along with his band, to the Burren’s Sunday Night Songwriter Series. Oct. 2, 8 p.m. No cover. The Burren, Somerville. 617-776-6896. www.burren.com STUART MUNRO
DARCY JAMES ARGUE’S SECRET SOCIETY The Brooklyn-based composer and his 18-piece big band bravely march the large jazz ensemble into the future. This concert will feature selections from their 2009 debut release, “Infernal Machines,’’ among the most acclaimed records of that year, and will present the American premiere of music from “Brooklyn Babylon,’’ their forthcoming collaboration with the masterful graphic novelist Danijel Zezelj. Sept. 30, 8 p.m. Tickets: $25; $20 for students, seniors, and MFA members. Museum of Fine Arts. 800-440-6975. www.mfa.org/programs/music
BLUES LEGENDS 4 TIMES A musical trip from the Mississippi Delta up to Chicago and back, featuring Shor’ty Billups, Elmore James Jr., Mark T. Small, Shirley Lewis, and the Foxx Band. Sept. 30, 8 p.m. Tickets: $18-$23. The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 781-646-4849. www.regenttheatre.com
LASZLO GARDONY QUARTET The marvelous pianist and his band - including saxophonist-singer Stan Strickland, bassist John Lockwood, and drummer Yoron Israel - play pieces from their latest album, “Signature Time,’’ a soulful exploration of the deep African roots of today’s music. The concert is part of the Acton Jazz Cafe’s “Great Pianists Series,’’ which will help to pay for the club’s beautiful new Baldwin grand piano. Sept. 30, 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $15. Acton Jazz Cafe, 452 Great Road, Acton. 978-263-6161. www.actonjazzcafe.com
DEAD CAT BOUNCE Saxophonist Matt Steckler’s energetic ensemble features a lineup of four reeds, bass, and drums performing his engaging original compositions. This gig celebrates the band’s groovy, challenging, mercurial, and satisfying new release, “Chance Episodes.’’ With Steckler’s fellow saxophonists-woodwind players Terry Goss, Charlie Kohlhase, and Jared Sims, bassist Dave Ambrosio, and drummer Bill Carbone. Oct. 4, 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $7. Ryles, 212 Hampshire St., Cambridge. 617-876-9330. www.rylesjazz.com
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The BSO begins its season with a two-evening survey of Mozart’s five Violin Concertos, with violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter leading the orchestra and performing as soloist. Sept 30 and Oct. 1. Symphony Hall. 617-266-1200, www.bso.org.
DISCOVERY ENSEMBLE Courtney Lewis’s adventurous orchestra returns with Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, and Martin’s Six Monologues from “Jedermann’’ with baritone Christòpheren Nomura. 3 p.m., Oct. 2; Preconcert discussion with Lewis and David St. George at 2 p.m. Sanders Theater. 617-800-7588, www.discoveryensemble.com.
NEW MUSIC At Harvard’s Sanders Theatre, the Chiara Quartet performs the American premiere of Richard Beaudoin’s String Quartet No. 2 from his “Étude d’un Prelude’’; and at Boston University’s Tsai Performance Center, Richard Pittman and Boston Musica Viva premiere David Rakowski’s “Thickly Settled.’’ Both concerts are Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. www.music.fas.harvard.edu/calendar.html, and www.bmv.org.
JEREMY EICHLER
© Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company.
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