Tuesday Happenings

Afrobeat

NOMO is a band from Ann Arbor, Michigan that plays a very 21st century version of Afrobeat. Influenced equally by Brian Eno and Fela Kuti, NOMO's compositions drift out of the pocket into formless ambiance only to return to make the beat twice as funky. Performing with Superpowers and Natalie Bergman. Middle East Upstairs, 472 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, 9 p.m. $10.

Hip Hop

Still going strong five years after the death of Professor X, Brooklyn hip hop crew the X-Clan has resumed bringing knowledge of self and the boom bap to stores near you. The Afrocentric crew hosts a CD release party tonight for its latest album Mainstream Outlawz. Harper's Ferry, 158 Brighton Ave., Allston, 8 p.m. $10/$15.

Noise

Is Roslindale the spiritual home of the Massachusetts noise scene? At the very least it's the home of Xiphoid Dementia, a noise outfit that twists harsh feedback into a an aural bed for relaxing. (We'll admit that it's more futon than waterbed.) Celebrating its CD release party tonight with fellow noise acts Fire in the Head, Abuse by Consent, Nurture Abuse, and Corephallism. O'Brien's Pub, 3 Harvard Ave., Allston, 9 p.m. $7.