Manchildren Founder of K Records and former member of Beat Happening, Calvin Johnson mastered precious naivete decades before it became the default indie mode. His off-kilter baritone is what sold it, and he's bringing his voice and an acoustic guitar to Cambridge tonight. Teenbeat Records founder Mark Robinson also performs as Cotton Candy. Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, 7:00pm, $10. Men With Children Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers is returning to......

Jason Webley Lily Pad (1353 Cambridge St) Thursday, November 29, 7:30 pm All Ages $7 Jason Webley is to the accordion what Girl Talk is to the iPod, and his shows are manic celebrations of musical storytelling. Webley takes his audiences on wild journeys--sometimes literal ones that involve actually trekking outside the venue--and leads singalongs (or clapalongs) rife with spirit. He's also widely known for incorporating vegetables (thrown, consumed, or otherwise) into his performances; at......

Fall seems to have set in, at least for now. the temperatures are dropping and people all over the metro have been forced to put their flip-flops away for some more sensible footwear. At least until it gets warm again in another week. Or so we hope. Music abounds again this week and we're listening. Tuesday, 9/12 Branford Marsalis Quartet Braggtown CD Release Concert Berklee alum Branford Marsalis created Cambridge-based (and Rounder distributed) Marsalis......

It was about 7:30pm yesterday when the sky started getting dark. It may have been clouds that would bring in some overnight rain. Or maybe it was just a sign that summer is starting to wind down. The season of outdoor shows is starting to wind down and things will begin to move back indoors. Some of the best music in town this week will get you inside, even if there is still a......

Sort of. The Lily Pad, the venue which occupies the space in Inman Square that was home to the Zeitgeist received a cease and desist order from the city of Cambridge last Friday. They cancelled their weekend events and mounted a campaign to open their doors again. On their website and myspace they pleaded with those who support the venue to let the city licensing board their opinion. The board granted a hearing to the......

The temperature heats up a little this week. There will be a bit more humidity in the air. But unlike last week we're not going to be engaged in the same mad-dash around the city every night to catch all the good music. This week we can take our pick, settle in with a pint, and catch the good tunes at a single venue. Fantastic line-ups mark this weeks picks. From the opening band......

Now that we're on this eight days a week kick for doing these picks it seems like it might be time for a new graphic. We'll give you a cookie if you design us a new one. Or maybe a Newcastle next time you catch us at the Middle East. Promise. Monday 8/7 The Roots with Talib Kweli It may not be a Brooklyn block party hosted by Dave Chappelle, but it will be......

Today we spent the day appreciating how much immigrants affect our daily lives. A sign hand-printed and posted in a local bodega's window read “Closed May 1st. A Day Without Immigrants. We are all immigrants.” Some of the best music has immigrated its way to the United States from places far and wide. Where would this week's lineup be without the rich flavor of the immigrant community? Music knows no borders. Let the decibels......