soundadvice

classical

Steven Isserlis
There are few instruments that, when played skillfully, capture the human voice as movingly as the cello. Steven Isserlis is one of the masters, and his intriguing program of Brahms, Martinu, Suk and Hummel should be a fine showcase for his art. The esteemed pianist Stephen Hough is his partner for the evening.
—Peter Burwasser
Wed., April 13, 8 p.m., $24, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-569-8080.

HIP-HOP

KRS-One
Going from homelessness to hip-hop royalty, KRS-One has built a solid reputation by mixing social and political messages into his rhymes. Released in July, Keep Right lacks the boom bap of earlier recordings, but is still a refreshing welcome to the current hip-hop market. Even more refreshing? A rare KRS-One speaking engagement will take place in an antechamber of the First Unitarian Church on the afternoon before his gig at Grape Street.
—Deesha Dyer
Thu., April 7, 7 p.m., $12-$15, with DJ Jazzy Jeff, Grape Street Pub, 4100 Main Street, Manayunk, 215-483-7084. Speaking engagement: Thu., April 7, 5 p.m. sharp, $7, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619.

FOLK/BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY

Angel Band and The Wiyos
A double delight for fans of acoustic Americana. Guitarist extraordinaire David Bromberg and his associates in Angel Band work bluegrass to a froth. The Wiyos specialize in reviving the washboard bands of the '20s and '30s. Their repertoire leans on campy versions of Tin Pan Alley hits ("Sadie Green") and double-entendre songs, featuring one-man percussion band Michael Farkas on vocals. Joseph "JoeBass" DeJarnette changes hats to suit the song, steals scenes with his mugging and keeps things steady.
—Mary Armstrong
Thu., April 7, 8 p.m., $15, The Point, 610-527-0988, www.atthepoint.com.

ROCK/POP

Of Montreal
If you're gonna reheat '60s psych-pop, at the very least you owe the kids some energy and the occasional new twist. Of Montreal have always taken both responsibilities fairly seriously — their worst songs are bad only because they try too hard — but their new CD is aces and the band's always a blast live.
—Nick Sylvester
Sun., April 10, 7:30 p.m., $8, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619.

FOLK/WORLD

Matapat
The core duo of Montreal's Matapat, Simon Lepage (bass) and Gaston Bernard (mandolin, guitar, fiddle), is deeply rooted in the traditional music of French Canada, but equally devoted to exploring other cultures: Celtic, Greek, African. Matapat can break your heart with all voices blending on an ancient ballad or clogging along as they tap out the rhythm. --Mary Armstrong
Sun., April 10, 7:30 p.m., Philadelphia Folksong Society at Germantown Jewish Center, 400 W. Ellet St., 215-247-1300, www.pfs.org.

JAZZ

John Scofield Trio/Brad Mehldau Trio
Guitarist John Scofield and pianist Brad Mehldau could be the musical equivalent of mismatched lab partners. Mehldau is the introspective, bookish intellectual, patiently working through his formulas, while Scofield is the mad scientist, wildly throwing whatever ideas are at hand into the mix and waiting to see what will explode. Expect an evening of unpredictable reactions.
—Shaun Brady
Fri., April 8, 8 p.m., $22-$46, Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.