Noteworthy live gigs

Crazy-tight, technical and disjointed hard prog quartet from North Florida that makes mesmerizing, percussive —yet melodic— instrumental guitar and drum rock that sounds like a mash-up between Pinback, The Police (circa 1978-1980), The Mercury Program and a batch of bathtub crank. With Dark Castle, a sludgey psych-metal guitar/drums duo. Bring earplugs to go with your latte. Tues., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean - ALL-AGES.

A rare local appearance by a young, locally-based “experimental harcore” band that has recently inked both domestic and overseas record deals and just may wind up the next Savannah act to earn a sizable international following. Fri., 11 pm, The Jinx.

This non-purist booking by the Coastal Jazz Association finds a celebrated Charlotte-based acid-jazz octet bringing the same wah guitar and horn-based grooves they’ve showcased at high-profile gigs like The Fillmore Jazz Fest to —get this— the downtown Sheraton! Eat Mo’ Music fans should dig this with a shovel... $10 at the door or free for CJA Members. Sun., 5 pm, Four Points by Sheraton (Bryan St. & Mlk, Jr. Blvd.) - ALL-AGES.

This annual concert to Savannah’s songwriting legend features some of the area’s finer players, and its appeal crosses all sorts of generational and class lines. Organized by the Friends of Johnny Mercer, the show is FREE to ALL-AGES, but reserved seats must be obtained in advance. (Unclaimed tickets released ten minutes before show.) Call 525-5050. Sun., 2:30 pm, Lucas Theatre.

This look back at the early days of the acid house scene brings together local DJs for a free, all-night party. DJ Trauma supplies breakbeat, DJ InComa plays hardhouse, “straight Detroit acid” comes courtesy of David Rapp, DJ Shrapnel spins industrial, and DJ Sandoors and guests will keep things unpredictable. It takes place on this Congress St. club’s reopened ground level. Sat., 10 pm, B & B Ale House.

Lately this aggregation has taken to calling itself “Savannah’s orchestra,” which is an indication of their current position as the pre-eminent (and seemingly most viable) symphonic group in town. Their Masterworks III program includes Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.5, Vivaldi’s Winter Concerto Op. 8, no. 4 from “The Four Seasons,” and pieces by O’Connor and Mozart. For those who were pissed that such a talented group of musicians were under-amplified at the recent Picnic In The Park, here’s your chance to actually hear what they can do. For tickets, go to www.savannahorchestra.org or call (800) 514-3849. Sat., 8 pm, Plantation Club (Landings) + Sun., 8 pm, Trinity United Methodist Church (429 Abercorn St.).

Brand-new, atmospheric Atlanta post-rock quintet that’s alternately guitarishly dreamy and noisily anthemic, a la Yo La Tengo. Great stuff, featuring former members of the underrated Sovus Radio. Fri., 9 pm, Metro Coffee House - ALL-AGES.

This hotly anticipated tango-centric narrative stage production blends masterful, athletic dancing with Argentinian historical drama and a romantic storyline to create an enthralling, sensuous piece of long-form choreography. $20-$34 tickets at www.lucastheatre.com or by calling 525-5050.Sun., 8 pm, Lucas Theatre.

Eight-piece Michael Jackson Tribute Band (with live horns) from Chapel Hill, that plays everything from “ABC” to “Black Or White.” They don’t sound perfect, but they’re pretty darn close to the real thing. Plus, your kids are probably safe around them. Sat., 10 pm, Locos (downtown).

This young Asheville, N.C., quintet seeks to bridge bluegrass and roots country — and they’re using a growing arsenal of original tunes that draw on elements of both genres as their leverage. Whether The Stanleys or George Jones, they steal from the good stuff and then roll their own. Charge $20 adv. tickets at 748-1930. Sat., 7:30 pm, Randy Wood’s Concert Hall (1304 E. Hwy 80, Bloomingdale) - ALL-AGES.