Music

Previews by Ann Powers (A.P.)., Richard Cromelin (R.C.), Casey Dolan (C.D.), Randy Lewis (R.L.) and on Heckman (D.H.).

Pat Metheny Trio Metheny may be the most influential jazz guitarist of the last 30 years, but he is equally one of the genre’s greatest chameleons, experimenting in every possible combination and context. (C.D.) The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Today, 7:30 p.m. $40-$75. (213) 380-5005.

Nik Bartsch’s Ronin Some call it jazz, others insist it’s closer to contemporary classical music. German pianist Bartsch prefers the term “Zen-funk,” but whatever the label, it’s the music of his group Ronin that demands one’s attention. (D.H.) Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City. Mon.-Tue., 8 p.m. $25. (310) 271-9039.

Rickie Lee Jones The idiosyncratic artist has had her creative ups and downs since “Chuck E.’s in Love” cast her as a quirky boho raconteur in the late ’70s, but her latter-day resurgence has reached critical mass with her latest album, “The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard.” (R.C.) Echoplex (below the Echo), 1152 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park. Mon., 8 p.m. $25. (213) 413-8200.

What Made Milwaukee Famous A powerful, eclectic band with well-arranged, insightful songs, WMMF draws on the wide encyclopedic palette of pop sounds. . (C.D.) The Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park. Mon., 10 p.m. Free. (323) 661-4380.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo The group’s irresistible vocal sound has been the international voice of South Africa for more than four decades. LBM’s latest album, “Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu,” celebrates the life of the legendary 18th century African warrior via the trademark blend of supple vocal harmonies that has been heard enhancing Paul Simon’s “Graceland” album and even the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony for Nelson Mandela. (D.H.) USC Bovard Auditorium, 3551 Trousdale Parkway, L.A. Tue., 7 p.m. $20. (213) 740-2167.

The Vic After six years, the Vic is closing the doors with a performance by the players who were there for the opening – singer Sherwood Sledge, pianist Stuart Elster, bassist Luther Hughes and drummer Paul Kreibich. Fortunately, the Vic’s swan song is tempered by the news that owner Ray Slayton will open a new, more eclectic music venue at the Victorian Collection. (D.H.) The Vic, Heritage Square, 2640 Main St., Santa Monica. Thu., 8 and 10 p.m. $20. (888) 367-5299.

Bad Religion The Los Angeles punk-rock stalwarts are closing in on the three-decade mark, and their upcoming string of dates at Houses of Blues in Anaheim, West Hollywood, San Diego and Las Vegas will take advantage of that bounty by featuring themed set lists on different nights covering their various eras. (R.C.) House of Blues Anaheim, 1530 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim. Fri.-next Sun., 7 p.m. $22.50. (714) 778-2583.

Cat Power Chan Marshall is a distinctive songwriter, but her fans know that her concert high points often come with her interpretations of other writers’ songs. She’s just advanced this personal subgenre with “Jukebox,” her second album of non-originals, a collection that includes tunes associated with Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and more, led off with a striking reinvention of “New York, New York.” (R.C.) The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Fri., 9 p.m. $22.50-$32.50. (213) 380-5005.

Donita Sparks and the Stellar Moments Sparks is one of the creators of third wave rock and roll feminism. With L7, she wrote (or cowrote) songs such as “Pretend We’re Dead” and “Shove,” pinpointing the mix of fury, sarcasm and no-nonsense smarts that made the movement relevant to a new generation. Now Sparks has a new band and she’s celebrating the release of a new album, “Transmiticate.” Admission is free. (A.P.) Safari Sam’s, 5214 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Fri., 9 p.m. Free. (323) 666-7267.

Raveonettes There’s a scientific term for songs that get stuck in your head: earworms. On their latest album, “Lust Lust Lust,” the Scandi-politan duo turn that concept into music. The songs are like candies that someone rolled around on the carpet, sweet at the core but fuzzy with the dirt that’s been stuck down there for decades. Sticky bits of girl-group harmonies, noise-rock feedback, minimalist drone and shoegazer drift accrue to form music that’s off-putting at first, but addictive. (A.P.) Glass House, 200 W. Second St., Pomona, Sat., 7 p.m., $13, (909) 629-0377.

Grizzly Bear and the L.A. Philharmonic Indie-rock sweethearts Grizzly Bear invest a contemporary composer’s attention to the architecture of music in their songs and, as is obvious from anyone’s listening to the 2006 masterwork “Yellow House,” the members have spent their time in the trenches of musical theory, composition and performance. The first half of the program will have the L.A. Phil perform symphonic works chosen by the band. (C.D.) Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Sat., 9 p.m. $24-$34. (323) 850-2000.

Magnetic Fields Rather than simply join the ranks of the pop encyclopedists, New York transplant Stephin Merritt and associates have elected to fragment, deconstruct and prismatically rearrange all the elements of classic pop songwriting. On the new album, the appropriately named “Distortion,” a fine sheen of sawtooth waves, tube distortion and microphonic partials cover the exquisite melodies like layers of dust in an abandoned house. (C.D.) The Music Box @ Fonda, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, next Sun., 7 p.m., $27.50; Mar. 3, 7 p.m., $28, (323) 464-0808.