The Week That Will Be (In Shows)
Nite Jewel / Grouper: Two distinctly witchy takes on outsider art pop come together on this intriguing double bill. Nite Jewel is an L.A. duo whose tossed-off disco tracks are narcoleptic, goofy and occasionally shockingly pretty. Grouper takes an opposite approach, wrapping wisps of melody in 4AD-inspired ambiance and harmonies that hint at a gorgeous tune underneath, then washes it away in ephemeral sadness. The Smell, 247 S. Main St., L.A. 8 p.m. Sunday. $5. (213) 625-4325.
Mates of State / Black Kids: This double bill is a one-two punch of effervescent indie pop where exuberant harmonies jockey with wide-screen synths for your affection. Music Box @ Fonda, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Thursday. $20. (213) 480-3232.
Ladytron / The Faint: Death by disco comes from all fronts at this inspired co-headlining set, where Ladytron's sleekly cosmopolitan New Wave dukes it out with the Faint's anarchic techno-punk. Music Box @ Fonda, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7 p.m. Sunday. 7 p.m. 4/27. $25. (213) 480-3232.
Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer: A quarter-century after the film "This Is Spinal Tap" catapulted a certain hapless, fictional heavy-metal group into the annals of rock music history, its three founding members will embark on a six-week, 30-city North American tour minus costumes, wailing electric guitars and even their signature 18-inch Stonehenge set. The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Sunday. $49.50 to $69.50. (213) 380-5005.
-- August Brown and Randy Lewis
Photo of Nite Jewel by Johnny Jewel
