Metric (8:45 p.m.) — Led by Debbie Harry-like art-punk singer Emily Haines, the whirry Canadian rock quartet wowed a State Theatre crowd last September in support of its fifth album, "Synthetica," which included the Current hits "Youth Without Youth" and "Breathing Underwater."
Silversun Pickups (7:15) — The Los Angeles quartet made its mark with the catchy purr-to-roar 2007 single "Lazy Eye" and continues to brandish Pixies/Pumpkins-esque loud-quiet-loud fuzz-rock, evidenced again with last year's heavily rotated "Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)."
Bob Mould Band (5:45) — Evoking the steam and volume of his indie-celebrated trios Hüsker Dü and Sugar , the former Minnesotan has been plowing through classics by both those bands on tour as well as gems from last year's electrifying album, "Silver Age."
Low (4:30) — Following profile boosts from Radiohead (who took them on tour) and Robert Plant (who recorded two of their songs), the somberly magnetic Duluth trio marked their 20th anniversary this year by issuing one of their best albums yet, "The Invisible Way," produced by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and spotlighting drummer Mimi Parker more on vocals.
Dan Deacon (3:45) — This classically trained madcap Baltimore electronic scientist certainly knows how to get the indie kids to dance, but he usually sets up his table of music-making gadgets right in the thick of clubs' dance floors. Will there be room for him on the grass?
On their fantasy list
David Bowie (by the Walker's Doug Benidt)
Radiohead (by the Current's Jim McGuinn)
Prince (by the Walker's Philip Bither)
