Gogol Bordello, Skindred
(Showbox Sodo) Until I saw them at last year’s Bumbershoot, I never understood the massive appeal of Gogol Bordello. Sure, their Balkanized, populist punk rock was catchy enough, but nothing to warrant the wild-eyed devotion of their fans. Seeing the band live, of course, is a different story. Their outdoor, evening performance at the festival was a near-riot, pot smoke and lazily spinning hippies mixing it up with leather-clad punks and balaclava-sporting crusties, ringmaster Eugene Hütz surfing atop it all with his drum, probably twirling his mustache maniacally. Equally compelling was the band’s stripped-down, acoustic afternoon performance in the KEXP studio, which highlighted the band’s musical craft and Hütz’s goofy comic charm. Still, one hopes for a riot. ERIC GRANDY

And this week’s My Philosophy suggests Brother Ali at Nectar:

The Undisputed Truth himself—Minneapolis’s Brother Ali—is coming to town… you gotta know Ali’s got one of the meanest shows out; don’t miss him. I’ve never seen him do less than utterly captivate a crowd with his humility, sincerity and, of course, with the skill to rock like the greats. The Truth Is Here Tour also features Toki Wright, BK One, and Ali’s fellow Rhymesayer, Abstract Rude; those in the know are anxiously awaiting Dear Abby, the album-length collaboration between Ab Rude and the very soul of the town, Vitamin D.