At every Xiu Xiu show I’ve attended, I’ve seen people sob uncontrollably, laugh nervously, applaud wildly and storm out in disgust. But mostly, I’ve seen fans stand enraptured by the drama unfurling onstage as Jamie Stewart and crew push through some of the most original and powerfully rendered musical experiences the indie-rock world has witnessed. Blending shards of post-punk guitar, IDM-and-industrial-style electronics, dark synth-pop, and avant-classical textures into a singular collage of melody and cacophony, Xiu Xiu provides a daring sonic backdrop to Stewart’s harrowing, provocative croon. Diving deep into the traumatic places most people spend lots of time and therapy dollars trying to forget, he sings about abuse, incest, politics, love, religion, and depression in ways that compel all sorts of emotional responses.

Wed., Sept. 10, 8 p.m., 2008