Justin BroadbentMetric, with Codeine Velvet Club, Nico Vega. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S., 382-7877. 8 p.m. Sold out. Carving their niche out of alt rock and disco, the Canadian electro-pop quartet Metric has found a way to maintain a staunch level of independence while simultaneously achieving a deserved level of mainstream success – two accomplishments that are often seen as mutually exclusive. Armed with material from the hit-laden 2009 chart-topper Fantasies, front woman Emily Haines rocks hard, and lead guitarist James Shaw pulls out all the stops for a riff-filled live performance. And while the band has no issue conjuring (and inspiring) enormous energy, the emotion of its shadowy songs is striking. If you want to question their ability to draw a crowd, don’t; this show has been sold out for weeks. But where there’s a will, there’s usually a way. NICK FELDMANRachel Harrington, with Rita Hosking. Empty Sea Studios, 6300 Phinney Ave. N., 228-2483. 7:30 p.m. $20. For some odd reason, Seattle’s own Rachel Harrington has found greater success in the U.K. and Europe than in her homeland. The singer is by no means unknown here in the States. It’s just that people across the sea seem to understand how much of a treasure Harrington really is. With two albums under her belt – The Bootlegger’s Daughter and City of Refuge – she has established herself as one of country-folk’s most promising singer-songwriters. Unlike so many modern female artists in the Americana tradition, Harrington doesn’t follow Alison Krauss’ lead and filter her acoustic-based balladry through pop-music production. Rather, she keeps things rustic and sparse, a la Iris Dement. Be sure to pick up tickets sooner rather than later; Empty Sea Studios is one of those intimate folk venues with limited seating. JUSTIN F. FARRAR