Wednesday, Dec. 3

It seems silly to describe Stevie Wonder as anything other than legendary, and even that doesn’t quite cover it. During his more-than-50-year career, which began when he was just 11, the soul singer/pianist has amassed almost 50 top-40 singles and 25 Grammy awards, sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, and was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among countless other honors and awards. Wonder’s latest tour finds him adapting his iconic 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life, which includes “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” and “Another Star.” KeyArena, 305 Harrison St., 684-7200, keyarena.com. 8 p.m. $45.50 and up. All ages.

Toropical Circle, the first album from Dustin Wong & Takako Mikekawa, sounds as if the duo was let loose in a music store and tried to use as many instruments as possible—which, as it turns out, is a good thing. While there’s an overall math-rock feel to it, Toropical Circle features everything from a digital take on “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on “Circle Has Begun (Yorokobi Humming)” to more familiar guitar riffs from former Ponytail guitarist Wong on “Windy Prism Room” and harpsichord straight from the Renaissance faire on “Bell Tree Dancers.” Though the album is mostly instrumental, Japanese electro-rock musician Mikekawa’s ethereal voice, when it makes an appearance, adds even more whimsy. With Gabriel Mintz, Jigsaw Puzzle Glue. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880, sunsettavern.com. 9 p.m. $10. 21 and over.

Thursday, Dec. 4

Canadian quartet White Lung packs quite the punk-rock punch into the 10 songs on its latest album, Deep Fantasy. The tunes are fast and aggressive, just like the band’s previous releases, It’s the Evil and Sorry, but the group has incorporated more melody this time. Vocalist Mish Way is known for her growl, but on songs like “Face Down” and “Wrong Star,” anthemic choruses make her powerful singing ability crystal-clear. Big melodies and choruses aside, this record shouldn’t be considered a mainstream crossover. At 22 minutes, Deep Fantasy is just long enough and combative enough to give punk fans a good buzz. With Mormon Crosses, Vexx. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005, 
chopsuey.com. 8 p.m. $10 adv./$12 DOS. 21 and over.

Indie-rock quartet The Quit has been dormant on Facebook since 2012, but the group is coming out strong for Mustaches for Kids Camp Korey Fundraiser, which will benefit an organization that provides therapeutic recreation programs for children with serious medical conditions at no cost to the families. Skylark Cafe, 3803 Delridge Way S.W., 935-2111, skylarkcafe.com. 6 p.m. $10. All ages.

Friday, Dec. 5

There’s a lot going on in Big Wheel and Others, the latest from Cass McCombs. The double album includes three audio clips from the 1969 Ralph Arlyck documentary Sean; a cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Honesty Is No Excuse”; a bit of spoken word on “Everything Has to Be Just So” (which clocks in at nearly nine minutes); and two versions of “Brighter!”, one of which finds McCombs singing over steel guitar, the other featuring vocals from Easy Rider actress Karen Black. Elements of folk, alt-country, and psychedelic rock combine to give the entire record a laid-back vibe—appropriate coming from McCombs, a California native. With Meat Puppets. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442, neumos.com. 8 p.m. $16. 21 and over.

Saturday, Dec. 6

People who hate hearing holiday music might change their tune when they hear the tropical-tinged songs at this year’s Holiday Tiki Ukulele & Cocktail Shindig. To kick off the night, the Ukadelics, an eight-piece ukulele band, will play winter-themed songs with a South Pacific flair, most recently heard on Aloha Landing; then breezy jazz-pop quintet Lushy will perform its holiday album, Snowflake Surprise, in full. Luau attire and/or ugly holiday sweaters are encouraged, with prizes for the most cringeworthy ensemble. Cafe Racer, 5828 Roosevelt Way N.E., 523-5282, caferacerseattle.com. 8 p.m. Free. 21 and over.

“Pressure,” the opening track from My Brightest Diamond’s

This Is My Hand, features a full marching band, group vocals, and of course front woman Shara Worden’s jazzy, operatic vocals. There’s an avant-garde aspect to Hand, her fourth album, and this song is a great starting point, letting listeners know they should expect the unexpected. Elements of classical music, disco beats, rhythmic grooves, and soaring 
choruses (some reminiscent of the songs of her sometime collaborator and label-mate Sufjan Stevens) carry the singer and multi-instrumentalist’s vision further into a singular future. As she sings on “Shape:” “You’ll never know what shape I might take.” With Rabbit Rabbit. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618, 
thecrocodile.com. 8 p.m. $18 adv. All ages.

Rufus Wainwright’s voice is so gorgeous, he makes even the most mundane lyrics sound like musical masterpieces (just search for “Rufus Wainwright Does Gum” on Funny or Die and you’ll see what I mean). The classical-pop singer (son of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle and brother of folk-rock singer Martha) has been blowing people away with his staggering talent for years, through original songs, a tribute album to Judy Garland, an opera, and contributions to numerous films. This best-of performance will be a collection of Wainwright’s top tunes, all of which are compiled on Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright. With Danny Fingers & the Thumbs. The Moore, 1932 Second Ave., 877-784-4849, stg
presents.org/moore. 8 p.m. $32.50 and up.

Now in its third year, SMooCH: Seattle Musicians for Children’s Hospital 2014 brings some of the area’s top artists together for one stellar night of music, all to support and celebrate Children’s Hospital. Emceed by KEXP’s John Richards, this year’s event features Sub Pop artists, past and present: THEESatisfaction, Shabazz Palaces, Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses, and Iron & Wine, aka Sam Beam, who released his latest album, Ghost on Ghost, last year. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151, showbox
online.com. 9 p.m. $60 and up. 21 and over.

Carrie Akre

has been a staple of the local music scene since the early ’90s as a member of Hammerbox, Goodness, and the Rockfords, a band that also featured Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready. She has also released a few solo albums, most recently . . . Last the Evening in 2007. After a stint away from the Northwest, Akre is back in town and pushing a Kickstarter campaign for her Single Each Month Club. By donating, backers can sign up to receive lo-fi singles from Akre for three, six, or 12 months. Former Goodness musician Danny Newcomb is opening this show, so don’t be surprised if a few Goodness tunes make the set list. Sunset Tavern. 6 p.m. $8. 21 and over.

Monday, Dec. 8

If the band name doesn’t draw you in, heavy-metal duo Tacos!’s blend of thundering percussion and heavy guitar riffs should. Vocalist/guitarist Don Stewart and vocalist/drummer Lupe Flores make an impressive amount of noise for just two people, most recently heard on the band’s self-titled full-length. Stewart handles rage-fueled vocal duties for most of the album, though Flores occasionally jumps in and adds her own mad-as-hell energy, especially on album opener “Wake Up.” The album and the band are rough and aggressive—definitely not for the faint of heart. With Cardiel!, Big Trughk. Chop Suey’s Dragon Lounge. 9 p.m. $5. 21 and over.

After creating a YouTube account in 2007, acoustic-pop singer/songwriter

Kina Grannis built a strong following by covering songs by everyone from Akon and Death Cab for Cutie to Fiona Apple and Rihanna, along with her own original tunes. A Super Bowl commercial contest win landed her a deal with Interscope, but she eventually left the label to self-release her material, a move that has yet to fail her. Elements, Grannis’ fifth studio album, is her most focused yet. Her sweet, airy voice is grounded by richer guitar tones, and her lyrics are still both intimate and universal, proving that Grannis’ talent transcends computer screens. The Crocodile. 7 p.m. $20 adv. All ages.

English singer/guitarist Johnny Marr

is rock royalty. A founding member of influential alt-rock quartet the Smiths, Marr went on to perform or record with the likes of the Pretenders, The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse, the Cribs, Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads, Beck, and more. Just a year after releasing his first solo album, The Messenger, Marr is back with Playland, which combines the singing, songwriting, and guitar skills he’s honed over the years. His voice is engaging, and the grooves are tight. At only 51, Marr has a lot more up his musical sleeve. Neumos. 8 p.m. $27 adv. 21 and over.

Tuesday, Dec. 9

This year’s 107.7 The End’s Deck the Hall Ball is a veritable who’s-who of alt-rock all-stars and up-and-comers. England’s Royal Blood, which toured with the Pixies earlier this year, will open, followed by Australia’s Vance Joy, who recorded his debut album, Dream Your Life Away, at Woodinville’s Bear Creek Studio. South African quartet KONGOS follows, then TV on the Radio will play songs from its latest, Seeds, before Mind over Matter rockers Young the Giant perform. Cage the Elephant is next, followed by Weezer, the enduring geek-rock group that recently released Everything Will Be Alright in the End. Imagine Dragons, whose 2012 song “Radioactive” is still ruling the airwaves, will close. KeyArena. 3 p.m. $50 and up. All ages.