This Weekend’s Concert Picks: Asobi Seksu + Boris at Union Transfer, G. Love And Special Sauce at Electric Factory

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28
Asobi Seksu—which means “playful sex” in Japanese—is aptly named. Pairing shoegaze inspired grunge-pop with the dynamic vocals of Yuki Chikudate (who slips effortlessly between falsetto, full-out belting, and simply speaking melodically), the band is edgy, harsh, and brisk, yet cloyingly catchy. (Or, in a phrase: playfully sexy.) Chikudate’s lyrics are a mix of English and Japanese, which band mates James Hanna and Larry Gorman have encouraged since the group formed in 2004. This blend of language is a defining trait of the Asobi Seksu sound, tying together their five studio albums, each of which is so packed with emotionality that lyrics are a secondary mode of communication. The band’s latest album, Fluorescence, continues in the tradition of mixing bitter and sweet. The track “Trails” finds Chikudate’s vocals skipping giddily over droning guitars in the chorus, when she’s not roaring the verses. There’s a quiet moment as the guitar relaxes into an upbeat riff, a calm before the storm of their huge, powerful sound, and then Chikudate bellows the bridge. Asobi Seksu performs with Boris and Liturgy at 8 p.m. at Union Transfer; tickets to the all-ages show are $15. —Naomi Shavin

Also Playing: Brown Recluse + Lushlife, Sunny Ali And The Kid at Johnny Brenda’s (9:15 p.m., 21+, $10); Chris Botti at Keswick Theatre (8 p.m., $39.50–$49.50); Medeski, Martin, And Wood + Antibalas at Electric Factory (8:30 p.m., $40.20); Surgeon + Maze In Change, E Morto Cosi at The Fire (9 p.m., 21+, $8); The Quelle Source + Long Walk Home, Bailey Hounds, Goodnight Lights at The M Room (8 p.m., 21+, $8)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
G. Love + The Apache Relay at Electric Factory (9 p.m., all ages, $32.95); We Were Promised Jetpacks + Royal Bangs, Bear Hands at Union Transfer (8:30 p.m., all ages, $15); Immortal Technique + Reef The Lost Cauze at The Trocadero (9 p.m., 18+, $21–$23); Lucinda Williams at Keswick Theatre (8 p.m., $39.50–$59.50); Taggart + Faux Slang, Knife Show, Creeping Weeds at North Star Bar (9 p.m., 21+, $10); The Extraordinaires + Circadian Rhythms, Netherfriends, Thom McCarthy at PhillyMOCA (all ages, $10)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30
Tera Melos + Hermit Thrushes, Pattern is Movement, Banned Books at Kung Fu Necktie (8 p.m., 21+, $10); Rasputina + Eszter Balint, TivaTiva at Johnny Brenda’s (9 p.m., 21+, $15)