Concert picks
The Mekons with The Horse's Ha and Danbert Nobacon, 7 and 10 p.m. today at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $20/$18/$16. (773) 728-6000.
The much-beloved British art-punk band The Mekons returns on this 30th anniversary tour, which will feature songs from the new album "Natural" (Quarterstick), an acoustic album that promises to out-psych Devendra Banhart and other neo-folkies. This band's brand of folk reggae, dusty ambience and call-and-response exotica prods troubling themes through a curious interlocking of folk instruments (accordion, vibes and always a harmonica) with a blur of voices. Opening this show is The Horse's Ha, a new band featuring Janet Bean of Freakwater and Jim Elkington of The Zincs; and Danbert Nobacon, the former lead singer of Chumbawumba now out with a Jon Langford-produced solo album.
The Bon Mots with Welcome to Ashley, 9 p.m. today at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia St., Chicago. $8. (773) 227-4433.
This is a CD release show to celebrate "Forty Days and Forty Nights with the Bon Mots," the second album from the Chicago band that, since debuting four years ago, remains one of the area's best-kept secrets. In recent years the band's knack for lush harmonies, big guitar riffs and gauzy psychedelic textures puts them in league with early-era R.E.M. and classic Byrds records. Live, they prove to be more than revisionists, delivering songs just as strong on their own.
The Donnas with Donita Sparks and American Bang, 9 p.m. Saturday at Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $15. (312) 559-1212.
Forget Avril Lavigne, kids: The Donna's have been rocking longer and harder. These four women were teenagers when the band formed, cementing a sound that combines The Ramones and The Runaways. After a string of critically hailed albums in the 1990s, the band signed to a major label in 2001. Now they're out with a new album, "Bitchin'" (Purple Feather), their seventh, in stores now.
The Hives, 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $13. (312) 559-1212. Sold out.
The Hives separated themselves from the garage rock pack of the early 2000s with their flamboyant and supercharged live shows, which defined them as one of the best live bands on the circuit. The Swedish band returns in November with a new album, "The Black and White Album" (A&M/Octone), recorded in Oxford, Miss., with Modest Mouse producer Dennis Herring and in Virginia with Pharrell Williams. This show offers a preview of the new songs.