Aloe Blacc at the Theater of Living Arts, 334 South St., 9 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $29. Information: 215-922-1011, www.livenation.com.
Jane's Addiction
Though their newest music may not have the same eerily ethereal blend of jazz, folk, and Middle Eastern twists as their earliest recorded efforts (to say nothing to their dramatic sexual tension), it's always thrilling to hear Jane's Addiction. The spiky combo of 1988's Nothing's Shocking and 1990's Ritual de lo Habitual defined a moment and a sound, an androgynous antidote to Guns N' Roses' similarly timed macho grumble. While post-punks, Goths, and glam elders related to its whip-smart femininity and glitter-rock aplomb, metal heads learned to love Jane's ardent guitar sound. Blame flashy singer Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro for Jane's sensual theatricality and razor-sharp rock-out sensibilities. Jane's Addiction splintered, leaving Farrell to form Porn for Pyros (among other acts) and Navarro to join Red Hot Chili Peppers (among other stuff), and eventually reconnected. They never recovered the druggy éclat of the past. But 2011's The Great Escape Artist is a solidly alluring and handily sleazy rock record, and their song "Superhero" made for one heck of an introductory theme song where Entourage was concerned.
- A.D. Amorosi
Jane's Addiction and Die Antwoord play at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave. Fairmount Park, Tickets: $55, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50. Information: 215-878-0400, www.manncenter.org.
Kelly Clarkson/The Fray
Singer/
American Idol prototype Kelly Clarkson and piano-driven rockers the Fray might not seem the most natural of concert pairings. But both acts - which have been trading off for the closing slot on their 30-city coheadlining tour - share a penchant for making passionate, catchy, utterly nonthreatening pop music. In the decade since Clarkson's
Idol win, the 30-year-old Texan has toured relentlessly and released five massively successful albums, selling more than 20 million copies worldwide. Her latest single, "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," recently cracked the 3.5 million mark, making it the best-selling single by an
Idol alum in the U.S. Despite the sultry posing on her concert merchandise, Clarkson is still America's sweetheart onstage, charming fans with her unpretentious manner and powerhouse vocals. The Fray, meanwhile, is touring to plug its third album, the Brendan O'Brien-produced
Scars & Stories, which earned kudos for its more potent, rocking sound. Led by high school pals Isaac Slade (piano/vocals) and guitarist/singer Joe King, the band's anthemic power ballads get truly powered up in a live setting.
- Nicole Pensiero
Kelly Clarkson and the Fray with Carolina Liar play at 7 p.m. Thursday at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden. Tickets: $25, $35, $45, $55, $65, $95. Information: 1-800-745-3000, www.livenation.com. 
