TODAY
ETHEL
Hip, adventurous New York-based string quartet is at the forefront when it comes to promoting contemporary classical music, taking on the work of young composers with rock influences. The group will perform works by Terry Riley, Huang Ruo, David Lang, Julia Wolfe and Philip Glass.
8 p.m. $10-$15. Emory University Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, 1700 N. Decatur Road, Atlanta. 404-727-5050, www.arts.emory.edu.

TODAY
Rock4Research Benefit
This annual concert raises money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Atlanta’s Tealights will perform and the melodic pop-rock power of Athens quartet Modern Skirts will cap the evening.
9 p.m. $15. Vinyl, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-885-1365, www.vinylatlanta.com.

SATURDAY
Gretchen Wilson
It was just a few years ago that Wilson was headlining nearby at Gwinnett Arena, but in the fickle world of contemporary country music, you’re only as big as your last hit. She caused a sensation when she hit No. 1 with “Redneck Woman” in 2004, but Wilson’s last Top 10 single was “All Jacked Up” in 2005. Nothing she’s released since then has broken the Top 20. She still has a loyal following and she put on a rowdy, rocking show at the arena. She’ll be even better in a joint with a bona fide bar.
9:30 p.m. Oct. 23. $20-$100. Wild Bill’s, 2075 Market St., Duluth. 678- 473-1000, www.wildbillsatlanta.com.

SATURDAY
Joshua Redman
Saxophone adventurer Redman explores just about every permutation of hyphenated jazz, fusing it with other genres in a way that isn’t simple or condescending. That’s a pretty rare feat. He can also play it straight, no hyphen. On this outing, he’ll be in a trio setting, also the configuration on Redman’s latest album, “Compass.”
8:15 p.m. $45. Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, 2000 Clayton State Blvd., Morrow. 678-466-4200, spiveyhall.org.

SATURDAY
Guided By Voices
The pop charts were never bothered by their presence, but these Ohioans were among the more influential acts of the ’90s. Frontman Robert Pollard put an end to GBV in 2004, but now these lo-fi indie-pop oddballs return for a victory lap with the band’s classic line-up. Pop hooks and experimentation share the spotlight in GBV’s world, but one of the band’s best traits is brevity. The songs rarely stick around long enough to wear out a welcome.
8 p.m. $27.50 advance. The Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta. 404-843-2825, www.thebuckheadtheatre.com.

SUNDAY
Ed Kowalczyk
Kowalczyk was the frontman for Pennsylvania quartet Live from the early ‘90s until 2009. He’s now concentrating on his solo career, releasing his first album, “Alive,” in July. He headlines the  finale of this year’s Unplugged in the Park series, with Heavy Mojo, the Shadowboxers and Chuck Dunn also on the bill.
7 p.m. Free. Park Tavern, 500 10th St., Atlanta. 404-249-0001, www.parktavern.com.

TUESDAY
Lifehouse, Kris Allen
This trio had one of 2001’s biggest songs with the earnest and unavoidable “Hanging by a Moment.” Then the band released the album “Stanley Climbfall,” which climbed into the Top 10 then fell into oblivion. They returned last year with a new self-titled album and the Top 5 hit “You and Me,” and it sounded as if time had stood still. The 2007 album “Who We Are” gave the band two more Top 40 hits and this year’s “Smoke and Mirrors” debuted at No. 6 on the album chart in March. Kris Allen, winner of season 8 of “American Idol,” opens the show.
7:30 p.m. $26. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-659-9022, tabernacleatl.com.

WEDNESDAY
Jakob Dylan
The vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the Wallflowers — and son of Bob — is touring to promote his second solo album, “Women and Country.” The album was produced by T Bone Burnett, who also handled that chore on the Wallflowers’ breakthrough album, “Bringing Down the Horse.”
8 p.m. $25; $22.50 advance. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-7354, www.variety-playhouse.com.

WEDNESDAY
Carrie Underwood
The winner of season four of “American Idol” is also one of the franchise’s most successful artists. Her latest single, “Mama’s Song,” isn’t tearing up the charts like most of her output — including 10 No. 1 country hits — but she’s still one of the biggest selling artists of any genre.
7:30 p.m. $35.50-$55.50. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-813-7500, www.gwinnettcenter.com.

THURSDAY
Metric
Emily Haines is a remarkable lyricist and multifaceted vocalist and convincingly pulls off everything from punk to synth-pop (and, most often, a marriage of the two) in her work as the leader of Metric. Metric guitarist, co-writer and producer James Shaw is also associated with Broken Social Scene. “Fantasies,” the band’s 2009-released fourth album, is the kind of disc that sounds great cranked to full volume in a fast-moving car.
8 p.m. Oct. 28. $21.50. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-659-9022, tabernacleatl.com.

THURSDAY
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Langhorne Slim
Isbell’s powerful songwriting had become an important part of the Drive-By Truckers’ appeal before his departure in 2007. He wrote the title track and “Outfit” on the band’s critically lauded “Decoration Day” and contributed many more fine Truckers moments. He’s still crafting evocative Southern gems in his solo work. Dylanesque without being derivative or dated. Langhorne Slim’s music mingles the modern and the old-fashioned, and joy and sadness. It could be that touch of soul he brings to the folk party, or the subtle sensuality and playfulness in his voice, but Slim’s music is easy to love.
8 p.m. $20; $18 in advance. The EARL, 488 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta. 404-522-3950, www.badearl.com.