FRIDAY, AUG. 31

MBUS Battle of the Bands feat. Dana Swimmer, Universal Sigh, Entropic Constant, Shudder Dog, Artists of War, Xanderfly: The UGA Music Business program wraps up its Battle of the Bands competition with some good young talent, including the propulsive indie rock of Dana Swimmer (above).

Efren, A Postwar Drama: It's the last show for Efren as a four-piece; say goodbye to half the band and help 'em usher in a new era.

Modern Skirts, Grass Giraffes, The Darnell Boys: An interesting football-eve lineup capped by the Modern Skirts' sugary, student-baiting piano-pop. GG seem to be playing every other night these days, but they're definitely worth catching if you ain't seen 'em yet.

Snarky Puppy: If you can get past the terrible name, you'll be rewarded with some of the tightest and most drool-worthy musicianship this side of the Mississippi. Jam-jazz-funk-rock—whatever you call it, it's good.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 1

Madeline, MOTHS: Tie one on to the sweetly subversive sounds of Madeline Adams; check our story on Jacob Morris' MOTHS in this week's paper.

Supercluster, Casper and the Cookies, Los Gatos Perdidos: Backed by projections from Whistling School for Boys. Psychedelic!

Sam Sniper, Androcles and the Lion: Judging from what I've heard, Androcles and the Lion are one of the most underrated groups in Athens. Lush, delicate, powerful, intricate, evocative post-pop.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 2

Ricky Smith Fundraiser feat. Romper Stompers, Randall Bramblett & Friends, Fester Hagood, Midnight Sun: Bramblett's "special friends" are none other than Ike Stubblefield and Col. Bruce Hampton. And it's for a good cause: longtime Athenian Ricky Smith needs a kidney. Help the dude out.