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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

Say Anything

Jessica Horwitz (ENLARGE)
The Packway Handle Band (Andrew Heaton, Michael Paynter, Tom Baker, Josh Erwin and Zach McCoy) plays Eddie's Attic on Saturday.
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A FINE SPRAWL: It took Max Bemis and his band four years to follow up the terrific 2004 punk-rock opera "Say Anything Is a Real Boy," but the ambitious "In Defense of the Genre" fulfilled the promise shown by the debut. Though it's rooted in pop-punk, the album's stylistic sprawl strikes some as unfocused. The rest of us see it as Bemis' guided tour of his unfettered musical imagination. Another band with a broad stylistic palette, Atlanta's Manchester Orchestra, is among the openers, along with Biffy Clyro and Weatherbox.

• THE 411: 6:30 p.m. $16.50. The Masquerade, 695 North Ave. N.E., Midtown. 404-577-8178, www.masq.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5

Packway Handle Band

TRANSATLANTIC PICKIN': Phenomenal vocal harmonies, bluegrass chops and a rock-informed sense of abandon is getting the Packway Handle Band noticed. If you're a fan of the Avett Brothers or Nickel Creek, you need to check out these guys. They utilize the old-school, all-gathered-round-the-mic style, but there's a modern edge. This gig is the Atlanta CD release celebration for the Athens-based quintet's self-titled album No. 3. It's been available since January, but after a January CD release gig in Athens, the guys set off on a monthlong tour of Europe. Go to the band's Web site (www.packwayhandle.com) and click the link to the BBC's video of the band playing at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, Scotland. With Little Country Giants.

• THE 411: 9 p.m. $13; $10 advance. Eddie's Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 404-377-4976, www.eddiesattic.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9

Juanes

THE FINEST COLOMBIAN: Colombian superstar Juanes hasn't scaled the mainstream U.S. charts, but that's one of the few things missing from his list of accomplishments. He has four highly regarded million-selling albums. The first three brought him multiple Latin Grammy awards and 2007's "La Vida ... Es un Ratico" ("Life Is a Moment") is sure to follow suit. Juanes' most distinguishing characteristic might be his unwavering need to address political and social life in Latin America.

• THE 411: 8 p.m. $37-$87. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-813-7600, 404-249-6400, www.gwinnettcenter.com.

Levon Helm Band

THE VERY BEST: Most folks know his voice, since he's the one singing lead on classic hits "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up on Cripple Creek" and, along with bassist Rick Danko, "The Weight." The Band's beloved drummer released "Dirt Farmer" last year. It was his first solo studio recording in 25 years, and it brought him a richly deserved Grammy.

• THE 411: 8 p.m. $40-$55. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Little Five Points. 404-659-9022, 404-249-6400, www.livenation.com.

The Hill Country Revue

ON THE SIDE: Cody Dickinson and Chris Chew are keeping busy while their bandmate in the North Mississippi Allstars, Luther Dickinson, is off playing guitar for the Black Crowes. The NMA rhythm section is joined by Garry Burnside (son of late bluesman R.L.) and fellow guitarist/vocalist Kirk Smithart. This gig is part of a weekly residency, and the band will be playing every Wednesday through the end of April.

• THE 411: 8 p.m. $12; $10 in advance. Smith's Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Ave., Midtown. 404-875-1522, www.smithsoldebar.com