For 30 years, this famed N’awlins group have been known far and wide as one of the premier exponents of Big Easy-style party music. However, they’re far from traditional. In fact, over the years, their shifting lineups have danced around what some might expect of them — at times edging closer to trad N.O. feel-good music and at times closer to modern funk, soul and even the improvisational jam world. It’s their association with groups like Widespread Panic (whom they’ve recorded with), The Black Crowes (whom they’ve toured with) and major solo artists like Elvis Costello, Norah Jones, John Medeski, DJ Logic and Dr. John (all of whom have made cameo appearances on the DDBB’s albums) that have helped to earn them a diverse following that keeps them on the road in large clubs, theaters, cruise ships and at festivals worldwide. This is yet another high-profile booking for this restaurant/bar, and it promises to be a great show. However, be warned, a large portion of the crowd will not have a direct view of the stage, due to the layout of the room. So, if you want to see the band as well as hear them, get there early and stake out a good spot. Tickets to this 18+ show are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, and can be charged online at www.wagatailpresents.com. No starting time is specified, but most weekend shows at this venue begin around 9 - 10 pm. Fri., Locos (downtown).

What a bizarre and intriguing outfit. Alternating between creepy, Old-Time white gospel-influenced vocal harmonies and woozy, barroom honky-tonk psych-folk that sounds like a cross between Basement Tapes-era Band mixed with Jandek-ian inscrutability and Gram Parsons’ Cosmic American Music. On their latest record, Mussel Souls, Dixieland-style horn parts punctuate the off-kilter guitars, drums, upright bass and wind chimes, but they’re often supplanted by screeching, noise rock freakouts that clash less than one might imagine. All the members live in a big Victorian house in Richmond, Va., and that musty familiarity bleeds into the songs. Sun., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean - ALL-AGES.

Boasting former members of NYC’s delightfully randy Bindlestiff Family Cirkus (which made quite a name for itself during annual trips to our fair city), this retro Vaudevillian act tours worldwide. Using such rarely-seen instrumentation as bullhorn harmonica, resophonic guitar and melodica, they make a ruckus not unlike The Paris Combo on amyl nitrate. If you dig the tango, bawdy sea shanties, or even Camper Van Beethoven’s faux-Balkan rave-ups, you’ll appreciate these gypsy punk rockers. Mon., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean - ALL-AGES.

This time-honored annual tradition has come roaring back after a brief hiatus, and this time, the Savannah Sinfonietta is doing the heavy lifting, providing what should be a crowd-pleasing set called “A Pops Salute To The Movies,” with support from opening acts the Savannah Arts Academy’s SkyeLite Jazz Band, and the Savannah Children’s Choir. Expect thousands of people from all walks of life, ethnicities and age groups to claim a spot in the grass and enjoy music, food, drink and companionship under the stars. As always, there will be a contest to see who can come up with the most elaborate or unique picnic setup. Sun., 4:30 pm, Forsyth Park.

When last this bestselling author (Naked, Barrel Fever, Me Talk Pretty One Day) and snarky humorist (NPR’s This American Life, Esquire, The New Yorker) gave a reading in Savannah, most left dejected by the brevity of the show and the lack of new material. Ads for this tour, however, prominently state he’ll be previewing work from his forthcoming book, so respectful fans should hang on his every word. Tickets from $33.00 to $43.50, at the Civic Center Box Office, by calling 651-6556 and at www.savannahcivic.com. Wed., October 10, 7:30 pm, Johnny Mercer Theater.

One of the last of the early, acclaimed U.K. punk bands still touring, their only original member is guitarist Knox, who initially played bass in the band. Still, they’ve soldiered on, releasing a slew of live discs, rarities comps and reissues over the past couple decades. Their most recent CD finds them covering classic punk tracks from the year 1977, and features guest appearances from the MC5’s Wayne Kramer and one of The Dickies. Opening acts include Lybian Hit Squad and S.C.’s I Can’t Believe It’s Not Better (a punk/alt.rock/surf quartet featuring former members of sorely-missed locals Subversivo!). $10 cover. Fri., 11 pm, The Jinx.