Hair of the Dog

Revolution Hall, Friday

Hair of the Dog, according to Billboard, are among the most successful Irish-music bands in the world. And while they call the Capital Region home, the members are truly a seasoned bunch of globetrotters: Lead singer Rick Bedrosian has performed and recorded with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gene Clark and John Stewart; fiddler Larry Packer is an ex-member of Sha Na Na, had a Top 10 hit and appeared with the Band in Scorsese’s The Last Waltz. More distinguished Celtic musicians and Berklee School of Music grads round out the rollicking sextet. They’ll be joined at Revolution Hall on Friday by Road to Galway. (Nov. 27, 7 PM, $10, 425 River St., Troy, 274-0553)

Phish

Times Union Center, Friday-Saturday

If you’re not a fan, you’re thinking, “Weren’t they just here?” Well, yes, they were. But area Phishheads had to wait five years between their favorite band’s breakup in 2004 and this summer’s triumphant return to the SPAC stage—for those folks, these last 14 weeks must have seemed like an eternity. The intervening months have seen Vermont’s favorite sons release a new studio album, Joy, in September; mount a three-day, eight-set concert (called Festival 8) in the California desert over Halloween weekend; and enter the gaming world with a set of tracks on the Bonnaroo edition of Rock Band. So, what have you done this fall? (Nov. 27-28, 7:30 PM, $50, 51 S. Pearl St. Albany, 800-30-EVENT)

Knotworking, Ike Snopes

Tess’ Lark Tavern, Saturday

You know them well if you’re a Capital Region music fan: Knotworking have been a going concern for the whole of the oughts, with a strong local presence years after bandleader Ed Gorch’s relocation to New York City. What interests us about this Saturday-night bill is a rare performance from Ike Snopes, the “solo” project from Small Axe bandleader DJ Miller. Ike Snopes’ Reshaping a Dream was among last year’s local highlights, an unassuming but commanding collection of stoner-folk that stands up against any of your hipster Devendras and Sufjans. (Nov. 28, 10 PM, $5, 453 Madison Ave., Albany, 463-9779)

Jill Hughes

9 Maple Avenue, Saturday

A mere 17 years after we first recognized her as the Capital Region’s Best Jazz and R&B Female, Jill Hughes has finally come out with her debut album, aptly named For the First Time. Featuring original compositions as well as tributes to influences such as Etta James and Aretha Franklin, this album is from the heart. Hughes has the ability to transition gracefully from sweet jazz to powerful ballads, and from joyful scatting to classic R&B tunes. We still think she “graces the microphone with raw vocal beauty . . . and a knack for personalized moments.” Hughes is joined on the CD (which was mixed by Grammy winner Philip Magnotti) by a band of six, including Cliff Lyons on the saxophone and Jon Werking on keyboards and backup vocals. (Nov. 28, 8 PM, $2, 9 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, 583-2582)

Underoath

Underoath, Emery

Northern Lights, Wednesday

Christians like metal, too, it seems. Which is a better explanation for Tampa, Fla., metalcore outfit Underoath than to say they are a Christian-metal band: While the band members all personally identify as God-fearing folk, they don’t necessarily cop to it in their lyrics. Which means you can rock out guilt-free with the Warped Tour vets when they play Northern Lights this Wednesday. They’ll be joined on the bill by Emery, one of the few bands we can find still carrying the “screamo” tag—but don’t hold that against them, as their hard rock is more tuneful than painful. August Burns Red will also perform. (Dec. 2, 7 PM, $20, 1208 Route 146, Clifton Park, 371-0012)

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