Three-piece instrumental metal outfit Russian Circles makes the kind of big, epic, discordant music that’s bound to fill a room—with sound at the very least. Like their Chicago brethren Pelican, Russian Circles is part of that dark yet delicate rock movement that eschews vocals but imparts a tremendous amount of feeling through the use of samples and loop pedals. Recently chosen to support Tool through their 2007 UK tour, Russian Circles is riding a post-rock wave and gearing up to release a new album, Station, in the coming spring. Opening for them at Soundlab on Saturday (Feb 23) are Dalek and Young Widows. The show starts at 9pm.

Twenty-five years after Willie Nile released his debut album—accompanied by press that compared him to Springsteen and Dylan—he’s still playing with the dauntless energy of a truly inspired musician. From his Irish-Catholic roots here in Buffalo to the NYC hub that inspired his most recent album, Streets of New York (2006, Lunaticworks, Inc.), Nile has been a passionately thematic songwriter. This Saturday (Feb. 23), Willie Nile & the Brothers Band return to his hometown as part of the 107.7 the Lake Western New York Icons series. The show is at the Lafayette Tap Room, with special guests the Scott Celani Band opening at 9pm.

Legendary singer John Waite’s solo career may have eclipsed his Lancashire, England, rock-n-roll roots after hits like “Missing You” and “If Anybody Had A Heart” made him a top 40 favorite in the 1980s. But Waite first came to attention in his home country as lead singer and bassist of the rock group the Babys, which had a great five-year run in the seventies. Those connections would again take root in the following decade when Waite and two former Babys bandmates (along with Neal Schlon from Journey) formed the supergroup Bad English, whose 1989 hit “When I See You Smile” proved to be another chart topper. Recent tours have seen him play with Ringo Starr’s All Star Band and opening for Journey on their 2005 tour. Waite comes to Club Infinity on a solo tour this Saturday (Feb 23), with Haiku (featuring Mike McGuire) opening the show. Doors at 7pm.

Buffalo’s Polonia has certainly changed over the decades, but the scattered members of its diaspora still gather there annually to celebrate their shared Polish heritage on Dyngus Day. While that ever-growing party—dubbed the “Largest Dyngus Day Celebration in the World”—is still a month away, this Saturday (Feb. 23) offers locals a more intimate but equally entertaining taste of Polish culture in a benefit for this year’s Dyngus Day Parade. Buffalo polka legend Gino Kurdziel will take the stage at the Dnipro Ukranian Center (562 Genesee St.), along with the Buffalo Bells Orchestra. Save the pussy willows and water guns, but be sure to bring your appetite. There’ll be plenty of great food provided by K Sisters, Ulrich’s Tavern, Bistro Europa and Melanie’s Sweets, as well as craft beer from Flying Bison Brewery. It gets started at 7pm.

Catchy, violin laced reggae/rock out of Providence, Rhode Island, the band Zox was spawned at the intellectual hub of Brown University at the end of the 1990s. A smart, post-millenial band with an egalitarian spiirit, their charm lies in a certain incongruity. Taking its name from drummer John Zox, the group poses two disparate frontmen—the tattoo covered Spencer Swain (violin) vs. the straight-laced Eli Miller (guitar/vocals)—rounded out by stalwart bassist Dan Edinburgh. This eclectic foursome has a cultish internet following that manifests itself at Zox’s not to be missed live shows, where the dance music makes you think with surprisingly intelligent lyrics. Recently signed to SideOneDummy Records, Zox is just out with their third album, Line In the Sand. On tour to promote it, the band comes to Mohawk Place on Wednesday (Feb. 27), with local support from the Common Kings.