Compared to that, folk, pop and straight-ahead rock may seem pretty tame, but it's got a strong presence over the next few months. Of course World Cafe Live is leading the charge with Norwegian heartthrob Sondre Lerche (Wed., Nov. 28,7:30pm. $20-$30.), former Pulp member Richard Hawley (Sun., Dec. 2, 7:30pm. $18-$23.) and the revered Alejandro Escovedo (Fri., Dec. 7,7:30pm. $27-$37-). [Johnny Brenda]'s has the heartbreaking Elvis Perkins (Thurs., Dec. 6,9pm. $12.), Tin Angel has Split Enz's Tim Finn (Sat., Feb. 9,7:30pm. $25.), the Electric Factory has the slippery Citizen Cope (Sat., Dec. 29, 8:30pm. $25.), the Fillmore at the TLA has the buzz-heavy Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (Sat., Dec. 1,9pm. $15.) and the Kimmel Center has k.d. lang (Sun., Feb. 24,7:30pm. $39-$80.). Lording over them all, though, is country royalty George Strait at the Wachovia Center (Sat., Feb. 16. Call for time and prices.).

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