From their humble indie-rock beginnings, this Scottish band has grown to become all the rage.

As Tall as Lions | 03.19, 10 p.m. - Cedar Door; 03.20, 9 p.m. - Buffalo Billiards
I was lucky enough to catch As Tall as Lions at CMJ '07; it was the best show I saw at that year's fest. Frontman Daniel Nigro has a fluid, upward-register-reaching voice, leading the indie popsters in a shower of inviting and addictive songs. Their CDs to date are wholly satisfying, yet live, the four members are equally adept at rocking out. As I mentioned in my CMJ writeup that year, "Live, the songs are measurably more dynamic, thanks in no small part to the elastic, impassioned dancing of the bassist and the exuberant (often unmiked) sing-along and multi-instrumental talents of the traveling keyboardist." This one is guaranteed to impress. (www.myspace.com/astallaslions)

Barcelona | 03.20, TBA - Rusty Spurs
Equally melodic is Seattle trio Barcelona. With their debut album out on Universal Motown, Barcelona is another band firmly entrenched in the indie rock genre. With soaring vocals and a pleasing blend of smooth, memorable melodies and driving drumbeats, they are sure to draw the crowds in to their world. (www.myspace.com/barcelona)

Lou Barlow with Imaad Wasif | 03.21, 10 p.m. - The Parish
Imaad Wasif was in a band called Alaska!, best known as the band in the endearing Frances McDormand flop Laurel Canyon; he also toured a couple years ago as the second guitarist in the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and was part of Lou Barlow's reunited Folk Implosion. And Barlow? Aside from FI, he was in a couple other little bands, namely Dinosaur Jr. and Folk Implosion; perhaps you've heard of them? As a duo, I'm not sure what to expect, but one thing's for certain: It's got to be good.

The Beauvilles | 03.21, 1 a.m. - Wave Rootfop
This Florida band recently self-released Whispering Sin, a driving collection of 12 driving, rocking songs sure to have you singing along. I first heard the band at SXSW '07 at the annual Bay Area Arts and Music Organization party and loved their music—and live show—even then. This year, after immersing myself in their album for a few months, I'm really looking forward to catching them again. (www.myspace.com/thebeauvilles)

Cary Brothers | 03.19, 12 a.m. | The Parish
Last year I went to the bluhammock party with one mission: see Cary Brothers. As it turned out, he had flown out the night before. This year, catching his show is a must. Brothers rose to prominence with the song "Blue Eyes," perfectly placed in buddy Zach Braff's writing debut, Garden State. However, the rest of his debut album, Who You Are, is even stronger than "Blue Eyes" (which, to me, still sounds a bit watered down)—with the possible exception of his cover of the Thompson Twins' "If You Were Here." Brothers is a true singer-songwriter, and one who deserves larger success. (www.myspace.com/carybrothers)

Crystal Stilts | 03.19, 10 p.m. - Red 7 Patio; 03.20, 1 a.m. - Emo's Jr.
Over the years, countless bands have emerged sounding like Joy Division (She Wants Revenge, anyone?). And over the years, most of them haven't been worthy of the comparison. Brooklyn's Crystal Stilts garner association largely due to frontman Brad Hargett's voice, yearning yet buried a bit in the mix. Musically, they're stripped down and driving—yep, you got it, a lá Ian Curtis. It's not at all bad, though, especially given Crystal Stilts' recent 8.3 rating on uber-snobby Pitchfork. (www.myspace.com/crystalstilts)

Cursive | 03.20, 1 a.m. - Radio Room
I'm an old-school Cursive fan. Tim Kasher and Co.'s early releases were dark, driving and sometimes depressive. And then something magical happened: Cursive added cellist Greta Cohn and released the brilliant, near perfect The Ugly Organ. The live shows were still well-received train wrecks, with Kasher unpredictable (and often drunk), but the music was so good, nobody cared. And then Cohn left the band, taking with her, it seemed, Cursive's black heart. The band's follow up, Happy Hollow, left something to be desired; however, with this year's appearance at SXSW, I'm willing to forgive and forget -- as long as Kasher remembers why we fell in love with him in the first place. (www.myspace.com/cursive)

Cut Off Your Hands | 03.19, 11 p.m. - Emo's Main Room; 03.20, 10 p.m. - Aces Lounge
There's a little bit of Futureheads in the fast-paced music of New Zealand's Cut Off Your Hands. With yelping vocals reminiscent of the Shout Out Louds, the French Kiss Records' act endears with a sound that is familiar yet appealing. No idea what to expect from their live show—hell, I've yet to hear the whole album—but I'm more than willing to give them a chance. (www.myspace.com/cutoffyourhands)