Stuart Murdoch is well-versed in the ways of gentleness. As leader of Belle and Sebastian, he's been crooning sweetly laid-back pop laced with literate, witty lyrics since the indie-pop band formed in Glasgow in 1996. Even a song like “Calculating Bimbo,” from the group's most recent album, 2010's Belle and Sebastian Write About Love, belies its catty title by cataloging a series of sweetly rendered and thoughtful romantic details. When Murdoch claims that he wants “the world to stop,” he delivers the sentiment cloaked in candied keyboard, guitar chimes and sympathetic harmonies, and the overall mood is more languidly peaceful than despairing. Occasionally, violinist Sarah Martin lightens things even further, contrasting Murdoch's vocals with her angelic delivery. Broken Social Scene mastermind Kevin Drew, meanwhile, reportedly has been working with Archies songwriter Andy Kim. Also Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Oct. 6-7, 8 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 10/07/14)

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