This fall brings with it a bunch of ultra-cool concerts. New shows are announced all the time, so be sure to check City Newspaper's weekly music listings, or our comprehensive online calendar at rochestercitynewspaper.com, for the full list. In the meantime, put these gigs on your planner now.

After leaving Whiskeytown - what I consider the best alt-country, roots-rock band ever - in 1999, it was as if Ryan Adams was playing "Beat the Clock," churning out roughly an album a year. "Heartbreaker" kicked it all off with its cool rock 'n' roll stance and lyrical depth. Since then, Adams has stuck his fingers in a number of pies. He produced Willie Nelson's "Songbird," and has guested in the studio with artists like The Cowboy Junkies, plus contributed to movie soundtracks like "Elizabethtown" as well. Check out Adams and his band, the Cardinals, Saturday, September 27, at the Auditorium Theatre. (875 East Main St, 232-1900, 8:30 p.m., $30)

This is the pre-buzz buzz, kind of like when Grandpa's trick toe starts acting up, indicating there's a storm a-brewin'. Boston nouveau soulster Jesse Dee sings with a beautifully unpretentious wail. It's classic soul, the kind that's in the throat and in the heart, sung by a cat who obviously doesn't have to try. Dee just lets go and lets fly. His debut platter, "Bittersweet Batch," is just that: a bittersweet batch of classic soul, pumpin' rhythms, and a fantastic horn section that has spent time giving Susan Tedeschi some added brass. Like Amy Winehouse? James Hunter? Stephanie McKay? Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings? Well then, you're gonna love this cat. He plays Saturday, October 4, at High Fidelity. (170 East Ave, 325-6490, 8 p.m., $7)

The NYC scenesters that make up the MK Groove Orchestra are the pin-up boys for where big-band music is heading. The band bops all over the map with brass-knuckle brass and pornographic funk. The 10-odd-piece band's progressively vintage sound is big and mind-blowingly cool. But don't fence them in. The MK Groove Orchestra transcends timeline classification by goosing classic lushness with a contemporary haphazardry, all the while brazenly staring down the apocalypse. It's like waiting for the Sun Ra to rise. The MK Groove Orchestra plays Saturday, October 11, at Dubland Underground. (315 Alexander St, 232-7550, 9 p.m., call for tix)

Lucinda Williams is sad-and-pretty Americana's sad and pretty poster gal. And though Williams has always incorporated big sky musical atmosphere full of blues and country in a sort of perpetually melancholy twilight, it's her lyrics delivered in a sleepy, sexy, nonchalant voice, that paint so vividly. Since her debut with 1978's "Ramblin,'" Williams has always bridged the gap between Memphis Minnie-type blues, Bob Dylan folk, and Hendrix-type heaviness. Williams' songs are top-notch heartbreak ballads. The gal can rock, too, and her new album, "Little Honey," actually sheds a little sunshine to shake off the blues. She plays Sunday, October 12, at Harro East Ballroom. (155 N Chestnut St, 232-1900, 7 p.m., $35)

It's been 30 years since legendary rocker Nick Lowe cut "Jesus Of Cool" (released as "Pure Pop For Now People" in the uptight USA). Lowe is an amazing pop/rock songwriter. "What's So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding?" wasn't an Elvis Costello tune, although he made it famous. It was Lowe's. So was Johnny Cash's "The Beast In Me." Lowe came through Rochester about 10 years ago to play what is now Water Street Music Hall, and that show is still in my Top 10 list. Let's see if he can top himself when he plays the German House on Thursday, October 16. (315 Gregory St, 232-1900, 7 p.m., $25)

Best known as the troubadour that continually popped up in "There's Something About Mary," singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman is also the dude that wrote "Roadrunner" with his band The Modern Lovers in the early 1970's. The Lovers were considered art rock in the vein of, say, The Velvet Underground, and the band had an uncanny ability to sound odd while playing conventionally, and for improvising on stage. The band went tits-up in 1973, and Richman carried on acoustically, having grown tired of rock music's requisite electricity and volume. His songs are deadpan funny and a little self-effacing. Richman's music is hooky, unassuming, and fun. He plays Tuesday, October 21, at the Bug Jar.(219 Monroe Ave, 454-2966, 8 p.m., $14-$16)