There will be swoon, and velvety darkness, and an epic reach to the music. After all, these traits have been common to the Dears over the Montreal group's four full-length albums. But there might be a few surprises tonight, too, considering that founder and frontman Murray Lightburn has seen a nearly wholesale shift in his supporting lineup since the recording of Missiles (Dangerbird), the band's latest. (The Dears kick off nearly a month of touring with this Lakeshore Theater gig.) Internal squabbles aside, the live setting suits their music, which is forever searching for a way to breathe life into the ether. Plus, there's like seven musicians in this band now, so there's always something to look at. Is that a harmonium?

Friday Afternoon Diversion