ACCLAIMED New York-based experimental outfit Battles has been the buzz of local online music forums in the last few weeks and tonight, music fans can finally check out the band in live action in Kuala Lumpur. Math rock, robot rock or alien jazz? Forget the hapless descriptions, Battles is one live act not to be missed with its danceable and distorted grooves designed to break music boundaries.

The band, fresh after playing the Mosaic Fest in Singapore yesterday, lands in town tonight for a full-blown set at the Orange Dance Club, Jalan Kia Peng in Kuala Lumpur. Apart from unleashing its outstanding Mirrored album, which stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Radiohead’s Kid A album, what is abundantly clear about this quartet is their skill, energy and inspiration on stage.

Catch New York-based experimental rock band Battles in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

The band’s line-up includes ex-Helmet drummer John Stanier, ex-Don Caballero guitarist Ian Williams, ex-Lynx guitarist Dave Konopka, and music maverick/vocal manipulator Tyondai Braxton.

If you are keen on bands operating on the outer limits of music, get ready for Battles tonight, a classy line-up of musicians doing something truly groundbreaking. Tickets, priced at RM108, are available at the door. Show starts 8pm. Twilight Actiongirl (deejay set) & Killeur Calculateur are the opening acts.

For more information, log on to www.soundscape-records.com or www.myspace.com/battlestheband.

For advance bookings, contact ticketing@soundscape-records.com or call the hotline (016-336 9089).

> A SELECTION of the best Czech Cinema, presented by the Czech Presidency of the European Union and the Czech Embassy in Malaysia, will be screened at HELP University College, Pusat Bandar Damansara, Kuala Lumpur this weekend.

On Saturday, some of the film marathon titles include The End of Agent W4C (noon), Witches’ Hammer (2pm), The Firemen’s Ball (4.30pm), while Sunday sees classics like Little Girl Blue (noon), Beauty in Trouble (2.30pm), and Empties (4.30pm). All films are being screened for the first time in Malaysia. Admission is free. Browse www.mzv.cz/kualalumpur for full screening schedule. Call 03-2142 7185. Email: kualalumpur@embassymzv.cz.

> THIS weekend, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) concerts at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP), KLCC, will be conducted by MPO music director, Claus Peter Flor. Pieces include Piano Concerto No.4 in G (Op.58) composed by Ludwig van Beethoven and Symphony No.4 in E flat – “Romantic” composed by Anton Bruckner.

Pianist Orli Shaham plays with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in Kuala Lumpur this weekend.

Collaborating with the MPO to perform this work is pianist Orli Shaham, who is recognised for her prodigious talents. She studied at The Juilliard School and earned a degree in history at Columbia University. She has taught non-musicians music literature at the university and is passionate about bringing classical music to new audiences.

Ticket prices range from RM25 to RM95 for Saturday, 8.30pm, and RM20 to RM85 for Sunday, 3pm.

Telephone and fax bookings: 03-2051 7077; email bookings: dfp_boxoffice@petronas.com.my. Visit www.malaysianphilharmonic.com.

• Plugged in, baby
• Hong Kong studio behind 'TMNT,' 'Astro Boy' shuts down
• Rapper Lil Wayne to be sentenced in NYC gun case
• Michael Jackson's doctor pleads not guilty
• 'Dear John' delivers No. 1 debut with $30.5M
• Kris Allen wows Malaysian fans
• Day of love