Dan DeLuca's Mix Picks: Queen + Adam Lambert, Rozwell Kid and Belle & Sebastian, plus 'Equipment for Living'

Queen + Adam Lambert. American Idol alum Lambert typically starts his shows with the remaining members of Queen by humbly reminding fans that he is not Freddy Mercury and will never be Freddy Mercury.  Smart move: With expectations lowered, fans can revel in the re-creation of the flamboyant British band's hits, with original drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist / astrophysicist Brian May behind him. Scaramouche, Scaramouche, let him do the Fandango. Sunday at Wells Fargo Center.

"Equipment for Living: On Poetry & Pop Music," by Michael Robbins. Sharp, insightful collection of essays about the everyday usefulness of words and music that rhyme (or maybe don't). The engaging and super-smart poet and critic takes into consideration Def Leppard, Walt Whitman, Taylor Swift, William Wordsworth, Robert Johnson, Elton John, Friedrich Nietzsche, Miley Cyrus, and William Butler Yeats without ever merely showing off. Simon & Schuster, $24.

Rozwell Kid. Clever West Virginia power-pop foursome who are frequently compared to Weezer. Their breakout album Precious Art pairs songs about hummus and tacos and watching DVDs with melodies and hooks that refuse to quit. With Chris Farren, Hurry, and Great Grandpa. Wednesday at Everybody Hits.

Chuck Prophet. San Francisco songwriter par excellence touring behind his dependably smart and solidly entertaining Bobby Fuller Died For Our Sins. With the Bones of J.R. Jones. Wednesday at the Sundown Concert Series in Haddon Heights.

Belle and Sebastian / Andrew Bird. The wry, literate, and charming Glaswegian indie-pop band led by Stuart Murdoch return to Fairmount Park, with former Squirrel Nut Zipper Bird, a singer, violinist, and expert whistler who's pretty charming himself. With Porches. Thursday at the Mann Center.