Slog

Fools born after 1970 think westerns began and ended with Unforgiven, but there would be no Unforgiven—hell, there’d be no Clint Eastwood—without Liberty Valance’s bracing ambiguity. Three of the greatest movie actors of all time push each other to some of the finest work of their careers, with John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart playing against type as an oaf and a coward, respectively, and the always-brilliant Lee Marvin at his evilest. (Grand Illusion, 1403 NE 50th St, 523-3935. 6:30 and 8:45 pm, $8.)

The white guys and gals in the 1900s recall another ambitious Chicago rock band, the Fiery Furnaces, but without the proggy convolutions and dissonant keyboard embellishments. Rather, the 1900s generate a smoother brand of psych pop with more winsome melodies and amiable textures while avoiding obvious homage to their ’60s forebears. The fact that the 1900s once served as a backing band for Belle & Sebastian member Stevie Jackson hints at their smart tunefulness—and at Jackson’s fine taste in watermelon-sugary songcraft. (Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave NW, 784-4880. 9 pm, $7, 21+.)