Unknown Mortal Orchestra at Altar Bar (CPs Sat. 10/19/13)

1) In 2010, a bouncy, guitar-heavy track with muffled vocals, called “Ffunny Ffrends” appeared on the otherwise empty Bandcamp profile of something called Unknown Mortal Orchestra. The song was so catchy and intuitive, bloggers speculated it was the work of a major artist shrouding his identity. (MGMT? Portugal the Man? Starfucker?) To their disappointment, it turned out to be Ruban Nielson, an obscure Australian singer/guitarist living in Portland. Barely formed, his UMO project came out of the gate with an enviable amount of attention. Neilson has broadened it into a trio and softened its sound into a late ’70s kind of moody pop. With a second album out, UMO is now vying for attention with a tour that comes to Altar Bar today. Opening are British neo-psychedelic band Wolf People and sleepy-sounding Mississippi singer/songwriter Jackson Scott. 7 p.m. 1620 Penn Ave., Strip District.

2) There are apparently a few astronomy buffs on the board of the local chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. The organization has picked the theme “Howl at the Moon” for its fall fundraiser because of tonight’s full moon. This evening at the Mattress Factory, you can shake your tail to the soul/funk sound of the Terrance Vaughn Trio and sink your fangs into an open bar and offerings from Rania’s Catering. Rounding out the attractions: a costume contest, a silent auction and raffle and rune and tarot card readings. It all benefits some members of our pack who suffer from painful ailments. 7 p.m. 500 Sampsonia Way, North Side.

3) Tribute acts are plentiful these days. How plentiful? We found three Fleetwood Mac cover bands all called Rumours. Someone should really schedule a conference call to pick who keeps the name (even if people who idolize Fleetwood Mac might not be the best at conflict resolution). Until they do, know that the Rumours channeling the ’70s rock band’s golden sound at the Meadows today is the Sandusky-based outfit (not either of the LA-area ones), which has been at it for 16 years and has a song list that includes all the radio favorites and a few lesser-known tunes. They took the time to learn “Hypnotized,” a gem from the Bob Welch era! 9 p.m. 210 Racetrack Rd., Washington.

4) Though Wild Child sounds like a name that belongs to a hard-drinking bunch of Skynyrd rockers who play biker bars or maybe a tights-wearing, sex-charged glam band, the seven-member Austin band of that name actually plays a light, docile, velvety kind of folk-rock. They make good use of lead singer Kelsey Wilson’s Norah-Jones-sounding vocals and the soft, elfish sounds of cello and violin bent for a folk-rock approach. They are touring behind their second album and come to the Thunderbird Café today. 9 p.m. 4023 Butler St. Lawrenceville.

5) And today in sports: The Penguins take on the Vancouver Canucks at the Consol Energy Center (1 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown) and the Pitt Panthers go up against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Heinz Field (7 p.m. 100 Art Rooney Way, North Shore).

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