Happening Wednesday: Michael Franti, the XX

POP MUSIC

The XX Young British supernovas the XX are back in L.A. for the first time since their triumphant summer concerts at the Henry Fonda Theater and the Wiltern, and their last shows for a long while. Expect a quiet, determined, lyrical sound with the force to fill up great big rooms. The Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $27.50. (323) 962-7600; https://www.livenation.com

Michael Franti Franti got the name of his new album, “The Sound of Sunshine,” from a recent stay in the hospital with a ruptured appendix. Each morning he’d rise and be cheered by the dawn. With his band, Spearhead, he’ll perform upbeat numbers from his latest, as well as politically conscious jams from his back catalog. Club Nokia, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., L.A. 9 p.m. $30-$35. (800) 745-3000.

EVENTS

An Evening With Garrison Keillor The longtime host of NPR’s “A Prairie Home Companion” regales the Southland with his distinct brand of Minnesota-inflected humor, wry commentary and gentle curmudgeonliness. His homespun monologues about the trials and tribulations of life in America have entertained audiences since 1974. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. 8 p.m. $65. (562) 985-7000; https://www.carpenterarts.org

BOOKS

Antonio Skármeta and Daniel Catán Skármeta wrote the novel “Il Postino” that inspired the Oscar-winning film, and Catán composed the music for its new stage adaptation for the L.A. Opera. Together they’ll talk about translating literature into music and performance, and how something as ephemeral as melody can help unpack the narrative themes of a novel. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. hammer.ucla.edu