Pop music events happening this week

Ne-Yo The young R&B crooner and songwriter’s latest, “Libra Scale,” is a corker of a dance-infused album, one that has broadened the sonic possibilities of his expert but more traditional early work. At live shows, though, his nimble dancing is the focal point. Nokia Theatre, 777 Chick Hearn Court, L.A. 8 p.m. Mon. $49.50-$129.50. (213) 763-6000.

Nicole Atkins She’s the kind of classic pop singer who could have been a megastar at any point except the last five years. On “Mondo Amore,” she has a huge, rangy voice flecked with soul that sounds great atop broken-bottle slide blues (“My Baby Don’t Lie”), wine-sloppy piano ballads (“Hotel Plaster”) and even an unexpected stab at X-inspired surf punk (“You Come to Me”). Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. 8 p.m. Wed. $15. (310) 276-6168.

Cake Its first album since 2004, “Showroom of Compassion,” finds the Northern California outfit in toned condition, turning out polished compositions that could fit in with its classic catalog (strong with hits such as “Short Skirt, Long Jacket”), but updated with a few new twists. Also, the same notion of edginess that blessed and cursed other ‘90s bands such as Soul Coughing (ahem: the semi-spoken vocals thing) has been nicely mellowed out. Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Friday through Jan. 21. $35. (310) 276-6168.