Echo & the Bunnymen: Now trimmed to the duo of Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant, the Liverpudlian post-punk band favorably recalls 1984's heyday "Ocean Rain" on 2014's "Meteorites," produced by Youth. (8:30 p.m. Fri. First Avenue, $30.)
Dean Magraw and Butch Thompson: The sixth annual Red House Live from Landmark Center series kicks off with these two Minnesota stalwarts — guitar ace Magraw and piano giant Thompson. Joining them will be divine vocalist Prudence Johnson, who, like the musicians, is a Minnesota treasure. (8 p.m. Fri. Landmark Center, $20-$25.)
Robert Randolph and the Family Band: Regulars at the Minnesota Zoo, these sanctified steel guitar specialists are moving indoors to Jam Band Central, i.e. the Cabooze. The spirited, high-energy Randolph will likely take listeners on a trip through Jimi Hendrix, Slim Harpo, Sly Stone, spirituals and the blues. Opening is Frogleg, Minnesota's versatile jam-band. (9:30 p.m. Sat., Cabooze, Mpls., $30, cabooze.com.)
The Specials: When the Specials emerged in the 2 Tone ska scene in the late 1970s, they had the support of the politicized Clash and the iconoclastic Elvis Costello, who produced their debut album. Their hits included "A Message to You, Rudy," "Rat Race" and "Free Nelson Mandela." (9 p.m. Sat. First Avenue, $30, sold out.)
Festival Palomino: "Emotions and Math" is the debut album by buzzing New York singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy, who comes across as sort of a cerebral Courtney Barnett. Glaspy will be one of the new faces at the third annual Festival Palomino. Of course, the roots-music event, with 17 bands on three stages, features fest founders Trampled by Turtles, one of Minnesota's most exciting live acts, plus the Arcs (with Dan Auerbach), Andrew Bird, Jake Bugg, Elephant Revival, Frightened Rabbit, the Cactus Blossoms, Frankie Lee, Aubrie Sellers and others. (1 p.m. Sat. Hall's Island, Mpls. $48-$147, festivalpalomino.com)
Prairie Burn Music Festival: This second annual, family-friendly event features an eclectic lineup — folk-blues master Charlie Parr, the Grammy-winning kids-music duo the Okee Dokee Brothers, the harmonizing Ericksons, among others — plus a climbing tower, archery, hay rides and a s'mores roast. Camping is available. (Sat. Camp St. Croix, Hudson, Wis., $25-$30, prairieburn.com.)
Steven Curtis Chapman: The popular contemporary Christian star brings his Songs and Stories Tour, which means he'll tell stories behind his songs and also share the stage for a bit with opening acts Mac Powell of Third Day and Brandon Heath. (7 p.m. Sun. Grace Church, Eden Prairie, $26-$75.)
Belly: After playing more of a back-up role in the pioneering bands Throwing Muses and the Breeders, Tanya Donnelly enjoyed a strong creative burst and fair amount of commercial success fronting her own ethereal, melodic, Boston-based group in the early-'90s alterna-rock golden era. But it would be way too short-lived, just five years with a pair of cherished albums and the minor hits "Feed the Tree," "Super-Connected" and "Gepetto." Finally, after a 20-year lull, Donnelly has put the quartet back together and it's earning a rave reception on tour, with two sets each night pulled from those two albums plus two new songs. (8 p.m. Sun., First Avenue, $25, first-avenue.com.)
