Mr. and Mrs. Nashville
You won't see either Tim McGraw's or Faith Hill's name on the country singles charts these days. Nashville's No. 1 couple are a classic act, a husband-and-wife duo with past individual hits that endure and a chemistry that makes their duets sparkle. They're promising to drop a duets album this year, with a preview during their third duo tour — their first North American trek in 10 years. Opening is Natalie Hemby, writer of such hits as "Pontoon," "Drinks After Work" and "White Liar."JON BREAM
7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, $69.50-$119.50, ticketmaster.com.
Her Super Bowl appearance was a big win for Lady Gaga, who was coming off her least successful album, "Joanne." The halftime slot helped boost the ballad "Million Reasons" into the Top 10 but it hasn't saved "Joanne," which is the focus of her current tour that launched on Aug. 1. Thankfully, there are enough Gaga classics and, of course, magnificent sets, colorful outfits and that bravura voice to carry the evening.
Jon Bream
7:30 p.m. Mon., Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, $47.50-$252.50, ticketmaster.com.
Writer William Kent Krueger hit crossover success several years ago with his literary novel "Ordinary Grace," but mystery lovers have long been die-hard fans of his Cork O'Connor novels in which half-American Indian, half-Irish P.I. O'Connor solves crimes — and usually takes on thorny social issues, as well. In Krueger's new book, "Sulfur Springs," O'Connor leaves Minnesota for Arizona to find his missing stepson.
LAURIE HERTZEL
7 p.m. Tue. Once Upon a Crime, Mpls., 7 p.m. Wed. Barnes & Noble, Roseville; 10 a.m. Fri. Lake Country Booksellers, White Bear Lake; 7 p.m. Aug. 28 SubText Books, St. Paul.