POP/ROCK Trying to be a U.S. answer to the Beatles, the made-for-TV Monkees became known as the Prefab Four. The quartet managed to score a string of infectious hits -- penned by such writing giants as Carole King and Neil Diamond -- and remain forever etched in the minds of baby boomers. Three-fourths of the original quartet -- Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz -- do periodic reunion tours. If you're still a believer, celebrate the Monkees' 45th anniversary this weekend. Organizers say the shows will go on if there's a government shutdown. (7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Minnesota Zoo, $65-$77.50.) Jon Bream

Jessica Lea Mayfield has been building indie-rock cred for years. Three years ago at age 18, the bluegrass-reared alt-country singer, who once sang backup for the Black Keys, released her debut full-length, produced by the Keys' Dan Auerbach, and wound up landing songs on "Gossip Girl" and "CSI: NY" while opening tours for the Keys, Avett Brothers and Ray LaMontagne. Auerbach also produced her second disc, 2011's more polished "Tell Me," another dark, moody rumination on heartache. (8 p.m. Fri., Varsity Theater, $12. 18 & older.) Bream

In March, Austin, Texas-based modern-folk hero Bill Callahan dropped his fourth album, "Apocalypse," since abandoning the Smog moniker he operated under since the early '90s. On the single "America!" he evokes the greats with a Cashian twang and Guthrie-like angst. Callahan's unmistakable deep baritone, cold delivery and dark disposition make him folk music's most distinct man of mystery. (8 p.m. Fri., Cedar Cultural Center. $15. All ages.) Michael Rietmulder

It's a good thing Dan Israel finished his latest album, "Crosstown Traveler," before summer road construction began, or else we might have gotten something much more Rage Against the Machine-like. Based on the St. Louis Park songwriting vet's daily commute to his day job in St. Paul -- and, more broadly, the crossroads of being a 40-year-old dad and musician -- "Traveler" sounds compellingly level-headed and contemplative as Israel finds optimism in the daily grind. "Just get in the car and drive it / Throw the pain off somewhere," he sings in "Never to Be Found," one of the many offering his usual Hiatt/Costello/Dylan vibe. Among the standouts is the Randy Newman-styled piano anthem "I'll Get Along," which I'd pitch for the next heart-tugging Pixar movie. Slim Dunlap and Terry Walsh open this release party. (9 p.m. Sat., Aster Cafe, $8). Chris Riemenschneider

Alejandro Escovedo just played a starring role in the "United Sounds of America: Austin" showcase at Chicago's Orchestra Hall and then headed to Milwaukee's Summerfest, so you might call his Twin Cities date a rare club gig this time around. Last year's "Street Sounds of Love" was another inspired album of Bowie/Velvets-style rockers from the Tex-Mex songwriting hero, who's equally adept at elegant folk ballads, country barnstormers and everything else that made him into an Austin music icon. (9 p.m. Sat., Fine Line. $20.) Riemenschneider

A band you maybe forgot that you were missing, Urge Overkill swiftly reminds '90s alt-rock fans of its stylish, smart, semi-sleazy sound on its first new album in 16 years, "Rock & Roll Submarine." The Chicago trio -- now a quartet, with co-founder Earl "King" Rosser back in the fold -- may be best remembered for its well-orchestrated cover of Neil Diamond's "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" on the "Pulp Fiction" soundtrack, but their Butch Vig and Steve Albini-produced heyday albums were loaded with plenty of their own diamonds. Local sci-fi freaks Maudlin open. (7:30 p.m. Sat., First Avenue. $15.) Riemenschneider

After winning three Grammys and selling out two nights at First Ave last time around -- absolutely mind-blowing shows, by the way -- the Black Keys deservedly make the leap to a bigger room on the victory lap behind their thoroughly electrifying breakthrough album, "Brothers." The Ohio blues-punk duo now faces the daunting acoustical challenge that is the Wilkins. Their expanded four-piece lineup has been tearing up festivals of late, so they can probably handle this. Kentucky-reared openers Cage the Elephant, also in near-breakout mode with their sophomore album, are great live if you can handle the singer's voice for an entire set. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Sold out.) Riemenschneider

Rilo Kiley co-founder Blake Sennett's plan to retire from music didn't exactly send a shock wave through the industry, but it did seemingly add a little extra zeal now that he's back with his solo vehicle, the Elected, which has a new Mike Mogis-produced disc on Vagrant Records, "Bury Me in the Rings." Nashville-based opener Tristen is starting to ripple through the industry with her debut, which just earned her an artist-to-watch nod from Spin. (9 p.m. Sun., Triple Rock. 18 & older. $12.) Riemenschneider

Outside of forestry products, Finland's greatest export might be death metal. Children of Bodom is famous for blurring the famously endless subgenres of metal, combining prog, thrash and neo-classical strains into one eardrum-exploding end product. Canadian rockers Devin Townsend Project, Greek headbangers Septicflesh and German shredders Obscura open. (6:30 p.m. Tue., Station 4, $22.50-$26, 16-plus.) Jay Boller

This year Britney Spears released a killer dance album, "Femme Fatale," that is, frankly, more of a triumph for its producers than its singer. And in concert, Britney has always been about the production, not the singing. (You do know she lip-syncs the entire show, don't you?) Her Circus Tour in 2009 was a dizzying, dazzling romp, and her current tour promises nonstop eye candy with lots of club-aimed material from her last two albums. Opening are Jessie and the Toy Boys; rapper Nicki Minaj, whose hair is usually more colorful than her music, and Nervo, twin sisters from Australia who have written songs for Spears, David Guetta and Ke$ha. (7 p.m. Wed., Xcel Energy Center, $49.50-$149.50.) Bream

Seven years since its last album, A Perfect Circle has returned from being given up for dead. As is the case with Tool -- singer Maynard James Keenan's other band -- APC has been taking its time prepping a new album and is now road-testing some of it alongside a cobweb-cleaning of older material. Keenan and his primary APC bandmate Billy Howerdel are back with James Iha (ex-Smashing Pumpkins) and Matt McJunkins (Puscifer) but not drummer Josh Freese, who is touring with Weezer this summer. All-female Japanese noise-punk band Red Bacteria Vacuum opens. (8 p.m. Wed., Roy Wilkins Auditorium. $49.50.) Riemenschneider

Hitmaking 1990s crooner Brian McKnight put on a chatty, soulful and satisfying one-man show in January at the Dakota. This time, the "Celebrity Apprentice" alum is bringing his family band, which includes his older brother Claude McKnight, co-founder of the 10-time Grammy winning Take 6, and Brian's sons BJ and Niko. (7 & 9 p.m. Wed.-Thu., Dakota Jazz Club, $45-$70.) Bream

COUNTRY Diamond Rio, which had a pretty good run as a hitmaking country vocal group in the '90s, has gone gospel of late. In 2007, Marty Roe and the boys signed with Word Records and then released their Christian-themed "The Reason" two years later. Local country-rock harmonizers Rocket Club open. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Mystic Lake Casino amphitheater, Prior Lake, free.) Bream

Jason Michael Carroll first started singing in public as a server at Cracker Barrel in Henderson, N.C. After making one successful and one so-so album for Arista Nashville, Carroll is releasing his third CD on Cracker Barrel's label. "Numbers," due July 25, is standard Nashville fare -- a lonely ballad, a nod to God and a stomping rocker about a farmer's daughter ("Meet Me in the Barn") that could catch on. (9:30 p.m. Thu., Toby Keith's, $10.) Bream

BLUES Two of the more animated performers in jump blues join forces as boogie pianist Mitch Woods shares a show with self-styled "sax maniac" Johnny Reno. Woods, who came to bar fame in the Bay Area nearly 30 years ago, has a flair for the music of New Orleans while Reno is a Texan known for his work with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Isaak and comedian Paula Poundstone. (8 p.m. Fri., Dakota Jazz Club. $15.) Tom Surowicz

Together for nearly two decades, Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat can be counted on for scorching Texas blues and blues-rock, music full of vigor and verve. The cult guitar master is as versatile as he is dynamic, equally adept at electric lead licks, soulful slide, gleaming National steel or amplified acoustic -- and his pals are ready for every gear change and mood shift. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Wilebski's. $12.) Surowicz

LATIN Expect hot contemporary Latin dance music from globe-trotting band Maraca, led by Cuban flautist extraordinaire Orlando "Maraca" Valle. He spent six years with Cuban piano great Chucho Valdes and the powerhouse band Irakere, and also worked with Cubanismo and the Afro-Cuban All-Stars, but his namesake band aims to please the dance crowd first and foremost with a mix of salsa, son, jazz solos, rumba, some cha-chas, a few spicy rock licks, even a little rapping. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Cedar Cultural Center. $20-$25.) Surowicz

CLASSICALPiano lovers can gorge themselves at the e-Piano Junior Competition. Twenty-five pianists under 18 from across the globe will compete in a series of solo recitals starting Saturday at Hamline University's Sundin Hall. Next Friday finalists will perform with the Minnesota Orchestra (noon, Orchestra Hall) and the winner will be featured at that night's Sommerfest-opening concert. (Info at www.piano-e-competition.com.) William Randall Beard