Concerts

Usually just a stopover city for people to take potty breaks on their way up to the Brainerd/Bemidji areas, Royalton is hoping folks will stay a while at its Halfway Jam, featuring a cooler lineup than the Cities' own big classic-rock fest, Taste of Minnesota. Today's roster includes the Smithereens, Grand Funk Railroad and metal B-listers Drowning Pool and Jackyl. Saturday has '90s radio staples Cracker and Everclear along with oldies the Romantics, Head East and John Cafferty. (Noon today, noon Sat., off Hwy. 10 in Royalton, Minn. $39/day. HalfwayJam.com.) (C.R.)

Lumberjack Days may not be the hippest music gig in the metro but it's easy to get excited about some of this year's acts. (Did you, like, see Corbin Bleu from "High School Musical" there on Wednesday?) Saturday's big attraction is Boz Scaggs, the stylish San Francisco soul man who was all over the radio in the 1970s with "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle." Appearing tonight will be the BoDeans, the good-time Milwaukee duo that must have a second home in the Twin Cities, and the ever-rockin' Soul Asylum. (today-Sun. Lowell Park, Stillwater, $10.) (J.B.)

For musical entertainment, Wild West Frontier Fest has turned to Pop Wagner, the singing master of the lariat, and Riders in the Sky, those hip harmonizing Westerners who have been mainstays at the State Fair and favorites on "A Prairie Home Companion." Other activities include chuck wagon demonstrations, riverboat rides and pony rides. (Today-Sun., Harriet Island, St. Paul, $12-$20. http://wildwest frontierfest.com) (J.B.)

He had billowy hair, a gimmicky TalkBox and the biggest-selling live album ever. The Peter Frampton of the late 1970s was a very famous rock star. The Frampton of today is a guitar hero who had a bit part in the movie "Almost Famous." His latest CD, "Fingerprints," won the Grammy for best pop instrumental last year. He's such a gifted guitarist that Ringo Starr and David Bowie enlisted him for their touring bands. Fronting his own band, the now-balding Frampton is an underappreciated entertainer. (8 p.m. today, Mystic Lake, $34-$46.) (J.B.)

Ol' Yeller, the kind of straight-up rock band you could take your CCR-loving dad to see along with your Replacements-hooked older brother or your Hold Steady-worshiping younger cousin, is sadly calling it quits after eight years. Frontman Rich Mattson has started a new band, the Tisdales, and other members now have babies, businesses, etc. With a truly impressive five-album discography to cover, and probably as many shots to do, the finale should be a blast. Kruddler, Popcycle and Kansas City band the Hearers open (7 p.m. Sat., Uptown Bar & Cafe, $5.) (C.R.)

A decade since he left Sepultura and formed Soulfly, Brazilian metal hero Max Cavalera has started the Cavalera Conspiracy with his brother and ex-bandmate Iggor. Sadly, they hadn't recorded together since Sepultura's 1996 "Roots." Their politically charged and tautly rhythmic thrash quartet, which also includes Soulfly's monstrous guitarist Marc Rizzo, issued its debut album, "Inflikted," in March and is finally making it to town. Dillinger Escape Plan and three other bands open. (7 p.m. Sun., Myth. All ages. $26.50-$30.) (C.R.)

Wait a minute: Is that Darius Rucker on the country charts? Yep, the medium-tempo "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," which would sound at home on a Kenny Chesney album, is the first tune from Rucker's upcoming country debut. Meanwhile, he's still looking in the rearview mirror, touring with the band that made him famous, Hootie and the Blowfish, the Southern pop-rockers that say 1995 all over again. The Drew Davies Band opens. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Minnesota Zoo, $54.) (J.B.)

An undoubtedly fun double bill pairs two hyper and hip dance-rock bands whose kitsch doesn't spoil their groove. Hot Brazilian newcomers CSS ("Cansei de Ser Sexy," which translates to "I got tired of being sexy") sprang into the States via an iPod Touch commercial featuring their infectious "Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex" and are now signed to Sub Pop, which just issued the full-length album "Donkey." British pep squad the Go! Team are touring behind their second Sub Pop release, "Proof of Youth," an ambitious if spotty follow-up to their Mercury Prize-nominated 2005 debut. Brooklyn digi-punk duo Matt and Kim open along with the impossibly named Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. (9 p.m. Wed., First Avenue. 18 and older. $20.) (C.R.)

A band that has gotten loads of airplay on the Current, New York's Eno-esque whirly world-beat rockers Yeasayer are repaying the station with a free in-store performance hosted by national the indie-radio promoter Free Yr Radio. (7 p.m. Wed., Urban Outfitters, 3006 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. Free with ticket from FreeYrRadio.com.) (C.R.)

One of the most unusual concert bookings of the year, Bay Area thrash-metal vets Testament take over the glitzy new club that replaced the Quest to support "The Formation of Damnation," heralded as their best album since the band's late-'80s heyday. Buried by Hope and three other groups open. (9 p.m. Thu., Epic. 18 and older. $20-$25.) (C.R.)

They're lewd, they're crude, they're Oscar winners: What hard-core rap group can say that besides Three 6 Mafia? Since winning the Academy Award two years ago for "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" from the movie "Hustle & Flow," the Memphis group has been living the life, with a reality show ("Adventures in Hollyhood") and more production work (they're mainly producers). But they've reportedly ditched the reality series to focus on the music. Good thing: Their latest album, "Last 2 Walk," heralded as a return to their hard-core roots, debuted at No. 5. (10 p.m. today, Visage, $10-25) (T.H.)

Although he's never gotten a tumble from the established U.S. blues labels, Texas singer/songwriter Randy McAllister is one of the bigger talents in the 12-bar field: a powerful and soulful vocalist, smart and witty songwriter, fine drummer and a potent soloist on harmonica. Add in good looks and low-key crowd-pleasing charisma, and one has to wonder whether McAllister needs a bigger ego or better manager, since all the other pieces are in place. (9 p.m. today, Famous Dave's Uptown. $5.) (T.S.)

Long ensconced on the Maine coast, guitarist/singer Jay Peterson returns for a reunion/revival of his tasty Western swing band Paradise Ranch. The latest line-up includes his fiddlin' son Bjorn along with accordionist Dan (Daddy Squeeze) Newton, bassist Rusty Jones and drummer Joe Steinger. (8 p.m. Tue., Minneapolis Eagles Club.) (T.S.)

Chamber music has a rarefied reputation among some listeners who, though comfortable enough at orchestral concerts, suppose that music for a handful of performers is somehow exclusive or esoteric. Not so! Make a date with either of Sommerfest's remaining chamber-music programs and judge for yourself. Both feature musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra; Sunday's showcases Osmo Vänskä as clarinetist, while Wednesday's boasts Andrew Litton at the piano. (7 p.m. Sun & 7:30 p.m. Wed., Orchestra Hall, Mpls. $20. 612-371-5656 or minnesotaorchestra.org.) (L.F.)

Smooth-jazz saxophonist Dave Koz is resourceful and prolific. Last year, he put out a Christmas album and a collection of classic film songs ("At the Movies") with a little help from Barry Manilow and Johnny Mathis. He also is preparing for his fourth annual Dave Koz & Friends at Sea cruise, which heads to the Caribbean in November. Meanwhile, he's taking his friends on a summer tour to celebrate material from a hits collection due this fall. (7:30 p.m. today, Minnesota Zoo, $47.) (J.B.)

Rick DellaRatta's "Jazz for Peace" concerts, begun with a memorable United Nations show in 2002, have received glowing testimonials from Barack Obama, John McCain and Hillary Clinton. An excellent pianist, quirky songwriter and vocalist whose sound has aptly been called "androgynous," the New York-based DellaRatta has performed these benefits worldwide. Tonight's is a fundraiser for Compatible Technology International. (6 p.m. today, Artists' Quarter. $25.) (T.S.)

Twin Cities trumpet star Kelly Rossum "goes electric" with a late-night show featuring circuit-bender Ryan Olcott (ex-12 Rods), keyboardist Bryan Nichols and drummer Tim Glenn, of Fog and Heiruspecs renown. (11:30 p.m. Sat., Dakota Jazz Club. $5.) (T.S.)

Uniquely qualified to headline a "Jazz at the Movies" program, trumpeter Terence Blanchard and his quintet join forces with the Minnesota Orchestra for a show featuring selections from the many Spike Lee films Blanchard has scored ("Malcolm X," "25th Hour") plus film music by Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones and Andre Previn, and songs from the Art Blakey-schooled hornman's Grammy-winning disc, "A Tale of God's Will." For an interview, see Sunday's Variety A+E section. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Orchestra Hall. $45-$65.) (T.S.)

Relocating to Michigan's bucolic Upper Peninsula hasn't slowed pianist and composer Bill Carrothers' overseas calendar one bit. Next month finds the former Minnesota phenom playing a jazz festival and making a studio CD in Ireland, then working with two different bands in Belgium. Carrothers gets tuned up for those transatlantic shows by playing on both sides of the Mississippi River next week. (9 p.m. Wed., Artists' Quarter, $5. 7 p.m. Thu., Dakota, $5. 11:30 p.m. next Fri., Dakota with Red Planet, $5.) (T.S.)

Contributors: Staff critics Jon Bream, Tom Horgen and Chris Riemenschneider and freelancers Larry Fuchsberg and Tom Surowicz.

Not to be confused with M. Ward's and Zooey Deschanel's band She & Him, Earlimart is another hip boy/girl team that coyly but coincidentally titled its sixth album "Hymn & Her." The prolific L.A. indie-pop band, which is really just the twosome Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray, has grown more elegant and crafty over a decade, as evidenced by the new record's lush, spacey arrangements and hushed hooks, like an unlikely cross between Yo La Tengo and Stereolab. (9 p.m. today, Triple Rock. $10-$12.) (C.R.)

Dismissed initially as a Clash knockoff, Rancid has itself become an iconic band to a generation of younger punk-rock fans. The California quartet has mostly been on hiatus since 2004, while co-leaders Tim Armstrong and Lars Fredericksen toured with their own bands and bassist Matt Freeman played briefly with Social Distortion. Along with new drummer Branden Steineckert (the Used), they have recorded an album due this fall and are getting back on the road. They haven't lost their altruistic approach: Dig the under-$20 price tag, which should stave off any complaints about the not-so-punky venue. MxPx, last seen on its "Karaoke Nights" tour, is doing its own singing in the opening slot. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Myth. All ages. $19.99.) (C.R.)