The Big Gigs: What's big in the next week

POP/ROCK

Weezer has transformed itself from the wise-acre, post-hair-metal band that landed a bunch of fun hits with its 1994 debut to the serious, pre-emo makers of 1996's influential "Pinkerton," to the act that falls perfectly in between on its latest self-titled album, aka "The Red Album." One of Weezer's followers, ex-Blink-182 frontman Tom DeLonge, opens the show with his less-sophomoric, sophomore-CD-touting band Angels & Airwaves. Canadian youngsters Tokyo Police Club also perform. (7 p.m. today, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul. $40-$50.) (C.R.)

While raising her newborn daughter, the usually hyper-prolific Ani DiFranco actually went two years between studio albums. Her 20th CD, "Red Letter Year," released this week, is relaxed but fully produced. "I've got myself a new mantra," the famously confrontational indie goddess sings. "It says: Don't forget to have a good time." She's still thoughtful and uncompromising but more widely accessible on "Red Letter Year." (8 p.m. today, State Theatre, $36-$39.) (J.B.)

U.K. singer Wreckless Eric is an original labelmate of Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello whose biggest hit, "Whole Wide World," dates to 1978. U.S. singer Amy Rigby blossomed quite a bit later on the 1996 alt-pop CD "Diary of a Mod Housewife." Now married and living in France, they're the new fun couple of rock, a self-contained band with beat box and a fine duet CD. (9 p.m. today, 7th Street Entry. $10.) (T.S.)

With both the Current and Cities 97 spinning his new songs, "Trouble" singer Ray LaMontagne could break out of cult-adored mode with his third album. "The Gossip in the Grain," out Oct. 14, marks a fuller, more upbeat sound for the sandy-voiced Maine balladeer, starting with its ode to a sexy rock drummer, "Meg White," and including the swooning single "You Are the Best Thing." His band includes locally rooted six-string maestro Eric Heywood. Opener Leona Naess sings on two of his new tracks. (8 p.m. Sat., State Theatre. $32.50.) (C.R.)

Despite seven Grammys and 55 million albums sold, Alanis Morissette, 34, is still full of manic energy, vitriol and a big vocabulary. "Flavors of Entanglement," her first CD in four years, is another breakup album. Where her blockbuster debut "Jagged Little Pill" was direct and raw, this is wordy and overproduced. Alexi Murdoch opens. (8 p.m. Sat., Orpheum Theatre. $47.50-$67.50.) (J.B.)

Eddie Money, the helmet-haired ex-New York cop, took fans to classic-rock paradise at the parched Taste of Minnesota in July. Now he brings "Two Tickets to Paradise" and "Take Me Home Tonight" into the intimacy of a classy nightclub. (10:30 p.m. Sat., Trocaderos, $20.) (J.B.)

Just a few days after his 20th birthday(!), Canadian acoustic-soul singer Justin Nozuka returns to the Varsity, where he opened for Marie Digby in May. His age belies the serious, mature, if a bit too do-gooder-ish themes of songs such as "Save Him" and "Mr. Therapy Man," from his debut album, "Holly." He's touring with Nashville's Gabe Dixon Band, a piano-fueled boogie-soul-rock band led by another gifted young star-in-the-making. (6 p.m. Sun., Varsity Theater. 18 and older. $21-$24.) (C.R.)

Having started on the folk circuit, Texas' Ruthie Foster explores gospel-tinged Southern soul on "The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster," a 2007 CD that almost lives up to its brash title. She unleashes her rich, robust voice on impressive originals and wonderful songs by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Son House and Lucinda Williams as well as a poem by Maya Angelou. Last seen opening for Booker T. & the MGs at the Minnesota Zoo, Foster brings her soulful, one-woman folk fest to a club setting. (7 and 9:30 p.m. Sun.-Mon., Dakota, $20-$27.) (J.B.)

Lots of rock-guitar geeks love Joe Satriani, whose new "Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock" proves he can wow you with a slow hand. But the real reason to get excited about this concert is opening act Mountain, which tried to be America's answer to Cream. Best known for 1970's "Mississippi Queen," Mountain is back with Leslie West, a true rock-guitar heavyweight, and drummer Corky Laing. (7:30 p.m. Tue., State Theatre, $29.50-$59.50.) (J.B.)

True to form, ex-Guided by Voices frontman Robert Pollard has hit the road for the first time in two years with two different projects to promote. One is "Brown Submarine," the debut album by his rather straight-ahead, garagey pop-rock trio Boston Spaceships, which features Decemberists drummer John Moen and GBV alum Chris Slusarenko on record and will include Jason Narducy (from Bob Mould's band) and power-pop vet Tommy Keene on tour. Pollard also has a new book of artwork and lyrics out called "Town of Mirrors." (9 p.m. Tue., Turf Club. $16.) (C.R.)

What were Florida's Black Kids doing in London recording with the guitarist from Suede? Having a good time, that's what. The results can be heard on the boy/girl synth-rockers' full-length debut for Columbia, "Partie Traumatic," offering an insanely but infectiously energetic update of retro British pop-rock such as the Cure, Smiths, Pulp and just a little Suede. The Virgins, recently featured on "Gossip Girl," open along with local electro-rock band Beatrix Jar. (9 p.m. Tue., 7th Street Entry. 18 and older. $15.) (C.R.)

There will be more to celebrate at Radio K's 15th Anniversary bash than just a date on the calendar. The student-run University of Minnesota station was just nominated as one of the five best college stations in the country by CMJ. You can consider that an award for the local music scene, too, which always gives and receives equally from the K, as evidenced by the party's lineup of indie-rock stalwarts Low, sonic collagist Dosh, Doomtree rapper Sims and nervy and noisy psychedelic band Vampire Hands. (8 p.m. Wed., First Avenue. 18 and older. $12.) (C.R.)

Eight years after retiring from touring, Tina Turner is back -- the oldest solo artist to undertake an extensive arena tour (she turns 69 next month). With hits dating back to the 1960s, the rock 'n' soul legend will once again prove that she has legs. Her tour, which features no opening act, just started Wednesday, so things should be nice and fresh. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Target Center, $59.50-$152.) (J.B.)

Plenty of folk troubadours joke about living on the road, but David Wilcox really did it. He and his wife and their home-schooled son toured the country for close to two years in a biodiesel-fueled truck and Airstream trailer, an experience that inspired the husky-voiced songwriter's latest, all-acoustic album, "Airstream." Do they have RV hookups outside the Fitz? (7:30 p.m. Thu., Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul. $23-$25.) (C.R.)

Nelly, the sing-songy hip-hop hero from St. Louis, has finally released his overdue "Brass Knuckles," with a gang of all-star guests including Ashanti, T.I., R. Kelly, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, Usher, Ciara, Chuck D and Akon. Despite the big-name cameos, nothing on the disc seems destined to join Nelly's crossover hit parade that includes "Country Grammar," "Hot in Herre" and "Grillz." Avery Storm opens. (8 p.m. Wed. Myth, $36.50.) (J.B.)

Kenny Rogers may have a new face but he has the same old lines between songs and the same old hits -- 21 No. 1 country tunes, to be exact. At 70, he still is essaying new material, including "To Me," which he usually dedicates to his fifth wife and their 4-year-old twins. (8 p.m. today, Mystic Lake Casino, $47-$59.) (J.B.)

Pop Wagner & the Twin City Playboys deliver a swell mix of western swing, Cajun and classic country on the new disc "Honky Tonk Ranch." Led by transplanted Texas fiddler Kevin Anthony, and featuring impressive pedal steel and dobro by Bill Quinn, the TC Playboys also back Wagner on some charming originals, including the droll "Old Fashioned Cowboy" (about a laptop- and iPod-toting rancher) and "Cleo's Gator," a cautionary tale of an ill-advised Louisiana pet. (8 p.m. Sun. and 7:30 p.m. Tue., Eagles Aerie #34, 2507 E. 25th St., Mpls.) (T.S.)

At 80, blues and jazz legend Mose Allison has trimmed his tour schedule, so local fans are fortunate to catch his razor wit and gem-after-gem song bag in his only appearances this month. Allison may have long ago rewritten his Who-dunit hit "Young Man's Blues" into the gray-panther protest "Old Man Blues," but he has no shortage of soulfulness or pep, and his piano remains a "Swingin' Machine." (8:30 and 10:30 p.m. today-Sat., 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Sun., Artists' Quarter. $20.) (T.S.)

Mexican stars with a longtime Minnesota connection, Sacbé showcases the Toussaint Brothers: Eugenio (piano), Enrique (bass) and Fernando (drums). Featured this summer at the Montreal Jazz Festival, the band reconvenes for a more casual bar show. Expect electric Latin jazz and hip old-school fusion -- think Weather Report. (8 p.m. Sat., Dakota Jazz Club. $15.) (T.S.)

Any band led by drummer Steve Smith is worth seeing -- he's a virtuoso font of polyrhythmic energy. His current Jazz Legacy Band salutes hard-bop and post-bop drum giants of the recent past (Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Tony Williams). The smokin' quintet features two terrific sax soloists -- Walt Weiskopf (tenor) and Jim Snidero (alto) -- with bassist Baron Browne and former Sonny Rollins keyboardist Mark Soskin. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Tue., Dakota. $20-$25.) (T.S.)

California's Clayton Brothers are a family band and an all-star band rolled into one. Acoustic bassist John Clayton is best known for his long association with bass legend Ray Brown. Sax stalwart Jeff Clayton's claim to fame is co-leading the great Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Trumpet star Terell Stafford, promising young drummer Obed Calvaire and John's 24-year-old son Gerald, a gifted pianist recently seen making sparks fly with the Roy Hargrove Quintet, round out a savvy unit that's guaranteed to excite. (7 and 9:30 p.m. Wed., Dakota. $22-$28.) (T.S.)

Cantus, the nine-voice, Twin Cities-based male a cappella ensemble, spends much of its time on the road, where it has won a considerable following. But these mellifluous guys are too canny to deny their hometown fans a chance to hear their fall touring program -- especially when that program (which features locals Maura Bosch, Edie Hill and Stephen Paulus, along with Eric Whitacre and the late Isaac Hayes) happens to correspond to their new CD, "While You are Alive." If you have a pulse, they're sure to elevate it. (7:30 p.m. Sat., St. Olaf Catholic Church, 215 S. 8th St., Mpls. 7 p.m. Sun., Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 301 Oak St., Excelsior. $25. 612-435-0055 or cantusonline.org.) (L.F.)

Beloved by viewers of Nickelodeon and "The View," Laurie Berkner is not your typical kids'-music artist. She doesn't dumb down her material with nursery rhymes and childish language. She has a way with melody and imagination on "Rocketship Run," her current CD. While the 24-track disc may be a little long, neither kids nor adults will tire of "Mouse in My Toolbox" and "Pigbasket." And Berkner diversifies the music, traveling from samba, to Irish jigs, to standards ("Fly Me to the Moon"). (1 p.m. Sun., State Theatre, $25-$35.) (J.B.)

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