The Big Gigs: Entertainment over the next seven days you shouldn't miss

Rascal Flatts, which boasts the harmonies, hair and hits that appeal to young women, returns to Xcel Energy Center to promote its bestselling 2007 disc, "Still Feels Good." Nashville's biggest little trio promises a new production -- but the same old songs -- from last October's show. Opening is teen sensation Taylor Swift, armed with new songs from her second CD, "Fearless," due Nov. 11. (8 p.m. today, Xcel Energy Center, $51.75-$67.) (J.B.)

After its bursting debut album, which included the stalking-paced rock howler "Hang Me Up to Dry," the Cold War Kids have grown even wilder but tighter on their effective followup CD, "Loyalty to Loyalty." Apparently, their fans have remained loyal. Tickets to this show were gone long ago. A.A. Bondy opens. (9 p.m. today, Fine Line.) (C.R.)

The Magnetic Fields set out to make an album "inspired by" the Jesus & Mary Chain, but its new disc "Distortion" wound up far better than any the "Just Like Honey"-making Brits ever put out. Cult-adored and critically acclaimed since their 1999 masterpiece "69 Love Songs," Stephin Merritt and Co. have grown equally potent as a live band. Highly recommended. (8 p.m. today, State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. $26.50-$29.) (C.R.)

Four rock acts with Christian overtones but loads of secular fans are truly doing what Jesus would do and helping out poor folks on the Music Builds Tour, a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. Melodic pop-rock bands Third Day, Switchfoot and Jars of Clay are on the bill along with not-to-be-missed gospel/funk/jam clan Robert Randolph & the Family Band. (6 p.m. today, Target Center. $28-$58.) (C.R.)

Fresh from another triumphant engagement at Joe's Pub in NYC, the New Standards return to their hometown haunt. Expect the trio, known for its loungey treatments of rock favorites to preview its forthcoming second CD, produced by Dan Wilson. (7 & 9:30 p.m. today & 7 p.m. Sat., Dakota Jazz Club. $15-$20 or $50 for Sat. show plus Nick Lowe; see below.) (J.B.)

Having started as a pub rocker, veteran Nick Lowe now lands at a classy jazz club with a jukebox full of perfect pop songs. His debut album, "Pure Pop for Now People," has been reissued under its original U.K. title, "Jesus of Cool." Those songs still hold up, as do Lowe classics such as "Cruel to Be Kind" and "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding." (9:30 p.m. Sat., Dakota, $35.) (J.B.)

Sandwiched between Band of Horses and Iron & Wine on Sub Pop's roster of hippie-ish bands, Fleet Foxes are part acoustic hootenanny and part psychedelic rock band. The Seattle quintet's greatest attribute is its four- or five-part harmonies, layered like wind-whipping amber waves of grain on its eponymous debut, one of the must-have indie-rock records of 2008. (5:30 & 9 p.m. Sat., Cedar Cultural Center. All ages. Late show sold out. $15.) (C.R.)

Clever Canadian folkies Tegan and Sara have become emo rockers on their fifth CD, "The Con," but they haven't lost the charming banter that only twins can bring to the stage. (8 p.m. Sat., State Theatre, $32.50.) (J.B.)

One of the best of the '90s alt-country bands, Oxford, Miss., trio Blue Mountain is back after a six-year hiatus brought on by the divorce of co-leaders Carrie Hudson and Laurie Stirratt (twin sis of Wilco's John). The couple are still happily wed to their classic sound on the new CD "Midnight in Mississippi." Openers the Rockford Mules are the most promising new twang-rock to emerge locally in quite a while. (9 p.m. Sat., 400 Bar. 18 & older. $10.) (C.R.)

For a 19-year-old singer/songwriter, Sonya Kitchell of Northampton, Mass., has built a remarkable résumé: two well-crafted CDs and a tour with Herbie Hancock. Her new disc, "The Storm," reflects emotional depth beyond her years and the folk-jazz instincts of a young Joni Mitchell. (7 p.m. Sun., Varsity Theater, $18-$21.) (J.B.)

It has been 40 years since Taj Mahal released his bluesy self-titled LP on Columbia. He has gone on to a distinguished career as an entertaining ethnomusicologist, playing a diverse mixture of folk, jazz, blues, R&B, Latin, reggae, gospel, African, zydeco and Hawaiian. To celebrate his anniversary, Mahal recorded "Maestro," a world-music tour on which he's accompanied by Ziggy Marley, Angelique Kidjo, Los Lobos, Ben Harper and Jack Johnson, among others. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Fitzgerald Theater, $37.50-$39.50.) (J.B.)

For a pioneering electro-pop band, Stereolab used surprisingly little electronic gear to create the whirring, giddy grooves found on its first album in four years, "Criminal Chords," a return to form -- and to having fun. (8:30 p.m. Sun., First Avenue. 18 & older. $15.) (C.R.)

It may not seem like Josh Rouse has been around long enough to warrant a collection called "Best of the Rykodisc Years." But the highlights of his five CDs and two EPs collected therein reinforce that this Nebraska singer/songwriter, who alternates between alt-country and alt-rock, is an underappreciated talent. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Cedar Cultural Center. $18-$20.) (J.B.)

After playing all the instruments on his last album, Texan wunderkind Ben Kweller put together a tight but playful live band and toured like a madman the past two years. His current outing is to preview the next album, "Changing Horses," due in January. (8:30 p.m. Mon., Varsity Theater. 18 & older. $20.) (C.R.)

Fresh from Farm Aid and his Bridge School benefits, Neil Young will open his next North American tour in St. Paul. Summer shows in Europe were heavy on passionate electric guitar, with an acoustic set midshow. Emo kings Death Cab for Cutie open along with Everest, an L.A. alt-country band on Young's Vapor label. (7 p.m. Tue., Xcel Energy Center, $50-$250.) (J.B.)

David Byrne, rock's renaissance man, has a concept for his new stage show, of course. Dressed in white, he and his band play as three dancers move around them. The focus is material from his recent collaboration with Brian Eno, "Everything That Happens Happens Today," which is warmer but less adventurous than their previous disc and their work with Talking Heads. But Byrne finds a groove that will keep the dancers happy. (7:30 p.m. Tue., State Theatre. $46.50-$56.50.) (J.B.)

San Francisco's experimental pop darlings Deerhoof land in town exactly one week after their new album, "Offend Maggie." The group issued one of the songs, "Fresh Born," with a request for fans to record their own version, many of which are now up at the band's MySpace page. (6 p.m. Tue., First Avenue. All ages. $12-$14.) (C.R.)

Before he was a downbeat Americana singer/songwriter (a genre in which he ranks among the best), Alejandro Escovedo was an upper-popping punk-rocker. His first band, the Nuns, even opened for the Sex Pistols' fateful last show. That hazy past comes out crystal clear on the Tex-Mex vet's latest CD, "Real Animal," produced by Bowie cohort Tony Visconti and featuring songs inspired by the old days, including just a few downers. (8:30 p.m. Wed., Fine Line. 18 & older. $18-$20.) (C.R.)

"Such Fun" is the title of the Annuals' second album, and it could well be the name of the North Carolina sextet's tour opening for Seattle's guitar-noodly Minus the Bear. Both of these jagged-arty, atmospheric indie-pop/rock bands have playful, charming live shows that outshine their records. Local newcomers Themes are also opening for the whole tour. (8 p.m. Wed., Varsity Theater. 18 & older. $18.) (C.R.)

Wry punks Against Me! are still out supporting last year's career-making album "New Wave," whose intensity is matched note for note at the band's live shows. After opening for the Foo last time in town, the quartet brings its own ace opener, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists. (6:30 p.m. Thu., First Avenue. All ages. $22.50.) (C.R.)

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jackson Browne has long combined heartfelt words with well-crafted soft-rock. On his new "Time the Conqueror," his first disc of new songs in six years, his lyrics about Iraq, the Bush administration and Hurricane Katrina seethe with conviction, although the music is blander than white bread. But he shows his Hall of Fame touch on the wistful "Off to the Wonderland." (7:30 p.m. Thu., Orpheum Theatre, $39.50-$59.50.) (J.B.)

Rufus Wainwright is taking a break from composing his opera "Prima Donna" to play a few solo shows. He promises some new tunes from a pop disc he's making, too. Read an interview with Wainwright in Sunday's Variety A+E. (7:30 p.m. Thu., State Theatre, $32-$42.) (J.B.)

This year's Hip-hop Live Tour sticks with the same formula -- rappers who mix street sounds and socially conscious lyrics, backed by a live band. Headlining is Brooklyn's Talib Kweli, who became the face of the backpacker-rap movement a decade ago. Also on the bill: hard-hitting Mississippi rapper David Banner and North Carolina duo Little Brother, with music by the funky Rhythm Roots All-stars. (9 p.m. today, First Avenue. 18 & older. $25.) (T.H.)

If we can't get 'em outdoors, the second-best place in town to see New Orleans' brass-knuckled party starters Dirty Dozen is probably the Cabooze, offering plenty of room to dance and plenty of time for jamming. (9 p.m. Sat., Cabooze. 18 & older. $14-$16.) (C.R.)

A venue built to showcase venerable music, Orchestra Hall brilliantly brings together two giants of America's oldest two indigenous musical genres, the Blind Boys of Alabama (gospel) and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Dixieland jazz). Never mind their storied histories -- they're both terrific performers. (2 p.m. Sun., Orchestra Hall. $22-$48.) (C.R.)

As the Irish-American band Solas prospers in its second decade of recording and touring, they do so with a new lead singer -- Mairéad Phelan, from County Kilkenny, who is prominently featured on the new CD "For Love and Laughter." (8 p.m. today, Cedar Cultural Center. $18-$20.) (T.S.)

After a couple of appearances at the funky but chic Cedar, Lura steps into the sophisticated downtown vibe of the Dakota for her seductive melting-pot Cape Verde music sung in passionate Portuguese. Highly recommended. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Wed., Dakota, $25 & $20.) (J.B.)

A shockingly good young jazz singer originally from Italy, Roberta Gambarini has made a lot of famous bandstand friends in her decade in the United States, from octogenarian legends (Hank Jones, James Moody) to young superstars (Roy Hargrove). Sounding like an update of past jazz divas -- particularly the regal Carmen McRae and the amazingly fluid Sarah Vaughan -- she lives up to the title of her U.S. debut CD, "Easy to Love." (7 & 9:30 p.m. Sun.-Mon., Dakota Jazz Club. $17-$25.) (T.S.)

For more than 20 years, the Cedar Avenue Big Band has played regularly at O'Gara's. But now we have a "Blue Disclosure," to reference one of the band's fine original tunes. Bandleader Steve Devich is looking for a new home after Monday's gig. The last hurrah should be big brassy fun. (9 p.m. Mon., O'Gara's. Free.) (T.S.)

The West Bank School of Music has a potent lineup for its fund-raising West Bank Bash: folk legend Spider John Koerner, National steel guitar specialist Charlie Parr, roots trio the Brass Kings and up-and-coming gospel/folk/blues/R&B combo Black Audience. (5:30 p.m. Sun., Minneapolis Eagles Club. $10-$20.) (T.S.)

Underground comics legend R. Crumb also has been a pretty fine hobby musician with his Cheap Suit Serenaders, which lovingly recycled 1920s and 1930s Tin Pan Alley hits, string-band blues, jazz and hokum. Local accordionist Dan Newton salutes him with a "Cheap Suit Party" featuring the ad hoc combo Crumbs R Us, displays of the cartoonist's artwork and a DJ who plays 78s between sets. Feelin' kinda Crumby? (7:30 p.m. Tue., Minneapolis Eagles Club. No cover.) (T.S.)

Along with members of the Gaia Philharmonic Choir and Yokohama Chamber Choir from Japan, the Minnesota Chorale leads more than 200 voices and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra in the world premiere of "Ah Nagasaki" by American composer Robert Kyr. Commissioned by the Nagasaki Peace Museum, it journeys from "Light Into Ashes," evoking the dropping of the atomic bomb there, to "Ashes Into Light," emphasizing peacemaking. With Japanese chanting and taiko drumming, this cross-cultural work seeks to keep alive the specter of nuclear holocaust. (7:30 Sat., O'Shaughnessy Auditorium, College of St. Catherine, St. Paul. $21-$36. 651-690-6700.) (W.R.B.)

Contributors: Staff critics Jon Bream, Chris Riemenschneider and Tom Horgen and freelancers Tom Surowicz and William Randall Beard.