The Big Gigs: Our critics' music picks

POP/ROCK In a billing that could prompt both bands to try a little harder, newly risen Chicago politico-punk band Rise Against are the headliners over beloved California punk classicists Rancid on the two groups' 33-city summer tour. Rancid was a little stiff in a reunion show at Myth last summer, but the quartet is coming back stronger with an excellent new disc, "Let the Dominoes Fall," its first in six years and a fresh spin on a timeless sound. Rise Against's melodic roar hit its peak with last year's Bush-hungover album, "Appeal to Reason." Grimier-sounding Texan openers the Riverboat Gamblers can give both bands a run for their money. (7:30 p.m. today, Myth. All ages. $30-$35.) (C.R.)

When last seen, Los Lonely Boys tore it up at the Winter Dance Party tribute to Buddy Holly, et al., in Iowa. Now the Texican trio is returning to the Minnesota Zoo to celebrate last summer's "Forgiven," another diverse blues/rock/soul/Latin winner that shows off flashy Henry Garza's underrated guitarwork and a killer treatment of the Spencer Davis Group's "I'm a Man." While the brothers Garza will be smokin' tonight, concertgoers will be allowed to light up in the usual smoking zones despite the zoo's week-old smoking ban. Opening is Brandon Scott Sellner, a 25-year-old blues-rock guitarist from Sleepy Eye, Minn. (7:30 p.m. today, Minnesota Zoo. $34.) (J.B.)

Sort of a bluegrass band for Arcade Fire fans, the Avett Brothers are a drummerless, siblings-led quartet from Concord, N.C., who play urgent, dramatic, big-voiced songs entirely on string instruments. They've kicked around the underground for eight years and eight full-length indie albums. Now they're on the verge of bigger things with their Rick Rubin-produced Columbia Records debut, "I and Love and You," due next month. Their uptown-minded, down-on-the-pond-sounding songs should be right at home in this setting. Opener Samantha Crain is a 22-year-old Oklahoma songwriter who records for the Avetts' Ramseur Records. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Minnesota Zoo. $25.) (C.R.)

In April, Lee Rocker put the swing in that Stray Cats' 50th birthday party for frontman Brian Setzer at the Fine Line. Now Mr. Bass Man brings his own combo, featuring guitarists Buzz Campbell and Brophy Dale (on slide), for an evening of energetic retro fun. The Reckless Ones and Billy Johnson open. (9 p.m. Sat., Fine Line, $17-$20.) (J.B.)

Back Door Slam is a Southern-styled boogie-rock band but it happens to be led by a 22-year-old guitar-wiz from England named Davey Knowles. He doesn't offer much originality but has enough oomph to land Peter Frampton as producer of his new CD and to earn recent opening gigs with Jeff Beck and Chickenfoot. Howling local rockers Cocaine open. (9 p.m. Sat., 400 Bar. 18 & older. $12.50.) (C.R.)

The most noteworthy thing about pop/rock melodymaker Ace Enders is not that he used to front the emo band Early November or that he's earning big MySpace/iTunes numbers with his solo CD, "When I Hit the Ground." It's what he has planned for fans who buy presale tickets on his BBQ Across America Tour: a preshow, private barbecue led personally by him. Not sure about the food, but it's a good shtick. (5 p.m. Sun., Triple Rock. All ages. $12.) (C.R.)

After Jimi Hendrix died in 1970, about the closest rock fans could get to that sonic psychedelic blues-rock magic was Robin Trower and his 1974 landmark "Bridge of Sighs." Trower has a new disc due in mid-July, but 2005's "Another Days Blues" suggests that he still has the chops, especially on the Hendrix-evoking "Go My Way." (7:30 p.m. Sun., Fitzgerald Theater, $34.50.) (J.B.)

Missouri-reared, Brooklyn-launched indie-rock sextet White Rabbits earned a lot of Spoon comparisons off its 2007 debut, so it made sense for Spoon frontman Britt Daniel to produce its month-old second album, "It's Frightening." Piano and drums play off each other artfully throughout the CD, as on Spoon's discs, but instead of overt pop hooks these guys go for more subversive, jaggedly rhythmic verses that can be quite infectious. (9 p.m. Mon., 400 Bar. 18 & older. $10.) (C.R.)

The Dakota and Dr. John have bonded; consider it the right place at the wrong time. The New Orleans piano institution performed at the Minneapolis club as Hurricane Katrina was hitting the Crescent City. He's since returned to the Dakota as a soloist, but this time he's bringing a band, the Lower 911, featuring guitarist John Fohl, bassist David Barard and drummer Herman Roscoe Ernest III. Expect a special New Orleans gumbo that only Dr. John can serve. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Tue.-Wed., Dakota Jazz Club, $30-$55.) (J.B.)

Earth, Wind & Fire still has all the right elements: stellar musicianship, infectious songs, invigorating energy. With only three members left from their heyday, EWF threw down with jazz-infused soul/rock style at last year's Pacer Center benefit. It's harder to get excited about Chicago, a once-exciting jazz-rock ensemble that long ago got lost in the land of mushy pop. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Target Center, $35-$97.) (J.B.)

"Light," the third album by Hasidic reggae rapper Matisyahu, has been delayed because a new regime took over Epic Records and they wanted more radio-friendly songs (the single "One Day" sounds like Coldplay trying to do Bob Marley). The album, due Aug. 25, uses more electronics in its dub-heavy sound but has enough hooks to be accessible. Matisyahu has evolved into a smooth singer along with his distinctive reggae hip-hop flow. (9 p.m. Wed., First Avenue, $26.) (J.B.)

"Last thing I heard, I was left for dead." So sings former Grandaddy frontman Jason Lytle at the beginning of his first solo effort, "Yours Truly, the Commuter," a starkly personal and ultimately triumphant record based on his struggles with addictions and midlife crises in general. Relocated to rural Montana, the Modesto, Calif., native is still making gorgeous, uplifting, starry-skied music. (9 p.m. Wed., Triple Rock. 18 & up. $12.) (C.R.)

Hard to believe it, but Soul Asylum has never performed in the Music at the Zoo series until now. The local rock legends also haven't played in town this year. With Tommy Stinson back on bass full-time and drummer Michael Bland as dedicated as ever (never mind his brief return with Prince or studio work with the Jonas Bros.), the quartet knows how to make it count nowadays. They're even making a special trip down to the famed Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, the day after this gig. Something extra special: The opener is Tommy's former Replacements mate Slim Dunlap. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Minnesota Zoo. $35.) (C.R.)

Taste of Minnesota has new owners, a new admission policy and a new hard-rocking attitude. Previously free, the music-and-food fest is now charging $10, but that gets you 10 bucks worth of food/drink coupons. Staind, masters of rock angst in the early '00s, will headline Thursday (with Quietdrive, Halestorm and Chevelle opening). Still-rockin' metal gods Judas Priest and the better forgotten Whitesnake turn up the volume July 3. Elvis Costello, the always terrific Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, is set for July 4. Beaned-on-Broadway reality-TV superstar Bret Michaels parties on July 5. Fireworks nightly about 10 p.m. (Thu.-July 5, Harriet Island, St. Paul, $10, tasteofmn.com.) (J.B.)

If you accept that Robert Cray is a soul man and not a bluesman, you'll find small joys in the laid-back "This Time," his 15th album, due July 14. The long-winded title track shows his depth as a low-key southern soul singer, "That's What Keeps Me Rockin'" is B-3-fueled jump blues in low gear, "To Be True" has a sweet island groove and "Truce" is a smoldering blues/jazz ballad that would be perfect for Etta James. Blues purists might yearn for more "Strong Persuader" guitar solos. (9 p.m. Thu., Cabooze, $33-$35.) (J.B.)

HIP-HOP Alas, the Twin Cities are missing this summer's Rock the Bells tour again, but at least we're getting its two main headliners: Nas and Damian (Jr. Gong) Marley. Bob Marley's most versatile son has been producing a new record by the devilish Mr. Jones. Its working title, "Distant Relatives," apparently references its theme of the common struggle between Africa and American ghettos. Sounds like something of a peace offering after Nas' last two fought-over albums, "Hip Hop Is Dead" and the "Untitled" one. Nas literally made peace at First Ave last summer when he broke up a fight in the crowd, so maybe he's starting to like it here. Both he and Jr. Gong are grade-A entertainers. (9 p.m. Tue., First Avenue. 18 & older. $36.) (C.R.)

Just because the Roots on are TV five nights a week on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," don't think hip-hop's greatest live band has retired from the road. Nope, ?uestlove, Black Thought and company will rock First Avenue once again with thoughtful and booty-shaking hip-hop/soul/rock/jazz, including material from last year's outstanding, politically charged "Rising Down." Always highly recommended. (7 p.m. Thu., First Avenue, $30.) (J.B.)

COUNTRY The opening guitar licks on Eli Young Band's single "Always the Love Songs" sound like the Wallflowers, while the lyric is pure Kenny Chesney. This tune isn't likely to propel these Texas newcomers to stardom -- singer Mike Eli and guitarist James Young were roommates at the University of North Texas -- but their rockin' instincts should fit in at the West Bank's favorite honky tonk. (9:15 p.m. Sat., Cabooze, $12.) (J.B.)

WORLD Nigerian superstar King Sunny Ade's juju music can get repetitious in a good, trippy kind of way. If you dig the Grateful Dead's Drum n Bass routine or appreciate fluid, tasty guitar picking, you'll want to party to this percussive, dance-happy 20-some-piece band that was a hit at Bonnaroo. Doubling your dancing pleasure is Femi Kuti, son of Afro-beat legend Fela Kuti, who came into his own on last year's inspiring "Day by Day," a modern Afro-beat classic. Highly recommended. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Minnesota Zoo, $33.) (J.B.)

JAZZ With extensive credits in both acoustic jazz and hip-hop, drummer Karriem Riggins steps out as a leader with the Karriem Riggins Experience, a new group with ex-boss Mulgrew Miller on piano. Mentored by departed jazz Hall of Famers Betty Carter, Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown, Riggins has gone on to work with such hitmakers as Kanye West and Erykah Badu while keeping up his post-bop "chops" on gigs with the likes of Bobby Hutcherson and Herbie Hancock. His live show promises a solo drum showcase and a "special guest" DJ on turntables (in Oakland recently, it was million-seller Pete Rock). (7 p.m. Sun., Dakota Jazz Club. $25.) (T.S.)

Sax and flute legend Charles Lloyd shows off his "new" quartet in a one-night-stand that likely will be momentous. It's the same all-star group as on his 2008 CD "Rabo de Nube," with Walker Art Center favorite Jason Moran on piano, Virgin Islands bassist Reuben Rogers, known for his work with Joshua Redman and the A-list of modern jazz trumpeters (Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove), and young drum master Eric (Hercules) Harland, who's also been heard with the SFJazz Collective and McCoy Tyner. Expect to be spiritually transported. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Thu., Dakota Jazz Club. $35-$50.) (T.S.)

NEW MUSIC Undulating synth drones, billowing technicolor strings, melodies fit for a deity's wedding night -- Johann Johannsson's music sounds the way a Pacific sunset looks, except sexier. The 40-year-old composer's 2008 booty-call classical masterwork, "Fordlandia," captured both his countrypersons' hearts and "Album of the Year" from the 2009 Icelandic Music Awards. Double bonus: New York-based viola prodigy Nadia Sirota returns to the Southern as part of Johannsson's ensemble. Minneapolis-based electronica prodigy Tarlton opens. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Southern Theater. $20. 612-340-1725 or southerntheater.org.) (R.S.)

CHORAL Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus celebrates GLBT Pride in divalicious style, honoring the women who have fueled many a drag queen's career. This large-scale look back celebrates the song stylings of stars from Ethel Merman and Judy Garland to Madonna and Cher, from Carol Channing and Peggy Lee to Aretha Franklin and Beyoncé. This is an opportunity for the chorus to indulge its fantasies and the chance for performers and audiences alike to let their hair down and go camping. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Ted Mann Concert Hall, $23-$43.) (W.R.B.)

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