Zola Jesus

7:30 p.m. • Cedar Cultural Center • $15

Wisconsin native Nika Danilova recorded her first album as Zola Jesus in her apartment while attending the University of Wisconsin in 2009. Last year's "Taiga," her fifth album, is the most accessible effort for the electro-goth favorite, who in the past has come across like a cross between Diamanda Galas and Björk. This album would almost qualify as a pop collection, with Danilova's voice up front and the edges of oddity polished away. Two tracks have received spins on the Current (89.3 FM) — "Dangerous Days" and "Go (Blank Sea)" with its repeated chorus "I go downtown/where they don't know my name." Jon Bream

Motion City Soundtrack

7 p.m. Thu. & 8 p.m. Sat. • Varsity Theater • $25-$35 (sold out Sat.)

Twin Cities-bred pop-punk darling Motion City Soundtrack enjoys looking back, especially when it makes die-hard fans as giddy as they'll no doubt be at these two shows marking the 10th anniversary of the album "Commit This to Memory." Produced by Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, the quintet's sophomore album was the first recorded for Epitaph Records and produced such set-list mainstays as "Everything Is Alright," "Make Out Kids" and "Hold Me Down." The band will play the record in its entirety at both shows and throw in some random tunes, hopefully including some from the upcoming album with producer John Agnello. Team Spirit and teen-spirited Stereo Confession open. Chris Riemenschneider