Festival Palomino

Well-received in its debut last September with a much more modest lineup, this one-day horse-track bash from headlining hosts Trampled by Turtles and First Avenue is off to the races with its rootsy/Americana-flavored bookings this year. Two acts that local audiences can't seem to get enough of, rowdy Philly sextet Dr. Dog and Los Angeles' soul- and chest-baring messiah figure Father John Misty, will join the fast-picking Trampled crew alongside at least one act we could certainly stand to see more of: British folkie Laura Marling, who's touring with a backing band for the first time. Benjamin Booker, Calexico, Shakey Graves, Lydia Loveless and the Lowest Pair also perform. (Sept. 19, Canterbury Park, Shakopee. $60, FestivalPalomino.com)

Beach House

Instead of moving up to a theater or auditorium as it's doing in most other cities, the cult-loved Baltimore synth-pop duo instead opted to play two nights at our fabled local rock club. Singer Victoria Legrand's enchanting, bittersweet voice helped make their last show there in 2012 extra mesmerizing and memorable despite the somber, standstill, wool-blanket qualities that define their music, including the new Sub Pop album, "Depression Cherry." This one's for the dreamers, not the dancers. (Sept. 22-23, First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls. $25; first show is sold out. First-Avenue.com)

Lianne La Havas

Her 2012 debut album was endorsed by Prince. In fact, he had the British folk-soul vocalist sing on his "Art Official Age" album last year; she also was heard on records by Alt J and Tourist. Her just-issued sophomore recording, "Blood," is more ambitious, featuring production by Paul Epworth (Adele, U2, Lorde), Mark Batson (Eminem, Grace Potter, Nas) and Disclosure's Howard Lawrence. Receiving airplay on 89.3 the Current, the disc is an alluring marriage of soul and electronica, a big step forward from her debut. The 25-year-old could be one of this year's breakthrough artists. (Oct. 6, Varsity Theater, 1308 SE. 4th St., Mpls. $26-$55, ticketfly.com)

Madonna

She went 25 years, six tours and nine studio albums between her two most recent Twin Cities performances. Ah, who's counting? Now, Madonna's coming back — only three years after her last concert here. Her Rebel Heart Tour is promoting the album of the same name, which features collaborations with Diplo, Avicii and Kanye West. The tour opened Wednesday in Montreal. Here's hoping that Madge works out the kinks in the first 10 concert dates and that the show isn't as gratuitously violent as her last tour. (Oct. 8, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul. $42.50-$357.50, ticketmaster.com)

Tim Campbell — Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Headliners Trampled by Turtles performed at the inaugural Festival Palomino at Canterbury Park in Shakopee Sept. 20, 2014.

The Who

We won't have to get fooled again by The Who, who are doing their last tour. Actually, it's just The Two — guitarist Pete Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey and various sidemen. The hits-heavy trek, which started last year, is billed as The Who Hits 50 Tour in honor of the British band's 50th anniversary. Three years ago when The Two did "Quadrophenia" in its entirety at Target Center, Daltrey looked marvelous but didn't sound in vintage form, while Townshend was his usual wired, windmill self. Rock Hall of Famer Joan Jett opens. (Oct. 10, Target Center, Mpls. $39.50-$139.50, axs.com)

AND A FEW MORE

Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris: The country vets have teamed up for two poignant, age-appropriate duo albums — 2013's Grammy-winning "Old Yellow Moon" and this year's "The Traveling Kind." (Sept. 22, State Theatre, $54-$74)

Jeffrey Osborne: In his first Twin Cities appearance in 10 years, the suave pop-soul singer will revisit the hits "On the Wings of Love," "Love Power" and "You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song)." (Sept 29-30, Dakota Jazz Club, $30-$65)

Big Star "Third": With drummer Jody Stephens the only surviving member of Memphis' celebrated pop/rock band Big Star, an all-star cast and string section will join him to replicate the band's 1978 swan song album, including R.E.M.'s Mike Mills, the Posies' Ken Stringfellow and the dBs' Chris Stamey. (Sept. 30, First Avenue, $20)

Doomtree Zoo: After calling off their annual Blowout parties, Twin Cities indie-rap crew Doomtree — see also: Dessa, P.O.S., Sims, Mike Mictlan — got called up to the St. Paul Saints' new minor league ballpark for a majorly unique one-day festival with eclectic guests including Aesop Rock, Trash Talk, Shabazz Palace and Open Mike Eagle. (Oct. 3, CHS Field, $35)

Afro Cuban All Stars: Over the years, this terrific percussive jazz ensemble has featured such revered figures as Rubén González and Ibrahim Ferrer. Now, in this new era of U.S.-Cuban relations, founder Juan de Marcos is emphasizing a new generation of Cuban musicians. (Oct. 4, Dakota Jazz Club, $45-$50)

Chris Cornell: The roof-rattling Sound­garden frontman is a surprisingly strong solo acoustic act, which is how he'll perform on a fall tour behind his fifth solo album, "Higher Truth." (Oct. 5, State Theatre, $49.50-$75)

Kraftwerk: The pioneering German electronic band — whose 1970s work influenced everyone from Afrika Bambaataa to U2 — brings its visually ambitious 3-D Tour for only its second local show since a mid-'00s reunion. (Oct. 7, Northrop, $59.50-$79.50)

Franz Ferdinand + Sparks: Scotland's modern rock darlings teamed up with the obscurely influential psychedelic Los Angeles band as a supergroup of sorts that earned raves for its new album, "FFS," and coming-out gig at the Glastonbury Festival. (Oct. 9, First Avenue, $35)

Disclosure: The Brit brothers electronica duo helped launch Sam Smith with "Latch" in 2012. Guy and Howard Lawrence have also scored big in dance clubs and on radio with "Holding On" (featuring Gregory Porter) and the recent "Omen" (featuring Smith, again). (Oct. 13, Roy Wilkins Auditorium, $35)

Ringo Starr: We had Paul McCartney last year at Target Field. Now the other Beatle returns with his latest All Starr Band featuring Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather of Toto, Gregg Rolie of Santana and Journey, and Richard Page of Mr. Mister. (Oct. 16, State Theatre, $83.50-$154)

Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear: Kansas City soul/folk bellower Madisen and his mom, Ruth Ward, were one of our favorite discoveries at the South by Southwest festival in March, with golden harmonies and pristine acoustic guitar work. (Oct. 25, Cedar Cultural Center, $15)