POP/ROCK

POP/ROCK For a guy often heralded as a "songwriter's songwriter," Kansas-bred folk-rocker Freedy Johnston sure has gone a long time without issuing an album of original songs. The "Bad Reputation" hitmaker, now based in Austin, Texas, has finally finished "Rain on the City," a disc coming in July that he's previewing with an acoustic duo tour. (9 p.m. Sat., 400 Bar. $10.) (C.R.)

Its namesake avenue might be fighting off gentrification, but Grand Old Day is as eclectic as ever. Its mile-long stretch of stages covers a cross-section of local musicianship, from hotly buzzed-about dance-rock band Solid Gold and indie-rap heroes Eyedea & Abilities (both playing outside Dixie's) to mainstream pop-rock darlings G.B. Leighton (at the Wild Onion) and Tim Mahoney (Pier 1) to bluntly named jam-band High & Mighty (the Lavender stage). Also on the list: veteran club acts Mambo's Combo and the Roxxy Hall Band; beloved twang/folk/psychedelic rockers the Honeydogs; noisy indie-rock bands Gospel Gossip, First Communion Afterparty and Private Dancer; bluesy piano balladeer Alison Scott; vintage boogie-woogier Cadillac Kolstad and even that Jeff Lynne-wigged cover band E.L.nO. There's more great hip-hop, too, with Heiruspecs, M.anifest and Golden. (8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Grand Avenue between Dale St. and S. Lexington Pkwy., St. Paul. Free; $6 for adults-only wristband to enter beer gardens.) (C.R.)

One of the most anticipated indie-rock albums of the year, Grizzly Bear's third disc, "Veckatimest," hit shelves last week with a 9.0 rating from Pitchfork and more geeky blogger raves than the new "Star Trek" movie. Curious music nuts may still wonder what all the fuss is about. The boyish Brooklyn group -- which made its first big impression here opening for TV on the Radio in 2006 -- nobly experiments with Beach Boy-ish, ocean-wave vocal loops and wild, carnivalistic arrangements, but still doesn't seem to have settled on a direction. The adoring crowd that swooped up tickets to this show won't need any convincing, though. (9 p.m. Sun., Cedar Cultural Center. Sold out.) (C.R.)

After a few years of literally performing in their own little bubble, Crystal Method teammates Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland debuted an ambitious stage show at the Coachella fest that looks (based on YouTube clips) to be quite a wild spectacle. The Los Angeles electronica duo is taking the show on the road to promote its fourth studio album, "Divided by Night," featuring such cool guests as Matisyahu, Emily Haines and New Order's Peter Hook. Another Angeleno DJ duo, L.A. Riots, opens. (9 p.m. Sun., First Avenue. 18 & older. $20.) (C.R.)

Wheels on Fire is a bass-less quartet from that other U.S. Athens -- in Ohio -- that plays an irresistible brand of garage rock. Imagine Elvis Costello fronting the New York Dolls circa 1976. Lead singers Mike Chaney and John Garris take on UFOs, angst and, of course, l-u-v. With Chooglin', Daughters of the Sun and Our Brother the Native. (9 p.m. Sun., 501 Club, free.) (J.B.)

Twin Cities fans may remember Stuart Davis when he still had hair, long before he was an interwebs and now HDNet TV series star -- and before the aggressive L.A.-style pop-rock production kicked in on his albums, a very mixed blessing. That was about 10 CDs ago, but the past keeps popping up in different mediums for Davis, whose latest album, "Sex, God, Rock n' Roll," recycles several hip tunes for a larger new audience. Sadly, Davis doesn't reach back to his breakthrough album, "Self Untitled," with its sparer, folksier, more pointed gems. Whatever, he's worth watching and indulging. (8 p.m. Sun., Varsity Theater. $10-$12.) (T.S.)

Like Oklahoma's most famous quirky rockers, the Flaming Lips, the Starlight Mints from Norman, Okla., are wonderfully oddball musicmakers. Their fourth release, "Change Remains" (out Tuesday), is a fun fermentation of a kitchen sink of sounds -- from cheesy space-age electronica to Prince -- with written-on-acid lyrics. Another Oklahoma outfit, the Evangelicals, opens. (8 p.m. Mon., Triple Rock, $10-$13.) (J.B.)

Levon Helm was the only American in the first great Americana group, the Band. In a quick 10 years beginning in 1967, the Arkansas drummer/singer and a bunch of Canadians created one of the richest bodies of work of that fruitful era. Helm went on to do a little acting ( "Coal Miner's Daughter," "The Right Stuff," "Feeling Minnesota") and a bunch of worthy solo music projects. Even though throat cancer has changed the sound of his voice, Helm proved on 2007's acoustic "Dirt Farmer" that he remains an expressive singer and articulate songwriter. The voice of "The Weight" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" has a new plugged-in album, "Electric Dirt," coming June 30. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Fitzgerald Theater, $55-$57.) (J.B.)

With his nearly quarterly local tour stops and his brush with censorship when he got kicked off a Basilica Block Party lineup, Texas rocker Bob Schneider is no stranger to these parts, although Twin Cities radio stations should be showing more love for his strong new disc, "Tarantula." Ironically, his current tour opener, Jason Shannon, is something of an unknown here even though he calls Minneapolis home. Shannon used to front a band called Dear Machine and issued his Dylanesque, eponymous solo debut in January. Charlie Mars also performs. (8 p.m. Wed., Varsity Theater. 18 & older. $23.) (C.R.)

After a major-label release that had assists from John Mayer and Emily Saliers, White Bear Lake-bred, Chicago-based Alice Peacock is back to the reality of being a first-rate indie singer/songwriter on "Love Remains," her second post-Sony effort. She has an appealing, slightly husky voice and a mature way at looking at life, love and even school days in a Minnesota town. Increasingly impressive local singer/songwriter Alicia Wiley opens. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cedar Cultural Center, $10-$12.) (J.B.)

When John Eddie emerged in the mid-1980s, he sounded like another Springsteen wannabe out of Jersey. But 2003's "Who the Hell Is John Eddie?" proved that he's developed into a witty, self-assured rocker with some age-appropriate songs including "Forty" and "Play Some Skynyrd." Half Past Six opens. (9 p.m. Thu., Lee's Liquor Lounge, $10-$12.) (J.B.)

HIP-HOP One of only about four touring indie-rap stars who didn't make it to town for last month's Soundset festival, Mr. Lif issued his first two albums on Def Jux and started his own label Bloodbot Tactical to unleash his quirky new disc, "I Heard It Today." The über-literate Boston rapper took a blogger-like approach to chronicling news events of the past year on the album, ranging from the economy to the election. The concept is a bit hard to swallow, but the music comes easy with his mad wordsmith skills. New York rapper Metro opens along with Grieves, a jokey, hoodie-wearing collegian who was at Soundset and drew a loved-it/hated-it response. (9 p.m. Sat., Triple Rock. 18 & older. $10-$13.) (C.R.)

Recorded in 2007 and finally hitting stores, Frankhouse's debut album, "Thought Versus Emotion," features loads of fine writing and impressive group dynamics. On a generous 16 tracks -- 12 by trumpeter/leader Dan Frankowski -- this young quintet shows off post-bop chops and genre-bending curiosity. Near-pop melodies mix with a bit of funk, while fire and especially lyricism both get their due. With guitarist Karl Koopman, bassist Graydon Peterson, tenor saxophonist Shilad Sen and drummer Dave Stanoch, this group seems ready for prime time. (8 p.m. Wed., Artists' Quarter. $5.) (T.S.)

R&B After earning rave reviews for club shows the past several years, Bettye LaVette finally got big-time exposure this winter in Washington, D.C. At the Kennedy Center Honors, she offered a stupendous rendition of the Who's "Love Reign O'er Me." Then, her stirring reading of "A Change Is Gonna Come" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the Obama pre-inaugural could not even be diminished by unnecessary duet partner Jon Bon Jovi. On June 16, the most physically emotive R&B singer on the planet will release an EP on iTunes featuring the latter song plus "'Round Midnight," "God Bless the Child," "Lush Life," "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Ain't That Lovin' You." (7:30 & 10 p.m. Thu., Dakota, $30-$40.) (J.B.)

CLASSICAL The guys of Cantus are nothing if not versatile. Though known for heavier music, the ensemble's pop side will not be denied. That was demonstrated last year when their concert of pop cover tunes proved a sold-out success. Now comes "Covers II," in which their nine voices team with percussionist Dave Hagedorn and multi-instrumentalist Lee Blaske in a survey of songs by the likes of Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Ben Harper and Duffy. That plus the B52s and Queen. (7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. & June 12-13, 7 p.m. June 14. Ritz Theater, 345 13th Av. NE., Mpls. $15-$27.50. 612-436-1129 or ritztheaterfound ation.org.) (C.P.)