GB Leighton: If you only know Twin Cities bar vet Brian Leighton from his well-worn band's countless, covers-filled workingman sets, you should rethink him with his new album, "2nd Chance." As the title suggests, new songs such as the BoDeans-harmonious opener "She's Gone" and the rowdy, Springsteen-rising "Feel Like I'm Leaving" riff on personal struggles with divorce, alcoholism and cancer but come off swinging. The record was produced by Tina & the B-Sides guitarist Patrik Tanner, now also a member of Leighton's band. Ali Gray opens the release party. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Hook & Ladder Theatre, 3010 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls., $12-$15, thehookmpls.com.)
Faarrow & Astralblak: This is a perfect example of the local connectivity and innovative sounds that Cedar Cultural Center aims for in its Midnimo series, named after the Somali word for "unity." Faarrow, a Somali-American pop duo, has paired up with local electro-R&B/funk troupe Astralblak for a nearly monthlong educational and musical residency that culminates with performances in Minneapolis and Mankato. Mogadishu-born sisters Siham and Iman Hashi have been channeling Beyonce and other American influences as Faarrow since their teens and landed on Warner Bros. for their 2016 EP "Lost." (8 p.m. Fri., Cedar, 416 Cedar Av. S., Mpls., all ages, $10-$15; 8:30 p.m. Sun., Minnesota State University's Student Union Ballroom, Mankato, free; thecedar.org.)
Blue Oyster Cult and the Tubes: Don't fear these oldies acts. BOC features two original members, lead singer Eric Bloom and lead guitarist Buck Dharma, to crank out "Godzilla" and "Don't Fear the Reaper" while the always colorful singer Fee Waybill and well-traveled original drummer Prairie Prince lead the Tubes through "White Punks on Dope" and "She's a Beauty." (8 p.m. Fri., Medina Entertainment Center, $38 and up)
Robyn Hitchcock: On his eponymous 2017 album, this veteran Brit now based in Nashville continues his entertaining exploration of psychedelic pop surrealism. In his liner notes, he calls it "English myths, seen from abroad." But with its honky-tonk humor, "I Pray When I'm Drunk" is one number here with roots in Hitchcock's adopted hometown. (7 p.m. Sat., Dakota, $30-$45)
Ryan Bingham: The Oscar- and Grammy-winning songwriter behind some of those great tunes in the Jeff Bridges movie "Crazy Heart," this Americana ace rocks out on his sixth studio album, "American Love Song." Co-produced by Texas guitar slinger and Bob Dylan sideman Charlie Sexton, it's filled with rollicking, rambunctious barroom fare as well as political commentary (the gospelly "Got Damn Blues"), lonely blues ("Beautiful and Kind") and even a little romance (the seductive "Lover Girl"). The songs celebrate good times and bad — and a noteworthy triumph for Bingham. (8 p.m. Sat., Fine Line, sold out)
Larry Englund celebration: The Twin Cities radio DJ, entertainment journalist and music scenester extraordinaire not only wrote his own obituary in February, but he planned his own "celebration of life." It's in a music room, of course, with such friends as Willie Walker & Curt Obeda, the Jack Brass Band and Jana Nyberg performing. (2 p.m. Sun., Hook and Ladder, free)
Eric B. & Rakim: They were hip-hop royalty back in the day, thanks to such hit tracks as "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em" and "Don't Sweat the Technique." DJ Eric B. was an early practitioner of sampling, and Rakim was a master of internal rhymes and a facile, jazz-influenced delivery. They reunited in 2017 after a 23-year hiatus. (8 p.m. Sun., Myth, $45)
Spiritualized: A booking that clearly signals First Avenue's takeover of the Fitz, cult hero Jason Pierce (ex-Spacemen 3) and his psychedelic folk-rock troupe move over into the historic theater for their first local show in seven years to spotlight "And Nothing Hurts," a "Sgt. Pepper's"-flavored record that's ornate and velvety like the venue. They've been enlisting small string sections and choirs on tour to add to the ambitious heft. (8 p.m. Mon., Fitzgerald Theatre, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul, $26-$95, eTix.com.)
JazzMN Orchestra: For its 20th anniversary concert, this all-star ensemble will feature veteran California saxophonist Bob Sheppard, who has worked with everyone from Herbie Hancock and Tony Bennett to Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell, and Nooky Jones singer Cameron Kinghorn, who has worked with Dessa and the New Standards, among others. Orchestra founder Doug Snapp will step down as artistic director after this concert. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, $35)
Bill Frisell's Harmony: A frequent Twin Cities visitor, the guitar god is touring with singer Petra Haden, cellist/singer Hank Roberts and baritone guitarist/singer Luke Bergman. This is just one of Frisell's six current projects. His most recent album, 2018's "Music Is," is a solo effort, featuring new and reinterpreted older material, as if the guitarist is having a fascinating conversation with himself. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Cedar Cultural Center, $35-$45)
Southside Johnny: Johnny Lyon is to Bruce Springsteen what Morris Day was to Prince. An irrepressible character, Lyon is two parts Jersey shore soul man, one part shtick comic, one part classic card, one part music scholar. He delivers gritty, horn-fueled boardwalk rock''n' soul with a working man's panache, sweaty energy and rim-shot humor. The chatty, beloved barroom star returns with songs by Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt and his own Asbury Jukes, plus blues and rock classics. (7 p.m. Mon.-Tue., Dakota, $45-$65.)
Earl Sweatshirt: Something of a rap vet at only age 24, the one-time Odd Future member has grown up well and is producing some of the most innovative (if still a bit wise-ass) albums among any of his old Los Angeles area crewmates. His latest, cutely titled "Some Rap Songs," features a cool batch of rising new collaborators, including Sixpress and MIKE. This is his first big local gig since Soundset 2014, when he proved he's better off without Tyler, the Creator. (7 p.m. Tue., Cabooze, sold out.)
Suzzy Roche & Lucy Wainwright Roche: Sometimes Lucy performs with her sister (Martha Wainwright) or her brother (Rufus Wainwright). This time, she's singing with her mother, Suzzy Roche, with whom she made two albums in the '10s. Their music has a lot of heart and humor. (7 p.m. Tue., Bryant Lake Bowl, $20-$22)
Cowboy Junkies: Last year's "All That Reckoning" proved again that guitarist Michael Timmins is a masterful writer of dark and alluring songs and his sister Margo Timmins delivers them with a beguiling voice. The sound here is fuller and more produced than the hynotically austere music of their remarkable 1980s albums. Nonetheless, this veteran Canadian combo with its four original members continues to mesmerize. (7 p.m. Wed.-Thu., Dakota, $60-$75)
