Ingrid Michaelson: The piano- and ukulele-playing pop-rocker of "The Way I Am" fame offers her usual balance of introspective and fun-loving songs on her new album, "It Doesn't Have to Make Sense." (8 p.m. Fri., Northrop Auditorium, $29.50-$39.50.)

BRMC & Death From Above 1979: These two cult-loved makers of hard-blasting, fuzzed-out rock 'n' roll noise have come a long since playing the 400 Bar locally in the early-'00s. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club hasn't put out an album in three years, but that's nothing compared to the 10 years DFA '79 went between records, a hiatus that ended two years ago. (7 p.m., Sat., Myth Nightclub, 24.50.)

Zombie Pub Crawl: A few fun acts will once again be raised from the career dead zone to perform for the zombified pub crawl masses, including New York's platinum rapper Ja Rule of "Put It On Me" notoriety, those sunny "All Star" hitmaking pop-rockers Smash Mouth and even schlocky '80s metal character Thor. Other performers include Mississippi novelty rap duo Rae Sremmurd, New York party-rock guru Andrew W.K., British electronic DJ Zomboy, freakish Japanese punks Peelander-Z and an impressive array of locals such as Mark Mallman, Finding Novyon, the Blind Shake, Bobby Raps, Impaler and the all-too-appropriate Bloodnstuff. (5 p.m.-midnight Sat., 1st Av. N. at 4th St. and nearby venues, Mpls, $38-$90, ZombiePubCrawl.com.)

Phantogram: After a well-received foray with Big Boi in the side project Big Grams, New York's mad-whirring electro-rockers Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter are back to their main vehicle and firing on all cylinders. Their new album, "Three," is tinged with mourning and loss but still loaded with booming walls of sound, wild beats and infectious hooks, traits they always pull off impressively in concert. The Range, aka Rhode Island electronic producer James Hinton, opens. (8 p.m. Sun., First Avenue, sold out.)

Tommy Keene & the Leatherwoods: Veteran power-popper Keene doesn't come around enough, but far more rarer is the reunion by Jayhawks drummer Tim O'Reagan's old Kansas-based band. (8 p.m. Sun., Turf Club, $12.)

Billy Bragg & Joe Henry: Two singer/songwriters who each have a long history in the Twin Cities, the firebrand British folk hero and the Detroit-bred craftsman paired up for a predictably clever project: "Shine a Light: Field Recordings From the Great American Railroad," an album of way-old Jimmie Rodgers, Leadbelly and Carter Family tunes that they actually recorded together on a train traveling between Chicago and Los Angeles. They're sprinkling in their own songs on tour in a two-set, probably banter-filled show. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Cedar Cultural Center, sold out.)

Jóhann Jóhannson: You've probably heard this Icelandic composer's work even if you don't know his name, since he has done innovative, Oscar- and Grammy-nominated scores for such movies as "The Theory of Everything" and "Sicario." He will spotlight his work, including solo albums, with help from New York's American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) and support from local classical pianist Jacob Pavek. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Cedar Cultural Center, $22-$25.)

Dean Ween Group: Just a month after Ween's well-received reunion gig at Wilkins Auditorium, the real-life Mickey Melchiondo returns to his old band's old stomping grounds for only the second tour date by his new group, which drops "The Deaner Album" next week. Among his bandmates are fellow psych-rock twanger Curt Kirkwood, whose own beloved trio the Meat Puppets opens the show. (8:30 p.m. Wed., First Avenue, $20-$25.)

Chris Riemenschneider • 612-673-4658

@ChrisRstrib