Big Gigs for Feb. 13-19: JD McPherson, Nikki Lane, Sleater-Kinney and much, much more

Since the Twin Cities is probably his biggest market, it's no surprise that JD McPherson is hitting First Avenue early on the tour for his sophomore album, "Let the Good Times Roll," released Tuesday. It's a different kind of retro than his potent debut, "Signs and Signifiers." Imagine John Fogerty fronting the Blasters with an extra dose of soulfulness. McPherson's voice and sound are bigger — and better — the second time around. Actual Wolf opens. (9 p.m. Fri., First Avenue, $20.) Jon Bream

After DJ'ing for more than a decade, Italian progressive/electro-house producer Benny Benassi made his commercial breakthrough in the early '00s with the robotically amping hit "Satisfaction." He's surfed the EDM wave since, producing tracks for pop queen Madonna and pop queen-beater Chris Brown. Last year the Grammy-winning remixer dropped a functionally bizarre electro-house jam with nu-metal hero Serj Tankian of System of a Down. With Borgore bro-tege Jauz, a back-to-back set from Cloud and Jane Doe, Windsor and many more on three stages. (9 p.m. Fri., Skyway Theatre, $35-$40.) Michael Rietmulder

Sebadoh co-leader and Dinosaur Jr. bassist Lou Barlow has been bouncing between those two bands in recent years while also sliding in solo dates on the side, playing tunes from his late-'00s solo albums for Merge as well as plenty of Sebadoh tunes and even Folk Implosion material. He finishes a two-night stand at the Turf opening for Tired Eyes, the record-nerds-delight Neil Young cover band led by Low's Alan Sparhawk and Ol' Yeller's Rich Mattson. (8 p.m. Fri., Turf Club, $10.) Chris Riemenschneider

It's true, Sleater-Kinney was one of rock's most influential yet unfamous bands of the late-'90s and early-'00s, not just within the sorely missed riot-grrrl movement but really throughout the post-grunge indie-rock scene. Now the Olympia, Wash.-reared trio can also be called one of today's most exciting rock bands. That's an easy statement to make after the release of their nerve-racking new Sub Pop album, "No Cities to Love," which follows a decade-long hiatus that found co-leader Carrie Brownstein ironically gaining fame as the TV star of "Portlandia." It's time to remind folks what she does best. Lizzo opens. (9 p.m. Sat., First Avenue, sold out.) Riemenschneider

Nikki Lane has turned into the most prominent young act in Dan Auerbach's stable of proteges, and for good reason. Her sophomore album for New West Records, "All or Nothin' " — which the Black Keys frontman tastefully produced — throws a few different styles against the wall, and each seems to stick, from vintage rockabilly to she-boppy girl-group pop to boot-kicking cow-punk. All the while, the South Carolina native delivers playfully snarling or tenderly heartfelt lyrics that both Loretta and Lucinda would love. Fun-loving retro countryman Jonny Fritz, a k a Jonny Corndawg, and Wisconsin's Hugh Bob open. (9 p.m. Sat., Turf Club, $16.) Riemenschneider

The smooth electro-pop of Nashville duo Cherub is hedonism at its brightest — fun-loving pair Jordan Kelley and Jason Huber sing about substances and sex from a purely pleasure-seeking standpoint. Cherub gained traction online by releasing upbeat, infectious jams like "Doses and Mimosas" using a pay-what-you-want format. Indie-pop act Mystery Skulls and DJ Fortebowie open. (8:30 p.m. Sun., First Avenue, $15-$17.) Alex Nelson

Believe it or not, Ariel Pink actually makes music when he's not making headlines for bashing Madonna's body of work or spitting invectives at Grimes. Los Angeles-raised Ariel Marcus Rosenberg is also known for his highly eclectic and original lo-fi sound, as found on 2014's "Pom Pom," his first veritable solo release without assistance from his backing band, Haunted Graffiti. The talented psych-rocker is in the middle of a brief coast-to-coast tour in support of "Pom Pom." Jack Name opens. (8:30 p.m. Mon., Fine Line, $15-$30.) Alex Johnson

The No BS Brass! Band carries a little cachet for Midwest music hipsters since trombonist/co-leader Reggie Pace also played in the Bon Iver band, but that's only a footnote to their foot-stomping sound. The other leader of the Richmond, Va.-based ensemble, Lance Koehler, did time in New Orleans and adapted the traditional brass revelry with a rowdier rock flavor. They're a nice little snag for the Cedar as a Fat Tuesday act. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Cedar Cultural Center, all ages, $10-$12.) Riemenschneider

Like the No BS! crew, the Twin Cities' own Jack Brass Band long ago proved you don't have to reside in the 504 to sound like you're part of a krewe. The septet is also well-schooled in NOLA tradition but has fun spinning it forward, like the dizzying covers by Usher and R. Kelly offered on last year's party album "For Your Body." As usual, crawfish and Abita beer will be served for their annual Naughty Gras celebration. (8 p.m. Tue., Amsterdam Bar & Hall, $12-$15.) Riemenschneider

After providing beats to Muja Messiah's and Manny Phesto's latest efforts, Mike the Martyr is stepping out from behind the decks with his first solo album, "Marbury." The record is named after former Timberwolves star Stephon Marbury and includes enough b-ball references to merit coverage from ESPN. But the real theme is the '90s in all their ragged glory, a concept that suits the throwback approach in Mike's sample-heavy production. "I'm from the days of crack cocaine and Kurt Cobain," he flatly declares in the opening track "Players of the Past." He goes on to reference pagers, President Clinton and the Dogg Pound in later tracks, his slow, droll MC-ing matched by the lazy, warped beats. His release party also features Muja, Bobby Raps, Finding Novyon and Baby Shel of Red Lake Nation's Rez Rap crew (9 p.m. Sat., 7th Street Entry, $7-$10.) Riemenschneider

Sometimes the stars align for radio-sponsored talent parades. BUZ'N 102.9 FM has landed two of country's hottest new stars: Sam Hunt, an ex-college footballer who reached No. 1 with "Leave the Night On" and Maddie & Tae, who came up with the brilliant "Girl in a Country Song," which decried the lack of female artists on country radio and then climbed to No. 1 on the airplay chart. Rounding out the show billed as the BUZ'N Half DUZ'N are veterans Montgomery Gentry, locally loved Jon Pardi and Cole Swindell of "Chillin' It" fame. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Mystic Lake Casino, tickets given away on BUZ'N 102.9.) Bream

Brothers Sergio and Odair Assad are Brazil's foremost exponents of classical guitar, a discreet and dynamic duo who have recorded with the likes of Gidon Kremer, Yo-Yo Ma and Dawn Upshaw, but have also ventured into jazz with Paquito d'Rivera and tackled Django Reinhardt classics. Meanwhile, Romero Lubambo is a Brazilian-born, New York-based jazz guitar star who has worked with Trio da Paz, Airto, Astrud Gilberto Michael Brecker, Grover Washington Jr. and Herbie Mann, but also has communed with classical folks (Kathleen Battle, Sharon Isbin, Yo-Yo Ma again). So the meeting of these three guitar gurus — two from São Paolo, one from Rio — should be a sophisticated success. (7 & 9 p.m. Fri., Dakota Jazz Club, $35-$45.) Tom Surowicz

Though he's known as a kingpin of smooth jazz, that's the least impressive thing about David Sanborn, the altoist with a riveting sound. He's been part of innumerable great rock, pop and R&B sessions and hosted arguably the finest music show ever on American commercial network TV, "Night Music" in the 1980s. Sanborn is happy delivering funky soul jazz, but he's also excelled at everything from seminal blues-rock, in his youth with the landmark Paul Butterfield Band, to bristling avant-garde and post-modern sounds. His Twin Cities connection is keyboardist Ricky Peterson, who's featured on the swell 2003 disc "Timeagain" and has been part of the alto man's road band for many years. Ricky is pretty funky himself. (7 & 9 p.m. Tue.-Wed., Dakota Jazz Club, $35-$70.) Surowicz

One of the world's more celebrated vocal ensembles, the King's Singers celebrate Valentine's Day with a special program titled "A Love Affair." The six-man a cappella group, named after King's College, Cambridge, where they originated, features two countertenors, a tenor, two baritones and a bass. Their repertoire includes everything from ancient madrigals to current pop hits, with an emphasis on close harmony singing. (8 p.m. Sat., Orchestra Hall, $28.50-$73, minnesotaorchestra.org) William Randall Beard

The Schubert Club's Music in the Park series plays host to the Schubert Ensemble of London, performing unique works for three strings and piano. The program includes works of the traditional piano quartet with violin, viola and cello, including the mature Piano Quartet No. 2 by Dvořák and the Piano Quartet No. 1 by Faure, written when the composer was engaged and his fiancée broke it off. The opening work demonstrates the ensemble's commitment to new music: the 2012 Piano Quartet by Huw Watkins, a lyrical and jazz-influenced work commissioned by the ensemble that substitutes a double bass for the cello. (4 p.m. Sun., St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ, 2129 Commonwealth Av., St. Paul, $21-$30, 651-292-3267, www.schubert.org) Beard