Big Gigs for Feb. 6-12: Marilyn Manson, Dr. Dog, Minn. Orchestra's 'That's Amore'

Marilyn Manson's sunless complexion and songs about soul-sucking addictions make him a better fit at a casino than was first suggested when this show was announced (to snickers). He may be edging on classic-rock status two decades into his once-controversial but now all-too-conventional career, but the real-life Brian Warner, 46, is no has-been. His new album, "The Pale Emperor," is garnering some of his strong­est reviews in years with its rather straight-ahead, Bowie-gone-metal sound, and ticket sales for this show were still a jackpot for him. No opener was named at press time, but one is expected. (8 p.m. Fri., Mystic Lake, sold out.) Riemenschneider

After several previous two-night stands that solidified the local love affair for them — including a warm State Fair stint last summer — Philadelphia's jubilant hippie-soul rockers Dr. Dog are taking it one night further this time around, setting up another First Ave twofer with a long-sold-out Turf Club warm-up gig. The guys just released their first concert album, "Live at the Flamingo Hotel." It shows the spirited, free-form but not too jammy aesthetic their live shows offer over their charming if a bit quirky singles, including such 89.3 the Current staples as "These Days" and "Shadow People." Poppy indie-pop Phox, from Baraboo, Wis., opens. (9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., First Avenue, $22-$24.) Chris ­Riemenschneider

For reasons that have nothing to do with a new buzz band out of San Diego named Idlehands —but let's be clear which one was first and better — the sibling team that previously anchored the Minneapolis fuzz-rock band Idle Hands, Ciaran and Criostoir Daly, have started a new trio with a more distinguishable moniker, The Stress of Her Regard. The Irish brothers behind the local hit "Socialite Death Squad" don't try too hard to reinvent themselves on their debut EP, "Sport Marriage," which boasts poppy Brit-rock echoes of Pulp and the Jesus & Mary Chain. The latter band's associate Dave Trumfio actually produced one of the tracks, as did local go-to guys Ed Ackerson and B.J. Burton. Their release party has a similarly name-brand lineup, with Two Harbors, Phantom Tails and Red Daughters. (9 p.m. Sat., Kitty Cat Klub, $5.) Riemenschneider

One of the Twin Cities area's best-loved melody-making songwriters, Chris Koza made good use of his time off from Rogue Valley last year by producing another solo album, "In Real Time," full of more lush pop and smart, personal fare. Now, he'll make good use of one of Minneapolis' hidden-gem small theaters by playing the storyteller-friendly New Century Sessions. The gig also offers a good chance for city dwellers to get to know opener Sarah Krueger, a Kathleen Edwards-like Americana tunesmith who's a Duluth favorite and who worked with Erik Koskinen, J.T. Bates and Frankie Lee on her new album, "Lustrous." (7 p.m. Sun., New Century Theatre, City Center, 615 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. $15-$32.) Riemenschneider

Guitarist Dave Mason has worked with Traffic, Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Eric Clapton and Delaney & Bonnie, among others. He also has had a respectable solo career, scoring such hits as "We Just Disagree" and writing "Only You Know and I Know" and "Feelin' Alright." Moreover, as he demonstrated two years ago at the Dakota, he is a very funny guy who can do a spot-on impression of Bob Dylan singing a Dave Mason tune. The veteran Brit also knows his way around Minnesota; he used to be married to a woman from Albert Lea. (7 p.m. Tue.-Wed., Dakota, $50-$60.) Jon Bream

If there are no second acts in America, then it's a good thing Bush is led by a Brit. Gavin Rossdale and his high-velocity vehicle behind the high-polish '90s rock radio hits "Glycerine," "Everything Zen," "Comedown," etc., came back strong with their 2011 album, "The Sea of Memories," which followed a 10-year gap. They cranked out another one last year, "Man on the Run," and have returned to headlining sizable venues. Canada's "Lowlife" rockers Theory of a Deadman open with Stars in Stereo. (6:30 p.m. Tue., Myth, $35.) Riemenschneider

With his aptly titled 2014 album "Plain Spoken," John Mellencamp mined an understated, acoustic-oriented Americana sound. The music is a bit happier than the straightforward lyrics, which discuss mortality, the breakup of a marriage and the problem with politicians, police and priests. The Rock Hall of Famer's cigarette-cured voice sounds increasingly raspy and weary, which fits this material perfectly. Set lists for his 80-concert tour, which started in late January, indicate a mixture of "Plain Spoken" selections and some of his biggest songs as well as a couple of duets with opening act Carlene Carter, who writes a pretty fair country song herself. (7:30 p.m. Wed.-Thu., Northrop Auditorium, $42.50-$252.) Bream

The enduring Tower of Power has been a regular hit in the Twin Cities of late, thanks to its fabulous horn section and timelessly funky repertoire. New lead singer Ray Greene, a Georgia native who replaced the charismatic Larry Braggs, may bring a bit more gospel influence into the band's greasy East Bay funk. (7 & 9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Dakota Jazz Club, $35-$70.) Bream

You don't have to go to the Windy City to hear a real Chicago blues singer, not so long as the great Barbara LeShoure is in our midst. But lately the barroom diva has been absent from stages, hobbled by a stroke. So there's a benefit for the longtime Kingston Mines favorite, godchild of Junior Wells and Twin Cities resident since the early 1990s. The formidable lineup includes Annie Mack, Moses Oakland, Jimi "Prime Time" Smith, the Maxx Band, Wain McFarlane of Ipso Facto, Pippi Ardennia, the George Scott Trio, Mick Sterling, the Kendra Glenn Band and more, hosted by Jacquie Maddix — "Lady J" from KFAI-FM. (5-10 p.m. Sun., Famous Dave's Uptown, $10 donation.) Tom Surowicz

What kind of event starts with Dr. Kickbutt's Orchestra of Death, and ends roughly 32 hours later with Goatmeal? The 33rd annual Minneapolis Battle of the Jug Bands, of course, that well-oiled party that takes place at two fabled West Bank bars over the course of two days. It features a whopping 42 ensembles, including Jugg Reinhold & the Rough Tuggie String Band, Woodtick Armageddon and Sasquatch Wristwatch — who said all the good band names were already taken? Don't miss the always-cool Boo Bradley from Madison, Wis. (6:20 p.m. Sunday). And let's all share a toast to the late Tim "Dr. Dog" Bradach, a decades-long participant and mean rub-board player. (1:30-8 p.m. Sat., Nomad World Pub; 2-10 p.m. Sun., Cabooze. $5 suggested donation.) Surowicz

Take three idiosyncratic pianists, two from the avant-garde jazz realm (Carei Thomas, Todd Harper), another who's a classical music nonconformist (Paul Cantrell). Add a splendid improvising saxophonist (Nathan Hanson of the Fantastic Merlins) and what have you got? "Weekend at Keys Please," the 14th installment of a vital annual event that never disappoints fans of cool, creative keyboard music, composed and spontaneous. Check out the excellent 2014 album "Keys Please, the Early Years" for a sampling of past pleasures. It can be streamed for free at https://innig.net. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Studio Z, 275 E. 4th St., Suite 200, St. Paul, 651-755-1600. $10; students free.) Surowicz

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra's Chamber Music Series No. 4, "Sounds of the Flute," features beloved principal flute Julia Bogorad-Kogan. With music from three centuries, she plays solo works by Debussy and 21st-century American composer David Schiff, as well as Haydn's "London" Trio for Flute, Violin and Cello, with Nina Tso-Ning Fan, violin, and Sarah Lewis, cello. Fan and Lewis conclude the program with Duo for Violin and Cello by Zoltán Kodály. (8 p.m. Fri. and 2 p.m. Sun., SPCO Music Room, 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul, $5-$10, 651-291-1144, www.thespco.org.) William Randall Beard

When we think about great composers, it's usually their masterpieces we gravitate toward. But their early works often provide valuable insights into the later works, and great listening experiences as well. Bakken Trio is embracing some of these formative works in "The Seeds of What's to Come: Young Geniuses of the Late Romantic Era." There's the Piano Quartet of Gustav Mahler, the Violin Sonata of Richard Strauss and the highlight, "Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night)," the earliest major work by Arnold Schoenberg. This string sextet is a tonal work, celebrating love and forgiveness. (4 p.m. Sun., MacPhail Center, 501 S. 2nd St., Mpls., $25, 612-374-3175, www.bakkentrio.org.) Beard