Bette Midler, one of America's great all-around entertainers, has just launched her Divine Intervention Tour — her first trek in 10 years. She promises comedy (those bawdy Sophie jokes), classics ("Wind Beneath My Wings," "The Rose") and a taste from her new "It's the Girls" album saluting girl groups (let's hope she does her piano ballad with strings reading of TLC's "Waterfalls" and country-ish take on "You Can't Hurry Love"). The choreography is by Toni Basil. (8 p.m. Sun., Xcel Energy Center, $44.50-$209.50.) Bream
POP/ROCK
When they emerged in 1976 with "Howlin' Wind" and "Heat Treatment," Graham Parker & the Rumour were as impressive and exciting as Elvis Costello & the Attractions. Times and styles have changed, and Costello became a deserved music god and Parker ended up a fiery journeyman (with regular appearances at Brit's Pub in downtown Minneapolis for Bastille Day). In 2010, he reunited with the revamped Rumour and three years ago they satisfied in concert at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. This year's "Mystery Glue," their second comeback album, shows that Parker is still a razor-sharp if bitter lyricist and the band still rocks with precision but less power. (7 p.m. Fri., Dakota, $55-$65.) Jon Bream
Somewhat odd bedfellows for a co-headlining tour — a good thing, we think — Soul Asylum and the Meat Puppets each grew out of the '80s punk underground to land early-'90s radio hits and MTV rotation. They have one other thing in common, too: They both remain electrifying live bands. The last few local gigs by the Arizona-bred, Austin-based Puppets, in fact, have been some of the "Backwater" hitmakers' finest, with the Kirkwood brothers looking healthy and sounding as weird as ever with Shandon Sahm (Sir Doug's kid) settled in on drums. Dave Pirner's remade Soul Asylum lineup has settled in, too, and the Minneapolis band has been forging ahead with new songs on a PledgeMusic-funded record due soon. This is the tour's kickoff. American Scarecrows open. (8:30 p.m. Fri., First Avenue, $20-$25.) Chris Riemenschneider
Thanks to plenty of airplay on Cities 97, the Script, an Irish trio, has built a following in the Twin Cities. But such singles as "No Good in Goodbye" and "Superheroes" from their current fourth album, "No Sound Without Silence," suggest a poor man's Coldplay. Elsewhere on the album, the Script seems to be under the Top 40 influence of Ryan Tedder. But Script frontman Danny O'Donoghue, who used to be a judge on "The Voice UK," has an undeniable charisma onstage. Opening is Mary Lambert, who sings about big issues (she's the singer on "Same Love" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis) with her big voice. (8 p.m. Fri., State Theatre, $33.50-$38.50.) Bream
Marc Cohn and Shawn Colvin each had a big hit that led to Grammys, his for best new artist when "Walking in Memphis" landed in 1991 and hers for song and record of the year for "Sunny Came Home" in 1998. Since the raspy-voiced piano man has played the Minnesota Zoo more than any other act, it's fitting that he's part of this year's inaugural show. Colvin, like Cohn, has a quick wit that can be as rewarding as her songs. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Minnesota Zoo, $58-$70.50.) Bream
Last year at Mystic Lake, in her first Twin Cities area appearance since 2000, Patti LaBelle kicked up her heels (figuratively and literally), raised the roof and did just about everything but heal the sick. The R&B diva can still scream but remains a master of restraint, control and dynamics. She's a knockout on such hits as "Lady Marmalade" and "New Attitude" as well as such classics as "Over the Rainbow." (8 p.m. Sat., Mystic Lake, $54-$62.) Bream
Two albums in, Purity Ring has emerged as one of the hipster synth-pop bands du jour, even though singer Megan James' precious voice edges on Disney/Kid Jams-level arid pop slickness and squeakiness. Think: Beach House meets Owl City. She and musical partner Corin Roddick, who hail from the unlikely city of Edmonton, Alberta, have a visually unique stage production and an impressive array of roller-coastery electronic beats in tow with their club tour behind their sophomore record, "Another Eternity." They're on tour with another Canadian electronic group fronted by a woman with a pretty voice, Braids, and Edmonton's Born Gold. An early all-ages show was added after the later one sold out fast. (5:30 and 10 p.m. Sat., First Avenue, $20.) Riemenschneider
This year's Grand Old Day music lineup is about 95 percent white male, but beyond that it offers a nice mix of rootsy local talent. Trampled by Turtles' electric offshoot Dead Man Winter headlines the Dixie's stage, where acoustic blues guru Charlie Parr kicks things off at noon and Sam Cassidy and the Erik Koskinen Band perform mid-afternoon. Fresh off issuing their third album, "All In," howling rockers the 4onthefloor headline the Go 96.3 stage at Walgreen's, also featuring blues maniac Crankshaft and old-country harmonizers the Cactus Blossoms. There's also the Irish Fair stage with the Wild Colonial Bhoys and Tim Malloys, the jam-bandy Billy's stage with Orange Whip and the Last Ride, the twang-rocky Wild Onion lineup with White Iron Band and Tim Sigler and a family stage at Ramsey Junior High with the Bazillions. (11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun., Grand Avenue between Lexington and Hamline Avs., St. Paul, $6-$8 for beer garden wristband. Full schedule at GrandAve.com) Riemenschneider