Big Gigs for Nov. 20-26: El Vy, Odesza, Ike Reilly Assassination, Glen Hansard, Karrin Allyson, Jamey Johnson and more

Year No. 13 should be a lucky one for the Ike Reilly Assassination's annual Thanksgiving Eve blowout, a tradition that started when local fans first sang along to all the riling songs off their classic 2001 album "Salesmen & Racists." Reilly thus promised former First Ave G.M. Steve McClellan he would play the same date every year "till the day I die." This year's show follows the release of the Libertyville, Ill., rockers' best all-around album in a decade, "Born on Fire," which arrived in June via Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello's Firebrand label. Songs like "Hangin' Around" and "Am I Still the One for You?" were already staples at the live shows, and plenty more from the record should prompt new singalongs this year. Local blues-rock wildman Crankshaft (Alex Larson) is opening to celebrate the release of his personal new LP, "Tied to the World Behind Me." American Scarecrows also perform. (8:30 p.m. Wed., First Avenue, $16.) Riemenschneider

In concert, Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard spins magic with both his music and conversation. There's a bit of Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen in him. Since the breakup of Swell Season (his duo featured in the movie "Once" that inspired the Broadway musical of the same name), Hansard, 45, has found his solo groove, as evidenced on this fall's "Didn't He Ramble," a passionate collection of songs of hope and goodwill. Expect his set list to include material from his days with the Frames and Swell Season — and maybe an inspired, locally connected cover song. Opening is Massachusetts singer-songwriter Aoife O'Donovan, whose fans include Garrison Keillor (she's toured with him and even filled in as host on "A Prairie Home Companion" in October) and Barack Obama (who put one of her songs on his summer playlist). (8 p.m. Fri., State Theatre, $40.) Jon Bream

Long-haired, floppy-hatted soul man Allen Stone got a little slicker on his first major-label effort, "Radius," which was released this year. That's partly because he hooked up with Swedish producer Tingsek, who added layers of instruments and vocals. But as the 28-year-old singer points out in "Fake Future," you can't fake the funk by dressing it up as EDM music ("chuck your laptops," he sings). In the end, Stone remains a granola soul man. (8 p.m. Fri., Varsity Theater, $22.50-$25.) Bream

As every listener of 89.3 the Current knows by now, El Vy is a new side project by the National's permanently mopey-voiced singer Matt Berninger with Brent Knopf of the Barsuk Records-affiliated Oregon band Menomena. Their catchy single "Return to the Moon" is a good indicator of how often and convincingly Berninger gets outside the National's discomfort zone and has fun here, bouncing from dancey beats and giddy synths in several tunes to grinding rock in a few others, all with playful lyrics. They're sticking to the El Vy record and not playing any of their other bands' material in concert, but they are throwing in a fun cover we won't spoil. Swedish singer/songwriter Soren Juul opens. (9 p.m. Sat., First Avenue, $25.) Chris Riemenschneider

Because the Crescent City is a party year-round and not just during Mardi Gras, Mama Digdown's Brass Band is heading up New Orleans Night at the Parkway to keep things warm deep into the fall. The Mexican food next door at Pepito's might not exactly provide authentic flavor, but the Twin Cities' best-known NOLA-style horny funk ensemble certainly does with its wide array of rowdy covers and originals. The Southside Aces will also perform more traditional jazz with the Beaujolais Sisters paying tribute to the Boswell Sisters. (7 p.m. Sat., Parkway Theater, $16.50.) Riemenschneider

Buzzed-about British balladeer James Bay has a big following in his homeland, where his "Chaos and Calm" album shot to No. 1 this year. His U.K. smash "Hold Back the River" has earned him some radio play stateside. He has an elegant, vibrato-inclined voice and an irresistibly romantic vibe that tugs at young women's hearts. This concert was originally slated for the Varsity Theater in August but was rescheduled for a bigger venue. (8 p.m. Sat., State Theatre, $26.50-$35.) Bream

Precious few artists in electronic music have accumulated fans or infiltrated culture as rapidly as Odesza over the past few years. The Washington state duo has a knack for injecting a tensile, tear-pulling beauty and plush punctuation into songs that otherwise can seem lighter than air, such as "Light" and "Bloom" from the recent "deluxe edition" of last year's album, "In Return." Pretty Things was among the first to benefit from Odesza remixes. Now artists like Sia and Charlie XCX — and companies like Adidas, Target and the North Face — are lining up. (8 p.m. Mon.-Tue., First Avenue, sold out.) Britt Robson

Although they reunited in 2007, Squeeze — that is Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, who were hailed as the Lennon and McCartney of the '80s — haven't gotten around to making an album of new material until this year. "Cradle to the Grave" is a glorious celebration of classic pop, from the minor-key Kinks-ian story song "Only 15" and the luscious Beach Boys-ian "Open" to the Beatles-y twang of "Top of the Form" and the buoyant, Motownish title track. Some of the songs were created for the 2015 BBC sitcom "Cradle to the Grave," written by writer/DJ Danny Baker. Billed as the At Odds Couple Tour, this is an acoustic concert. (7:30 p.m. Tue.-Wed., Cedar Cultural Center, sold out.) Bream

After focusing on his much-loved all-star band Down over the past decade, guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan has rejoined Corrosion of Conformity, the cult-loved thrash/hard-core band he helped bring more mainstream attention in the early-'90s. C.O.C. has been recording and touring all along with bassist/vocalist Mike Reed at the helm, so this isn't exactly a reunion tour. But it carries that kind of excitement in fans' eyes. Former Kyuss drummer Brant Bjork's Low Desert Punk Band open, along with Saviours and Mothership. (8:15 p.m. Tue., Mill City Nights, $19-$23.) Riemenschneider

The Paper Kites are an Australian folk-pop quintet with vocal harmonies and purposefully resonant lyrics, splitting the difference between Fleet Foxes and Simon and Garfunkel. Their second stateside album, "twelvefour," is composed of songs written between midnight and 4 a.m., adding a melancholy feel that is fleshed out by producer Phil Ek, who worked with Fleet Foxes and thus strengthens their connection. They are at their best on quiet set folk pieces like "A Silent Cause" (missed love) and charming romantic pop like "Bloom" (discovered infatuation). (7 p.m. Tue., Triple Rock, $15.) Robson

The first time around this year was such a success that Mick Sterling is reprising his Joe Cocker tribute featuring a lineup of Twin Cities clubland all-stars. Singers include raspy-voiced Sterling, Stan Kipper, Billy Franze, Bobby Vandell, Cate Fierro and Melanie Rosales, who calls Florida home but still has pipes that will warm Minnesota souls. The set list includes such classics as "Feelin' Alright," "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and, of course, "With a Little Help From My Friends." (8 p.m. Wed., Parkway Theater, $22-$25.) Bream

Tyler Farr has a wicked, perhaps unintentional sense of humor. The protagonist of his biggest hit, "Redneck Crazy" shines his truck lights in his cheating ex's bedroom window late at night and throws empty beer cans at the shadows while sneering at the size of the boyfriend's puny "truck." The follow-up single praises his lover for being "the moon in my shine/ the whiskey in my water." Is anyone surprised that two years later his new disc is titled "Suffer in Peace," and includes the song, "I Don't Even Want This Beer"? (9 p.m. Sat., Mill City Nights, $30-$52.) Robson

The always reliable and underappreciated Becky Thompson has been singing good ol' country music in these parts since the 1970s. She's ending her long-standing gig at Lee's Liquor Lounge after 13 (or 15) years (it depends how you count). So listen to her warble one more time, with the sounds sweetened and heightened by the stellar pedal steel of Joe Savage and electric guitar of Dan Lund. Becky Thompson & Old School will close up the honky tonk 'round midnight. (8:30 p.m. Tue., Lee's Liquor Lounge, free.) Bream

The local hip-hop trio Future Fossils are the headliners, primed for a release party celebrating their new EP, "Tears of Gold" — their debut, "Modern Antiques" was an imaginative balance of hard and catchy. But it's the presence of Dead Prez on the bill that elevates this show. The "revolutionary but gangsta" duo of Stic. Man and M-1 have been masters of the socially conscious couplet from their Loud Records debut 15 years ago right up to M-1's recent joint with Prodigy of Mobb Deep, "Number One With a Bullet." "Special guests" too numerous to count and of varying expertise round out the lineup. (9 p.m. Fri., First Ave., $15.) Robson

When Jazz Central named their Friday night gigs the Twin Cities Masters Series, they weren't exaggerating about Anthony Cox, once a first-call bassist nationally before relocating back home to teach and workshop, who lately has been using Jazz Central to explore a variety of ensembles. He'll be with his frequent sidekick, pianist Peter Schimke, along with drummer Cory Healey, and most significantly, vocalist Sarah M. Greer, who can mix gospel testimony with hip-hop social commentary. (8 p.m. Fri., Jazz Central, $10 suggested donation.) Robson

Vocalist Karrin Allyson spent a formative part of her career in the Twin Cities and will be revisiting her many old friends on a creative high: "Many a New Day," her much-lauded investigation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein songbook. Their mixture of sly melodicism and adult narratives fit Allyson's interpretive élan — check the piano-scat tandem to open "Happy Talk" or the way she nails the fragility and resigned persistence of "We Kiss in a Shadow." She'll perform with piano, bass and longtime cohort Rod Fleeman on guitar. (7 & 9 p.m. Sun.-Mon., Dakota, $25-$40.) Robson

The Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir is celebrating its 25th year with a revitalized energy and a renewed mission to spread love and hope. Started by Robert Robinson in 1990 to carry on traditional African-American gospel music, the purposefully multiracial ensemble is now under the leadership of another local vocal legend, Fred Steele of the renowned Steeles family. He and the choir are trumpeting the all-too-timely theme "We Can Change the World" for their annual fall concert and featuring another familial favorite, Sounds of Blackness alum Jamecia Bennett, as a guest star. (5:30 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. concert, Hopkins Center for the Arts, $20-$25.) Riemenschneider