Big Gigs for Sept. 19-25: Spoon, Justin Townes Earle, the Cookers

After a decade-plus of steadily building up its live reputation in the Twin Cities, Spoon crossed over into bigger territory with its triumphant headlining set at Rock the Garden in June, its first local gig in four years and first in town with new fifth member Alex Fischel (from frontman Britt Daniel's side band Divine Fits). Since then, the deceptively lo-fi, highly infectious Austin, Texas-reared rock band has released another acclaimed record, "They Want My Soul." This one is more textured and experimental than its predecessors but also boasts some of Daniel's finest compositions to date. Manic electrostatic singer EMA, aka South Dakota native Erika M. Anderson, will be a love-it-or-hate-it kind of opening act. (7:30 p.m. Fri., State Theatre, $35.) Chris Riemenschneider

On "Live My Life," her third album for the respected Blind Pig blues label, Rochester's Sena Ehrhardt once again shows a top-notch voice, a mix of grit, power and sultriness. However, the material — mostly written by her or her guitarist Cole Allen — is inconsistent. Three originals stand out — the sassy funk "Everybody Is You," the rip-roaring blues-rocker "Did You Ever Love Me at All" and the slow-burn Ehrhardt/Allen duet "Too Late to Ask." There are some commendable covers, too, including Larry Williams' "Slow Down," Leon Russell's "Help Me Through the Day" and Albert Collins' "If Trouble Was Money." This is a release party for the new CD, produced by Minnesota-bred David Z, known for his work with Prince, Jonny Lang and Fine Young Cannibals. (9 p.m. Fri. Famous Dave's, $8) Jon Bream

Capping off a busy summer racing around everywhere from the Letterman TV show to Denver's sold-out Red Rocks Amphitheater, Trampled by Turtles is cashing in on its success nationally and betting it at the horse track back home. Minnesota's barnstorming, heart-tugging string band helped curate and will headline the lineup at Festival Palomino, an eclectic, nine-act marathon taking place inside the track. Seattle's earnest folk-rockers the Head & the Heart of "Shake" fame are second on the race card, trailed by Duluth heroes Low and Daptones Records-buoyed soul man Charles Bradley. The program also includes three young rootsy bands that have toured with TBT, Spirit Family Reunion, the Apache Relay and the act most likely to be the day's dark-horse favorite, sweet New Orleans-based swingers Hurray for the Riff Raff; plus Wisconsin's ambient rockers Field Report and local country meister Erik Koskinen. (1-10 p.m. Sat., Canterbury Park, $34-$87, FestivalPalomino.com.) Riemenschneider

It's been 25 years since Living Colour issued "Vivid," the hard-rock classic that mixed elements of metal, funk, punk, hip-hop and jazz. The stand-out track was the Grammy-winning MTV classic "Cult of Personality," which featured clips of famous speeches by politicians. Since then, guitarist Vernon Reid has become recognized as a major force in the avant-garde world, and vocalist Corey Glover has become a VH1 VJ, actor and a touring singer with Galactic and Soul Rebels Brass Band. (8 p.m. Sun. Dakota, $50-$60.) Bream

Coming just a week after the similarly retro-swinging JD McPherson returned to the Turf, Nick Waterhouse was the guy first pegged to make '50s-style, horn-accompanied rock 'n' roll cool again when his debut album "Time's All Gone" came out to strong reviews in 2012. The Southern California hepcat still sounds mighty cool on his sophomore record, "Holly," showing off his seedy, smoky jazz underbelly and Ray Charles influence more. L.A. area doo-wop troupe PEP opens. (9 p.m. Sat., Turf Club, $15.) Riemenschneider

Probably best known as Lemmy Kilmister's band before he started Motörhead, Hawkwind had several musicians leading its charge into heavy, psychedelic space-rock in the early '70s, including Nik Turner. The London band's saxophonist, flutist and co-vocalist is now touring with a new version of the group, which has been legally dubbed Nik Turner's Hawkwind. It's probably as close as fans will get to the real thing. Witch Mountain and Hedersleben open. (9 p.m. Sun., Turf Club, $12-$15.) Riemenschneider

Jazzy acoustic soul man Raul Midon will preview his Sept. 30 release, "Don't Hesitate," on which he played all the instruments himself. He did have some help on vocals from guests Bill Withers, Lizz Wright and Diane Reeves. Virtually a one-man band live, he's an impressive scat singer of various instruments. Can't wait to hear his live version of the Who's "I Can See for Miles," which closes the new album. (7 p.m. Mon. Dakota, $30.) Bream

For its second taping outside its under-construction St. Paul studio, TPT's "The Lowertown Line" series will put its portable audio equipment to the ultimate test. The Minnesota music series is hosting a "Noise Night" episode with cult-loved dueling guitar blasters the Blind Shake, who have finally reached a new level of exposure with their latest disc for Castle Face Records, "Key to a False Door." The brotherly power trio will be joined by the charmingly minimalist and cheekily feminist threesome Kitten Forever. (7 p.m. Thu., Amsterdam Bar & Hall, all ages, $5.) Riemenschneider

Over the course of nearly 20 CDs, Joel Harrison has established himself as one of modern jazz's most diverse, unpredictable and interesting guitarists. His latest, "Mother Stump," sports songs by everyone from avant jazz star George Russell and Leonard Cohen to Americana ace Buddy Miller. In concert, Harrison will commune with local bright lights Chris Bates on bass and Pete Hennig on drums. (8 p.m. Sat., Jazz Central, 407 Central Av. SE., Mpls.,$10, 612-729-1799.) Tom Surowicz

The only good fallout of the closing of the Artists' Quarter is that drummer and longtime owner Kenny Horst can now be seen with some regularity in other venues around town. He makes his first appearance at the Icehouse as part of the hip Monday "Jazz Implosion" series, leading a band with old pals Billy Peterson (bass), Peter Schimke (piano) and Pete Whitman (tenor sax). (9:30 p.m. Mon. Icehouse, $8). Surowicz

Piano superstar Chick Corea is invigorated by his new, young band, the Vigil, formed last year and making its Twin Cities debut. The group includes fine young drummer Marcus Gilmore, grandson of the legendary Roy Haynes; Cuban bass player Carlitos Del Puerto; California guitarist Charles Altura, and British multi-reedman Tim Garland. Expect a full house, and a high level of energy. (7 & 9 p.m. Wed., Dakota Jazz Club, $55-$95.) Surowicz

Take a whimsical trip back in time with the Hula Peppers. They play no music more recent than 1939, yet are one of the freshest combos in town, mixing Tin Pan Alley, swing, blues and winking double-entendre numbers. The cool instrumentation features resophonic guitar, ukuleles, accordion, Hawaiian guitar, even some pining musical saw. The vocal star is opera-trained Guthrie actress Lauren Asheim, a new millennium Betty Boop. (8 p.m. Wed., Schooner Tavern, no cover). Surowicz

Minnesota Opera adds an extra level of excitement to its season-opening production of Puccini's "La Fanciulla del West" ("The Girl of the Golden West"). For the first time in the company's history, it pre­sents a free outdoor simulcast of the opening night performance in Rice Park, just outside Ordway Center in downtown St. Paul. Set in a mining camp, the opera creates an iconic portrait of the Wild West. It has an intense love triangle between the tough saloonkeeper, the handsome outlaw she loves and the sheriff who's in love with her. And it's full of the lush melodies typical of Puccini. (8 p.m. Sat., 7:30 p.m. Thu. & Sept. 27, 2 p.m. Sept. 28, Ordway Center, $25-$200.) William Randall Beard

The centerpiece, and highlight, of this week's St. Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts is the Concerto for Violin, Cello and Strings, by Grammy-nominated Armenian composer Tigran Mansurian. His eminently accessible music has an expressive, mystical dimension. SPCO associate concertmaster Ruggero Allifranchini is joined by cellist Suren Bagratuni, a prizewinner of the Tchaikovsky Competition. The two open the concert with Vivaldi's Concerto in B-flat for Violin and Cello, and the evening ends with Tchaikovsky's lush "Souvenir de Florence." (7:30 p.m. Thu., Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley; 8 p.m. Sept. 26, Wayzata Community Church, 125 E. Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata; 3 p.m. Sept. 27, St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi, $10-$40, 651-291-1144, www.thespco.org.) Beard