The Big Gigs: 8 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Since the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022, this vital Ukrainian folk quartet has become increasingly popular in the United States. Wearing strikingly tall, furry folkloric headgear, these musicians deliver a distinctive sound they call “ethno-chaos.” The instrumentation is an enthralling blend of cello, accordion, percussion, electric piano and didgeridoo, with otherworldly vocals and polyphonic harmonies. In previous visits to the Dakota, leader Marko Halanevych has offered candid commentary and perspective on the situation in Ukraine, sharing messages of peace and solidarity. This is a truly remarkable experience. (8 p.m. Thu.m, the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $81.09 and up, turkey dinner available, dakotacooks.com)

One of West Africa’s most renowned musicians since his fellow Nigerian Fela Kuti — whose polyrhythmic funk can be heard echoing through his modern hip-hop sound — the Grammy-winning rapper and singer born Damini Ogulu had ambitious plans for his No Sign of Weakness Tour. The shows feature a hi-fi in-the-round stage that will be housed in the center of the Armory. He also assembled a large band and dance troupe to add extra life to his already lively global hits, including “On the Low,” “Last Last” and this year’s Travis Scott collaboration “TaTaTa.” Opening acts are unannounced. (8:30 p.m. the Armory, 500 S. 6^th St., Mpls., all ages, $101-$128, ticketmaster.com)

The Minnesota Orchestra has lent its lush, full sound to many a cinematic score as a film is screened above the musicians, but Orchestra Hall’s powers that be were stunned by how many people came to catch “The Princess Bride” when they last presented it. Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler wrote the music for Rob Reiner’s 1987 comic, romantic swashbuckler. Thanksgiving weekend seems a fine time to present such family-friendly fare again, led by Australian conductor Nicholas Buc, a film composer who specializes in this kind of movie-concert combo. (7 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $67-$162, minnesotaorchestra.org)

Since the late 1970s, the ‘Burbs have been one of Minnesota’s most exhilarating live bands. They were doing nervy, new-wave-ish dance-rock long before it became fashionable and long before they became Minnesota cultural heroes with “Love Is the Law.” Original members Chan Poling, on keyboard and lead vocals, and Hugo Klaers, on drums, carry on with an invigorating crew that includes buoyant bassist Steve Price and killer guitarists Steve Brantseg and Jeremy Ylvisaker. While the Suburbs perform a handful of gigs each year, they seldom play in such an intimate space as the Turf Club. (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat. Turf Club, 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul, $45 and up, axs.com)

Also: Doomtree rap vet P.O.S. is back in action touting a new collaborative album with one-time protégé Dwynell Roland, titled “Relay Relay!!” (8 p.m. Fine Line); Atlanta’s mighty post-grunge alt-metal vets Sevendust spent Thanksgiving on the road to make it here on their all-acoustic tour (7 p.m. Fillmore, $64); St. Paul pianist Steven C teams with White Bear guitarist Billy McLaughlin for a post-Thanksgiving program of songs of gratitude (3 p.m. Cathedral of St. Paul, free); Petty Comes Alive, Minnesota’s top Tom Petty tribute band, goes free fallin’ featuring Gregg Hall, Chris Castino and Dan Israel (7:30 p.m. Parkway Theater, $35-$35); veteran Mississippi bluesman Johnny Rawls is back in Minneapolis for two nights (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat. Shaw’s, $10); under the direction of Philip Brunelle, soprano Maria Jette and baritone James Bohn will offer songs and stories for Thanksgiving (6 p.m. Crooners, $37.89 and up); Jest and Molly Brandt guitarist Eric Carranza’s loopy electro-jazz trio Prints is celebrating the release of its first album, “Guardian Hotel” (7:30 p.m. Berlin, $15).

LaBelle, a veteran Minneapolis-launched musician/producer now operating in smooth-jazz circles, enables the parade of smooth-jazz saxophonists at the Dakota to continue with Najee. Najee may be best known for the 1987 R&B hit “Sweet Love” and this century’s jazz favorites “Sweet Summer Nights” and “Perfect Nites,” but he’s collaborated with some of the biggest names in jazz and R&B. He’s worked with such formidable jazz men as George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham and Larry Carlton as well as R&B stars Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Freddie Jackson and Eric Benet. Najee lent his soprano sax and flute to Prince’s 2001 album “Rainbow Children.” LaBelle has also invited keyboardist Brian Simpson, known for a long stint with George Duke, to join in this smooth jazz summit. (7 & 9 p.m. the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $35.77 and up, dakotacooks.com)

Also: Four Freshmen, the veteran vocal group featuring Minnesota’s own Jake Baldwin, present their holiday harmony program (7 p.m. Crooners, $49.05 and up); Martin Zellar and his old Austin, Minn., pals in the Gear Daddies are back for their morally obligated, annual Mainroom gig with opening band Alexander Natalie, featuring Martin’s son Wilson Zellar (8 p.m. First Avenue); old-school country tunesmith Jack Klatt and washboard wiz Mikkel Beckman are teaming up for a matinee gig at Animales BBQ (3-5 p.m., free), where violin-laced rocker Jillian Rae takes over later (8 p.m., free).

Minnesota’s piano-playing bicyclist George Maurer does his annual jazzy holiday show, a tradition that dates to 1998 (7 p.m. the Dakota, $20-$30); Twin Cities vocalist supreme Jennifer Grimm dashes through the seasonal songbook (7 p.m. Mon. & Tue., Crooners, $35-$45).

Buzzy young jazz vocalist Stella Cole, who has a noteworthy following on social media, offers her take on the holiday songbook, with backing by the Twin Cities’ own Laurel Strings (7 & 9 p.m. the Dakota, $25-$40); former labelmates of the Wonder Years on No Sleep Records, emo-y but fun Michigan band Hot Mulligan is touring for its fourth album, “The Sound a Body Makes When It’s Still,” with Drug Church and two more openers (6:30 p.m. Palace Theatre, all ages).

While most other modern electronic dance music acts only think of adding more lasers or booming bass speakers to enhance their live shows, the Washington, D.C.-reared EDM duo of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton has taken the novel approach of adding more musicians over the years. A lot more, in fact. Go figure. Their live lineup of late has include singer/percussionist Frank Orrall of the great Austin hippie-soul band Poi Dog Pondering and ace sitar player Rob Myers, among others. The First Ave regulars haven’t released a TC album in several years as Garza and Hilton focused on solo projects, so they’re pulling tunes from throughout their 30-year discography. (8 p.m., Palace Theatre, 17 W. 7th Place, St. Paul, $50-$64, axs.com)

He’s been playing his St. Nick’s Day holiday show for 12 years running, going back to when he was best known for coming in third place on NBC’s “The Voice.” For this year’s party, the Twin Cities-reared, piano-caressing soul man also known as Nick “The Feelin’” Mrozinski is gifting his fans with what sounds like his most personal and heartfelt album yet, “More Than Music.” The “more” in this case is a bevy of emotions and reflection as he takes stock of family, friends and fleeting fame with a content-sounding warmth and a Southern-y sonic blend that’s part Allman Bros. and Ray LaMontagne. (8 p.m. the Dakota, $35-$41, dakotacooks.com; he has more release parties scheduled Dec. 5 in Rochester and Dec. 12 in Duluth.)

One of Minneapolis’ best-loved dive bars is playing host to one of its rowdiest and grimiest noisemaking bands for a December residency that weirdly feels like a home-for-the-holidays occasion. Flying V-wielding frontman Taylor Carik and his bandmates Mark Devaraj and Andy Holmaas will throw down a live set on Wednesdays with a kindred but eclectic cast of punky pals starting with the Mary Jam and Count Spookula in Week 1, followed by King Size Coffin, Gastown Alley and a surprise guest on Dec. 10, and then Cindy Lawson, High on Stress and DNF for Dec. 17. (8:30 p.m., Mortimer’s, 2001 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., $15, mortimersbar.com)