Thursday, Nov. 21
1. Eric Benét: It’s been eight years since the Milwaukee-reared soul star released an album. Now he’s dropped a new “Duets” EP (featuring Chanté Moore, Ledisi and Corinne Bailey Rae) and the single, “Something We Can Make Love To,” a steamy slow jam with Tamar Braxton. The song perfectly complements such old Benét favorites as the cuddly “Spend My Life With You” (with Tamia) and the breezy “Georgy Porgy” (with Faith Evans). The veteran R&B lover man, who used to be married to Halle Berry, will seduce with those 1999 hits as well as “Chocolate Legs” and maybe a Prince cover, which might be risky in Minneapolis for the man who is married to Manuela Testolini, Prince’s second ex-wife. (6:30 & 9 p.m. the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $65-$80, dakotacooks.com)
Also: Fresh from performing on “Jimmy Kimmel LIve” on Tuesday, California country singer Nate Smith, who is finding momentum with “Bulletproof” with his just-released sophomore album, “California Gold,” becomes a rare mainstream country artist to headline at First Avenue (8 p.m., $30); Mick Sterling, king of Twin Cities tribute shows, needs a spread sheet to keep track of all the different salutes he does but unquestionably his best is Joe Cocker because Sterling has the perfect voice for such a killer soulful rock repertoire (7 p.m. Chart House, $25-$30); another of the best tribute shows is Joyann Parker’s informative and entertaining celebration of Patsy Cline (7:30 p.m. Crooners, $30-$40); Minneapolis’ experimental string maestro Paul Metzger is pairing up with Chicago table player Krissy Bergmark (7 p.m. Cedar Cultural Center, $15-$20); the “Give to the Maxi...Pad” fundraiser for menstrual products donations features Afters, Charlie Boy, Dani Erin and Katy Tessman (7:30 p.m. Hook & Ladder Mission Room, $15-$20).
Friday, Nov. 22
2. Joe Bonamassa: Last year, the Utica, N.Y., guitar hero released “Blues Deluxe Vol. 2,” the sequel to his bestselling 2003 collection of blues covers. This time, Bonamassa interprets songs by Bobby “Blue” Bland, Albert King, Guitar Slim and Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac, among others. For a change, there are horns and backup singers, giving the sounds a bit of a Memphis R&B vibe at times, but Bonamassa’s guitar work remains heavily influenced by British blues rockers as he continues to play it fast and flashy, even on ballads like “Win-O” and “Is It Safe to Go Home.” Once again, the self-managed, hard-touring indie bluesman settles in for a two-night Minneapolis stand. (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., $74-$254, ticketmaster.com)
3. Allie X: A former tour mate and cohort of Charli XCX’s who has also released collaborative tracks with Mitski and Troye Sivan, Toronto synth-pop singer Alexandra Hughes hasn’t seen the breakout success of her friends but has generated an underground dance club and LGBTQ fan base. Hints of dark-wave and early Lady Gaga influences filled her album from early 2024, “Girl With No Face,” which was just rereleased as a deluxe edition along with a new single, “Bon Voyage.” She’s touring with RuPaul-affiliated Atlanta drag queen Violet Chachki. (8 p.m. Varsity Theater, 1308 SE. 4th St., Mpls., $40, livenation.com)
4. Laamar: A standout entry in First Ave’s Best New Bands showcase at the start of the year, Geoffrey Lamar Wilson is winding down the year with a lot more to brag about; not that he’s the type to do so. The tender-voiced Minneapolis Americana songwriter’s lament “Say My Name” — from his debut EP inspired by his hometown’s racial reckoning, “Flowers” — rose up the Current’s Chart Show. He opened for Semisonic and Lissie. He made a big impression at the Minnesota State Fair’s West End stage. His face is newly plastered on a Hennepin Arts billboard beside the Orpheum Theatre. Now, he and his lush band are winding down 2024 with Laamar’s first headlining set since hitting the studio with Nat Harvie, who also co-produced Alan Sparhawk’s new LP. Opening are the Holy North and Yonder, the latter a new rootsy band led by Emma Jeanne and Hattie Peach. (8 p.m. Hook & Ladder Theater, 3010 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls., $15-$20, thehookmpls.com)
5. Minnesota Orchestra: In Thomas Søndergård’s largest undertaking since becoming music director, he’ll conduct the masterpiece that Mozart struggled to finish in his final days, the eloquent expression of grief that is his “Requiem.” The orchestra will be joined by the Minnesota Chorale, soprano Andrea Carroll, mezzo Taylor Raven, Pine Island-reared tenor Evan LeRoy Johnson (fresh from a splendidly sung Romeo in Minnesota Opera’s “Romeo and Juliet”) and three-time Grammy-winning bass-baritone (and former Cantus member) Dashon Burton. Works by Olivier Messiaen and Gabriela Ortiz complete the program. Go and process some sadness. (8 p.m. Fri., 7 p.m. Sat., Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $49-$116, minnesotaorchestra.org
Also: Masked Atlanta DJ duo ATLiens top off a wicked dance party also with Ghengar and more (8:30 p.m. the Armory, $46); Texas roots-rock vets the Band of Heathens are back (8 p.m. Cedar Cultural Center, $25-$30); fresh off issuing his new album “Norfside,” north Minneapolis jazz/funk drummer and bandleader L.A. Buckner and his group Big Homie take on the Dakota with guest pianist Kavyesh Kaviraj-(7 p.m., $20-$25); the Under the Bluegrass Moon show will feature Minnesota pickers the High 48s and LaPlant Road (8 p.m. Parkway Theater, $20-$25); Denver area groovers the Motet return (8:30 p.m. Amsterdam Bar & Hall, $30).
Saturday, Nov. 23
6. Tommy Stinson: He’s played just about every other corner of Minneapolis since leaving the basement on Bryant Avenue at age 12 to start playing bass with the Replacements. So it’s about time that Stinson — now 58 and living in upstate New York — tried out downtown Minneapolis’ renowned jazz club. He’ll make his debut there under the guise of Cowboys in the Campfire, a spirited, mostly acoustic, semi-twangy duo with his former uncle-in-law Chip Roberts. They put out a wry and colorful LP last year, titled “Wronger.” (7 p.m. the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $45-$55, dakotacooks.com)