His pal/coproducer Kanye West sells more CDs and makes more headlines, but Chicago's other rap guru continues to garner critical praise with his smart, street-level soundtracks, including the new CD "Finding Forever." He's a better live performer, too -- one of hip-hop's best. (Chris Riemenschneider)

Sept. 21 @ Myth
18-plus • $40

The 19-year-old Brit sings vintage-sounding R&B with remarkable Aretha-evoking authority. She has sold more than 7 million albums worldwide, but her third CD is ironically titled "Introducing Joss Stone." (Jon Bream)

Sept. 26 @ Myth
All ages • $35-$38

Rock's most acclaimed new band of the past few years, this dramatic, starting-lineup-sized Canadian ensemble could electrify even the shabby Wilkins with songs from this year's "Neon Bible." The beat-happy LCD Soundsystem, which drew ample raves off its Lollapalooza set last month, opens. (Chris Riemenschneider)

Sept. 30 @ Roy Wilkins Auditorium
$37.50

Luscious R&B thrush Amy Winehouse, the trainwreck who is the year's most exciting new act, canceled her Minneapolis show, but her opening act, Nutini, is doing his own gig. Her backup band, the Dap Kings, also has a show scheduled later with its regular singer, soul powerhouse Sharon Jones. (Jon Bream)

Admit it. Even if you hate the fact that Michael Anthony is being replaced by Eddie's kid and they're clearly in it for the money, you're still dying to see if David Lee Roth (pictured) can still kick it with the band or returns with a thud. Might as well jump ... on tickets. (Chris Riemenschneider)

Oct. 24 @ Target Center
$51.50-$151.50

Going longer between local gigs than they ever have before, the locally reared New York barroom heroes were apparently holding out to book their first theater gig here. That, or they wanted to brag about opening for the Stones last month. With Art Brut. (Chris Riemenschneider)

Nov. 1 @ State Theatre
$23.50

The multimedia festival is bookended by two stellar acts of sonic manipulation. Legendary 1980s hip-hop producer Steinski kicks things off with some rapadocious cut-and-paste at the Nov. 2 opening reception at the Soap Factory. On Nov. 29, noise artists Beatrix*JAR show off their technical rejiggering skills with a circuit-bending CD release party at the Walker; the duo creatively short-circuits low-voltage children's toys, converting them into DIY musical instruments. (Gregory J. Scott)

Another rap package tour featuring Minneapolis' own Brother Ali offers an interesting mixed bag. The Wu-Tang Clan's most consistent rapper, Ghostface Killah, coheadlines with one of Ali's heroes, Rakim, plus hot newcomers the Rhythm Roots All Stars. (Chris Riemenschneider)

Nov. 11 @ First Avenue
$25-$30