MUSIC
Humbird
After a string of warmup gigs and spate of national press, old-school-folky, new-era-idealistic Twin Cities songwriter Siri Undlin and her band return home for two release parties behind her third Humbird record and first for the Nettwerk label, “Right On.” The timing seems perfect, because the album carries poetic themes of growth and spiritual exhaling suitable for late May weather in Minnesota. It also rocks more than Undlin’s past LPs, with such tracks as “Cornfields and Roadkill” and “Child of Violence” carrying a mid-’70s Neil Young vibe. California tunesmith Ismay opens both shows. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Sacred Heart Music Center, 201 W. 4th St., Duluth; 8 p.m. Fri., Turf Club, 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul, $20, humbirdmusic.com)
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
John Moreland
The veteran Oklahoma singer/songwriter scales back from the folk-tronica of his last couple albums by handling all the instrumentation himself on this year’s “Visitor,” his 10th studio album. Moreland gets introspective and raises big questions. “Why do I keep feeling like a soldier in a holy war that I never signed up for?” he asks in “Gentle Violence.” “Silver Sliver” questions how a musician can make a living in the era of streaming. He gets political without naming names in “One Man Holds the World Hostage.” He sounds weary on the standout “Blue Dream Carolina,” but he implores that dream to remind him why he pursues his sometimes painful life. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Av. S., Mpls., $30, axs.com)
JON BREAM
When Doves Choir
Dig if you will a picture of you and I and 1,498 other Prince fans singing his best-known songs together in the room where he first performed and recorded some of them. It’s hard to know who to bill as the star of this special kickoff to a month of Princely celebrations at First Ave: The Toronto-based duo organizing the big singalong, Choir! Choir! Choir!, who’ve produced similar events internationally; the roomful of fans who will become performers under their guidance; the storied venue, or the late great Minnesota music icon himself. Baby, you’re all stars in this case. (8 p.m. Sat., First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., $25, axs.com)
C.R.
Echo & the Bunnymen
Thanks to prominent use of their songs “The Killing Moon” and “Bring on the Dancing Horses” in the cult-loved teen-drama movies “Donnie Darko” and “Pretty in Pink,” Liverpool’s second greatest band of all time has maintained recognition among TikTok users and other listeners born this century. Those probably aren’t the fans paying $125-plus resale prices, though, after the band didn’t sell out of $25-discounted tickets at the Fillmore in 2022. Ian McCulloch, who sings with about 75% his old power these days, and ever-distinctive guitarist Will Sergeant are mostly sticking to their ‘80s alternative hits on this tour, too, featuring two sets per night. (8 p.m. Wed., First Avenue, resale only, axs.com)
C.R.