The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

After a four-year wait since their last album, “Vicious Kid” — which made them local stars via such singles as “I Miss You” and “Motel Room” — these classic-in-all-the-right-ways Twin Cities rockers come back full-throttle on their third record, “Infinite Love.” Infectiously cocksure frontwoman Meghan Kreidler and her tight group kept gigging like crazy in the interim even amid some lineup changes. They not only sound like an even stronger unit but one that seems to be having a whole lot of fun in such self-produced new tunes as the Badfinger-y “Every Little Piece of Me” and the sexual goof-off “Big Booty Scooty.” PaviElle opens their hometown release party and tour kickoff. (8 p.m., Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Av., Mpls., $25, icehousempls.com)

Also: Parody king Weird Al Yankovic is back for his second outdoor appearance in the area, to the delight of fans in touch with their 11-year-old selves (7:30 pm. Ledge Amphitheater, Waite Park, $65 and up); a San Francisco bedroom rocker whose 2023 tune “Your Face” went from TikTok streams to the Billboard charts, Natalie Lu aka Wisp is making her Twin Cities debut (6:30 p.m. Amsterdam Bar & Hall, all ages); Chicago piano-rocker Neal Francis, whose vibrant, semi-jammy live shows have made him a festival favorite, returns with his third record, “Return to Zero” (8 p.m. Turf Club); last call for the Front Porch Swingin’ Liquor Pigs at Palmer’s Bar, a gig the bluesy pickers have been playing since 2009 (7 p.m., free); Texas-reared honky-tonker Mary Cutrufello, who moved to the Twin Cities several years ago, shares her solo acoustic music (6 p.m. Dunsmore Room at Crooners, $32.31 and up).

It’s always nice to hear a fast-rising buzz band rise even further on the occasion of the follow-up record, as this Burnsville-reared family act did with its new one, “This Movie Sucks.” Not only do sibling leaders Austin and Taryn Durry successfully continue the losers-unite anthemic sound of their breakout hit “Who’s Laughing Now” in new songs like “idk i just work here” and the title track, they also expanded to a riotous punk-rock rager in “Dumb Band” and a tender and touching acoustic ditty in “The Long Goodbye.” Their hometown release party is doubling as a tour kickoff with kindred homies Vial opening. (8 p.m. First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., resale only, first-avenue.com)

Perfectly summed up as “grossness turned up to 11” in a previous year, this fifth annual fundraiser for women’s reproductive rights doubles as a tutorial on rock and pop music’s most sexist songs — wryly, devilishly performed by some of the Twin Cities’ most talented women. Sadly, there’s no shortage of material. A house band led by She Rock She Rock music-ed founder Jenny Case of the Flamin’ Oh’s will back a rotating cast of singers including Aby Wolf, the Suburbs’ Janey Winterbauer, Cindy Lawson, Monica LaPlante, Jaedyn James and Turn Turn Turn’s Savannah Smith. Proceeds go to comedian Lizz Winstead’s Abortion Access Front. (8 p.m. Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Av. S., Mpls. All ages, $50-$60, theparkwaytheater.com)

To open its 67th season, the SPCO welcomes back former artistic partner Thomas Zehetmair, who last visited in 2017. The renowned Austrian violinist morphed into a conductor while here, and he’s since honed his composition skills, as evidenced by a curtain-raising work of his own. Violinist Steven Copes and cellist Julie Albers will be featured on Johannes Brahms’ Double Concerto before the concert concludes with one of Mozart’s grandest creations, his “Jupiter” Symphony. (7 p.m. Fri. & Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ordway Concert Hall, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, $16-$70, students and children free, thespco.org)

Also: Dasha, the country-pop singer who scored the dance-line smash “Austin” last year and has kept the momentum going with “Not at This Party,” brings the party outdoors at Buck Hill ski facility (5:30 p.m., $48 and up); Alice in Chains guitarist, songwriter and co-vocalist Jerry Cantrell is touring behind his solo album, “I Want Blood,” but also playing his old band’s songs (8 p.m. Uptown Theater, $64); Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson aka CMAT is a wise-cracking Irish singer making waves from Dublin (8 p.m. Fine Line); Frankie Cosmos, which is fronted by Greta Kline, the daughter of actors Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates, is supporting their latest Sub Pop effort, “Different Talking,” which features 17 indie-pop songs in 38 minutes (7 p.m. Varsity Theater,$33 and up).

Since 2002, the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival has been a free gift to St. Paul. Started by Golden Thyme proprietors Mychael and Stephanie Wright, the fest is now run by Walker West Music Academy. And once again the Selby fest will feature a stellar musical lineup, headed by Cory Henry, who grabbed a Grammy this year for best gospel roots album. Performing with his group the Funk Apostles, the former Snarky Puppy keyboardist is known for his eclectic sounds that embrace funk, jazz, gospel and R&B. Also slated for the Selby fest are the Yuko Mabuchi Trio, Heyarlo, Brio Brass, Walker West Jazz Ensemble and, of course, the Selby Avenue Brass Band. (11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. outdoors, Selby & Milton, St. Paul. Free, selbyavejazzfest.com)

Also: Buzzing Chicago jazz quintet Blue Earth Sound is heading up I-94 to celebrate their debut album on London’s Root Records (7:30 p.m. Berlin, $16-$20); a special gig many Twin Cities fans might consider driving to Central Wisconsin to catch, the Cactus Blossoms are playing the historic Silverdome Ballroom in Niellsville with Molly Brandt (6:30 p.m., $25).

Less than a week after headlining at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden, the Los Angeles sister trio will settle into the much cozier Armory in Minneapolis. Cosigned by collaborators Taylor Swift, Justin Vernon and Stevie Nicks, Haim is supporting its fourth full length album, “I Quit,” written at a time when neither Este, Danielle nor Alana Haim was in a relationship. In other words, this is Haim’s hook-filled, post-breakup collection, highlighted by the sad yet witty “Relationships.” (7:30 p.m. the Armory, 500 S. 6th St., Mpls. $80 and up, ticketmaster.com)

Also: It’s closing time at one of Minneapolis’ oldest and best-loved dive bars, and more than 30 music acts are lining up to help play the Palmer’s Bar Final Blowout, including Cornbread Harris, the Cactus Blossoms (duo), Brass Messengers and Mind Out of Time (Noon-10 p.m., $10); Juno-winning Montreal vocalist Dominique Fils-Aimé brings her spiritual vision of jazz-soul on her first extensive U.S. tour (7 p.m. the Dakota, $40-$50); fun Georgia rapper B.O.B. is touring to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his debut album, “Adventures of Bobby Ray” with opener Chiddy Bang (8 p.m. Fine Line).

The collaborators on the trumpeter/vocalist’s 2024 project, “Foreverland,” manifest the respect he commands: Common, Robert Glasper, Laura Mvula and PJ Morton, among others. The Missouri native provided the trumpet when Don Cheadle portrayed Miles Davis in the 2015 biopic “Miles Ahead.” Harrold’s trumpet also has been heard on recordings by Beyoncé, 50 Cent, Gregory Porter, Mac Miller, Maxwell, David Sanborn and many others. Like Glasper’s, Harrold’s own records seamlessly meld jazz, R&B and hip-hop. (7 p.m. the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $40-$50, dakotacooks.com)

Also: Acclaimed guitarist and neo-classical/experimental composer Rafiq Bhatia of Son Lux indie fame is touring behind a new album for Anti- Records, “Environments” (7 p.m. Berlin, $25-$40); the Mintroludes will feature members of Mint Condition including original members Keri Lewis and Chris Dave as well as guest Cory Henry (6:30 & 9:30 p.m. Icehouse, $50 and up).

Also: After filling Surly Brewing Field last summer, L.A.-via-Philly Americana pop strummers Mt. Joy are playing indoors this time around (8 p.m. the Armory, $59 and up); Cuba’s Buena Vista Orchestra returns (8 p.m. Fillmore, $40 and up); British rock vet Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree does his innovative thing (8 p.m. Orpheum Theatre, $45 and up).

The Scottish songwriter who made traditional Irish music cool with the alt-rock crowd via 1998’s “Fisherman’s Blues,” Mike Scott has now set his sights on sparking new interest in a late American movie legend. His band’s latest record, “Life, Death and Dennis Hopper,” is a concept record all about the “Easy Rider” star/director and his personal and artistic triumphs and tumbles. It’s trippy and wonky in sound and spirit, but it should make for an interesting night of storytelling in concert alongside “Whole of the Moon” and other old classics offered in the second half of recent setlists. (8 p.m. Uptown Theater, 2900 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., $57 and up, ticketmaster.com)

Also: Ex-Twin Cities drummer Linda Pitmon of Zuzu’s Petals is playing behind the Dream Syndicate’s Steve Wynn and R.E.M.’s Mike Mills and Peter Buck on another run around the bases by the Baseball Project (8 p.m. Fine Line); Sweden’s Viagra Boys are back in town to prove punk rock is alive and well and as un-PC as ever, touting their fourth album, “Viagr Aboys” (8:30 p.m. Palace Theatre); blues vet Walter Trout, who did stints with Canned Heat and John Mayall, touts his 2024 record "Broken" (7 & 9 p.m. the Dakota, $41.95 and up).