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

A revered enough songwriter that Willie Nelson just put out an entire album of his tunes — Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Keith Urban and his ex-father-in-law Johnny Cash also have covered him — this well-traveled Houston native also just put out his own collection of new tunes. It’s a real gem, too. Titled “Airline Highway,” it was recorded in New Orleans with a gumbo-thick sound and guests including Ashley McBryde and Lukas Nelson. The masterful music vet is promoting it with Alabama harmonizers the Secret Sisters for grade-A openers. (7 p.m. Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul, $58-$95, axs.com)

Too early for a yule show? The stylish a cappella mainstays kicked off their Christmas in the City Tour on Nov. 8 and squeeze in an ambitious 26 concerts until Dec. 22. Last month, the Santa-loving Pentatonix dropped their seventh holiday album, “Christmas in the City,” containing eight seasonal favorites and eight originals including “Elf,” “Blitzen” and the spiritual-like “Bah Humbug.” (7 p.m. Grand Casino Arena, 199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, $45 and up, ticketmaster.com)

Also: Minnesota acoustic stalwart Michael Monroe celebrates his 73rd birthday as well as his 55th anniversary as a performer (7:30 p.m. Thu. Crooners & 7 p.m. Fri. 318 Cafe); while Old 97’s frontman Rhett Miller is on tour promoting his new on-the-road-again “A Lifetime of Riding by Night,” he dropped a spontaneous salute last weekend for his departed pal, “Song for Todd Snider” (8 p.m. Turf Club); Boston-bred rising R&B singer Khamari is touting his sophomore album, “To Dry a Tear” (8 p.m. Varsity Theater, $40 and up); well-traveled singer/songwriter Pieta Brown, who has Upper Midwest roots and connections, previews her 2026 album (7 p.m. Berlin, $30-$35).

While the jazz-adjacent Laufey is blowing up to headlining in sold-out arenas, Joy is the fellow 26-year-old jazz singer who truly matters. She’s earned a Grammy for each of her three albums as well as one for best new artist. She’s also received two more Grammy nominations for 2026 for her fourth album, “Portrait.” Joy’s performance last year at the Ordway was one of the year’s best. She showed remarkable range, technique, instincts, emotion, creativity and commitment — and an old soul. Joy returns in an even more intimate venue. (8 p.m. Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul, axs.com)

A cool bit of Minnesota music lore is turning into a big reason to celebrate the Louisiana/Texas folk and blues singer, known from such American standards as “Goodnight, Irene,” “Midnight Special” and the Nirvana-popularized “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?” Huddie Ledbetter performed for a house party in Minneapolis a year before his death in 1948, a recording of which became coveted by collectors. Younger pickers like Dave Ray, John Koerner and Robert Zimmerman would be singing the same songs in the same scene a dozen or so years later. The tradition continues with modern folk traditionalists Corpse Reviver, Charlie Parr, Pop Wagner and Mikkel Beckman recreating that 1948 concert. (8 p.m. Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Av. S., Mpls., $25, thecedar.org)

Our foremost period instrument orchestra made quite the catch when it hired its new artistic director: Internationally renowned Croatian violinist Bojan Čičić leads what is arguably the world’s premier early music orchestra, England’s Academy of Ancient Music. He’ll be the soloist for five(!) Antonio Vivaldi violin concertos, including the very popular “Four Seasons,” and lead a pair of pieces by “the Swedish Handel,” Johan Helmich Roman. (6 p.m. Fri., American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Av., Mpls., $30-$35; 7:30 p.m. Sat., Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2830 18th Av. NW., Rochester, $10-$35; 3 p.m. Sun., Sundin Music Hall, 1531 Hewitt Av., St. Paul, $10-$35, lyrabaroque.org)

Also: A new all-star rock/roots band from mostly around Minnesota’s Iron Range, Rangers features Keith Secola, Rich Mattson, Trampled by Turtles’ Tim Saxhaug and other talented friends (8 p.m. Hook & Ladder, $21-$25); this year, Twin Cities hip-hop hero Nur-D dropped his funkiest album yet, “Chunkadelic” (7 p.m. the Dakota, $41.95 and up); Portland’s funky, falsetto-loving “Feel It Still” hitmakers Portugal. the Man just released a playful new album, “Shish” (8 p.m. First Avenue); Minnesota’s great Americana songwriter and neo-twang guitar ace Erik Koskinen and his band play their annual pre-Thanksgiving gig at the Uptown VFW (8 p.m., $21-$26); Indiana’s Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band brings their country blues, celebrating this year’s “Honeysuckle” featuring fiddler Michael Cleveland, harmonica player Billy Branch and the singing McCrary Sisters (8 p.m. Turf Club).

The popular smooth jazz saxophonist is back on tour behind his 19th project as a leader, “Slow Burn.” Featuring guests Marcus Miller, Cory Henry and vocalist October London, it’s the kind of soulful smooth jazz expected. The highlights are the Marvin Gaye-evoking “All I Want Is You,” featuring London’s seductive vocals, and “Slide,” a tip of the hat to the Minneapolis Sound. Fun fact: James played in the band for Morris Day’s solo tour in 1985. (6:30 & 9 p.m. the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $70-$90, dakotacooks.com)

Also: Seattle’s grimy post-grunge garage-rockers Murder City Devils only tour sporadically these days (8 p.m. Fine Line); Wisconsin’s second-line traditionalists Mama’s Digdown Brass Band are back at the Parkway Theater (8 p.m., $25-$30); a fun lineup of rootsy, string-picking Minnesota bands, Amerigrass Night features Maygen & the Birdwatcher, Joseph Huber and Turn Turn Turn (7:30 p.m. Hook & Ladder, $23); New York’s experimental jazz bassist Cole Davis is in town promoting “Consider It,” his new record for Minneapolis label Totally Gross National Product (7:30 p.m. Berlin, $20); Twin Cities rocker Faith Boblett takes on the new Animales BBQ stage (8 p.m., free).

The widely admired Lilith Fair founder is back with her first album of new material in 11 years. “Better Broken” is a welcome collection of mostly stately, somber in some cases, songs of both frustration (notably “Only Way Out is Through”) and joy (notably “Reminds Me”). Not surprisingly, the subject of the current Lilith Fair documentary sings about women’s rights in “One in a Long Line” and parenting in “Gravity.” The Canadian superstar with two young-adult daughters and a music school is returning to the road for a nine-city November tour. (8 p.m. the Armory, 500 S. 6^th St., Mpls., $70 and up, ticketmaster.com)

Also: Local piano maven Lori Dokken has put together a pre-Thanksgiving “Cabaret of Gratitude” with an all-star lineup of Twin Cities vocalists including Judi Vinar, Ginger Commodore, Connie Evingson, Jennifer Grimm and Patty Peterson (5 p.m. Crooners, $37.89 and up); Seattle neo-soul/R&B singer UMI of “Remember Me” viral fame is promoting her second album, “People Stories” (8 p.m. Varsity Theater, $40); Al Church hosts his Sunday “mass of singalongs” (3-5 p.m. Animales BBQ).

Saxophonist Kirk Whalum, who has successfully traveled in both jazz and R&B realms, is touting his latest, “Epic Cool,” including “Crusderation,” a tribute to the Crusaders (7 & 9 p.m. the Dakota, $35-$50).

Fresh off joining his pal/fan Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine on stage in Chicago, the Illinois rocker and lyrical firebrand has lined up some of his good Twin Cities friends to perform with his Libertyville crew at their 22nd annual Thanksgiving Eve concert in the Mainroom. They always pick heavily from their locally beloved 2001 album “Salesmen and Racists,” including “Commie Drives a Nova” and “Duty Free,” but there’s a lot of powerful newer fare, too, including Reilly’s 2024 tribute to the Minnesota music scene, “At Least Another Day.” He’ll no doubt be singing that one with First Ave’s Conrad Sverkerson in mind following the stage manager’s death in September, which is making this one an emotional one. The Belfast Cowboys and Melismatics open. (7:15 p.m. First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., $33, axs.com)

This summer, he released his 16th album and the first on his own label, and “Roll with the Punches” reminds us that that the raspy-voiced rocker is still Canada’s answer to Bon Jovi. Most of the setlist on Adams’ current tour is drawn from “Reckless” and “Cuts Like a Knife,” the albums that put him in high rotation on MTV and classic-rock radio in the 1980s. Joining him is classic-rock heartbreaker Pat Benatar, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer with the still-big voice and guitarist/husband Neil Giraldo. (7:30 p.m. Target Center, 600 1st Av. N., Mpls., $62.50 and up, axs.com)

Also: Local country traditionalist Cole Diamond heads up the TwansGiving tribute to Alan Jackson with friends (8 p.m. Turf Club); wiggy tribute band E.L.nO won’t bring you down with its annual Drinksgiving show (7:30 p.m. Hook & Ladder, $27-$47); “The Voice” alum Kat Perkins is getting in the “giving” spirit, too, with her Friendsgiving supper-club variety show (5:30 p.m. Crooner’s, $35-$45); Rochester rapper Yung Gravy headlines his second annual Gravy Fest with 1900Rugrat, Melly Mike, Pertinence, and Pouya (7 p.m. Armory, $53 and up); hard-blasting U.K. punk duo Scrounge is not celebrating Thanksgiving (6:30 p.m. Cloudland Theater, $12-$15).