Spotlight: The Big Gigs

POP/ROCK

Canadian indie-pop band the New Pornographers, above, probably won't have Neko Case this time (nor Destroyer's Dan Bejar), but they do have a pretty charming new album, "Together." The songs are as bubbly as the title and the power pop is as empowered as ever, making for what's likely to be a cheery First Ave show that could rival last weekend's She & Him gig in feel-good harmony. My Gold Mask opens. (9 p.m. Fri., First Avenue. 18 & older. $22-$25.) (C.R.)

Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie serves up jangly melancholy pop on "The Great War," his second solo album. The return to a familiar sound is reassuring after the somber mood of his 2007 solo debut, "What Is Love For." But you may get minimal jangle on the Scottish singer/songwriter's solo acoustic tour. Count on plenty of Del Amitri favorites, though. Jaymes Reunion opens. (9 p.m. Fri., Fine Line, $20-$22.) (J.B.)

After exploring despair, death and other dark themes for more than a dozen years, the austere, Appalachian-inclined Handsome Family got all sweet on 2009's "Honey Moon." Maybe it's because this Chicago husband-wife duo, Brett and Rennie Sparks, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. Or maybe they just wanted to experiment with a new lyrical optimism. Opening are the old-timey Roe Family Singers, led by a more chipper Twin Cities husband-wife duo, Quillan and Kim Roe. (8 p.m. Fri., Cedar Cultural Center, $12-$15.) (J.B.)

Forever associated with John Hughes movies and '80s hair, the music of stylish British rockers the Psychedelic Furs has arguably stood up to time better than a lot of its peers. Is there a Cure or Echo & the Bunnymen record that still sounds as fresh as the Furs' "Talk Talk Talk"? Expect plenty of tracks from that album and other old favorites, as brothers Richard and Tim Butler continue to tour with long-since-broken-in new members and no new recordings. New Wavy Californians She Wants Revenge open. (7 p.m. Sat., First Avenue. 18 & older. $23-$25.) (C.R.)

If the Grateful Dead had been a bluegrass band, they might have sounded a lot like Yonder Mountain String Band does in concert: progressive bluegrassers who love to jam. The Colorado quartet added a new wrinkle on last year's studio album, "The Show," featuring Elvis Costello's drummer Pete Thomas; he's not part of the road show. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Minnesota Zoo, $28.) (J.B.)

Los Angeles-reared Ozzfest metal vets Otep -- led by vocal-cord-shredder and proud lesbian do-gooder Otep Shamaya -- are back to their original lineup behind last year's anti-establishment "Smash the Control Machine." Openers are Stray From the Path, RTD and Deadweight. (8 p.m. Sun., the Rock in Maplewood. All ages. $15-$18.) (C.R.)

Aptly named emo/Top 40 rock favorites Cute Is What We Aim For have undergone a rather ugly transformation. The band split up and frontman Shaant Hacikyan entered rehab. When he reemerged, Hacikyan reformed the group with all new members. He's showing off the new lineup along with some new songs. Openers are Friday Night Boys, the Bigger Lights and Down With Webster. (5:30 p.m. Mon., Station 4. All ages. $15.) (C.R.)

Philadelphia's soulful Americana garage-rock band Marah is reborn on its upcoming album, "Life Is a Problem" (out July 16), which found singer David Bielanko recording for the first time without his brother Serge (purportedly on paternity leave), while longtime band member Christine Smith stepped up as chief collaborator. Based on the bagpipe-filled online track "Valley Farm Song," it sounds like the band remains as ambitious as ever. (8:30 p.m. Wed., 400 Bar. 18 & older. 8.) (C.R.)

Peggy Sue is a rustic, twangy, street-busker-style folk-rock trio from Brighton, England, led by harmonizing duo Rosa Rex and Katy Klaw. They recently finished a U.K. tour with Mumford & Sons and just issued their debut on Yep Roc Records, "Fossils and Other Phantoms," produced by the Dodos' cohort John Askew. She Keeps Bees and Athletes in Slacks open. (8:30 p.m. Tue., 400 Bar. 18 & older. $5.) (C.R.)

Last seen at the Willie's Guitars anniversary bash, and with his pals the Flatlanders before that, Texas roadhouse hero Joe Ely is coming back for a rare solo acoustic gig that's also an unusual break from Bunkers' typically all-local calendar. The alt-country pioneer is enough of a showman to count Bruce Springsteen as a big fan, and gritty and authentic enough to have won Joe Strummer's affections. His stable of songs includes "The Road Goes on Forever," "Me and Billy the Kid" and "Fingernails." Paul Metsa opens. (7 p.m. Tue., Bunkers. 21 & older. $23-$25.) (C.R.)

Did Blues Traveler throw us a curveball by bringing in Bruce Willis for 2008's "North Hollywood Shootout," a collection of crisp pop tunes begging for radio airplay? Not to worry. John Popper will uncork plenty of long-winded harmonica solos and Chad Kinchla will crank his guitar when these jazzy, jammy blues-rock stalwarts take the stage. Root City Band opens. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Minnesota Zoo, $31.) (J.B.)

Still-exciting Rock Hall of Famers Booker T. & the MGs were rock's biggest instrumental group in the 1960s and also an essential studio band, backing the likes of Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and Eddie Floyd, who's joining the band for this two-nighter. The powerhouse voice behind the '60s soul classics "Knock on Wood" and "I've Never Found a Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)," he sounded in good form on 2008's "Eddie Loves You So." The MGs will serve "Green Onions," "Time Is Tight" and some of the most expressive Southern guitar licks you've ever heard, courtesy of the underappreciated ace Steve Cropper, who co-wrote some Stax hits with Floyd. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Tue.-Wed., Dakota Jazz Club, $27-$55.) (J.B.)

BLUES If you don't believe that the blues is timeless, ageless and uplifting, head to Peavey Plaza at 6:30 p.m. Saturday for the sixth annual Famous Dave's Blues Festival. Two of the music's grand old names will be carrying on as they've done for decades. At 96, pianist Pinetop Perkins has impeccable timing and undiminished spirit. He'll be joined by guitarist Hubert Sumlin, 78, who plays fills as tasty and varied as Famous Dave's BBQ sauces. These two off-and-on collaborators will be backed by harmonica hero Willie (Big Eyes) Smith and his fine band. There are nine other acts booked for this 10-hour, two-stage free outdoor marathon, including acrobatic showman Guitar Shorty, Minnesota institution Lamont Cranston and Kendra Glenn, a local R&B vocalist who won a contest to open this fest. (Noon-10:30 p.m. Sat., 11th St. & Nicollet Mall, Mpls., free.) (J.B.)

BLUEGRASS The only person to win Grammys in bluegrass and comedy and host the Oscars, banjo man Steve Martin will have to pull out all his tricks when he makes his Twin Cities bluegrass debut. He must be pretty confident in his new backup band, the Steep Canyon Rangers (formed in 1999 at the University of North Carolina), because his hand-picked opening act, the Punch Brothers, includes world-class pickers Chris Thile (of Nickel Creek), Gabe Witcher (of Jerry Douglas' band) and Chris Eldridge (formerly of the Infamous Stringbusters). Even though actor/comedian Martin is serious about his banjo playing, his bluegrass act will feature a few jokes. (7 p.m. Sun. State Theatre, $35-$65.) (J.B.)

CHILDREN'S Who says infants, toddlers and preteens can't be local music fans, too? The Rhythm & Words festival -- a product of the Legacy Amendment arts funding -- will gather the best Twin Cities kids-music performers under one roof, along with some authors, for what could be a local Lollapalooza of hip fun. Local Celtic/Americana/gypsy-folk troupe the Sweet Colleens have issued a new family-friendly CD, "The Monkey Dance," featuring accordion-fueled butt-shaker anthems in the irrepressible vein of Dan Zanes. Also performing are Clemontown, whose music is based on poet Calef Brown's imaginative work, plus the Whistlepigs String Band and "Rock the Cradle" favorites Bunny Clogs (offshoot of the Honeydogs) and Koo Koo Kanga Roo. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., Burnsville Center for Performing Arts, 12600 Nicollet Av. S. Free.) (C.R.)

JAZZ The man of 100 bands, jazz/rock/avant drummer David King shows off his seldom-seen Dave King Trucking Company, with Happy Apple's Erik Fratzke on lead guitar, Adam Linz on bass and potent saxman Brandon Wozniak out front. King's stickwork is always high-octane, and fans can hit nearby Mickey's Diner for truck-stop cuisine. (9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Artists' Quarter. $12.) (T.S.)

Still the Cadillac of jazz "ghost" bands, the Count Basie Orchestra is ably led by bass trombonist Bill Hughes, who signed on with Basie back in 1953 and is on a boatload of classic recordings, including the big hit "April in Paris." The piano chair is filled by much-younger Tony Suggs, who's worked with Roy Hargrove's funky RH Factor. (2 p.m. Sun., Orchestra Hall. $11-$50.) (T.S.)

When the Twin Cities Jazz Fest put together a stride piano night in 2008, it turned out to be a delightful, standing-room-only evening of two-piano fun, with Minnesota treasure Butch Thompson, festival mainstay Jon Weber and Leon Redbone's regular accompanist, Paul Asaro, having as grand a time as their audience. There were solo sets, lots of four-handed and six-handed ivory-tickling, along with a few hip vocals by Asaro, who was a revelation. Now we get a happy encore. (8:30 p.m. Thu., Artists' Quarter. $10.) (T.S.)

Best known as a revolutionary harmonica player and former Flecktone, the always amazing Howard Levy plays dozens of instruments well, with a sonic palette and curiosity that seem boundless. On this visit, it's a jazz club with a local rhythm section, so expect hard-swinging harp and perhaps some piano fireworks. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Dakota Jazz Club. $20.) (T.S.)

WORLD Bringing vital, hypnotic, rockin' blues music from the Sahara to the world, the Tuareg refugees of Tinariwen were once outcast rebel fighters whose political and poetic, mind and body-grooving music was banned. Now they're festival favorites worldwide, with a well received new CD ("Companions") and lots of rock luminaries in their corner (Robert Plant, Santana, Bono, Coldplay, etc.). (7:30 p.m. Wed., Cedar Cultural Center. $28-$30.) (T.S.)

FOLK/BLUES A devotee of early blues, cool purveyor of ragtime tunes on fingerstyle guitar, student and friend of Rev. Gary Davis, and authority on the music of Memphis and its surroundings, Andy Cohen fills his shows with timeless tunes and charming history lessons. It's worth showing up just to hear him play the magical dolceola, which one might describe as the musical love child of a grand piano and a zither. (7 p.m. Wed., 331 Club. No cover.) (T.S.)