The Mountain Goats
8 p.m. • First Avenue • all ages • $25
There are myriad indie-rock outfits more popular than the Mountain Goats, but few have fan bases as fervent and relentlessly devoted. Over the past 20 years, the band's bookish and hopelessly prolific frontman, John Darnielle, has produced more than 500 songs, 15 studio albums and widespread critical acclaim. Oh, and last year he found time to publish a novel, "Wolf in White Van," that was nominated for a National Book Award. The Goats have released seven albums in the past decade and, given the tone and urgency of last week's wrestling-themed LP "Beat the Champ," they don't sound like they'll be slowing down soon. Stephen Brodsky of Cave In opens. Raghav Mehta
Sixx:A.M.
8 p.m. • Mill City Nights • 18-plus • sold out
With Mötley Crüe's farewell tour on break until next month, Nikki Sixx found time to squeeze in more tour dates with a metal singer whose range goes beyond three notes. His slicker and more anthem-driven side band Sixx:A.M., with short-lived Crüe replacement singer James Michael and flashy guitarist DJ Ashba (also now part of Guns N' Roses), is out supporting its third album, "Modern Vintage." Finnish cello-thrash band Apocalyptica and Vamps open. Chris Riemenschneider
