The best concerts of the week in the Twin Cities, from Night Moves to Ani DiFranco

Väsen: This Swedish folk trio has been a regular visitor to the Cedar Cultural Center and a frequent participant in the old Nordic Roots Festival and Global Roots Festival. The group began when nyckelharpist Olov Johansson and violist Mikael Marin met as teenagers in the early 1980s. While mixing elements of traditional Swedish folk, jazz and classical music in its own sound, Väsen has also collaborated with the Kronos Quartet and Nordman. Väsen got its break in the States thanks to recording for NorthSide, a Minneapolis-based label. (8 p.m. Fri., Cedar Cultural Center, Mpls., $18-$20.) Jon Bream

Night Moves: One of the more under-the-radar Twin Cities bands to gain outside notoriety in recent years, Night Moves blended '60s psychedelica, breezy '70s folk-rock and modern indie-rock flavor to great effect on its 2013 debut record for the London-reared label Domino, "Coloured Emotions." Band leaders John Pelant and Micky Alfano and a new lineup are hosting a hometown party for the long-awaited follow-up record, "Pennied Days," boasting more lush strummers and cosmic ballads that somehow evoke both Supertramp and Supergrass. Gramma's Boyfriend and Carroll open. (8 p.m. Thu., First Avenue, $12-$15.) Chris Riemenschneider

Also recommended:

Lucinda Williams: Backed by her stellar trio Buick 6, the queen of Americana explores her stand-out new album, "The Ghosts of Highway 20," and songs from throughout her 12-album career. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Dakota, sold out.) Bream

Songhoy Blues: As might be expected from their name and country of origin, Mali's Songhoy Blues feature the burning desert blues guitar riffs common to west Africa, and yet there is a more of a classic, blues-rock filigree to their riveting solos and interplay. That might be the influence of Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner, who co-produced their debut disc, "Music In Exile." It may be internal combustion felt by the displaced Songhoy ethnic group in Mali. And it may just be that they are a gloriously incendiary band. (11 p.m. Fri., Icehouse, $18-$20.) Britt Robson

Sloan: Toronto's cult-loved power-pop band is out celebrating the 20th anniversary of its return-to-indie album "One Chord to Another." (9 p.m. Fri., Turf Club, $17-$20) Riemenschneider

O What a Night: No, it's not a tribute to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Rather it's a salute to some great soul music: the Temptations and Spinners out of Detroit, and the incomparable Sam Cooke, whose voice signaled that a change is gonna come. Singers include the Twin Cities talents of Ronn Easton, Wee Willie Walker, Maurice Young, Jerry Eskridge and Maurice Jacox. (8 p.m. Sat., Parkway Theater, $20-$25.) Bream

The Big Wu: Minnesota's favorite jam band and its familial audience will screen the new documentary, "The Big Wu Way," and then put the "party" in after-party with guest Dean Magraw. (7 p.m. screening, McNally Smith College of Music, St. Paul; 10 p.m. gig, Amsterdam Bar & Hall, St. Paul, $13-$15). Riemenschneider

Deer Tick: Rhode Island's rowdy, Replacements-inspired twang-rockers are on a first-ever all-acoustic tour. (9 p.m. Sat., Turf Club, sold out.) Riemenschneider

Ani DiFranco: Always a captivating live performer, the indie folk hero just celebrated the 25th anniversary of her label Righteous Babe and has local songwriter Chastity Brown opening her whole tour. (8 p.m. Sun., First Avenue, $45.) Riemenschneider

Jay Electronica: The New Orleans rapper and sonic wiz of "Exhibit A, B and C" notoriety still doesn't have an album to his name, but he has stellar local openers in with Greg Grease and Sarah White. (8 p.m. Sun., Cabooze, $20.) Riemenschneider

David Sanborn: The saxophonist is one of the rare performers capable of snagging smooth jazz buffs with his soulful ear candy while retaining the loyalty and respect of jazz purists for his musicianship and ingenuity. That crossover appeal has earned him hits and Grammys galore and garnered him sessions with the likes of James Brown and David Bowie. Within jazz, his cohorts have ranged from Bob James to Tim Berne. He'll bring his Electric Band to the Dakota, a funky ensemble with local luminary Bobby Peterson on keys, and a bassist guaranteed to be adept at fatback grooves and finger-popping notes. (7 & 9 p.m. Sun.-Mon., Dakota, $30-$60.) Robson

Taj Mahal: Last heard dueting with Van Morrison, the veteran ethnomusicologist sings the blues, world music and other styles with warmth and authority. No wonder he received a lifetime achievement award from the Americana Music Association in 2014. (7 & 9 p.m. Tue.-Wed., Dakota, $35-$65.) Bream

Peter Murphy: A rare chance for Twin Citians to see the former Bauhaus singer and "MTV 120 Minutes" staple on tour, this one an all-acoustic outing with songs from throughout his career. (9 p.m. Tue., Mill City Nights, $25-$40.) Riemenschneider