The Big Gigs: Critic's music picks for the week ahead

POP/ROCK Her fans are so over the fact that Britney Spears lip-syncs in concert. They go for the spectacle, the costumes, the dancing, the hits and the total Britney-ness of her Circus Tour, which promises visual if not vocal acrobatics. She has the perfect opening act, the Pussycat Dolls, the ultimate in pop-rock eye candy. (8:30 p.m. today, Target Center, $39.50-$127.) (J.B.)

After a long layoff, the Jack Buzzards are back. Flamboyant singer/leader John Eric Thiede has assembled his most distinguished, grizzled lineup yet, including nationally known drummer Paul Lagos (who has a smokin' new live CD, "Just in Time"), longtime Willie & the Bees sax man Merlin (Bronc) Brunkow and bass ace Dave Maslow. Their set list is chock full of tunes by immortals (Armstrong, Ellington, Holiday) along with blues-drenched Thiede originals. This weekend they start an every-Friday residency. (9 p.m. today, Nick & Eddie, 1612 Harmon Place, Mpls.) (T.S.)

For 30 years, Texas' Brave Combo has wedded polka with rock and Tex-Mex sounds to create a hipster's dance party. There is no better illustration of its M.O. than the latest CD, "The Exotic Rocking Life," which features "Louie Louie" as a cha-cha and the "Mission: Impossible" theme as a cumbia. (8 p.m. today, Cedar Cultural Center, $15-$18.) (J.B.)

On Tuesday, Canada's Junior Boys will drop their third CD, "Begone Dull Care." Electro-pop aficionados will probably find it the most lightweight of the duo's efforts. But pump up the volume and bliss out to the hypnotically repetitious dance workouts "Parallel Lines" and "Work." (9 p.m. today, First Avenue, $10.) (J.B.)

One of several new bands from Portland, Ore., who made a big splash at South by Southwest, Blind Pilot went into the fest fresh from touring with the Decemberists and left it deserving its own headlining dates. The sextet blends vibraphone, banjo and overdramatic folk-rock songs that sound a bit like Calexico on a sea-splashed cliff instead of a dry desert. (9 p.m. Sat., 400 Bar. $8.) (C.R.)

England's first band to chart at No. 1 at home this year, White Lies made good on its overseas buzz at SXSW. Its whir of shows in Austin, Texas, showed off singer Harry McVeigh's cool, Peter Murphy-like charisma and offered a harder-hitting sonic surge than what's heard on the band's mediocre debut, "To Lose My Life." The group is on a New Music Express-backed tour with Friendly Fires, a New Wavey dance-rock band from the U.K., plus an SXSW buzz band from San Diego, the Soft Pack. (9 p.m. Sat., Triple Rock. 18 & older. $14.) (C.R.)

It's official, and you can put an exclamation point on it: Los Campesinos! are one of the most fun bands in indie-rock. The collegiate coed Welsh septet issued not one but two raved-over albums in 2008; the second, "We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed," is full of hyper-sung boy/girl vocals, frazzled guitars and a youthful drama irresistible to anyone who survived high school. Opener Sky Larkin is a female-fronted rock trio from Yorkshire, England. (9:30 p.m. Sat., Fine Line. 18 & older. $15.) (C.R.)

Wavves is the quirky nom de plume of San Diego blogger-turned-rock-wunderkind Nathan Daniel Williams. His debut album, "Wavvves" (that's three Vs), is half-full of often grating noise-rock. But the other half is freaky, howling, electro-staticky garage rock that apparently makes his live sets something to behold. Local openers Vampire Hands make his local debut worth the gamble. (9 p.m. Sun., 7th Street Entry. 18 & older. $8.) (C.R.)

Diehard fans might not be happy about it, but what else is new: Former Smiths singer Morrissey's first Twin Cities performance of the decade coincides with one of his most rocking albums. "Years of Refusal" was produced by blink-182 and Green Day cohort Jerry Finn, who sadly died in August, but not before bringing out the Moz's feisty inner rocker. And yes, even though he rules out a reunion, the Dour Mr. M still sings some of his old band's songs in concert. (7:30 p.m. Mon., State Theatre. $40.) (C.R.)

To prepare for her six-week run at New York's legendary Cafe Carlyle, Judy Collins will play two nights at Minneapolis' most intimate listening room. Sweet Judy Blue Eyes will probably offer the art songs and folk-pop classics that have made her a cerebral and heartwarming force in music since the 1960s. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Mon.-Tue., Dakota, $35-$50.) (J.B.)

Last summer's fun 46-minute Ting Tings show in Minneapolis felt like speed dating, so we pleaded for a second date. Sure enough, the Brit duo, best known for the iPod commercial-propelled smash "Shut Up and Let Me Go," are returning to the Varsity. This time they're playing a full set, so there'll be time for a second drink. Hot Tub opens. (6:30 p.m. Mon., Varsity. Sold out.) (J.B.)

Yes, Lez Zeppelin is an all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band. No, they are not lesbians. They are merely rockers who love Robert, Jimmy and "Dazed and Confused." The guitarist even uses a violin bow, just like Jimmy Page. This five-year-old New York quartet was a hit last year at Bonnaroo so you know they'll have no problem rocking a club. (9:30 p.m. Mon., Fine Line, $15-$17.) (J.B.)

One party-starting band, Detroit's Electric Six, is performing with another fun band that brings its own party, the large, loose, interactive metal ensemble Bang Camaro. (9 p.m. Tue., First Avenue. 18 & older. $10-$12.) (C.R.)

Glasvegas: bad name, so-so record, great live band. That was the consensus at the SXSW fest two weeks ago, as the sneering but charming Scottish quartet balanced the anthemic, U2-ish choruses from its eponymous debut album with a punkier, more visceral energy onstage. (7 p.m. Tue., Varsity Theater. All ages. $12-$14.) (C.R.)

Bad Brains frontman H.R. (Human Rights) performed with a new band at SXSW, with mixed results. The Washington, D.C.-reared reggae/punk pioneer mumbled through a lot of his set and showed little of his old group's lightning-striking power, but plenty of its mysticism remains in his Afrobeat-ish new project. Probably for diehards only. (9 p.m. Tue., Station 4. 18 & older. $12-$15.) (C.R.)

Texas' best young Americana songstress, Carrie Rodriguez got her start playing with "Wild Thing" auteur Chip Taylor and graduated to opening for big fan Lucinda Williams in 2007. She has more dates with Alejandro Escovedo this month and is playing a makeup date here with her local tour mates from last December, Romantica, who will more or less become her backing band, too. (8 p.m. Wed., Varsity Theater. 21 & older. $16-$19.) (C.R.)

Early-'90s alterna-rock star John Wesley Harding is known to be a hilarious guy onstage and off (he's written two books under his birth name, Wesley Stace). He should really be cracking wise on his current tour with comedian Eugene Mirman, last seen in town opening for Flight of the Conchords (he plays their landlord on the HBO show). Dubbed "Wes & Eugene's Cabinet of Wonders," the tour pairs them with other music/literary/comedy talents from each city, including ex-Zuzu's Petals rocker and "Petal Pusher" author Laurie Lindeen here. (9 p.m. Thu., 7th Street Entry. $15.) (C.R.)

JAZZ Agile bop guitarist Greg Skaff mines new gold from the organ-trio format on his first release as a leader in six years. "East Harlem Skyline" includes a tribute to Brazilian star Caetano Veloso, a rockin' salute to blues poet laureate Willie Dixon, a surprise cover of Fiona Apple ("Fast As You Can"), a solo Billy Strayhorn gem ("Lotus Blossom") and a great slice of Wayne Shorter ("Angola"). He's a thinking man's groover. (9 p.m. today-Sat., Artists' Quarter. $10.) (T.S.)

The JazzMN Big Band celebrates Benny Goodman's centennial with guest Ken Peplowski, who played tenor sax in a Goodman big band back in 1984, but is best known for his clarinet virtuosity. He's recorded a couple dozen excellent CDs, plus played on Woody Allen soundtracks and as a sideman with singers as diverse as Mel Torme and Madonna. Not bad for a kid who started out with the family polka band in Cleveland. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center, 2400 Lindbergh Dr., Minnetonka. $10-$29.) (T.S.)

Free-jazz cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum makes his belated Twin Cities debut after several highly acclaimed CDs and an impressive résumé that includes 13 albums with Anthony Braxton, a DVD with Cecil Taylor and sideman work with improv heroes Alan Silva, Joe Morris and Bill Dixon. He will commune locally with Milo Fine (on keyboards, clarinets and electronics) and drummer Davu Seru. (7 p.m. Sun., Homewood Studios, 2400 Plymouth Av. N., Mpls. $5.) (T.S.)

CLASSICAL The blackest night seems bright when compared with Franz Schubert's 1827 song cycle "Die Winterreise" (Winter Journey). The composer leads us into the depths of despair, conjuring an existential traveler crazed with loneliness. These 24 songs challenge performers as few others do; baritone Bradley Greenwald, one of the finest singer/actors in the Twin Cities, and pianist Tadeusz Majewski promise a harrowing ride. (7 p.m. Mon., the Music Room, SPCO Center, 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul. $25. 612-926-3196.) (L.F.)