POP/ROCK
Three years ago, Gladys Knight did a U.K. farewell tour. But if you've caught her on "Dancing With the Stars" this season, you realize that, at 67, she's far from the retiring type. Although she hasn't released a new album since 2006, the Empress of Soul has sung on "American Idol," in a Tyler Perry movie and at Michael Jackson's funeral, and performed regularly in Las Vegas and on tour. With classics like "Midnight Train to Georgia," "If I Were Your Woman" and "Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me," the underappreciated Knight has a top-shelf repertoire of pop-soul. (8 p.m. Fri., Mystic Lake Casino, $55-$69.) Jon Bream
This week's edition of MPR's "Wits" pairs Grammy-winning songwriter Dan Wilson -- who penned "Someone Like You" for Adele, "Home" for Dierks Bentley and "Not Ready to Make Nice" for the Dixie Chicks -- with veteran comic actor Fred Willard, who has shown he knows his way around music in such films as "This Is Spinal Tap" and "A Mighty Wind." Reuniting Wilson with "Wits" music director John Munson, his bandmate in Semisonic and Trip Shakespeare, should also make for good times. (8 p.m. Fri., Fitzgerald Theater, $32. SOLD OUT.) Bream
New York-bred boy/girl duo School of Seven Bells just dropped a 7-inch cover of Siouxsie & the Banshees' classic "Kiss Them for Me" for Record Store Day, which was a perfect reflection of their ethereal but not overly electronic synth-pop. They also found a great match in current tour partners Exitmusic, another coed duo from New York with a similarly moody sound but more dramatic, Florence Welch-like vocals. The newcomers played a powerful live set at South by Southwest and will release their debut, "Passage," May 22. (9 p.m. Fri., Triple Rock. $15.) Chris Riemenschneider
Veteran New York singer/songwriter Freedy Johnston is best known for his mid-'90s alt-pop hit "Bad Reputation" but he's earning a good reputation touring with Twin Cities singer/songwriters Kevin Bowe and Alison Scott. Johnston teamed up with some other pals, Susan Cowsill and Jon Dee Graham, for a new trio album, "At Least We Have Each Other." (9 p.m. Fri., Amsterdam, $10.) Bream
Twin Cities rocker Brian Cristofono flirted with rock stardom in the late '90s and early '00s with the Drive, which briefly blew up in Europe. He's back with a solo album that still sounds rock-starry and 15 years ago, a polished Brit-poppy set that (no slam) aimed more at listeners of K-Twin FM than 89.3 the Current. It features Michael Bland on drums and Drive bassist Jeff Ringate, a survivor of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse. Cristofono is hosting a dual release party with Modern Day Ruin. Control Theory opens. (9 p.m. Sat., Fine Line. $6.) Riemenschneider
Between its Westerbergian/Big Starry power pop, wry and witty storytelling and sheer stick-to-it-iveness, Fountains of Wayne has found a permanent place in the hearts of Twin Cities music lovers. The New Jersey band is still best known from the MTV hit "Stacy's Mom" and the soundtrack to the Tom Hanks film "That Thing You Do," but its new album, "Sky Full of Holes," is a solid reminder of how masterful co-leaders Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood are at their craft. Fellow Jersey native Nicole Atkins opens. (8 p.m. Sat., Varsity Theater. $22-$25.) Riemenschneider
Still in great voice and good humor at 71, Judy Collins' recent Dakota Jazz Club shows have been big treats. Now the folk-pop hitmaker of "Both Sides Now," "Send in the Clowns" and "Amazing Grace" (and the inspiration for "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes") bumps up to the larger but still comfy and intimate Guthrie Theater. She may tell fewer stories in the bigger room, but you'll still get chills from her blessed clarion voice. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Guthrie Theater, $40.) Tom Surowicz