The Big Gigs for the week of 5/13

COUNTRY

When you think of Tim McGraw, you have to think of movies (he played the husband in both "The Blind Side" and "Country Strong") as well as country music. He has a jukebox full of female-friendly hits -- why do you think Faith Hill married him? -- as well as enough rockin' guitars and Southern-styled machismo to hook the guys. McGraw has completed his next album, "Emotional Traffic," but he's waiting for Curb Records to set a release date for the disc, which would be his last under his current contract. Opening are the last two winners of best new artist at the Academy of Country Music Awards -- the Band Perry, whose "If I Die Young" was one of the best country singles of 2010, and Luke Bryan of "All My Friends Say" fame. (7 p.m. Sat., Xcel Energy Center, $29.75-$74.75.) Bream

POP/ROCK

Ric Ocasek, producer of Weezer, Bad Brains and No Doubt and sometime solo artist, was thinking of making another one-man-band album. Instead, he decided to invite his old bandmates to join him, and it turned into a full-fledged Cars reunion, the first collaboration by the four surviving members since 1987. (The other members test-drove the disastrous New Cars in 2005 with Todd Rundgren on lead vocals.) "Move Like This," released Tuesday, sounds like vintage Cars with its guitar/synth tension and Ocasek's robotic vocals, but it also feels contemporary in its leanness and oblique social commentaries. The late bassist/co-lead singer Ben Orr was not replaced; keyboardist Greg Hawkes added bass duties. Not sure who will be singing "Drive" and Orr's other oldies, but Ocasek will be in the driver's seat and, on the new album, he does an Orr-evoking ballad, "Soon." (8 p.m. Tue., First Avenue, $49.75.) Bream

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings have proven that they can deliver their fresh and funky vintage R&B in any setting -- the State Fair, First Avenue, Rock the Garden, you name it. Now the female James Brown and her Brooklyn band will tear it up in a theater with no dance floor. Don't miss opener Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, a group of twentysomething Texans who perform gritty, invigorating R&B/blues with a 1970s vibe. A highly recommended double bill. (7:30 p.m. Tue., State Theatre, $28.) Bream

It's hard to believe that Chicago, founded in 1967, has never broken up or even taken a hiatus. To be sure, there have been changes. Keyboardist/singer Robert Lamm and horn players James Pankow, Lee Loughnane and Walter Parazaider remain from the original lineup; bassist Jason Sheff has been on lead vocals since 1985. A new album ("Chicago XXXIII," presumably) is in the works, with producer Phil Ramone. (8 p.m. Fri., Mystic Lake. Sold out.) Jon Bream

Rock scholar Robert Palmer contended that genre classifications are for the convenience of fans, not artists. Brooklyn-based duo the Fiery Furnaces is a testament to that; the arty brother/sister team has been breaking indie norms since they formed in 2000. The Friedberger siblings are as prolific as they are experimental, with brother Matt aiming to release eight solo records this year in addition to a new Furnaces offering. (7 p.m. Fri., Cedar Cultural Center, $15. All ages.) Jay Boller

Criminally underrated vocalist Raul Malo has finally made a disc that showcases his considerable talents. Last year's "Sinners & Saints" -- his sixth solo effort since his swell country combo the Mavericks disbanded -- features Latin, Tex-Mex, roots, rockabilly, surf guitars and country/pop as well as a deeply spiritual cover of Rodney Crowell's "'Til I Gain Control Again." No need anymore to compare Malo to Roy Orbison. He's in a class by himself. (8 p.m. Sat., Dakota Jazz Club, $35.) Bream

Local trio Brute Heart constructs moody, complex soundscapes via a cocktail of interplaying strings, piano and cryptic vocals. There are chamber pop tinges and even some Romany influence at play. The all-female band drummed up considerable attention with its 2009 debut, "Brass Beads." Now it celebrates its much-anticipated follow-up, "Lonely Hunter." (9 p.m. Sat., Turf Club, $6.) Boller

Getting a jump on the hipster block-party season -- hopefully with a boost from Mother Nature -- the third annual Lyn Lake Street Fest sets the bar high with two stages of proven local favorites, including hip-hop band the Heiruspecs, hard-touring indie-folk duo Peter Wolf Crier, jazz/hip-hop innovators Black Blondie and songwriter Haley Bonar, who's hitting the road behind her spirited fourth album, "Golder." There are also some newer buzz bands with lively live sets, including psychedelic electro-rockers Phantom Tails, gas-masked guitar guru Hastings 3000 and kid-friendly party starters Koo Koo Kanga Roo. The event also features the Blaisdell YMCA's Rides of Spring and excellent street food. (Noon-7 p.m. Sun., Lyndale Av. between Lake & 28th Sts., Mpls. Free. LynLakeStreetFestival.com) Riemenschneider

If the words "post-dubstep" mean anything to you, then a) you read way too many music blogs, and b) James Blake probably needs no introduction. The 22-year-old London wunderkind crafts a weepy, wavy, Auto-Tuned brand of electronic soft-rock that sounds a lot like Gayngs without any of the fun. Still, it earned his self-titled debut album a big U.K. buzz and a salivating 9.0 rating from Pitchfork.com, and his local debut was a nearly immediate sellout. If it's anything like his performance in a church during South by Southwest, a) the hoodie stays on, and b) fans lucky enough to get a seat risk falling asleep. (9 p.m. Mon., 7th Street Entry. Sold out.) Riemenschneider

Rock Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn works solo these days, but the voice of the Byrds always brings his unmistakable Rickenbacker guitar to deliver goosebump-raising versions of "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Eight Miles High." Maybe he'll tell a story or two about his days with Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue, the Chad Mitchell Trio, Bobby Darin or even the Byrds. (7 p.m. Tue., Hopkins Center for the Arts, $32.) Bream

Former Afghan Whigs singer Greg Dulli continues to howl like a madman while mixing things up like a mad scientist in his main solo vehicle, the Twilight Singers. The moody and soul-punk ensemble's latest album, "Dynamite Steps," features cool electronic flourishes and guests such as Ani DiFranco and Petra Haden. Margot & the Nuclear So-and-So's open. (8 p.m. Wed., Varsity Theater. 18 & older. $15-$18.) Riemenschneider

After blessing the Twin Cities with solo gigs at the Dakota this winter, Americana queen Lucinda Williams swings through Rochester with three sidemen. She'll no doubt offer a good helping of her splendid new album "Blessed," which featured Elvis Costello on guitar. His parts will be played on tour by Val McCallum, who regularly gigs in Los Angeles with the guys in Costello's own touring band. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Mayo Civic Center, Presentation Hall. $38-$40.) Bream

While its own music is loaded with full-tilt grooves, CSS always seems to bring a cavalcade of fun dance-rock acts along on tour. After finishing a record due in August, the Brazilian quintet -- which broke stateside via an iPod commercial -- has hit the road with another beat-bursting coed act, Brooklyn duo Sleigh Bells. Singer Alexis Krauss has sex-kitten appeal but a roaring presence, and she and partner Derek Miller can spark riots on stage. Also performing is Tex-Mex freakout act Neon Indian, who recently collaborated with the Flaming Lips on an EP, and Los Angeles duo Princeton. (6:30 p.m. Thu., First Avenue. Sold out.) Riemenschneider

HIP-HOP Los Angeles rapper Aceyalone might be more widely respected among fellow underground hip-hop performers than he is widely known by audiences. Over 15 years, he has launched several noteworthy acts, including the Project Blowed collective and A-Team (both with his Rhymesayers cohort Abstract Rude). He's also part of the Freestyle Fellowship, which has a new CD landing this summer. He's playing two nights here with local favorites Kanser, playing their first gig of the year after focusing on their live band More Than Lights. (10 p.m. Mon & 8 p.m. Tue., Cause. $7.) Riemenschneider

BLUES Jazzy blues-harp virtuoso Sugar Blue, who famously blasted out the big solo on the Rolling Stones' smash hit "Miss You," took his stage name from a Sidney Bechet song. One could argue that his harmonica has the same kind of verve and power that Bechet's soprano saxophone displayed way back when. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Wilebski's.) Tom Surowicz

One of the rare modern bluesmen who sing even better than they play guitar, Robert Cray was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis this month. His latest release is a live CD/DVD, "Cookin' in Mobile," featuring new takes of his biggest hits, "Smoking Gun" and "Right Next Door." (7:30 p.m. Thu., Pantages Theatre, $35-$45.) Surowicz

JAZZ Trumpeter John Raymond, a Twin Citian who moved to New York City in 2009, returns with the latest edition of his John Raymond Project to play two shows -- one in Minneapolis, one in St. Paul. Currently in grad school and scheduled to record a CD in June produced by the mighty Jon Faddis (one of his trumpet profs), Raymond is bringing a young band of NYC up-and-comers: tenor saxophonist (and co-leader) Adam Larson, bassist Raviv Markowitz and talented German-born brothers Nils and Bastian Weinhold on guitar and drums. (11 p.m. Sat., Dakota $5. 9 p.m. Sun., Artists' Quarter, $10.) Surowicz

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet features bassist, trombonist and award-winning composer Chris Brubeck and his dynamic drumming sibling Dan. Both have worked with their legendary dad Dave, and Chris is also former leader of the band the Dolphins. The quartet features another Dolphins vet, guitarist Mike DeMicco, who's shown his versatility playing with Levon Helm, Rory Block and Gary Peacock. Rounding out the group is keyboardist Chuck Lamb. All told, it's a very nice modern jazz combo, swinging sometimes in odd meters. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Hopkins Center for the Arts, $12-$24.) Surowicz