The Big Gigs for week of 1/6

HIP-HOP

Detroit rapper Royce da 5'9" is back out on his own, following his tepidly received "Bad Meets Evil" record with nemesis-turned-cohort Eminem and a much more exciting turn at the Soundset fest with the all-star crew Slaughterhouse. His new album, "Success Is Certain," shows he's still a wicked and wizardly (if weird) wordsmith. Houston rapper Young Tyson opens, along with Money Mouse Trap and Ancoremen. (9 p.m. Fri., Cabooze. $20-$25.) Chris Riemenschneider

One of the more inconsistent acts in hip-hop (but also one of the greatest), the Wu-Tang Clan is coming to Epic the same week it did last year. Unlike last year, co-founder/mastermind RZA is reportedly making the gigs this time around, along with all the living originals: GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa and Cappadonna. Of course, you still never know if they'll all be there. The Staten Island, N.Y.-bred all-star collective is amping up for a busy 2012, with an all-crew record supposedly in the works, along with Method Man's alleged farewell record, GZA's heavily anticipated "Liquid Swords 2," a Raekwon mix tape titled "Unexpected Victory" and maybe a Grammy win or two for RZA off his Kanye West collaborations. Locals Heatbox, DJ AppleJews and DJ Kor also perform. (11 p.m. Sat., Epic, 18 & older, $30-$35.) Riemenschneider

POP/ROCK

A homecoming celebration for Buffalo Moon, whose members have been on extended stay in singer Karen Freire's native Ecuador, Friday's Entry show also could serve as a primer on some of the more buzzing young genre-blurring bands in town at the moment. Joining the freaky bossa-nova ensemble are psychedelic twang-funk trio Night Moves -- newly signed to Domino Records -- and the blogger-buoyed electronic dance duo Elite Gymnastics. Sleeping in the Aviary frontman Elliott Kozel also performs with his own trashy electronic project, Tickle Torture. (9 p.m. Fri., 7th Street Entry. $5.) Riemenschneider

The garage rock blast of the week is a three-band bill headlined by Gary Burger, lead guitarist and singer of that crazed 1960s band of American G.I.'s stationed in Germany -- legendary cult faves the Monks. When not rocking out or producing sessions at his studio, Burger is busy being the mayor of Turtle River, Minn. He'll be backed by a reunited version of what was the once the Twin Cities' premier garage combo, the Spectors (minus frontman Chris Knott, now a new dad and living in D.C.). Also on the bill is a keyboard-less new lineup of another seldom-seen act, the Conquerors. And the non-hits will just keep on comin' with the Floorshakers. Keith Patterson may need an oxygen tank by night's end -- he's in all three groups. (10 p.m. Fri., 331 Club. No cover.) Tom Surowicz

Despite following the standard format set by the Band's original 1978 farewell concert film, "Big Pink: Tribute to the Last Waltz" remains fresh in its seventh year thanks to its rotating cast of dozens. The house Band features veteran players Jon Herchert, Dave Russ, Chad Whittaker, Pete Sands and Robert Hilstrom. Guests include Dan Israel as Dylan, Paul Metsa as Clapton, Pat Hayes of Lamont Cranston as Paul Butterfield, Ashleigh Still as Joni Mitchell, Terry Walsh as Van Morrison and others standing in for the Staple Singers, Emmylou Harris, Muddy Waters and the Neils (Diamond and Young). Walsh's Belfast Cowboys open the show. (9:30 p.m. Sat., Cabooze. $12.) Riemenschneider

About as close as it gets to remembering the West Bank Music scene of old, blues/folk veterans Spider John Koerner and Tony Glover -- who recorded for Elektra in the '60s and influenced the likes of the Doors and Bonnie Raitt as Koerner, Ray & Glover -- are settling in for another winter residency at one of their old haunts. Unlike the old days, the shows start relatively early. They're booked every Wednesday through February, with Local Thief opening next week. (8 p.m. Wed., 400 Bar, 8 p.m., $5.) Riemenschneider

After a stint singing and playing piano on tour with the Roger Hodgson-less Supertramp, Florida-bred, Cities 97-brand singer/songwriter Gabe Dixon issued another solo album, "One Spark." Among the record's participants are duet partner Alison Krauss and Dixon's longtime Minneapolitan collaborator Dan Wilson, recently seen with Dixon on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" singing another song they wrote together, "My Favorite." Opener Lelia Broussard is a Louisiana songwriter who was a finalist in the recent Rolling Stone cover contest. (7:30 p.m. Thu., 400 Bar. $10.) Riemenschneider

BLUES/ROOTS

Though he's never gotten close to star status, Mississippi native Johnny Rawls has had a long and fruitful career in blues and soul music, working with O.V. Wright, Little Johnny Taylor, Z.Z. Hill and Joe Tex in his younger days, then recording roughly a dozen of his own CDs and producing lots more albums for other artists. A fine live entertainer, Rawls sings and plays lead guitar onstage, but he handles virtually everything in the studio, from keyboards to horn arranging. (9 p.m. Fri., Minnesota Music Cafe, $8.) Surowicz

With 25 CDs in its catalog, House of Mercy Recordings has proven to be a good springboard for such local artists as Charlie Parr, Molly Maher and Jon Rodine. Now the label is starting a monthly "First Friday Showcase" to spotlight lesser-known acts, friends of the label and potential future artists. The kickoff concert features two crafty fiddle players -- Catie Jo Pidel and Chris Becknell -- plus Michael Morris, leader of the Northfield Band Dewi Sant. (7 p.m. Fri., Ginkgo Coffeehouse. No cover.) Surowicz

JAZZ

For her first club gig of 2012, pianist/composer Laura Caviani is going the highbrow, longhair route, presenting a program dubbed "From Bach to Bop." Along with jazz classics by Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver and Mary Lou Williams, expect European classics (Bach, Chopin, Debussy) given a swingin' makeover with the rhythm team of bassist Chris Bates and drummer Phil Hey. (9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Artists' Quarter, $10.) Surowicz

WORLD

For its annual West Bank concert, Dan Newton's Cafe Accordion Orchestra is joined by two special guests: super-singer Diane Jarvi and clarinet wizard Tony Balluff of the Southside Aces. The theme is a timely one -- "Midnight in Paris" -- and since Woody Allen is a respectable jazz clarinetist himself, Balluff seems a perfect addition to the CAO roster. (8 p.m. Sat., Cedar Cultural Center, $12-$15.) Surowicz

CLASSICAL

Care for a bit of Bach (or perhaps Boccherini) with your bok choy? The enterprising Baroque Room is launching Market Music, a series of free, hourlong, early music-centered concerts, open rehearsals and similarly savory events coordinated with the operations of its near neighbor, the St. Paul Farmer's Market. The music begins at noon on "almost every Saturday" from Jan. 7 through June 30; this Saturday, the menu includes Bach and jazz with the Bach Society of Minnesota. Future dates include harpsichordist Jacques Ogg (Jan. 28), recorder whiz Clea Galhano (Feb. 11) and the women of Ladyslipper (Feb. 18). Eat local! Listen local! (275 E. 4th St., Suite 280, St. Paul. 651-705-6772 or www.thebaroqueroom.com.) Larry Fuchsberg

The Minnesota Orchestra's weeklong Composer Institute, now in its 11th year, is a professional training program, directed by Pulitzer winner Aaron Kernis, that plumbs the mysteries of writing for a large orchestra -- a gold mine for practitioners, a bit technical for the rest of us. But "Future Classics," the Osmo Vänskä-led public concert that caps the institute, is another matter. It's an annual sampler of what composers about to fly the nest are cooking up, a chance to eavesdrop on tomorrow's music today. This year's program boasts three world premieres; the composer cohort includes natives of China, Portugal and Sweden as well as St. Paul's Michael Holloway. Worth the journey, as the guidebooks say. (8 p.m. Fri., Orchestra Hall. $12-$40.) Fuchsberg