The Big Gigs for week of Oct. 26

POP/ROCK Irish trio The Script wasn't happy in the adult pop world. So on "#3," the group's third album, the lads incorporated hip-hop, enlisted will.i.am as a guest and aimed for the territory occupied by Maroon 5 and OneRepublic. Hip-hop-charged tunes like "No Words" are lightweight, the Jason Mraz-evoking "Millionaires" is bland Top 40 and the will.i.am-boosted single "Hall of Fame" is bubblegum hip-pop. The Script had a more convincing formula on its first two albums. Opening is San Diego singer/songwriter Tristan Prettyman, whose just-released "Cedar + Gold" is a splendidly crafted breakup album, no doubt inspired by her split from ex-fiancé Mraz. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Orpheum Theatre, $38.50.) Jon Bream

After a seven-year break, the Wallflowers are back with the groove-heavy "Glad All Over." The album is propelled by the new single "Reboot the Mission," in which frontman Jakob Dylan not only name-checks his bandmates but also the Clash, whose guitarist, Mick Jones, sings and plays on the "Sandinista"-evoking, dance-happy ditty. For an interview see startribune.com/music. (7 p.m. Sat., First Avenue, $30.) Bream

British transplant Katy Vernon has been charming audiences in her adopted Twin Cities for more than a decade, but the mother of two is just now releasing her first album. "Before I Forget" showcases her willowy siren voice and ukulele-plucked, autumnal back-porch folk songs. Her party will feature a cast of local songwriters, including Dan Israel, the Mad Ripple, Jillian Rae and Matt Arthur. Vernon also has a new band to show off, featuring another British expat, Simon Husbands, of the top 40-cracking group Blue Train. (8 p.m. Sat., Palace Stage at Wild Tymes, 33 W. 7th St., St. Paul. Free.) Chris Riemenschneider

When Jackson Browne works acoustic, anything is likely to happen. This time, the Rock Hall of Famer is not working solo; he'll be backed by guitarist Val McCallum and percussionist Fritz Lewak. Don't be surprised if there are a few pointed political messages along with sensitive songs such as "The Pretender" and "For a Dancer." Opener Sara Watkins, the Garrison Keillor favorite who used to be in Nickel Creek, will promote her second solo album, "Sun Midnight Sun," and likely collaborate with Browne. (7 p.m. Sun., State Theatre, $54.50-$105.) Bream

Twin Cities fans will be treated to what looks like the most intimate show on the Afghan Whigs' first tour in 13 years, which has earned rave reviews. Seeds for the reunion were actually planted at their local venue of choice, the Varsity, since singer Greg Dulli and Minneapolis-based guitarist Rick McCollum got together there on stage a few years back during a gig by Dulli's post-Whigs group the Twilight Singers. Their Cincinnati-bred band doused the grunge era with heavy doses of dark soul music via such classic albums as "Gentlemen" and "Up in It," and they always blew audiences' wigs off live. (8 p.m. Sun., Varsity Theater. Sold out.) Riemenschneider

A year after it first tore through town, Off! is back with a walloping debut album. The California punk vets are led by former Circle Jerks singer and onetime Black Flag howler Keith Morris with members of Redd Kross, Burning Brides and Rocket From the Crypt. Their eponymous record wham-bams you with 17 explosive songs that race by in 25 exhilarating minutes. You might get home in time to watch the news. (8 p.m. Sun., Station 4, St. Paul. $16-$18.) Riemenschneider

He's often credited with forging the template of indie-rock. He's a pertinacious and prickly contrarian. He's Morrissey, and if you count yourself among his famously rabid fans, you already know about this gig. Local Moz devotees should also count themselves lucky, as the former Smiths frontman postponed four previous dates because of his mother's illness. The melancholy Manchurian is still touring in support of his 2009 solo album, "Years of Refusal," one of his strongest. Glam-rocker Kristeen Young opens. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Orpheum, $39.50-$75.) Jay Boller

Last month for the first time, Red Hot Chili Peppers played Israel, birthplace of their original guitarist, Hillel Slovak. Since he OD'd in 1988, the guitar slot has been a bit of a revolving door, with Josh Klinghoffer signing on in 2009 to replace the essential John Frusciante. Klinghoffer participated when the Chili Peppers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, making him the hall's youngest inductee at 32. The tour is showcasing material from last year's solid "I'm With You," Klinghoffer's first recording effort with the band that is almost as old as he is. Thundercat opens. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Target Center, $39.50-$59.50.) Bream

Cat Power's latest album, "Sun," is her most successful yet. Adorned with peppy, turned-on and spirited tracks, it would seem to reflect a born-again disposition for songstress Chan Marshall, though recent reports of erratic concerts may indicate otherwise. Still, she's an emotively driven and soulful singer/songwriter with a razor blade attitude. (9 p.m. Tue., Mill City Nights, 18 & older, $34.50-$40.) Cindal Lee Heart

Here's former Oasis bandmate Liam Gallagher reacting via Twitter to his brother's current double-bill tour: "snore patrol, Noel Gallagher's high flying smurfs, who said rock n roll is dead." He has a point. Irish/Scottish quintet Snow Patrol has traded in the soft-rockin' sonic equivalent of a Nyquil-marinated slab of turkey for almost 20 years. The band added looped dance beats to "Fallen Empires," their 2011 LP; critics weren't impressed. Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds took flight last year, two years after Oasis split, with an eponymous debut that found favor for its "Morning Glory"-era Oasis sensibilities. (7:30 p.m., Roy Wilkins Auditorium, $46.75.) Boller

Father John Misty is the nom de plume of Josh Tillman, folk singer/songwriter and former Fleet Foxes drummer. An existential road trip resulted in the weird and stunning concept album "Fear Fun," released in May. The LP retains Tillman's signature vocal and lyrical beauty and compelling percussive heartbeats, but invokes them to tell id-fueled stories about charismatic cowboys, mischievous monkeys and hedonistic humans. Haunting, witty, goofy and gorgeous. (8:30 p.m. Wed., Fine Line, 18 & older, $15.) Kat Kluegel

When the adorkable queen of twee divorces a famously melancholy songwriter, you'd expect a suicidal-sounding album. But on his solo debut "Former Lives," post-Zooey Benjamin Gibbard hardly sounds crestfallen (never mind song titles such as "Teardrop Windows" and "Oh, Woe"). Instead, "Lives" finds the Death Cab for Cutie leader unevenly navigating a cappella, mariachi and country songs. But most of the humdrum tracks default to his tuneful indie-pop core. Advance Base opens. (7 p.m. Thu., Woman's Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove St., all ages, $32.50.) Boller

On tour with Denver's Flobots, local transplant rapper Astronautalis checks in with a hometown Halloween show before bolting for Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas. The Flobots are riding their third, politically charged album, "The Circle in the Square." Its chamber-rock/rap canvas is appropriately organic for tracks tackling the Occupy movement and the Arab Spring, but it feels a tad dated. The Level Heads open. (9 p.m. Wed., Cabooze, 18 & older, $13-$15.) Rietmulder

JAZZThe most remarkable bar gig of the month is a two-night stand by composing and arranging great Maria Schneider and her unbeatable 17-piece orchestra, which is loaded with wonderful players -- trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and pianist Frank Kimbrough, to name two. Schneider is the pride of Windom, Minn., and the University of Minnesota (which just awarded her an honorary doctorate), and her writing skills have won her a bushel of awards, including two Grammys. See Monday's Variety section for an interview. (7 & 9 p.m. Tue.-Wed., Dakota Jazz Club, $40-$60.) Tom Surowicz

ROOTSDave Malone was a Radiator for 33 years. Tommy Malone remains an occasional Subdude. But these days the New Orleans pair is mostly the Malone Brothers, spearheading a quartet that also features Ray Ganucheau (ex-Continental Drifters) on bass and young drummer Erik Golson. The combo has a cool song dedicated to a Crescent City hero: "King Earl," which references several cult hits by the late Earl King. (7 p.m. Sun., Dakota Jazz Club, $35.) Surowicz

Jorma Kaukonen is a rock 'n' roll legend thanks to his days with the Jefferson Airplane, a modern blues mainstay thanks to Hot Tuna, and one of the nation's best-known roots-music guitar mentors thanks to 23 years of workshops and concerts at his Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio. He's back on the road with regular sidekick Barry Mitterhoff, a mandolinist and fellow Fur Peace Rancher, in tow. (7 p.m. Thu., Dakota Jazz Club, $40.) Surowicz

WORLDTogether for an amazing 43 years, resplendent reggae singing legends the Mighty Diamonds had to cancel a show in March because of visa issues. Let's hope the immigration authorities realize that it's the "Right Time" to "Have Mercy" and allow these "Deeper Roots" masters to serenade their landlocked Minnesota fans. There's "Respect Due." (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cedar Cultural Center, $20-$25.) Surowicz