The Big Gigs: Live music options for June 1-7

POP/ROCK

Meet the new Shins, relatively the same as the old Shins. After his side venture with Danger Mouse in the more kaleidoscopic Broken Bells, singer/guitarist James Mercer put together a new lineup of his Portland, Ore.-based band, featuring Modest Mouse drummer Joe Plummer. The band's last album, 2007's "Wincing the Night Away," was mostly a solo effort by Mercer anyway. The long-awaited new record, "Port of Morrow," and buoyant single "Simple Song" sound pretty much like classic Shins, they of "Garden State" soundtrack fame and the indie-essential 2003 album "Chutes Too Narrow." All that's left for Mercer to prove is that he can loosen up and jell with his new bandmates onstage, which seemed quite a far-off goal at a tepid South by Southwest showcase in March. Dramatic New York trio the Antlers open. (8 p.m. Fri., Orpheum Theatre. $35-$38.) Chris Riemenschneider

If you're looking for a local and/or weekend alternative to next week's Deer Tick show, check out the album-release party by Get Gone. The rowdy bar-rock quartet, led by singer/guitarist John Swardson (brother of comedian/actor Nick), has been kicking around the scene for several years. In that time, they fine-tuned their wild and raw twang-rock sound into a more refined -- but still pretty damn wild -- blast of fuzz and ferocity on the debut record "Dogs in the Woods." Expect X-like punk-rock steam and Crazy Horse-style boiling points from Swardson's crew. That's if they're still standing following the PBR beer specials and opening sets by Poverty Hash and the Evening Rig. (9 p.m. Fri., 7th Street Entry. $7.) Riemenschneider

High-voiced rock legend Jon Anderson has had a remarkable career in popular music, and not just with the million-selling band, Yes, where he was frontman, lyricist, "team captain" and the driving force -- for better and worse -- behind their various sprawling concept albums. Outside of Yes, Anderson has worked with King Crimson, Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, Kitaro, Mike Oldfield, Iron Butterfly (!), Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and Dream Theater. Plus he's recorded lots of solo albums, appeared on sundry soundtracks and got sampled on a 2010 smash release by Kanye West. Heck, Anderson's Wikipedia entry reads like a small book. All of which suggests that the "Roundabout" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart" hitmaker will have plenty to reminisce about between songs at this week's solo acoustic show. (7 p.m. Fri., Dakota Jazz Club, $40-$50.) Tom Surowicz

In his singer/songwriter guise, Paul Cebar did a nifty job opening for Nick Lowe, solo, at First Avenue. Now Milwaukee's finest is back with his funky, percussion-driven band Tomorrow Sound, making his debut appearance at a St. Paul venue that would seem to be a good, dancer-friendly fit. The Swamp Kings open. (9 p.m. Fri., Minnesota Music Cafe, $10.) Surowicz

As with most Music in the Zoo shows, the price for this year's kickoff gig with Feist is a bit hefty but could be worth it on a gorgeous night, and with a playful performer like Ms. Leslie Feist. She's touring behind her sleepier but alluring recent album "Metals" with a touring band that includes St. Paul native Alex Sauser-Monnig of the band Mountain Man for a backup singer. Rhode Island openers the Low Anthem are a lovely folk-rock ensemble definitely worthy of a prompt arrival. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Minnesota Zoo, $47.) Riemenschneider

Langhorne Slim takes his stage name from his Pennsylvania hometown. Based in Brooklyn since 2004, he has played the right festivals (Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits), opened for the right acts (Avett Brothers, Lucero, Drive-by Truckers) and next week will release the right album. "The Way We Move," his eighth studio effort, is lo-fi indie folk-rock with a soulful undertone, a sentimental streak and blazingly passionate vocals. Highlights include the Dylanesque "Salvation," the raw, bluegrassy Buddy Holly-evoking "Great Divide" and the punkish "Two Crooked Hearts." If you miss the Violent Femmes, check out Langhorne Slim & the Law. (8 p.m. Sat., Triple Rock, $12.) Jon Bream

A bigger-than-your-average block party, St. Paul's Grand Old Day is one of those summer events that cater to both family-fun seekers and day drinkers, with six beer-friendly stages. Dixie on Grand's boasts the brightest bill, led by dance-rock fixtures Solid Gold (4 p.m.) and pop-punks the Soviettes (3 p.m.), with Charlie Parr (12:15 p.m.) and ballistic rockers the Blind Shake (2 p.m.) kicking things off. Headlining the other stages are Tim Sigler, Boogie Wonderland, Rocket Club, Hookers and Blow and SarahLou. (Noon-5 p.m. Sun., Grand Avenue, St. Paul. www.grandave.com.) Michael Rietmulder

Jonathan Richman packed the house at his last Twin Cities appearance at the Triple Rock. Now the prolific manchild songwriter from the Modern Lovers and "There's Something About Mary" moves down the street to the Cedar Cultural Center. Tommy Larkins accompanies the odd charmer on drums, while ska band the Prizefighters open. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Cedar Cultural Center, $15.) Surowicz

Al Stewart was well connected before he ever became famous: He shared a London apartment with Paul Simon (who produced Stewart's debut disc), knew Yoko Ono before John Lennon did and performed at the first Glastonbury Festival in 1970. The Scottish singer/songwriter didn't make a name for himself in the States, however, until the mid-'70s when he scored with "Year of the Cat" and "Time Passages." He still records, tours and even played the 40th anniversary of Glastonbury in 2010. (7 p.m. Mon. & Wed., Dakota Jazz Club, $30.) Bream

Two mainstays of Chicago alt-country/cow-punk label Bloodshot Records, Scott H. Biram and Lydia Loveless, are calling their co-headlining trek the Bad Machine Tour despite making a good pair. Biram is a hard-rocking, harder-drinking Twin Cities regular from Austin, Texas, who's raised more hell here than the Occupy movement. Loveless is an Ohioan with a big, Neko/Patsy-like voice and mean-sounding band that belies her adorable petiteness. (9 p.m. Tue., 400 Bar. $10-$15.) Riemenschneider

Vocalist extraordinaire Rachelle Ferrell is an organic, in-the-moment performer who loves to improvise and just let the song grow and the music flow. She has a magnificent vocal instrument. In one phrase, she can soar like Minnie Riperton and then get down like Larry Graham. She gets jazzy, churchy, funky, ballad-y, soulful, scat-crazy -- you name it. (7 & 9 p.m. Thu.-next Fri., Dakota, $35-$45.) Bream

HIP-HOP

Another month, another Epic concert with an ex-con rapper. DMX finally appears to have come out the other end of a long, dark tunnel of legal problems, though. The real-life Earl Simmons, 41, is about to drop his first album in six years, "Undisputed," and has reportedly made Jesus a big part of his life. Online clips show he's still an edgy and raunchy performer, though, and the unmistakable gravelly voice that fueled "Party Up (Up in Here)" sounds as hard-hitting as ever. Local openers include Tank, Severe and TC Mac. (10 p.m. Sat., Epic. 18 & older. $25.) Riemenschneider

ELECTRONIC

Two major dance shows are landing at Epic in one week, both with Dutchmen, but one's an old vet and the other is a hot newcomer. The first is the return of Arman van Buuren, the Dutch trance guru who was voted No. 1 in DJ magazine four years running 2007-10. He's stopping here on his way to Las Vegas' Electric Daisy Carnival, and then it's on to his Ibiza residency. (9 p.m. Fri., Epic, $35.) Then comes Afrojack, aka house and hip-hop producer Nick van de Wall, who charted with his own single with Eva Simons, "Take Over Control," and was also behind the Pitbull/Ne-Yo hit "Give Me Everything." Oh, and here's an alert for our gossip columnist, CJ: He's also Paris Hilton's latest beau. (9 p.m., $35.) Riemenschneider

JAZZ

WORLD

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars bring another welcome dose of uplifting Afro-reggae and percolating groove music. Their new CD, "Radio Salone," was recorded in Brooklyn, though you'd never guess it from the aural evidence, ably produced by Victor Axelrod, better known as Ticklah, of Sharon Jones and Amy Winehouse renown. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Cedar Cultural Center, $25-$28.) Surowicz

BLUES/R&B

It's rare these days to catch a gig by the complete Butanes Soul Revue, with Maurice Jacox wailing out front, Virgil Nelson pumping a B-3 organ, Robb Stupka riding herd on the beat, plus those fine female backup singers who occasionally get their turn in the spotlight. Let's not forget the killer horn section, which will have terrific Wisconsin jazz sax powerhouse Sue Orfield in its ranks for this weekend's highly anticipated show. Curt Obeda's top-notch 10-piece band has backed many soul legends and they do just fine on their own, too. (9 p.m. Sat., Minnesota Music Cafe, $10.) Surowicz

The best no-cover gig of the week features crowd-pleasing young Texas blues and funk guitar hero Hamilton Loomis, whose versatile and mighty tight band co-stars salty sax man and keyboardist Stratton Doyle. Loomis recently returned from a tour of Europe, so he'll probably crave some all-American ribs -- after all, his label is Ham-Bone Records. (8 p.m. Sun., Famous Dave's Uptown, no cover.) Surowicz

CHORAL