The Big Gigs: Our critics' music picks

POP/ROCK After all these years, maybe we've taken Tina Schlieske for granted. Not only can she out-rock just about any woman -- or man -- in town, but she's a terrific entertainer. Never is that more evident than when she does her tribute to Elvis Presley -- scarves, Bono-worthy sunglasses and all. She'll be backed by Trailer Trash, a collection of Twin Cities pickers that has all the unbreakable camaraderie of Elvis' entourage. (9:45 p.m. Sat., Cabooze, $10.) (J.B.)

You can dig Yonder Mountain String Band for its bluegrass virtuosity. Or you can appreciate the band from Boulder, Colo., for its imaginative, mandolin- and banjo-flavored interpretations of such diverse fare as the Beatles' "Come Together," Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" and "Jesus on the Mainline." In any case, Yonder promises good times. (7:30 p.m. Sat.. Minnesota Zoo. $27.) (J.B.)

Priscilla Ahn, a 25-year-old L.A. singer/songwriter, may be best known for a duet on Jason Mraz's latest hit album. But her song "Dream" was heard on "Grey's Anatomy" and on her own CD, "A Good Day," which shows an abundance of quiet strength. She also does a touching treatment of Willie Nelson's "Opportunity to Cry." (7 p.m. Sat., Bunkers, $12-$15. ) (J.B.)

Slobberbone is playing only seven cities on a brief, why-not reunion tour this month, and it's no surprise that Minneapolis is one. The wild-styled, Dallas-bred country-rockers played many memorable, arduous, alcoholic shows at the 400 Bar during their decade-long run, and their affinity for the Replacements and Soul Asylum was always as audible as their dueling guitars. Three-fifths of the band has graduated to a wee bit more sophisticated and stylized twang-rock with the Drams, but they're more than welcome to relive their past for a bit. Sweeter Tennessee alt-country outfit Glossary opens. (9 p.m. Sat., 400 Bar. 18 & older. $10-$12.) (C.R.)

What the world needs now may not be another Cracker album, but there's plenty to love about the '90s alt-rockers' latest disc, "Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey," iincluding the fun PiL-echoing single "I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right" and the guest spots by John Doe and Drive-by Trucker Patterson Hood. Frontman David Lowery seems content these days switching between his original, cult-adored band Camper Van Beethoven and the one with the hits, which include "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" and "Low." Opening band Dead Man Winter is a new project of Trampled by Turtles' Dave Simonett, who counts Lowery among his many fans. (7:45 p.m. Sat., First Avenue. 18 & older. $13-$15.) (C.R.)

Celebrating her 20th anniversary as a recording artist, four-time Grammy winner Tracy Chapman sounds more spiritual than political on 2008's "Our Bright Future," produced by jazz-pop maestro Larry Klein. Highlights include the cabaret reflection "I Did It All" and the slightly twangy "Save Us All." With Gaby Moreno. (8 p.m. Sat., O'Shaughnessy Auditorium, $36.50-$46.50.) (J.B.)

Don't be misled by those posters for Rock the River Tour that seem to be spread all over town like visual spam. It's not a rock festival. It's a touring gospel/Christian music festival sponsored by the Billy Graham organization. Nothing against that, especially when Kirk Franklin, who brings a stirring musical diversity to gospel, is a key participant along with Flyleaf, Decemberadio and Superchick. (2:30 p.m. Sun., Harriet Island, St. Paul, $10.) (J.B.)

It's no big deal that this triple bill of fierce female rockers has moved from the Minnesota Zoo to indoors because Chrissie Hynde objected to the zoo's Family Farm exhibit. That dustup should put the snarl back on the Pretenders' frontwoman, who was surprisingly full of smiles in February at First Avenue. She's returning to the club after the show was moved from the Orpheum Theatre; refunds are available. Actress Juliette Lewis is a punkish opener, and middle-billed Cat Power always mesmerizes. Read an interview with Hynde in Sunday's Variety A+E section. (7:30 p.m. Wed., First Avenue, $35.50-$61.50.) (J.B.)

Rhythm-obsessed hitmaker Jason Mraz, best known for the mildly infectious "I'm Yours," has added some hip openers for his first arena tour. K'Naan, the Somali rapper who briefly lived in the Twin Cities, seasons his smart hip-hop with a righteous political consciousness, and Philly's G. Love and Special Sauce seamlessly meld hip-hop and blues with the funky spirit of a jam band. (7 p.m. Thu., Xcel Energy Center, $25-$45.) (J.B.)

Last seen in town opening for none other than AC/DC at Xcel Center, the Answer is a classic-styled hard-rock band that sounds like it also could have opened for the Aussies during the "Back in Black" days. The quartet from Northern Ireland plays a timeless brand of hard-boogeying, vaguely bluesy metal that's equal parts Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy. Considering how well their music the filled the X, they should have no trouble blowing the roof here. (10 p.m. Thu., Triple Rock. 18 & older. $10.) (C.R.)

BLUES Louisiana vet Tab Benoit is a triple threat: a wicked, Delta-heavy guitarist, a booming blues-howler vocalist and one steadfast activist. The Voice of the Wetlands co-founder was here last year during the Republican National Convention, stumping for post-Katrina initiatives. Those first two traits are what's important this time around, though, and unlike last weekend's packed Daughtry crowd, this is one time you won't catch folks complaining about it being too sweaty inside the Cabooze. (9 p.m. today, Cabooze. 21 & older. $18-$20.) (C.R.)

COUNTRY Since she's only 18, country comer Katie Armiger is undertaking a tour where teens hang -- shopping malls -- to promote her second album, "Believe." She's a strong-voiced Texan who received encouraging response this summer at the Winstock festival for such spunky fare as "Trail of Lies." (1 & 6 p.m. Sat., Maplewood Mall, White Bear Av. just south of I-694, Maplewood.) (J.B.)

Contributors: Staff critics Jon Bream and Chris Riemenschneider.

Blink-182 never gained the credibility of fellow punk-club-to-MTV crossovers Green Day, but it also never turned melodramatic or took itself as seriously as all the emo bands that would follow (singer/guitarist Tom DeLonge saved that for Angels + Airwaves). Almost five years since their split, and one year since drummer Travis Barker survived a deadly plane crash, the Blinksters are a month into their reunion tour, and it sounds like they're having a blast. For fans too young to remember "All the Small Things" being played relentlessly on MTV -- or MTV actually playing music, for that matter -- the San Diego boys added two of their biggest-name followers to the tour lineup: Fall Out Boy and the newly realigned Panic at the Disco, who have each headlined the X on their own. (6:30 p.m. Tue., Xcel Energy Center. $49-$29.) (C.R.)