The Big Gigs: Our critics' music picks

POP/ROCK After a year off -- hey, even Jesus had his missing years -- the female messiah and rocking disciples are all back for First Ave's "JC Superstar XV." The cast of this way-off-Broadway production of the famed Webber/Rice musical comes from bygone-era bands (3-Car Garage, Run Westy Run, Brutus). Their passion for the work is stronger than ever, as Judas Iscariot himself (Jay Davis) described in an electronic kiss of an e-mail: "For 16 years, enduring deaths and births, marriages and divorces, this group of people have become my extended family; many of these folks struggling thru the hardships of life while rehearsing and performing the show -- for little to no pay, just to be able to do the piece at the highest level possible." Amen to that. (7 p.m. Fri., First Avenue. 18 & older. $10-$12.) (C.R.)

One of Minnesota's underappreciated virtuosos, mandolinist/fiddler Peter Ostroushko previews material from "When the Last Morning Glory Blooms," due May 18. It's a collection of Americana instrumentals, featuring fiddle giant Johnny Gimble (of Bob Wills fame) and bluegrassers Norman and Nancy Blake. (8 p.m. Fri., Cedar Cultural Center, $18-$20) (J.B.)

Any comparisons to South by Southwest are still way off, but St. Paul's second annual North by Midwest fest features a charming hodgepodge of the young and/or outsider local bands fostered by co-sponsoring music nonprofit DEMO, with no cover both nights. Friday's lineup features Cosmoline, Turn Back Now, Terry Eason, Sons of Gloria and more (7 p.m., St. Paul Eagle's Club, 287 Maria Av.). Saturday has Patches & Gretchen, Middlestates, Red Flags and Brilliant Beast (8 p.m., Wild Tymes, 33 7th Place). (C.R.)

After Adam Young's out-of-nowhere rise from his parents' Owatonna basement to the top of Billboard's pop chart with "Fireflies" in 2009, the Star Tribune named Owl City -- Young's stage name -- artist of the year. Now comes the time for Young, 23, to prove he isn't a one-hit fluke. After pre-stardom gigs at the Varsity and Cabooze, the floppy-haired home-state hero and his backup sextet unleash their dreamy electro pop for two sold-out headline concerts in a downtown theater. With Toronto's Lights and Minneapolis' Lynhurst (late show only). (2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., State Theatre. Sold out.) (J.B.)

After recording for seven different major labels, Shelby Lynne this week put out her 11th studio album, "Tears, Lies & Alibis," on her own Everso imprint. With acoustic guitar and minimal accompaniment, this self-produced, self-penned CD sounds like a collection of demos, but many of these songs -- including the breezy "Why Didn't You Call Me," the haunting "Old Dog" and the boozy honky-tonk waltz "Old #7" -- are penetrating pieces to add to her impressive canon of heartache and pain. In concert, the mercurial country-blues thrush, who is touring with a drummer-less trio, can be bewitching or befuddling. Opening is buzzed-about Brit popster Findlay Brown. (7 p.m. Sat., Dakota, $35-$45.) (J.B.)

Already a renowned bastard son of rock and country, Shooter Jennings (Waylon's son) continues to blur the musical lines. His new album, "Black Ribbons," is a psychedelic concept record featuring dialogue by Stephen King. Jennings also guests on new tracks by the Ike Reilly Assassination and Earl Greyhound, plus he's playing the Warped Tour this summer. He's on tour now with his "Black Ribbons" backing band, Hierophant. (9:30 p.m. Sat., Cabooze. 18 & older. $17.) (C.R.)

Four years since bursting out of Wales' Cardiff University with the energy of preschoolers, Los Campesinos! are as hyper and collegiate as ever but have grown up a bit as writers of sarcastic, snarling indie-pop songs. The coed septet's U.S. tour was delayed in the volcanic ash, but they've finally landed in support of "Romance Is Boring," their third album. (7 p.m. Sat., First Avenue. 18 & older. $12.) (C.R.)

The repertoire on the Holmes Brothers' "Feed My Soul" isn't decidedly different from its predecessors, but the spirit feels more deeply felt. Maybe it's because Wendell Holmes is battling cancer. The Joan Osborne-produced CD is chock full of soulful originals, but two covers stand out -- a doo-wop treatment of Johnny Ace's "Pledging My Love" and a sweet, organic reading of the Beatles' "I'll Be Back." (7 & 9:30 p.m. Tue., Dakota, $20-$25.) (J.B.)

After placing songs on "Scrubs," "Gossip Girl" and other TV series, Matt Hales moved from England to Los Angeles. Professionally, he's known as Aqualung, another one of those high-voiced piano popsters. He sounds decidedly sunnier on this month's "Magnetic North," his sixth CD. But, despite help from vocalists Sara Bareilles and Kelly Sweet, he's still kind of a wimpy hybrid of Chris Martin and Elton John. (9 p.m. Tue., Varsity, $15-$18.) (J.B.)

With a moniker as questionable as a Scottish band calling themselves Texas, Harlem is a psychedelic garage-rock trio from Austin, Texas, whose fuzzed-up riffs and wigged-out "Nuggets"-mining songs were epitomized in the title of their first album, "Free Drugs." Matador Records is the dealer behind the followup album, "Hippies." Teenage Moods and Voytek open. (9 p.m. Tue., 7th Street Entry. $8-$10.) (C.R.)

At the tender age of 22, Kate Nash is trying to reinvent herself on her second album, "My Best Friend Is You." The potty-mouthed pop star from England has transitioned from brat pop to pop commentary. Although she sometimes drops more unprintable words than a gangsta rapper, Nash is spewing bile about boys, music-biz sexism and love gone wrong. But the kitschy vibe of the music -- Phil Spector-ish pop, Motown soul, vintage new wave, garage punk -- adds an appealing irony to her sass and cynicism. Supercute opens. (7 p.m. Wed., First Avenue. Sold out.) (J.B.)

Usually be wary when you hear "jam band supergroup," but not so with 30db. Brendan Bayliss of Umphrey's McGee and Jeff Austin of Yonder Mountain String Band collaborated on a batch of songs inspired by their recent breakups with their longtime lovers. Then they enlisted Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars, Eric Thorin of Open Road and Nick Forster of Hot Rize (host of radio's "E Town") to help forge an organic Americana sound on the 14-song "One Man Show" that has rock 'n' roll bite as well as dazzling bluegrass pickin'. (9 p.m. Thu. Cabooze, $18-$20.) (J.B.)

Since impressing on her 2004 country-pop debut "One Moment More" and the enrapturing gospel-tinged 2004 single "Come to Jesus," Nashville singer/songwriter Mindy Smith has foundered trying to find an identity. Her second album showcased a fragile soul who wallowed in clichés, and last year's "Stupid Love" was a misguided grab for pop success. More appealing is opening act Mary Gauthier, the underexposed country-noir gem whose new "The Foundling" chronicles her abandonment in an orphanage as a baby, her adoption by a troubled family and her quest to find her birth mother. Pain never sounded so pretty. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cedar Cultural Center, $22.) (J.B.)

COUNTRY As he demonstrated opening for Brad Paisley at the X this winter, newcomer Justin Moore has the machismo, the twang and the pandering instincts to ignite a crowd. Will he wear a Brett Favre jersey again as he tries to stir the barroom believers with "I Could Kick Your Ass" and "Small Town USA"? (8 p.m. Fri., the Rock, $17-$20.) (J.B.)

WORLD The new kings of French musette -- the cafe and dancehall style that peaked in the 1930s but is enjoying a revival -- Les Primitifs du Futur make their hotly awaited Twin Cities debut. This is a seriously fun band, a circus of sophisticated and swinging sound. Good friends of cartooning legend (and sometimes member) R. Crumb, Les Primitifs are led by visionary guitarist Dominique Cravic, who loves French accordion traditions deeply, but is happy to inject cool elements from other world folk musics and indulge his wacky streak -- including a great musical saw player. Local admirers Cafe Accordion Orchestra open. (8 p.m. Sat., Cedar Cultural Center. $15-$18.) (T.S.)

JAZZ He's usually too busy touring with David Sanborn or Bonnie Raitt to perform in his hometown under his own name. But this weekend super-funky keyboardist Ricky Peterson will lead the Peterson Brothers, featuring bassist Billy Peterson (formerly of the Steve Miller Band), multi-instrumentalist Paul Peterson (Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins) and saxophonist (and nephew) Jason Peterson DeLaire (Michael Bolton, Donny Osmond) as well as mighty drummer Michael Bland (Prince, Nick Jonas, Maxwell). Expect appearances from singing sisters Patty and Linda Peterson as well as mom Jeanne Arland Peterson on piano. (9:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Artists Quarter, $12.) (J.B.)

Coming out of hibernation with a new live CD ("With You, in a Moment"), the Willie August Project also unveils its latest lineup. Core members Ben Siems (guitar, compositions) and Jeremy Hauer (drums) are joined by trumpeter Daniel Eikmeier and bassist Matt Peterson. The band has finally recorded a few covers (Wayne Shorter's "Mahjong," Eric Dolphy's "South St. Exit," the theme song from "Mo' Better Blues"), along with lots more of Siems' probing, soul-searching, evocative original themes. (11:30 p.m. Fri., Dakota Jazz Club. $5.) (T.S.)

HIP-HOP After cultivating quite a national buzz on the road this spring behind her debut album "A Badly Broken Code," Minneapolis wordsmith Dessa has returned home to curate the three-night "Cadence Hip-Hop Series" for the Guthrie, sort of a melding of her split personalities. There's her rapper side, represented by pals Maria Isa and M.anifest on opening night, followed by Sims and Toki Wright on Thursday. There's her poet side, represented each night with a spoken-word performance by Shane Hawley, plus other readings from night to night. Friday's show will also display her singer/songwriter side with a set by Matthew Santos, the Twin Cities-reared singer feature in Lupe Fiasco's "Superstar." DJ pals Paper Tiger and Plain Ole Bill also perform. (7:30 p.m. Wed-next Fri., Dowling Studio, Guthrie Theater. All ages. $15-$17/night.) (C.R.)