The Big Gigs: Shows and highlights of the upcoming entertainment week

POP/ROCK Like its pal band Broken Social Scene, the Most Serene Republic is a Canadian act on the Arts & Crafts label with a relatively large lineup (seven members) and both male and female singers. Musically, though, its second album, "Population," sounds closer to the Built to Spill/Band of Horses ilk. Coincidentally or not, TMSR's tour partners are Grand Archives, a poppy Seattle quintet led by former Band of Horses member Mat Brooke and newly signed to Sub Pop. Jealous Girlfriends open. (9 p.m. today, 7th Street Entry. $10.) (C.R.)

Gavin DeGraw's self-titled second album won't be available until April 15 but the pop piano man has hit the road to introduce new tunes and remind young women why they swooned to "I Don't Want to Be" and other favorites from his 2003 debut. The new single has a pretty obvious title for a heartthrob: "In Love With a Girl." Landon Pigg opens. (8 p.m. today, Fine Line, sold out.) (J.B.)

After years of threatening to make an album together, grunge-era heroes Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers) and Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age) have finally gone and done it as the Gutter Twins. "Saturnalia," out this week on Sub Pop, is filled with ominous, howling grime-rock -- not all that different from the bleak stuff they're known for, but as strong as the best of it. Coed L.A. quartet Great Northern opens. (7:30 p.m. Sat., First Avenue. 18 & older. $12-$15.) (C.R.)

Three years since Robert Pollard mothballed Guided by Voices, tributes are popping up all over. Case in point: Textbook Committee, who play 40-song, 12-pack-fueled GBV sets back home in Chicago. They are hooking up with the Girl Guides, an all-female GBV cover band from Toronto. Locals Cortez the Killer and the Cans get in on the fun with host John Sellers, author of "Perfect From Now On: How Indie-Rock Saved My Life." (10 p.m. Sat., 7th Street Entry. $5.) (C.R.)

The same night his acting gig on HBO's "The Wire" officially comes to an end, country/folk icon Steve Earle will share the stage with his wife of two years, singer/songwriter Allison Moorer. She has an inspired new covers album called "Mockingbird," featuring nothing but songs by other female artists. He just won another Grammy for his New York-state-of-mind album, "Washington Square Serenade." Read an interview with both singers in Sunday's Arts section. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Pantages Theatre. $28.50-$33.50.) (C.R.)

Former Dismemberment Plan frontman Travis Morrison earned a 0 rating (out of 10) on PitchforkMedia.com for his solo debut. The record indeed fared poorly, but he's bouncing back with a new band, the Hellfighters (featuring ex-DP bandmate Jason Caddell), and his second album, "All Y'All." (10 p.m. Mon., 7th Street Entry. $8-$10.) (C.R.)

A Fine Frenzy (a k a Alison Sudol), whose "Almost Lover" was almost my favorite single of 2007, is back to perform the vulnerable piano pop from her debut, "One Cell in the Sea." Opening is Ferras, the 25-year-old piano man whose "Hollywood's Not America" is the new "American Idol" exit song. Don't worry, it's not Daniel Powter in disguise. Ferras was actually discovered by Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst. (8 p.m. Tue., Varsity Theater, $12-$14.) (J.B.)

R&B It must be James Brown Week. Saxophonist Maceo Parker was in town Monday and Tuesday, and now Martha High, who spent 38 years as Brown's backup vocalist (and occasional hairdresser), comes to the Cabooze for her own gig after singing backup (plus one featured number) for Parker at the Dakota. Having recorded with the Jewels and Brown, she is now working on her overdue solo debut, co-produced by Prince keyboardist Morris Hayes. Slated to appear on her album are JB alums Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley and Prince saxophonist Candy Dulfer. High will be backed by guitarist Jef Lee Johnson and the Legendary Combo, Minneapolis' long-lived all-star R&B ensemble. (9:30 p.m. Sat., Cabooze, $10.) (J.B.)

The Holmes Brothers bring their distinctive blend of gospel, blues and soul downtown to the Dakota. The trio has a deep catalog of originals but the real treats are their creative covers. Their current CD, "State of Grace," features unforgettable gospel treatments of Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me" and Nick Lowe's "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding." (7 & 9:30 p.m. Sun.-Mon., Dakota Jazz Club, $30 & $22.) (J.B.)

JAZZ After making a splash with the Mingus Big Band and Roy Haynes' Fountain of Youth band, young alto-sax hero Jaleel Shaw has gone on to play with the creme-de-la-creme of young New York City jazzers, including Jason Moran, Stefon Harris, Jeremy Pelt, Robert Glasper and guitarist Lage Lund. The latter three appear on his sophomore CD, "Optimism" (due March 18), an impressive recording that shows the Philly native has composing abilities to match his blowing skills. (9 p.m. today-Sat., Artists' Quarter. $15.) (T.S.)

Trumpet dynamo Kelly Rossum has invited two guests from Houston for a pair of late-night shows. Pianist Joe LoCascio, a switch-hitting jazz/classical composer, has put out 13 CDs as leader, including the splendid trio set "Close to So Far" and an early album featuring trumpet legend Chet Baker. Sax soulmate Woody Witt has appeared on two Rossum CDs and recorded his own smokin' albums with the likes of Randy Brecker, Ari Hoenig and Tim Hagans. (11:30 p.m. today-Sat., Dakota Jazz Club. $5.) (T.S.)

The Jazz Is Now! NOWnet is a nonprofit ensemble dedicated to Minnesota composers, including its saxophonist-turned-pianist Jeremy Walker. Back after a two-year hiatus, the band -- which varies from six to nine pieces -- will show off charts by Kelly Rossum and saxophonist Scott Fultz at this show co-starring saxman Chris Thomson, bassist Jeff Bailey and drummer Kevin Washington. (8 p.m. Thu., Minnesota Opera Center, 620 N. 1st St., Mpls. $7-$10.) (T.S.)

WORLD Barreling out of Brooklyn, but sounding like they're from Bulgaria or Budapest, Slavic Soul Party lives up to its name with big, infectious dance beats spearheaded by drummer/leader Matt Moran and a soul-drenched horn attack long on trombone, tuba and trumpet. Happy traditionalists yet in no way purists, they've just released a CD of remixes by various DJs. But 2007's great "Teknochek Collision" is a better example of the scintillating stuff you'll hear live: mostly Balkan oldies and Moran originals in that vein, with a few jazzy echoes of New Orleans added for spice. (8 p.m. Sat., Cedar Cultural Center. $15-$18.) (T.S.)

Contributors: Staff critics Jon Bream and Chris Riemenschneider and freelancer Tom Surowicz.

Missy Higgins' gig is noteworthy for two reasons: It's the first high-profile show at Epic (formerly Quest), and music aficionados are wondering if this Aussie superstar can make it in the States (where her music has been heard on "Grey's Anatomy," "Days of Our Lives" and "Lipstick Jungle"). Her just-released second album, "On a Clear Night," is smart and moody; think of an understated, guitar-playing Sarah McLachlan. Opening is Robert Francis, a Dylan-loving protégé of Red Hot Chili Peppers guitar god John Frusciante. (7:30 p.m. today, Epic. $20.) (J.B.)