The Big Gigs

HIP-HOP Talking after last week's somber memorial service, Brother Ali dropped what may be the most revealing description of next week's Celebration of the Life of Mikey (Eyedea) Larsen: It's going to be "more the kind of thing Mikey would've liked." The performers and the format haven't been announced -- a byproduct of the tragedy's suddenness, perhaps, though the element of surprise was an Eyedea trademark. It's worth noting that all of the principal Rhymesayers players are off the road except P.O.S., but the show is likely to represent the other facets of Larsen's artistic career, including rock, poetry and jazz. Or at least as much as can be represented in one night. (6 p.m. Tue., First Avenue. All ages. $20. Tickets on sale at Fifth Element, 2411 Hennepin Av. S.) (C.R.)

POP/ROCK Following a couple of excellent full-band tours with Son Volt and his Jack Kerouac project with Ben Gibbard, Jay Farrar is back out on a solo acoustic tour -- outings that often feature a song or two from his Uncle Tupelo days, plus some interesting covers. A sharp contrast to Farrar's often dour demeanor, boisterous and wild-eyed opener Bobby Bare Jr. has written some of the best songs in the alt-country realm over the past decade, including a few worthy candidates on his new album, "A Storm, a Tree, My Mother's Head." (9 p.m. Fri., Turf Club. 21 & older. $16.) (C.R.)

After trying Broadway, touring musicals and downtown jazz clubs, "American Idol" 2006 winner Taylor Hicks is taking his blue-eyed soul and hammy shtick to the suburbs. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Maplewood Community Center theater, 2100 N. White Bear Av., Maplewood, $40.) (J.B.)

Former Hold Steady keyboardist Franz Nicolay had already issued one solo album when he left the band in late 2008. After spending the summer on tour in Against Me!, he's back with a second offering, "Luck & Courage," full of dark, eclectic, accordion- and banjo-spiked folk-punk. He's opening for Ohio's boisterous twang-rockers Two Car Garage, with local favorites the Evening Rig for support. (10 p.m. Fri., Triple Rock. 18 & older. $8.) (C.R.)

Last seen here as a solo act in April, cult hero Richard Thompson returns with his band to promote his new album "Dream Attic." Although it's a concert recording, the disc features all-new material, including such gems as the anti-Wall Street "The Money Shuffle" and the modern murder ballad "Sidney Wells." As always, his guitar is as expressive as his voice. There is no opening act. (7 p.m. Sat., First Avenue, $25.) (J.B.)

Sort of the Texas all-star, alt-country version of Monsters of Folk -- but a generation older -- the Flatlanders get together whenever their schedules permit. Roadhouse-reared showman Joe Ely was in town just a few weeks ago to do "A Prairie Home Companion." Windy-voiced singer Jimmie Dale Gilmore actually just performed with Monsters of Folk during last month's Austin City Limits Festival. And the songwriting ace of the bunch, Butch Hancock, spends most of his time kicking up dust in the West Texas mining ghost-town of Terlingua. They put out another terrific album last year, "Hills & Valleys," with songs that rival their influential 1972 debut, including "Dallas" and "Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown." (9 p.m. Sat., Fine Line. $25-$30.) (C.R.)

Now that Jose Gonzalez has made his name as a master of intimate indie pop, he is touring with his old group, Junip, featuring childhood friends Elias Araya on drums and Tobias Winterkorn on keyboards. On its just-released, decade-in-the-making debut "Fields," the Swedish trio is as mellow and eclectic as Gonzalez's stuff but not as depressing (he's more Caetano Veloso than Nick Drake here, one critic observed). Sharon Van Etten opens. (8 p.m. Sun., Cedar Cultural Center, $15.) (J.B.)

Alert your inner demon: Danzig is back. Former Misfits/Samhain frontman Glenn Danzig reportedly tired of touring and went six years between albums, but he and his namesake band are out again supporting a harrowing new disc, "Deth Red Sabaoth." Guitarist Tommy Victor from the '90s Danzig lineup also has returned to the fold. They head up a five-band lineup that includes Possessed and Toxic Holocaust. (6:30 p.m. Tue., Cabooze, 917 Cedar Av. S., Mpls. 18 & older. $25-$27.) (C.R.)

There are actors and actresses who take their singing careers seriously. Jeff Daniels does, but his songs are make-you-laugh (or wince) ditties. The Michigan native, known for his fine film work in "Good Night and Good Luck" and "The Purple Rose of Cairo," sings such originals as "Baby, Take Your Tongue Outta My Mouth, I'm Kissing You G'bye" and "If William Shatner Can, I Can Too." He's the kind of songwriter who'll rhyme "Mexican" with "next of kin." He makes fun of himself, too, even though he's been singing for more than 30 years. (8 p.m. Wed., Cedar, $22-$25.) (J.B.)

After making a name for themselves on tour with She & Him this summer -- as both the opening act and backup singers -- the Chapin Sisters are making the rounds on their own in support of their just-released sophomore disc "Two," loaded with dark, wispy, harmonious, desert-chic twang that has poppy undertones (evidenced by their cover of Britney's "Toxic"). The sisters, Lily and Abigail, already had something of a name thanks to their dad, veteran singer/songwriter Tom Chapin. Montreal singer Neema opens. (7 p.m. Wed., Dakota Jazz Club. All ages. $15.) (C.R.)

ACOUSTIC Way back in 1985, Dean Magraw and Marcus Wise recorded the third LP ever issued by then-fledgling Red House Records. A lot has happened in 25 years, some of it pretty scary for Magraw, the world-renowned jazz, world and folk guitarist who recently underwent a successful if grueling bone marrow transplant. So it's inspiring that the sublime guitar and tablas duo just crafted another Red House session, "How the Light Gets In." Their CD release party is mostly a "meet-and-greet-and-listen" affair, though Magraw and lifelong pal Wise -- the self-proclaimed "conjurer of exotic rhythms weaving endless soundscapes," known for his work with poet Robert Bly -- are likely to play a few pieces. Maybe they'll grace us with the opening cut, "Delphonic," which is very lovely without sounding anything like Philly soul. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Artists' Quarter. $20.) (T.S.)

JAZZ In the season's the most ambitious jazz gig, pianist Brad Mehldau and his all-star quintet (Joshua Redman, Jeff Ballard, Larry Grenadier, Matt Chamberlain) are joined by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, under the baton of Scott Yoo, for the live premiere of "Highway Rider," Mehldau's very impressive recent double-CD release. On disc, this combination -- piano poet, bass great, two creative drummers, freely soloing sax star and a whole lot of strings -- adds up to even more than the sum of its estimable parts. In person, it just might be transporting. For a story about the concert, see startribune.com/music. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Walker Art Center. $21-$25.) (T.S.)

BLUES At 97, blues piano giant Pinetop Perkins is not only still touring but he's recording. This year, he and Willie (Big Eyes) Smith put out a live album, the aptly titled "Joined at the Hip." They've been working together on-and-off for more than 40 years. The ever-charismatic Smith does most of the singing on this run through classic Chicago blues, and his harmonica is most articulate, even if he's just doing fills. As Perkins proved last year at the Dakota, his timing on the piano remains impeccable and his spirit remains an inspiration. Put Perkins on your blues bucket list -- and Smith, too. (7 p.m. Mon.-Tue., Dakota, $32.) (J.B.)

COUNTRY Crystal Gayle is known for scoring 16 No. 1 country songs in the 1970s and '80s, being Loretta Lynn's younger sister and having the longest hair in country music. She still knows how to put a little jazz in her country as evidenced on her classic "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue." The concert is a benefit for Cradle of Hope, a nonprofit that assists pregnant women in financial crises. (7 p.m. Sat., the O'Shaughnessy, St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Av., St. Paul, $25-$75.) (J.B.)

The JaneDear Girls ooze cute -- in name and visuals. While hitmaker John Rich is producing their forthcoming debut disc for Warner Bros., the Nashville duo of Susie Brown and Danelle Leverett have put out a video of their single "Wildflower." Imagine Katy Perry and an unskanky Ke$ha as a country duo, singing a perky Gretchen Wilson song. (9:30 p.m. Thu., Toby Keith's, $5.) (J.B.)

NEW MUSIC Zeitgeist, Minnesota's most prolific and dogged and high-profile "new music" ensemble, hosts a little summit session of creative avant jazz and contemporary art music at their warehouse space. Also playing is the double-cello band Jelloslave and the trio Insurgent, which plays some composed material, but specializes in free improv jazz. It's a fairly new group of old friends: saxophonist Pat Moriarty, drummer Phil Hey and pianist Ellen Lease. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Studio Z, 275 E. 4th St., St. Paul. $10. 651-755-1600.) (T.S.)

CLASSICAL Cellist Zuill Bailey is the complete package, combining musical sensitivity, technical virtuosity and matinee idol good looks. He performs a Music in the Park Series recital with series favorite Lydia Artymiw on piano. The highlight is the world premiere of "Pathways of Desire," a sonata for cello and piano by Minnesota composer David Evan Thomas commissioned for Music in the Park. Works by Bach, Brahms, and Schumann complete the program. (4 p.m. Sun., St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ, 2129 Commonwealth Av., St. Paul, $15-$22, 651-645-5699.) (W.R.B.)