The Big Gigs

POP/ROCK Back in 2005, Tapes 'n Tapes only had enough local clout to play the middle slot at the Turf Club to celebrate the release of "The Loon," the record that made it the toast of indie bloggers and South by Southwest. Two albums later, it's headlining First Ave following a monthlong tour that earned back some of the reputation it lost amid the hype backwash. It helps that "Outside" is a wild spazz-attack of an album, with traces of the Pixies and Talking Heads like before, but with more of a hair-raising energy that comes straight off the band's steady ascent as a stellar live band. Which is still the best way to become a local First Ave headliner. Wunderkind-led Brooklyn band Oberhoffer opens along with the wryest rock band in town, Alpha Consumer. (9 p.m. Fri., First Avenue. 18 & older. $15.) (C.R.)

When it lost co-founder Ryan Vanderhoof to a Buddhist commune, Oregon/New York-based psychedelic folk-rock group the Akron/Family seemed to gain an even greater license to experiment. Its latest disc, "S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT" -- OK, we get it, the drugs are working -- was made at the foot of a volcano in Japan and spews all kinds of sonic chunks, from trippy Kinks updates to Animal Collective-like soundscapes. A newcomer on David Byrne's Luaka Bop label, Delicate Steve, opens. (8 p.m. Fri., Cedar Cultural Center. All ages. $12-$15.) (C.R.)

Cities 97 still plays David Gray like he's the new Van Morrison. He does have a pleasing Celtic soul, as evidenced on his new single "Only the Wine," from last year's double CD, the solid "Foundling." Some of us still prefer his early '00s classics "Babylon" and "Please Forgive Me." Whatever your Gray pleasure is, let him know in advance -- he's taking song requests at help@davidgray.com. (7:30 p.m. Mon., State Theatre, $49.50.) (J.B.)

A benefit and kickstarter for Twin Cities alt-twang guitarist and producer Erik Koskinen, who lost a lot of gear when his truck was stolen, the Realphonic 8th Commandment Revival ("Thou shall not steal") brings back Duluth's acoustic bullet-train pickers Trampled by Turtles for their fourth First Ave gig in six weeks, but it's the first one not immediately sold out. It also marks the return of the all-star dub band temporarily known as the Jah-hawks, now the Jahskinens. Koskinen's bandmate Molly Maher also performs along with Charlie Parr, Ashleigh Still, Mike Gunther and TBT offshoot Dead Man Winter. (8 p.m. Mon., First Avenue. 18 & older. $17.) (C.R.)

Is Nicole Atkins going to become an indie star? Her just-released second full-length, "Mondo Amore," is darker, grittier and tougher. It's a hurtin' kind of kiss-off album, with the New Jersey rocker adding just a touch of Southern soul on the scorching "Vultures" and the garage-y "Cry Cry Cry." Cotton Jones and Buffalo Moon open. (9 p.m. Tue., Turf Club, $10.) (J.B.)

In the '00s, Rodney Crowell released four first-rate alt-country albums. On his latest, 2008's "Sex and Gasoline," the Houston hero sounded broken but resilient. His just-published memoir, "The Chinaberry Sidewalks," gives insights to where all the pain comes from. Not a look at his ex-marriage to Rosanne Cash or even an examination of his successful musical career, this memoir focuses mostly on Crowell's troubled childhood, specifically his alcoholic musician father (who took him to see Hank Williams at age 2) and his tough mother who whipped him with branches from a chinaberry tree. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Cedar Cultural Center, $22-$25.) (J.B.)

With a punk-rock trifecta like this, no wonder it's sold out: Boston area Celtic bad boys the Dropkick Murphys are on their usual pre-Paddy's Day tear and hyping a bold new concept album, "Going Out in Style," featuring guest vocals by one Bruce Springsteen. They're joined by Florida's mighty firestarters Against Me!, who once again worked with Butch Vig for their latest disc, "White Crosses." The Twin Cities' own Epitaph-backed punk darlings Off With Their Heads are opening the whole tour. (6 p.m. Thu., First Avenue. Sold out.) (C.R.)

COUNTRYA broken-down bus was Jamey Johnson's excuse for not showing at the Fine Line in December. The most exciting songwriter to emerge in Nashville in the past five years, Johnson has released two critically revered albums, 2008's "That Lonesome Song" (featuring the CMA-winning hit "In Color") and 2010's double disc "The Guitar Song." He's also written hits for George Strait ("Give It Away") and Trace Adkins ("Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," "Ladies Love Country Boys"). A throwback whose voice evokes Waylon Jennings, Johnson should be high on any true country fan's list even if he's only the third-best country songwriter in town on Sunday (Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson are playing a sold-out show at Mystic Lake Casino). This makeup concert is a benefit for Jared Allen's Homes 4 Wounded Warriors. (9 p.m. Sun., Fine Line, $69.) (J.B.)

JAZZMinnesotans were privy to some unique world-jazz sounds when Peruvian guitarist Andres Prado lived here a few years back. Now based in Lima again, Prado reunites this weekend with his band of local all-stars -- drummer Kevin Washington, saxophonist Pete Whitman, pianist Peter Schimke and bassist Jeff Bailey -- in a spinoff gig from a residency at McNally Smith College. (9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Artists' Quarter. $15.) (T.S.)

The top jazz trombonist in the Twin Cities, Dave Graf, was recently sidelined by a classic Minnesota quality-of-life accident. While clearing snow and ice from his roof in late December, Graf fell off a ladder and broke his pelvis and wrist. He had wrist surgery and still has no feeling in his thumb and two fingers, but he's back onstage, learning a new way of working his slide. Still, medical expenses have piled up, and many gigs were lost, so there's a big benefit featuring Graf in the mighty four-trombone ensemble Locally Damaging Winds, plus Laura Caviani, Tanner Taylor, Kenny Horst and a big jam session. (5 p.m. Sun., Artists' Quarter. $10 suggested donation.) (T.S.)

Two modern-jazz stars from New Orleans, who have at times branched out into other music and media, bring their current bands in a potent double bill. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard often collaborates with Spike Lee on film scores, while saxophonist Branford Marsalis has been soloing with symphonies. His quartet features the estimable Joey Calderazzo on piano. (7 p.m. Sun., Orchestra Hall. $25-$75.) (T.S.)

Best known locally for his many gigs with Los Hombres Calientes, Jason Marsalis has always been heard here as a drummer. But he's also played vibraphone at Crescent City jam sessions for years, and will spotlight his mallet skills this visit, fronting a quartet. (7 p.m. Sun.-Mon., Dakota Jazz Club. $20.) (T.S.)

CLASSICALOne of the world's more influential Baroque specialists, Dutch conductor, organist and harpsichordist Ton Koopman joins the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra for the first time in eight years. His program features a Sinfonia by J.S. Bach and three works by his son, C.P.E. Bach, including a Concerto in F for Two Harpsichords that pairs him with his wife, Tini Mathot. Appropriately, the concert will include work by Georg Philipp Telemann, C.P.E.'s godfather and namesake. (10:30 a.m. & 8 p.m. Fri. & 8 p.m. Sat., Ordway Center; 2 p.m. Sun., Ted Mann Concert Hall, $10-$40.) (W.R.B.)

Titling its midwinter concert "Reflection and Revelation," the 50-voice chamber choir Magnum Chorum presents an a cappella program to illuminate the darkness of Lent. The centerpiece is Frank Martin's Mass for Double Choir, written in 1926 but not premiered until 1963 because Martin felt it too personal to release. Alternatively spare, lush, ecstatic and serene, its soaring melodies offer a moving vision of eternity. Then there's Rachmaninoff 's "We Hymn Thee," a simple prayer with a translucent soprano solo. Some contemporary choral compositions round out the program. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas, University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Av., St, Paul, $5-$21. Magnumchorum.org.) (W.R.B.)