The Twin Cities' best concerts: Jan. 29-Feb. 4

Seinabo Sey

8:30 p.m. • Triple Rock • 18-plus • $10

While comparisons to fellow Swedish indie-pop stars Robyn and Lykke Li might be inevitable, Sey has a more soulful bent, stemming from her teenage years belting Aretha and Chaka tunes in a Stockholm music school. The 24-year-old soul-pop singer released her debut EP "For Madeleine" (dedicated to her mother) last fall with major-label backing. The daughter of late Gambian musician Mawdo Sey scored her biggest hit to date when Norwegian DJ-producer Kygo remixed her strings-laced single, "Younger." Gavin James opens. Michael Rietmulder

Celebration of Tom Hallett

9 p.m. • Turf Club • $6

Rock critics aren't supposed to call musicians friends, but next week's Celebration of Tom Hallett proves that the former Pulse of the Twin Cities columnist — who died last summer of complications from diabetes — earned ample respect from local rockers with his writings and pure fandom. The local garage-rock acts paying tribute to him include Ol' Yeller, St. Dominic's Trio, Frances Gumm, Howlin' Andy Hound & the Bloodshot, Martin Devaney, Peal, Al Grande and Rob Rule's bands Stereo Rules and the Mammy Nuns. Chris Riemenschneider

Drone Not Drones

7 p.m. Fri.-11 p.m. Sat. Cedar Cultural Center • $20-$30

A bumper sticker that became a mantra for Low's bold, one-song Rock the Garden 2013 set, "Drone Not Drones" is now the name and basis of a daylong, free-form music performance for the second year in a row. Over the course of 28 hours — nonstop! — the event will feature ambient loops, droning distortion, reverberating hums, etc., played by more than 50 musicians, including Alan Sparhawk, P.O.S., Dosh, Paul Metzger, BNLX, Flavor Crystals, Chatham Rise, members of Dead Man Winter (or "Drone Man Winter") and Brokeback, a project by members of Chicago instrumental kings Tortoise and the Sea and Cake. Pillows are seriously encouraged. Look for a schedule and webcast info at www.dronenotdrones.com. Organizer Luke Heiken donates it all to Doctors Without Borders. Chris Riemenschneider

Roniia

9 p.m. • 7th Street Entry • 18-plus • $10

As we've come to expect of most releases on Minneapolis label Totally Gross National Product, Roniia's eponymous debut EP is awash in impressive electronic soundscapes and jagged sonic experimentation, helmed in this case by Mark McGee, a Marijuana Deathsquads cast member and former co-leader of To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie. However, the seven-track collection offers less than what's expected of singer Nona Marie Invie. The dramatic Dark Dark Dark and Anonymous Choir leader barely gets above a moan and has an unusually flat presence throughout these mostly downbeat, zoned-out songs. The release party will also feature aptly named VU-echoing pop trio the Velveteens and Joel Kujawa's high-pitched one-man dance machine Breakaway. C.R.

Loudpvck

8 p.m. • the Loft at Bar Fly • 18-plus • $15

When they enrolled at prestigious Berklee College of Music, little did Kenny Beats and aspiring jazz pianist Ryan Marks know they'd have a future as EDM-trap heavy hitters. The formidable 808-happy duo with big-room influences began producing together as Loudpvck and climbed the trap ranks remixing the likes of Adventure Club and Nervo. Last year, the New York/L.A.-based pair released booming collaborations with future bass stud Paper Diamond and Gladiator. A proper album is in the works. Clayzer, MVNIV, Knuckl3s and others also play this installment of Twin Cities Dubstep's Real Trap Shit series. Michael Rietmulder

Gloriana

7:30 p.m. • Xcel Energy Center • $18-$82

Sound-wise, it isn't the best circumstances but the context will put you in the mood for some country music. The World's Toughest Rodeo has tapped Gloriana as post-roundup entertainment in what's billed as "Party on the Dirt." The twangy trio will, at times, recall Lady Antebellum ("Can't Shake You," "Good Night") and at other times suggest Little Big Town ("Trouble"). But the way Rachel Reinert interacts with brothers Tom and Mike Gossin suggests this trio has the talent to forge their own identity. Jon Bream

48-hour Band Contestival

10 p.m. • Hexagon Bar • free

Like your music with a raw, improvised, anything-can-happen bent? Then the 48-hour Band Contestival is for you. Now in its 10th year, the fest randomly pairs local musicians who throw their names in the proverbial hat and gives them 48 hours to create and rehearse a couple of songs. Tonight's resulting mini sets are sure to be unpredictable, weird and entertaining. The event will be judged by local music "celebrities" for the chance to win big prizes (i.e. beer). Interested parties can sign up Thursday from 7-10 p.m. Jahna Peloquin

Moon & Pollution

11 p.m. • Icehouse • $8-$10

Yet another local electronic duo with an elegant female vocalist and a gearhead dude producer/beatmaker, Moon & Pollution features siren-voiced folkie Molly Dean at the mic and No Bird Sing drummer Graham O'Brien behind the gear. They made their live debut two summers ago in Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park with Atmosphere and Trampled by Turtles and recently saw one of their tracks used on MTV's "Teen Wolf." Now comes their full-length debut, "The Box Borealis," offering a subsonic brand of haunting, vibrant vocals and slow-burning trip-hop that falls somewhere between Poliça and Massive Attack. Their release party opens with Damage Controller, a new project with old friends Jeremy Ylvisaker, Martin Dosh and Mike Lewis. Chris Riemenschneider

Marshall Tucker Band

8:30 p.m. • Medina Entertainment Center • $32-$52

Marshall Tucker Band guitarist Toy Caldwell and brother/bassist Tommy Caldwell died in the past century, but the 44-year-old band's original frontman, Doug Gray, is still carrying on the Southern rock tradition with "Can't You See" and other favorites. And KQRS listeners will appreciate opening act Atlanta Rhythm Section, with its FM staples "Champagne Jam" and "So Into You." J.B.

Rhett Miller

8 p.m. • Turf Club • $20

After a return to wild and rowdy form last year with their album "Most Messed Up," the Old 97's serial lady-killing frontman Miller is taking a mellower trek on his own this winter. The Dallas-bred alt-country singer's solo/acoustic shows usually feature a mix of 97's tunes, solo material and covers as well as plenty of banter and fun audience interaction. Fellow North Texas scenester Salim Nourallah opens. Chris Riemenschneider

Chris Potter Quartet

7 & 9 p.m. Mon.-Tue. • Dakota Jazz Club • $15-$25

Saxophonist Potter has come a long way from his days as the whiz kid in trumpeter Red Rodney's bebop and post-bop band. Playing with Rodney gave him one degree of separation from another fabled saxophonist with the initials CP — the revolutionary genius Charlie Parker. Potter has gone on to work with Paul Motian, Dave Holland and Steely Dan, plus 18 albums as a bandleader, and has often collaborated lately with Twin Cities-bred pianist Craig Taborn. He'll lead a quartet anchored by drummer Nate Smith, who's also his sidekick in the Dave Holland Quintet. Tom Surowicz

London Grammar

8 p.m. • First Avenue • 18-plus • $22-$24

London Grammar is a British pop-tronica trio, whose sound is moody, atmospheric and ethereal but more soulful than those adjectives suggest. That's because vocalist Hannah Reid is equal parts Sade and Florence Welch. Four tunes from the trio's only album, 2013's "If You Wait," have received spins on 89.3 the Current, with the Brit hit "Strong" probably receiving the strongest reaction. This is the rescheduled date from a November booking. Opening is Until the Ribbon Breaks, a British avant-soul trio. Jon Bream

Chris Robinson Brotherhood

8 p.m. • Fine Line • 18-plus • $20-$45

With the Black Crowes warring among themselves again, the band's hard-howling singer is back to making his namesake Chris Robinson Brotherhood his main vehicle. The sextet includes guitarist Neal Casal, formerly of Ryan Adams' Cardinals, and Crowes keyboardist Adam MacDougall. Their winter tour kicks off in Minneapolis and follows the release of their third album, "Phosphorescent Harvest," another hazy and jammy but soulful collection. CRB shows are always very light on Crowes songs but include some powerhouse covers. Expect two sets in this "evening with" performance. Chris Riemenschneider

Aesop Rock

8:30 p.m. • First Avenue • 18-plus • $17-$20

What do you say about the rapper who never runs out of things to say? Famous for delivering more words within a single song than most emcees can manage in an album (OK, not quite), Rock is the reigning king of the rap underground. His gravelly, spitfire voice and hyper-verbosity have garnered him praise from hip-hop heads and literati alike. His latest solo effort "Skelethon," released in 2012 by Rhymesayers, is the most accomplished work of his career. The real-life Ian Bavitz is touring with Bronx-bred rap virtuoso Rob Sonic, his longtime collaborator in the group Hail Mary Mallon. Raghav Mehta

Tower of Power

7 & 9 p.m. Wed.-next Sat. • Dakota Jazz Club • $35-$70

Tower of Power has been a regular hit in the Twin Cities of late, thanks to its fabulous horn section, timelessly funky repertoire and dynamic singer Larry Braggs. ToP's longest-tenured vocalist, the charismatic Braggs left for a solo career at the end of 2013, and Ray Greene, a Berklee-educated trombonist-turned-singer, has stepped in. Judging by YouTube clips, the Georgia native is a worthy vocalist who might bring a bit more gospel influence. Here's looking forward to hearing Greene dive into 1970s classics with founder/saxophonist Emilio Castillo and Oakland's finest old-school jazzy funketeers. Jon Bream