Brian McKnight: After charming with several intimate performances at the Dakota, the soul man behind the 1999 hit "Back at One" steps up to a bigger venue. This year, he's promising a new album, "Bedtime Story," full of baby-making music. (8 p.m. Fri. Mystic Lake Casino, $29-$89)
St. Paul Peterson: With a resume that includes stints with the Time, the Family, Donny Osmond, fDeluxe, Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins, LP Music and the Peterson Family, he has just dropped his first single under his own name since 2004. "You Got 2 Love" is a big old funky slice of the Minneapolis Sound, with a video featuring Fred Armisen, Sinbad, Tom Arnold, Tyka Nelson and others. Peterson celebrates the new recording, accompanied by drummer Joe Finger, guitarist Homer O'Dell and saxophonist/keyboardist Jason Peterson DeLaire. (10:30 p.m. Fri. Icehouse, $20)
G. Love and Special Sauce: It's been 25 years since these bluesy Philly hip-hoppers released their self-titled debut and drew turn-away crowds at the old Uptown Bar, thanks to loving airplay on the old Rev 105. Original bassist Jim Prescott, aka Jimi Jazz, returned to the trio in 2014, just in time to record "Love Saves the Day," their most recent release. If you don't recall G. Love's songs from the radio, you might have heard them in commercials for Coke or Cadillac. (8:30 p.m. Fri. First Avenue, $25-$30)
Sean Anonymous: After hunkering down to finish off his latest album, the wordsmith, everyman Minneapolis rapper is busting out with another birthday bash featuring another wowza lineup of talented friends impressive enough for a main-room show, including DJ Name, Greg Grease, Lady Midnight, Chance York, Big Cats, DJ Keezy, Dem Atlas and Sophia Eris. (9 p.m. Fri., 7th St. Entry, $10.)
The Last Waltz with Big Pink: For the 14th annual re-creation of the Band's last concert (turned into a landmark rock film), Twin Cities musician Rob Hilstrom has recruited an almost entirely new lineup of players, including Alex Rossi as Eric Clapton, Mark Joseph as Van Morrison, GB Leighton as Bob Dylan, Sherwin Linton as Ronnie Hawkins and Renee Austin as Emmylou Harris. Pat Hayes returns as Paul Butterfield. The backup "Band" includes Dan Ristrom, Larry McCabe and Demitri Rallis. Lamont Cranston opens. (8:30 p.m. Sat. Cabooze, $15-$20)
Lanco: After opening for Chris Young last year at Target Center, this harmony-loving country ensemble headlines for two nights in Dinkytown. Sounding like a next-gen answer to Rascal Flatts, Brandon Lancaster and the boys made a splash in Nashville with "The Greatest Love Story," about a guy pursuing his high school sweetheart after she returns with her college degree. We all know how that story ends — and the song ended up at No. 1. (8 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Varsity Theater, $25 and up, livenation.com)
A Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight: In the music-heavy play "Marie and Rosetta" at Park Square Theatre this holiday season, Jamecia Bennett stunned as gospel-reared rock 'n' roll pioneer Tharpe, and Rajane Katurah Brown impressed as her protege Knight. Bennett has shown her powerful pipes for years in the Sounds of Blackness and various local musicals, especially at Penumbra Theatre. Brown is a talented newcomer who just landed a permanent job in the Children's Theatre Company. Removed from the theater, Bennett and Brown will show that their guitar- and piano-playing was just a dramatic illusion onstage, but their singing is still magical. (7 p.m. Sun. Dakota, $30-$35, dakotacooks.com)
Dakota Dave Hull: The veteran Twin Cities acoustic guitarist is celebrating the release of his 20th album, "Another Cup." Accompanied by upright bassist Liz Draper, Hull offers delightful duets on traditional tunes as well as a trio of originals — a waltz and two rags. And he found a fitting cover, the Ink Spots' "Java Jive," a jazzy ditty that percolates in Hull's resonant guitar. (7:30 p.m. Sat. Celtic Junction, St. Paul, $15)