Big Gigs for April 29-May 6: Paul McCartney, Ellie Goulding and more

The Who: This is it for this once-great British rock band. Pete Townshend's hearing is shot. Let's hope Roger Daltrey's voice has recovered from a bout with viral meningitis that had postponed last year's leg of their farewell tour, including the Minneapolis concert. The two original members are joined by the great Pino Palladino on bass and Zak Starkey (Ringo's kid) on drums. Expect a 21-song salute that includes "Who Are You," "Pinball Wizard" and "Won't Get Fooled Again." Slydigs open. (7:30 p.m. Sun. Target Center, $39.50-$139.50.) Jon Bream

Fraea: Best known as the backup vocalist in the fondly remembered soul-band Roma di Luna, Jessie Daley started working on Fraea's tunes two years ago with former Roster McCabe guitarist/keyboardist Drew Preiner as producer. Their electro-pop duo Fraea ("fray-ah") finally made its debut in February via the national blog Consequence of Sound with the lush-toned song "Criminal," which would easily fit in between a new Chvrches song and an old Everything But the Girl classic on a playlist. The rest of the duo's icy debut EP, "Bend Your Bones," arrives with a release party featuring DJ-ing by Andrew Broder. (11 p.m. Sat., Icehouse, Mpls., $8-$10.) Chris Riemenschneider

Ellie Goulding: Whether or one big hit merits this British dance-pop singer's sudden rise to arena status, the "Lights" singer does have experience playing to big rooms after touring as an opening act for U2 and Katy Perry. Her third album, "Delirium," hasn't caught on like its predecessors, but Goulding did land another hit last year with the gushing single "Love Me Like You Do" from the "Fifty Shades of Grey" soundtrack. Opening electronic trio Years and Years are known from the No. 1 UK hit "King." (7 p.m. Thu., Xcel Energy Center, $35-$59.95) Chris Riemenschneider

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Tech N9ne: Kansas City's self-made rap hero returns to the Twin Cities burbs on his aptly named Independent Powerhouse Tour with openers including Krizz Kaliko and Ritz. (6:30 p.m. Sat., Myth, Maplewood, all ages, $38.) Riemenschneider

Julian Lage:Guitarist Julian Lagewas a child prodigy who performed with masters of bluegrass and jazz before he was in his teens. Now in his late 20s, he's touring behind "Arclight," his first electric guitar album (specifically a Fender telecaster), which features 11 short songs in an ace trio that includes drummer Kenny Wollesen and bassist Scott Colley. His liquid tone and stylistic nod to surf and Americana music should please fans of Bill Frisell, but Lage's set list is also peppered with pop-oriented originals and Depression-era chestnuts. Guitar buffs will love openers Peter Lang and folks from the classic Takoma label, including Toulouse Engelhart and Rick Ruskin. 7 p.m. Fri., Dakota, $30-$42. Britt Robson

Steve Lehman: Precious few composers integrate the head, heart and soul of music with as much incisive innovation as Steve Lehman with his Steve Lehman Octet. The alto saxophonist's "Mise en Abime," was the consensus critical pick (and my own choice) as the best jazz album of 2014 for its stunning blend of experimentation (live electronics, customized vibraphone, spectral harmonies and striking rhythmic layers) and tradition (rearrangement of three Bud Powell bebop songs from the mid-20th century, gutbucket swing propulsion). By brandishing the strong, contrasting influences of mentors like the iconoclastic Anthony Braxton and the hard-bop stalwart Jackie McLean and mixing it with contemporary classical wrinkles, Lehman is utterly distinctive, and wields top-notch, now-seasoned luminaries on every instrument in his marvelous band. (8 p.m. Sat., Walker, $22-$25.) Robson

White Denim: The hard-grooving, hard-to-peg indie-rock mavens from Austin, Texas, regrouped strong with the fun new Ethan Johns-produced album "Stiff" after losing two members to Leon Bridges. (8:30 p.m. Sun., Turf Club, St. Paul, $15-$17.) Riemenschneider

The Rides: Stephen Stills has a new trio — and they play the blues. It's just that Barry Goldberg's and Kenny Wayne Shepherd's names don't roll off your tongue like those of Crosby, Stills & Nash. (7:30 p.m. Mon. Ames Center, $39.50-$79.50) Jon Bream

Andres Prado: A native of Peru who was once a fixture on the local jazz scene, guitarist Andres Prado returns for a reprise performance with his airy fusion quintet Mississippi, which boasts a fleet versatility reminiscent of early Return to Forever and features familiar names such as pianist Peter Schimke and saxophonist Pete Whitman as well as stellar McNally Smith faculty members Jeff Bailey on electric bass and Kevin Washingon on drums. It will be nice to hear Prado's hollow-body electric ring forth on a local stage again. (7 p.m. Tue. Dakota, $12) Britt Robson

Paul McCartney: He's getting back indoors after wowing the masses at Target Field two years ago. At the age of 73, he's still serving up three-dozen familiar tunes including "A Hard Day's Night," which has landed in his live repertoire for the first time since the Beatles' heyday. (7:30 p.m. Wed.-Thu., Target Center, Mpls. $47-$252, targetcenter.com) Bream

The Struts: England's hard-rock throwback band wear enough eyeliner to earn an opening slot at Mötley Crüe's final shows but have also lined up ample 89.3 the Current airplay with "Could Have Been." (8:30 p.m. Wed., First Avenue, $16-$18.) Riemenschneider

Fatoumata Diawara: A charismatic, feminist thrush from Mali, Fatoumata Diawara wowed a crowd at the Cedar almost exactly three years ago, sporting a multi-colored headdress and playing a flaming cherry-red guitar while her supple voice exhorted over and wended through the African grooves of her band. A former dancer, movie actress, and backup singer to the great Wassoulou vocalist Oumou Sangare, Diawara commands a stage with Western sophistication and roots authenticity. Here's hoping the mysterious "special guest" on the bill is her frequent touring partner, Cuban keyboardist Robert Fonseca. (8 p.m. Fri. Cedar, $30-$35.) Robson