Big Gigs for July 24-30: Shania Twain, Mason Jennings, Warped Tour, TV on the Radio, Sage Francis and more

Blackberry Smoke is often classified as a country band partly because the Atlanta quintet has toured with Zac Brown Band and Eric Church and was signed to Brown's label. Frankly, their sound is part Eagles, part Outlaws and part Huey Lewis. These long-haired country boys recently released "Holding All the Roses" on Rounder Records. After 15 years, the harmony-loving, jam-inclined group knows how to smoke a crowd. Steepwater Band opens. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Minnesota Zoo, $37 & $49.50.) Jon Bream

It's an example of subgenres run amok, but the band This Will Destroy You accurately describes its sound as "doomgaze" — a mix of the plunder and thunder of doom metal and the eruptive pyrotechnics of shoegaze. It's huge and resonant, like watching an avalanche from the top of the mountain. Opener the Velvet Teen just released its best and most effervescent disc, the U2-oriented "All Is Illusory," after a nine-year lull. (9 p.m. Fri., Varsity Theater, $17.) Britt Robson

The genre-jumping NeedToBreathe is living the American rock 'n' roll band's dream. Formed by brothers Bear and Bo Rinehart, and joined later by members Seth Bolt and Josh Lovelace, the South Carolina foursome was signed to Lava Records in 2005 and hasn't slowed down since, with national TV appearances, five studio albums, multiple Gospel Music Awards and a Grammy nomination. They will be joined at Cabooze Plaza by Switchfoot, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors and Colony House. (6 p.m. Fri., Cabooze Plaza, $35-$38, all ages.) Erica Rivera

A songwriter since age 13, Mason Jennings came to Minnesota to hone his craft as a musician. Ten albums and countless concerts later, he's solidified a reputation for heartfelt performances, transparent lyrics and accessible instrumentation. Jennings is a musician's musician, collaborating with the cream of the crop while forging his own path with pure artistry. His Minnesota Zoo show promises to be as intimate and earnest as always. Evocative, mellow crooner S. Carey opens. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Minnesota Zoo, $39-$51.50, all ages.) Rivera

If you question the credentials of Albert Lee, a superstar in his native England and an in-demand session guitarist, check out his latest album. "Guitar Heroes" features James Burton, Amos Garrett, David Wilcox and Lee interpreting such guitar classics as "Sleep Walk," "Suzie Q" and "Flip Flop and Fly." Lee is touring with top-notch former Asleep at the Wheeler Cindy Cashdollar, who joined him last year at the Dakota. (7 p.m. Sun., Dakota, $35.) Bream

Warped Tour storms into Shakopee again, pulling from an eclectic mélange of emo rock bands and notorious You­Tubers. In its 21st year, the tour includes local favorites like dance pop act Koo Koo Kanga Roo as well as metal, alternative and electronic acts that most goth- and punk-loving millennials will recognize. If you have unexpressed angst, youthful energy and the urge to document every moment on social media, this is your crowd. (11 a.m. Sun., Canterbury Park, $35.50, all ages.) Rivera

L.A. singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell explains that her 10th studio album, "Dark Lights Up," released Friday, was inspired by classic country after a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame with her toddler twins. There's a childlike playfulness to the tunes, some with Hawaiian undertones, some with a Patsy Cline-ish vibe, some honky-tonk lite. Her song "Town Called Heartache" summarizes Mandell's worldview: "There's a town called Heartache in the state of Misery/ I used to live there all year round/ Now I'm just passing through. ... Is it still such a thrill before you start to fall down?" Courtney Marie Andrews opens. (8 p.m., Sun., Turf Club, $10-$12.) Bream

Strand of Oaks wowed an Entry crowd last summer shortly after his/its fourth album "Heal" landed to deserved raves. Thickly bearded Indiana-reared, Philadelphia-based rocker Timothy Showalter thickly piles on the guitars, keys and personal drama, with echoes of the War on Drugs and My Morning Jacket. His Dead Oceans labelmate from Chicago, Ryley Walker, opens. (8:30 p.m. Mon., Turf Club, sold out.) Riemenschneider

It has been nearly four years since A.A. Bondy released "Believers." He spent his last extended hiatus transforming from a frontman in the Alabama grunge ensemble Verbena to a solo singer-songwriter warbling spectral folk-blues in upstate New York, taking his cue from the likes of Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt and Robbie Robertson. Now he lives near the ocean north of Los Angeles, but reviews confirm that his performances remain emotional, atmospheric and intimate. (7:30 Tue., Turf Club, $13-$15.) Robson

When the Eagles were flying high, Pure Prairie League had a nice run with a sound that lived in the intersection of soft rock and country rock, yielding such hits as "Amie" and "Let Me Love You Tonight." Two members went on to fame — country superstar Vince Gill and singer/guitarist Craig Fuller, who did a stint in Little Feat. PPL reunited in 1998 and the current lineup is John David Call, Mike Reilly, Scott Thompson and Donnie Lee Clark. (7 p.m. Tue.-Wed., Dakota, $45.) Bream

On her debut album "Kicker," 20-year-old Los Angeles pop thrush Zella Day sounds like Britney Spears trying to front Florence + the Machine. In other words, her voice is slight but her sound is big and bombastic. There are hints of Lana Del Rey, a stoned Stevie Nicks and an overly dramatic Lorde. Consider her Ellie Goulding's California cousin. Best song: "1965," which was long before Day's time but sounds right for this time. L.A. electronica trio Lany opens. (8:30 p.m. Wed., 7th Street Entry, $12-$14.) Bream

TV on the Radio took a lengthy break after bassist Gerard Smith died of cancer in 2011 and continues to tour far less frequently, but Brooklyn's foremost art-punk unit remains one of the most riveting live bands. A breathtaking showcase at South by Southwest in March revived the electrifying power of older favorites such as "Wolf Like Me" and "Staring at the Sun" while also beautifully fleshing out the more melancholic and melodic tones of last year's underrated album "Seeds." The guys play one of their favorite clubs between gigs at Red Rocks Amphitheater and Lollapalooza. Roniia opens, featuring Dark Dark Dark singer Nona Marie with electro wiz Mark McGee. (8 p.m. Thu., First Avenue, sold out.) Chris Riemenschneider

After experiencing writers' block for 10 years, Rickie Lee Jones moved from Los Angeles to New Orleans and rediscovered herself. On this summer's "The Other Side of Desire," there are a few overt nods to the Crescent City (the piano-propelled "J'ai Connais Pas," the swampy "Haunted") but mostly it's the spirit of the creative community that informs the album. Jones, 60, a once and future major artist, has found the rhythm and muse for her poetry, humor and joie de vivre. Some songs are complicated, some simple, all are rewarding. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cedar Cultural Center, $48.50-$63.50.) Bream

Four months ahead of its annual Thanksgiving Eve throwdown at First Ave, the Ike Reilly Assassination is making a special trip up I-94 to tout the new album "Born on Fire," on Tom Morello's Firebrand label. It's the wry, rowdy, writerly Illinois rocker's first new collection in six years and is thus loaded with killer tracks, including several live staples, such as "Am I Still the One for You" and "Hangin' Around." (9 p.m. Thu., Fine Line, $20.) Riemenschneider

Another year, another Summerland Tour to try to make you feel like it's 1995. Ringleaders Everclear — the grungy hitmakers of "Santa Monica," "Wonderful" and "Heroin Girl" — have enlisted those mighty "Possum Kingdom"-screaming Texans the Toadies to join them this time around. "Hemorrhage (In My Hands)" rockers Fuel and emo-y openers American Hi-Fi also perform. (8:30 p.m. Thu., Mill City Nights, $42.50-$47.) Riemenschneider

It's time for another terrific free music fest in Mears Park. The second annual Lowertown Blues Festival offers more than 10 hours of tunes by eight acts on two stages. The big names are Elvin Bishop, the former Butterfield Blues Band guitarist who showed great chops and fun humor on last year's "Can't Even Do Wrong Right" album, and Walter Trout, who has rebounded from a 2014 liver transplant. There are plenty of local heroes, too, including Big George Jackson, Lisa Wenger and Jimi "Primetime" Smith. (12:30-10 p.m. Sat., Mears Park, St. Paul, free.) Bream

She's back. After pretty much disappearing after her 2004 hits collection due to voice and marital problems, Shania Twain returned in 2012 with a Las Vegas residency, and now she's hitting the road for the Rock This Country Tour. Although she's working on a new album, she promises no new material — just the hits that made her the pop/country queen of the '90s and early '00s. Opening is eager-to-please popster Gavin DeGraw. Read an interview with Twain at startribune.com/music. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Target Center, $46-$136.) Bream

Sage Francis makes his second visit to First Avenue in 13 months, simultaneously promoting last year's seething "Copper Gone" (his first collection since 2010) and the 10-year anniversary of his triumph "A Healthy Distrust." Poetic, political, visceral, cerebral and independent, Sage may as well be an honorary Rhymesayer. Expect classics like "Makeshift Patriot," "Escape Artist" and "The Best of Times." (8 p.m. Sat., First Avenue, $16-$18.) Robson

The music of Johann Strauss II is so often associated with New Year celebrations that it's easy to forget he was in fact a man for all seasons, whose waltzes, polkas and operettas lit up Viennese social occasions round the calendar. So it's totally appropriate that the Minnesota Orchestra should light up summer with a program called "Strauss: The Waltz King." In addition to the "Emperor Waltz" and other evergreens from Strauss and his family there's a rare opportunity to hear Vaughan Williams' Tuba Concerto, played by orchestra principal Steven Campbell. (8 p.m. Fri., 2 p.m. Sun., Orchestra Hall, $30-$50, 612-371-5656 or www.minnesotaorchestra.org) Terry Blain

Kids and classical music: the two are often assumed to be incompatible. The Summer Singers think they shouldn't be, and are running two special concerts introducing children to the classics, minus the intimidating trappings of the traditional concert setting. "No Shushing Allowed" is the Singers' mantra. Snippets from the ensemble's regular repertoire will feature in the first concert, with sing-alongs and story times for younger children. Concert two is an interactive workshop for older children. Both events are free, and each lasts 45 minutes. (11 a.m. Sat., Faith Mennonite Church, 2720 E. 22nd St., Mpls.; 3 p.m. Sat., Sumner Library, 611 Van White Memorial Blvd, Mpls. Free. SummerSingers.org) Blain