Best concerts of the week: KDWB Jingle Ball, Curtiss A's annual John Lennon Tribute

Tower of Power: Even though their five-man horn section spills off the Dakota stage, this veteran Oakland funk band has been unstoppable favorites at the swanky downtown Minneapolis club. Co-founder Emilio Castillo, new vocalist Marcus Scott and crew celebrate '70s soul with slow-dance panache and dance-happy funk on such classics as "You're Still a Young Man" and "What Is Hip." (7 & 9 p.m. Fri.-Mon. Dakota, $35-$70, dakotacooks.com)

The New Standards: For their 10th annual holiday shows, this delightfully entertaining Twin Cities loungey trio — pianist/singer Chan Poling, bassist/singer/quipster John Munson and vibraphonist Steve Roehm — promise holiday favorites, quirky covers and special guests, the names of which they never announce in advance. Look for dancers, too, who may be dressed as Christmas trees, the devil or other characters. (8 p.m. Fri. and 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. State Theatre, Mpls., $35-$100.)

Jesse Johnson: It was drummer Michael Bland's idea to put together a power trio featuring guitarist Johnson and bassist Sonny Thompson. Best known for his work in the Time, L.A.-based Johnson recently toured with D'Angelo and played at the White House behind Mick Jagger and others. The trio's set list will include tunes associated with Johnson, Prince, the Time and Jimi Hendrix. Bland, who is now in Soul Asylum, and Thompson, who played in one of Johnson's solo bands, spent time in Prince's NPG. (9 p.m. Fri. First Avenue, Mpls., $20-$25, etix.com)

Amanda Shires: After becoming a mom and touring in her husband Jason Isbell's band over the past year and a half, this fiddling singer/songwriter from the Texas Panhandle stored up a strong batch of songs and ample inspiration on her latest album, "My Piece of Land." Echoes of Emmylou Harris and Shawn Colvin can be heard throughout as Shires offers the kind of personal reflection her hubby has been known to revel in, too. (9 p.m. Fri., Turf Club, $15.)

In Flames and Hellyeah: Swedish metal vets In Flames are touring for the last time with longtime bassist Peter Iwers, who announced he was quitting this past week. But it's probably not their last time sharing the stage with Vinnie Paul (ex-Pantera) and Chad Gray (ex-Mudvayne) in Hellyeah. Their show is paired with the annual 93X Ultimate X-Girl Finale, which should triple the number of women otherwise in attendance. (7 p.m. Sat., Myth, $29.50.)

Trailer Trash's Trashy Little Xmas: After a fall-out with Lee's Liquor Lounge last year, the Twin Cities' best honky-tonk band is shaking its jingle stick all over the city and state this year, starting at a couple funky, old south Minneapolis hangouts this weekend. (8 p.m. Sat., Parkway Theater, $20; and noon Sun., family matinee, Eagles Club #34, $5-$10; BrownPaperTickets.com.)

Nicholas David: For his annual St. Nick's Day fundraiser (this time for the piano organization Keys 4/4 Kids), the St. Paul soul man of many hats and scarves will be joined by Har Mar Superstar, Vic Volare and the Perpich Arts High School's African Drum Ensemble. (7 p.m. Sun. Pantages, $32.50-$42.50)

KDWB Jingle Ball 2016: It's hard to pinpoint the biggest star on the lineup of this annual Top 40 pop sampler. The moms in attendance will love Backstreet Boys. Trite, sexist California rapper G-Eazy packed the State Fair grandstand this summer. DJ/producer Diplo was a festival favorite with his group Major Lazer and co-produced Bey's "Lemonade." Vocal quintet Fifth Harmony has graduated from "X Factor" TV stardom with the hits "Worth It" and "Work From Home," and now member Lauren Jauregui is earning headlines for her Trump-targeted calls for GLBT rights. Danish cutie Lukas Graham broke big last year with "7 Years." Swedish singer Tove Lo's "Lady Wood" just made Rolling Stone's list of best albums of the year. Alessia Cara, Hailee Steinfeld, Gnash and Jon Bellion also perform. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Xcel Energy Center, $35-$150, Ticketmaster.com.)

Stevie Nicks: Two of the grand female icons of rock are teaming up on tour. Nicks made her name with Fleetwood Mac, doing "Rhiannon" and "Gold Dust Woman." But she's had a noteworthy solo career, including the Prince-penned "Stand Back." Chrissie Hynde has always rocked with elan with the Pretenders, though their 2016 album "Alone," produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, finds her in a mellow, soulful mood that probably won't translate effectively to an arena. (7 p.m. Tue. Xcel Energy Center, $49-$150, ticketmaster.com.)

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats: This will be the great Denver throwback soul band's fourth time in town in just over a year delivering their radio hits "S.O.B." and "Wasting Time," but it's their first time headlining First Ave, which they easily sold out. (8 p.m. Tue., First Avenue, sold out.)

Curtiss A's John Lennon Tribute: He winged it with Bob "Slim" Dunlap and members of Safety Last in 7th Street Entry the night after Lennon's murder (Dec. 8, 1980), but 36 years later, Twin Cities rock hero Curt Almsted and his large, versatile ensemble have their four-hour routine down pat. They'll be doing the songs chronologically this year — get there early if you want to hear "Love Me Do!" — and are promising a few surprises, including one solo-era nugget they haven't played before. Always one of the best nights at the best rock club in America. (7:30 p.m. Thu., First Avenue, $16-$18, eTix.com.)