Big Gigs: Live music for Oct. 19-25

POP/ROCK

The xx had no trouble selling out First Ave, but it will have its work cut out playing to a packed crowd in a room that size. Despite its low-volume minimal sound, the icy British electro-throb trio captivated a sold-out audience at the Triple Rock in 2010 behind its eponymous debut album, which landed the smash "Crystalised" and went on to win the Mercury Prize. The follow-up record, "Coexist," nicely builds on the icy tension between coed vocalists Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim but otherwise leaves the band's naked sound untouched. Spanish labelmates John Talbot Live and sisterly British duo 2:54 open. (9 p.m. Fri., First Avenue. Sold out.) Chris Riemenschneider

A master of overcooking, Meat Loaf did it again on last year's "Hell in a Handbasket." He invited his fellow "Celebrity Apprentice" alums Trace Adkins, Lil Jon and Mark McGrath to join him on one number, "Stand in the Storm." He asked the great politicized rapper Chuck D to join him on "Mad Mad World/The Good God Is a Woman and She Don't Like Ugly." He even covered the Mamas & the Papas' "California Dreamin.'" Who dreams up these recipes? Let's hope the Loaf sticks to three servings of "Bat Out of Hell," the trilogy that has kept him on the classic-rock menu. (8 p.m. Fri., Mystic Lake Casino, $59-$69.) Jon Bream

If you've heard "Boyfriend" from Justin Bieber's "Believe" album, you realize that the teen heartthrob is evolving musically. He's still mainstream pop but not as bubblegum as his "Baby" days. He's also incorporated more elaborate stage sets and effects (he hired Phish's light designer) for his second arena tour, which features "Call Me Maybe" sensation Carly Rae Jepsen as opening act. She'll return during his set to duet on "Beautiful," their ballad that's already a hit in their native Canada. Read an interview with Jepsen at startribune.com/music. (7 p.m. Sat., Target Center, $37.50-$87.50.) Bream

It's a mixed blessing for Smashing Pumpkins fans that the band's new concept album, "Oceania," is actually pretty terrific. Billy Corgan feels strongly enough about it that he's performing the album in its entirety on tour. He'll do it with help from an elaborate visual setup designed by the guy behind Roger Waters' "The Wall" tour, and with a new Pumpkins lineup put together for the album. They'll get to the rest of the band's discography in the second half of the show. Florida rockers Anberlin open. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Roy Wilkins Auditorium, $45.) Riemenschneider

With his ear for hooky pop, flair for buoyant R&B and love of folkie earnestness, Eric Hutchinson falls somewhere between Maroon 5 and Jason Mraz. That could explain why Cities 97 and KS95 have helped make the Twin Cities his No. 1 market. He's been all over those stations with 2009's "Rock & Roll" and this year's catchy but kinda creepy "Watching You Watch Him." The engaging Hutchinson returns on his Almost Solo Tour, with accompaniment from Twin Cities-bred multi-instrumentalist Elliott Blaufuss. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Pantages Theatre, $31.) Bream

Fans were bummed the Heartless Bastards didn't book an alternate gig after the SoundTown fest was canceled in July, but at least they're making it back before year's end. And what a year they've had. The Cincinnati-reared, Austin, Texas-based quartet played an exhilarating, sold-out First Ave gig in February a few days before the release of "Arrow," one of 2012's most satisfying rock albums. Meanwhile, bittersweet howler Erika Wennerstrom has stepped out at festivals and other big gigs, proving herself one of the most powerful and lovable frontwomen out there. Psychedelic Athens, Ga., twangers the Futurebirds open with Dana Falconberry. (8:30 p.m. Sun., First Avenue, $17.) Riemenschneider

Benefit compilations are usually hit-and-miss affairs, but "We Love to Be Free" is a 16-song feast for fans of folk, Americana and tuneful adult rock that spotlights some of our area's superior songwriters and players, including Grammy winner Dan Wilson and string-band stars Pert Near Sandstone. A release party/fundraiser for marriage-amendment opponents Minnesotans United for All Families features contributors Charlie Parr, the Roe Family Singers, Ellis, Annie Humphrey, Siama Matuzungidi, Bill Geezy, Dakota Dave Hull and Sonic Love Child. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Patrick's Cabaret, $15.) Tom Surowicz

In a month crammed with Gen X-era alt-rock reunion tours, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion might get lost in the nostalgic shuffle. However, the hard-grinding New York trio has a cache of younger fans and modern indie credibility to go with its older fan base, as evidenced by favorable reviews for its new album, "Meat and Bone," from both Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. The original trio of Spencer, drummer Russell Simins and Wisconsin-bred guitarist Judah Bauer beat the Black Keys by a decade in channeling old blues and soul music for collegiate rock hipsters. Word is their live shows are still up to the old, sweat-soaked standards. Opener Bloodshot Bill is a vintage Canadian rocker from the same camp as King Khan. (8:30 p.m. Mon., Triple Rock. $18.) Riemenschneider

Dubbed the "new Dylan" in 1978, Steve Forbert scored a hit the next year with "Romeo's Tune" and has been underappreciated ever since. He's never stopped making albums, working with such producers as Garry Tallent and Pete Anderson. This year's "Over With You," his 16th studio effort, shows he still has a way with words and melodies but his voice is a bit worse for wear. He does get his Dylan on in "Sugarcane Plum Fairy," the flowery story song that closes the disc. He's appearing with Amy Helm, the angelic voice who has sung with Ollabelle and her late father's on-going group, the Levon Helm Band. (7 p.m. Mon., Dakota Jazz Club, $30.) Bream

Glen Phillips and Grant-Lee Phillips aren't related, but they're of the same era and songwriterly pedigree. Glen is best-known as the sandy-voiced frontman for Toad the Wet Sprocket, which made it big in the early-'90s with soft-rock hits like "Walk on the Ocean." Grant-Lee had more critical accolades than commercial success with his stormier band Grant Lee Buffalo. Each of the California boys has a folky new solo album that sounds more timeless than their bands' work. And yes, they will sing together, too. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cedar Cultural Center. $20.) Riemenschneider

HIP-HOPAfter wild sets at First Ave, Soundset and Summer Set the past two years, Alabama's tattooed, mohawked rapper Yelawolf has found another new venue where he can park his pickup-brand redneck rap. Last year's debut for Eminem's label, "Radioactive," garnered him ample attention via the Kid Rock- and Lil' Wayne-accompanied singles "Let's Roll" and "Hard White," but it felt a bit tame compared with his rowdy live shows. For his Slumerican Tour, he's bringing along a fellow good-ol'-boy rapper, Georgia's woolly bearded Rittz -- who had Yela guest on his new album. Trouble Andrew and DJ Vajara also perform. (10 p.m. Fri., Epic. $25.) Riemenschneider

JAZZDrummer Dave King, the Twin Cities' own wayfaring jazz star, must wonder each morning when he wakes up, "Which band am I in today?" This weekend, it's a new trio with local bass great Billy Peterson and piano magician Bill Carrothers that just released a collection of hallowed standards, "I've Been Ringing You." The material -- including the 1940s gem "Autumn Serenade" and the near-operatic "This Nearly Was Mine," from "South Pacific" -- got aggressively transformed, as you'd expect, at an instant, four-hour session last spring with no rehearsal. Now that's old-school. (9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Artists' Quarter, $15.) Surowicz

Veteran Twin Cities vocalist Patty Peterson has made all the right moves on her new album "The Very Thought of You." She has chosen the right material (from "Bluer Than Blue" to "Love for Sale"), explored some deep, imaginative vocal interpretations and tapped some terrific musicians, including Bobby Lyle, Sheila E, Stokley Williams, David Hazeltine and, of course, various Petersons. Once a musical chameleon, she proves her jazz bona fides on her fifth, best and most sophisticated album. She'll be joined by the Bobby Lyle Trio for her release party. (7 & 9 p.m. Fri., Dakota, $25.) Bream

Kurt Elling's fresh album, "1619 Broadway, The Brill Building Project" is a tribute to his new hometown of New York City, and its rock 'n' roll-era songwriting savants. Elling often struggles to put his jazz auteur stamp on songs that have been done to simpler perfection, but it's still interesting to hear him swing and miss. And there are some doubles and home runs. Carole King's "So Far Away" works well as a late-night urban reverie; the Coasters' jivey gem "Shopping for Clothes" suggests bassist Christian McBride may have a second career in voiceovers; and "I'm Satisfied," an obscure uptown blues romp debuted by Lou Rawls, gets an inspired revival. 1010 Nicollet turns into 1619 Broadway for one night. (7 & 9 p.m. Tue., Dakota Jazz Club, $25-$40.) Surowicz

ROOTSLast seen revving up his "Hot Rod Lincoln" before a happy full house at the Dakota, Commander Cody is back to once again, in his own words, "pound a piano into submission," backed by a capable band of veteran cohorts, including longtime drummer Steve Barbuto and guitarist/vocalist Mark Emerick. (9 p.m. Sat., Famous Dave's Uptown, $10-$20.) Surowicz