MUSIC
Kim Petras
After shining in the spotlight and earning a Grammy with Sam Smith for their hit collaboration "Unholy," the German-born dance-pop singer is stepping out on her own supporting her first major-release album, "Feed the Beast." The record's fun but also sometimes fiery message-filled tracks alternately recall Robyn and Kim Perry with hip-hop influences thrown in. A steadfast LGBTQ rights advocate since she went public with her gender-affirming surgery at age 16, she's also playing tunes from her earlier EP, "Slut Pop," and her "surprise" LP from a few weeks ago, "Problématique." (8 p.m. Thu., the Armory, 500 S. 6th St., Mpls., $47-$57, ticketmaster.com)
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
Rod Wave
The Florida soul-trap rapper/singer has scored three consecutive No. 1 albums, including this fall's "Nostalgia." With gospel undertones, Wave wears his heart on his sleeve on his chill, tuneful jams, which have endeared him to young women. He's vulnerable, sharing his feelings about his heart aching and breaking. Wave has yet to cross over to the pop charts in a big way, but "Fight the Feeling," "Call Your Friends" and "Boyz Don't Cry" — all from his new album — landed in the Top 10 on Billboard's rap list, where earlier hits "Cold December" and "Heart on Ice" also resided. Opening are Ari Lennox, Toosii and Eelmatic. (8 p.m. Fri., Xcel Energy Center, 199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, $44 and up, ticketmaster.com)
JON BREAM
Mudhoney
Being the most overlooked band in the early '90s Seattle grunge craze may have been something of a saving grace for the quartet of "Touch Me I'm Sick" notoriety. Still touring with three of its four original members and still blasting through live shows and albums with force, the group recently offered "Plastic Eternity" on Sub Pop Records, entertainingly showing off the '60s garage-rock influences. Its 2019 gig at the Fine Line was one of that year's local concert highlights. L.A. psyche-rock band Hooveriii opens. (8 p.m. Wed., Turf Club, 1601 W. University Av., St. Paul, $30, axs.com)
C.R.
Cantus
Amid a cultural re-examination of gender identity, this low-voiced ensemble of eight opens its season with "Brave," a program of music addressing what it means to be male in an often-inflexible world. The repertoire ranges from songs by Fanny Mendelssohn and Edvard Grieg to new pieces by American composer Griffin Candey. It's also available via streaming through Sunday. (11 a.m. Thu., Meetinghouse Church, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina; 7:30 p.m. Sat., Sundin Music Hall, 1531 Hewitt Av., St. Paul; 3 p.m. Sun., Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 4th St. N., Stillwater, $5-$36, 612-435-0055 or cantussings.org)
ROB HUBBARD