Thursday, Aug. 1
1. Jewel and Melissa Etheridge: They were popular singer-songwriters in the ‘90s. Jewel made her name with coffeehouse pop like “Who Will Save Your Soul” and “You Were Meant for Me,” which led to her being a fixture on Lilith Fair. In 2021, she re-established herself by grabbing first place on “The Masked Singer” as the Queen of Hearts and, the following year, releasing her latest album, “Freewheelin’ Woman.” Etheridge, who never played at Lilith Fair, rocked out with “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” earning two Grammys and an Oscar for “I Need to Wake Up.” With 21 studio albums to her credit, the raspy-voiced heartland rocker took her one-woman show to Broadway last fall. (7:30 p.m. Ledge Amphitheater, 1700 Parkway Drive, Waite Park, Minn., $57-$980, ticketmaster.com)
2. Minnesota Orchestra: Among the orchestra’s signature summer events is the “Grand Piano Spectacular,” for which “Summer at Orchestra Hall” host Jon Kimura Parker will be joined by three other pianists for eight-handed takes on everything from Mozart to Gershwin to Astor Piazzolla (7 p.m. Thu.). Speaking of Gershwin, Parker will solo on his Piano Concerto at a concert that also features Lina Gonzalez-Granados conducting music of John Harbison and Darius Milhaud (8 p.m. Fri.). St. Paul product Byron Stripling leads an evening of swing (7 p.m. Sat.). (Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $34-$110, 612-371-5656 or minnesotaorchestra.org)
Also: Tate McRae, the 21-year-old Canadian singer/dancer, won the Juno for song of the year for “Greedy,” the international hit that landed at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 (8 p.m. the Armory, resale only); Mankato’s Ribfest has a lineup of barbecue and oldies, including country singer Rodney Akins on Thursday, rocker Tom Kiefer on Friday and ‘90s favorities Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket on Saturday (5 p.m. Vetter Stone Amphitheater, Mankato, $10-$50); an early collaborator of Bonnie Raitt who has remained a cult-loved New Orleans singer/guitarist for five decades, Chris Smither earned high marks again with his new album, “All About the Bones,” which he’s supporting with Austin’s Betty Soo (7:30 p.m. Cedar Cultural Center, $35); high-energy, ‘70s and ‘80s-infused rockers Annie & the Bang Bang head up this week’s installment of Lowertown Sounds in downtown St. Paul with Keep for Cheap (6-9:30 p.m. Mears Park, free); alt-twanger Molly Brandt also has a free outdoor as part of Hopkins’ Sunset Series; (7 p.m., Downtown Park, free); Alan Sparhawk’s funk band Derecho Rhythm Section is back at Icehouse (7 p.m., $15-$20); Dred I Dread finds the reggae groove outdoors (7 p.m. Staring Lake Park Amphitheater, Eden Prairie, free).
Friday, Aug. 2
3. Peso Pluma: There have been plenty of popular Mexican rappers before, but very few have incorporated their country’s traditional music styles as overtly and thrillingly as this 24-year-old sensation from Guadalajara — and none has seen their careers blow up so quickly and wildly. The recent Rolling Stone cover boy caught on over the past year with global hits such as “AMG,” “Por Las Noches” and “Rubicon” and then won a Grammy for best música Mexicana album with his 2023 release, “Génesis.” He livens up his emo-y rap tunes with a full-blown mariachi band in a rowdy, sometimes lovely, and overall truly unique stage production. His U.S. tour started up last week after being postponed in May, but looks like the high ticket prices haven’t budged. (8 p.m. Target Center, 600 1st Av. N., Mpls., $70-$625, ticketmaster.com)
4. Tedeschi Trucks Band: Whether you think of them as a blues band (they won a Grammy in that field), a jam band (they carry on in the Allman Brothers tradition) or just a rock band (with two standout guitarists), TTB is a must-see live band. Susan Tedeschi is a standout singer, oozing soulful passion, and a formidable guitarist. Her husband, Derek Trucks, is a guitar god, master of the slide guitar, and a spiritual force who has been on the road for nearly 30 years even though he’s only 45. And their 12-piece ensemble includes singer Mike Mattison, who grew up in Minneapolis. Opening is Margo Price, the alt-country gem who deserves a bigger audience. (7 p.m. Fri.-Sat., the Armory, $46 and up, ticketmaster.com)cq all
5. Basilica Block Party: After a two-year hiatus, the long-running BBP returns in a new location with a familiar lineup to raise money for the Basilica of St. Mary and its outreach programs. The site is Boom Island on the Mississippi River in northeast Minneapolis, where Rock the Garden was held in 2016. Once again, there are two stages, with Goo Goo Dolls headlining on Friday, preceded by the Fray, Dean Lewis, Red Clay Strays, Yam Haus and Socktopus. The lineup on the local stage includes Run Westy Run, Black Widows and Cindy Lawson. Counting Crows top Saturday’s bill, which features Needtobreathe, Judah & the Lion, Phillip Phillips, St. Paul & the Minneapolis Funk All Stars and Guytano. Slated for the local stage are the Ocean Blue (not technically local), Nur-D and the Mary Jane Alm Band. (12:30 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Boom Island, 434 NE. Main St., Mpls., $99 and up, etix.com)
6. Barry Manilow: In 2016, the popmeister said he’d stop touring. But he missed it. After setting records for most performances at New York’s Radio City Music Hall (topping Bette Midler) and Las Vegas’ Westgate Resort Hotel (beating Elvis Presley), the 81-year-old Brooklynite has hit the road again this summer for a limited tour. Always an energetic, fast-talking entertainer, the king of the middle of the road will bring “Mandy,” “Copacabana” and his comedy shtick back to St. Paul. (7 p.m. Xcel Energy Center, 199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, , $69 and up, ticketmaster.com)
Also: Minnesota’s annual country-and-camping hoedown We Fest has a brawny lineup this year with “Save Me” hitmaker Jelly Roll headlining on Thursday, fast-rising Parker McCollum of “Burn It Down” fame topping Friday’s festivities and the mighty Eric Church leading Saturday’s party (Soo Pass Ranch, Detroit Lakes, $129 and up, wefest.com);the New Standards, the beloved Twin Cities trio, deliver their jazzy pop in Fridley (7 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Crooners, $45-$55); Thomasina Petrus and the Selby Ave. Brass Band throw down some New Orleans sounds (6:30 p.m. Belvedere tent at Crooners, $25-$35); two vets of Nashville’s wilder underbelly club scene, Chuck Mead of BR5-49 and Jason Ringenberg of Jason & the Scorchers have paired up on tour (7 p.m. Uptown VFW, $30-$35); Dr. Mambo’s Combo, the local R&B institution, salutes Sly Stone and Chaka Khan (7 p.m. Hook & Ladder tent, $20-$30).