The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Aug. 1-7 include Peso Pluma, Faye Webster, Barry Manilow, Killer Mike, Tedeschi Trucks Band and Basilica Block Party.
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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).
Saturday, Aug. 3
7. Oratorio Society of Minnesota: The Oratorio Society likes to go big with large-scale works for choir and orchestra, and so did Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, an early 20th-century English composer of African descent. This concert features two of his monumental works — “Kubla Khan” and “The Atonement” — and excerpts from a third, “Meg Blane.” Among the soloists is bass-baritone Dashon Burton, a former member of Cantus who won his third Grammy this year. Conducting are Brandson Berger and the Oratorio Society’s leader, Matthew Mehaffey. A streaming option is available. (7:30 p.m. Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 S. 4th St., Mpls.; $10-$30; oratorio.org)
Also: Three of the core members of the all-star Americana band Golden Smog who also all happen to be from some of Minnesota’s best-loved rock bands, Dan Murphy, Kraig Johnson and Marc Perlman are settling in for two freewheeling, semi-unplugged nights together (9 p.m. Sat., 7 p.m. Sun., Aster Cafe, $12); one of the rockier and wilder acts from West Africa’s funky desert-blues scene, Tinariwen returns to the Cedar Cultural Center (8 p.m., sold out); Take That Back, a local jazz combo featuring Joan Hutton on bass clarinet and alto sax and Sue Orfield on tenor sax, celebrates their second album, “Splash” (8 p.m. Crooners, $25-$35); the Rise Up Reggae Festival is doubling as a celebration of Icehouse’s new ownership and commitment to its community with veteran groovers Socaholix, Innocent and the International Reggae All-Stars (6 p.m., $40 cover includes two drinks); Twin Cities Deadheads will come alive again for the Built to Last Festival with China Rider, the Jones Gang and more inside and outside the Hook & Ladder (5:30 p.m., $15); versatile Twin Cities sax and woodwinds player Nelson Devereaux, who has performed with the likes of Bon Iver and Craig Finn, celebrates the release of his new album (8 p.m. 7th St. Entry, $15); after playing Coachella and opening for Red Hot Chili Peppers’ tour, Atlanta rapper Ken Carson, who is signed to Playboi Carti’s label, brings his Chaos World Tour to Minneapolis (7 p.m. Fillmore, resale only).
Sunday, Aug. 4
8. Faye Webster: After her jadedly romantic sleeper hit “But Not Kiss” caught on early this year, the 27-year-old Atlanta singer/songwriter is crossing over from a critics’ pick and NPR Music favorite to a rising TikTok and Spotify star. She seems ready for the added attention, too. Her latest album, “Underdressed at the Symphony,” was a musically understated affair with softer and quieter tones, part Phoebe Bridgers and Leonard Cohen. But she and her excellent band impressively expand on the songs in concert in front of a clever, laundry-themed stage design, and with her already impressive back catalog for extra spin. Virginia electro-folk singer Benét opens. (7:30 p.m. Palace Theatre, 17 W. 7th Place, St. Paul, resale tickets only, first-avenue.com.)
Also: Funky, Grammy-winning New Orleans piano man Jon Cleary, a native of England, returns behind his 2023 album, “So Swell” (7 p.m. the Dakota, $35-$40); known from “The Voice” and her own dazzling performances around the Twin Cities, singer Ashley DuBose is putting on her “JazRnB” show (7 p.m. Icehouse, $20-$25); a metal band with its own accompanying fantasy/sci-fi graphic novel series, Magic Sword has come to life on tour (8 p.m. Turf Club, $28).
Monday, Aug. 5
9. Killer Mike: After raising the roof at First Ave with a gospel group as his backing band last year while touting his Grammy-winning solo album “Michael,” the Run the Jewels rapper is making a very-welcome second go-round to the club with his Mighty Midnight Revival crew following their appearance at this weekend’s Lollapalooza festival in Chicago and last weekend’s Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island. The booming-voiced Atlanta hip-hop hero and activist has dropped a new single in the interim, “Humble Me,” a gracious reaction to his high-profile arrest at the Grammys. Mike’s emotional, open-book approach has made him one of hip-hop’s greatest modern MCs. (8 p.m. First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., $36, axs.com)
Also: Well-traveled bass man Victor Wooten is back at the Dakota for two nights of funky jazz with the Wooten Brothers (6:30 & 9 p.m. Mon. & Tue., $35-$50).
Tuesday, Aug. 6
10. Mt. Joy: This jangly, semi-cosmic Pennsylvanian folk-rock band had a sizable radio hit in 2018 with “Silver Lining,” but it has made an even bigger mark on the road since then as a dramatic and, yep, joyous live act. That reputation is solidified by the release of the group’s newest album, “Live at the Salt Shed,” recorded over a four-night stand at Chicago’s new mini-amphitheater. There should be a similarly warm vibe at this one-night-only outdoor Twin Cities gig as the band makes its way to Denver for two nights at Red Rocks. (7 p.m. Surly Brewing Festival Field, 520 Malcolm Av. SE, Mpls., resale and platinum tickets only, axs.com)
Also: “All the Small Things”-hitmaking pop-punk trio Blink 182 is making a second appearance in town on its reunion tour with singer/guitarist Tom DeLonge, which saw typically slapstick results last year at Xcel Center and has Pierce the Veil opening this time (7 p.m. Target Center, $40-$300); electro-fuzzy New York duo Cults has garnered some newfound TikTok/YouTube success and is back with a new album, “To the Ghosts” (8 p.m. Fine Line, $27).
Wednesday, Aug. 7
It’s a prog-rock feast with two bands led by blasts from the past — Jon Anderson of Yes and Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer (7:30 p.m. Ledge Amphitheater, Waite Park, $62-$550); New Orleans’ feel-good hippie rockers the Revivalists are coming upriver again in support of their latest album, “Pour It Out Into the Night” (8 p.m. Palace Theatre, resale tickets only); longtime musical collaborators from different rock/hip-hop backgrounds, Lydia Liza and Big Cats are back together and performing with Kate Malanaphy and more (7:30 p.m. Turf Club, $12).
Classical music critic Rob Hubbard contributed to this column.
The beloved author will kick off the Talking Volumes series in St. Paul, reading from her new book “We’re Alone.”