Thursday, May 12
Fresh off the release of their own rowdy new album "Water Valley High," Twin Cities rockers Eleganza will perform the Stones' "Exile on Main Street" in its entirety to mark its 50th anniversary with extra musicians (8 p.m., Turf Club, $15); the suave '90s soul singer returns with the Brian McKnight Four (7 & 9 p.m., also Fri., Dakota, $50-$85); Aussie dance-op mainstays Cut Copy (8 p.m. First Avenue, $30); buzzing Belgian fuzz-pop band Slow Crush (8 p.m., 7th St. Entry, $15); hazy Minneapolis rockers Sleeping Jesus preview their long-awaited debut album (8 p.m., Icehouse, $15); Dan Newton's Cafe Accordio Orchestra go "South of the Border" (7 p.m., Crooners Outside, $25).
Friday, May 13
Earth Wind & Fire: The great soul band still has three original elements, er, members — Verdine White brings the adrenaline, Philip Bailey the heavenly falsetto, and Ralph Johnson the authenticity. Various musicians and singers fill out the lineup to deliver "Shining Star," "September" and "Boogie Wonderland" with style, flash and fire. (8 p.m. Fri. Mystic Lake Casino, Prior Lake, $66-$160, ticketmaster.com)
Julianna Barwick: Like a Radiohead-inspired Enya, this Louisiana-bred singer and multi-instrumentalist crafts lush, soothing but innovative, loop-filled music that has earned her raves from the New York Times and Pitchfork. Her most acclaimed album, "Healing Is a Miracle," dropped early in the pandemic with guest vocals by Sigur Ros singer Jonsi and some much-appreciated calming power. She's finally getting around to promoting it and is playing here as part of the Liquid Music series. French ambient musician Malibu opens. (8 p.m., Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Av. S., Mpls., $25-$50, theparkwaytheather.com)
Also: Steve Martin and Martin Short bring their comedy act with plenty of music thanks to the Steep Canyon Rangers and pianist Jeff Babko (8 p.m. State, $79-$199); Stevie Wonder tribute with Twin Cities all-stars Ray Covington, Kathleen Johnson and others (9 p.m., also Sat., Bunkers, $17.50-$25); New Pornographers alum Dan Bejar returns touting his 13th album as Destroyer, "Labrynths" (9 p.m. Amsterdam Bar & Hall, $25-$30).
Saturday, May 14
Roger McGuinn: He pioneered the jingle-jangle sound with the Byrds, early purveyors of what became known as country-rock. Songs like "Eight Miles High" and "You Want To Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star" landed the Byrds in the Rock Hall of Fame. But McGuinn was connected to other big names along the way, including Bobby Darin, Simon & Garfunkel and, of course, Bob Dylan, touring with his mid-70s Rolling Thunder Revue. He even recorded with the Twin Cities' own Jayhawks. McGuinn spins tantalizing stories and produces goosebumps with his Rickenbacker guitar on "Turn Turn Turn" and "Mr. Tambourine Man." (8 p.m. Sat. Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, $25-$35, hopkinsartscenter.com)
The Cactus Blossoms: Officially, the siblings-led Twin Cities country harmony band's new album, "One Day," came out in February when they finally hit the road again, but vinyl copies were delayed until recently. So why not call their first hometown gig since January's annual Turf Club residency the release party? The record is slow-stirring and more laid-back-vibe-y than their previous two, but those harmonies shine like never before, as does the romance (all kinds!) in their lyrics. Second-generation Americana songwriting great Lilly Hiatt opens. (8 p.m., First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., $20-$25, axs.com)
Jorja Fleezanis and friends: When one of America's best writers about classical music, Michael Steinberg, died in 2009, a commissioning fund for new compositions was started by his widow, violinist and longtime Minnesota Orchestra concertmaster Fleezanis. She'll premiere "Where You Love From," composed by Jessica Meyer with text from the poetry of Rumi, and also play a Brahms quintet with help from some former Minnesota Orchestra colleagues, cellist Anthony Ross and percussionist Brian Mount, as well as pianist Lydia Artymiw and actor Stephen Yoakam. (4 p.m. Sat., Westminster Hall, 1200 Marquette Av. S., Mpls., $10-$25, steinbergfleezanisfund.org)
Natalie Fideler: Sometimes with a wicked grin and sometimes with gnashed teeth, this rising Twin Cities lyrical rocker spoofs and lambasts homophobia, hatred, hypocrites and sometimes her own eccentricities on her second self-produced album, "Three Man Army," which she made with help from the Music Forward Foundation's LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award. "I kissed more boys than you / but somehow I think I'm more man than you," she sings in the folky opening tune "Kisses," a mellow start to what turns into a stormy affair equal parts Alanis and Paramore. (8 p.m. Sat., 7th St. Entry, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., $12-$15, axs.com)