POP/ROCK
Jeremy Messersmith and Chris Koza emerged on the scene a half-decade ago in their mid-20s with little more than a knack for writing sophisticated, tender pop melodies and an adopted hometown that kept them holed up all winter. Since then, they have become two of the Twin Cities' most reputable singer/songwriters. Koza's profile continues to rise with his orchestral twang-pop band Rogue Valley, which completed an ambitious four-album cycle this year and is still adding polish on stage. Messersmith put out last year's most critically acclaimed local album, "The Reluctant Graveyard," and has his own ace backing band -- now featuring Rogue Valley guitarist Peter Sieve, who's pulling double duty at another great zoo twofer. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Minnesota Zoo amphitheater. All ages. $19.) Chris Riemenschneider
Musically, Janet Jackson hasn't done much for us lately. So the timing is right for her to step away from arenas and present her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal Tour. She still promises dancing, costume changes and a parade of hits but more intimacy than ever before. Read an interview with her at www.startribune.com/music. (8 p.m. Fri., Orpheum Theatre, $57.50-$97.50.) Jon Bream
Rarely has a concert been more grossly mismarketed than Hippiefest 2011. Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Felix Cavaliere of the Rascals and Rick Derringer of the McCoys may have made their marks in the 1960s, but neither they nor their music was the stuff of pot and flower power. Dave Mason, of the trippy Traffic and "Feeling Alright" fame, might have deserved the hippie label. But Gary Wright is better known for his 1970s solo work than his Spooky Tooth tunes in the '60s. Nonetheless, these aging rockers should be a fun blast from the past for baby boomers. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Minnesota Zoo, $52.) Bream
Any band can open for a movie, but not many could actually perform with a film as well as Dark Dark Dark probably will for the finale of the Walker Art Center's Music & Movies series. The wily, worldly chamber-folk ensemble -- which has also done work for modern museums in Massachusetts and the Netherlands -- was commissioned by the Walker to create a score for Fritz Lang's truly dark, dark, dark 1928 visual masterpiece "Spies." Judging from a short teaser video the band posted online earlier this week, the performance will include a bunch of guests and not a lot of the rules of conventional movie scoring. It sounds so promising that the Walker is moving the event out of the usual Loring Park locale onto its Open Field and opening its galleries for free starting at 6 p.m. (8:30 p.m. Mon., Walker Art Center. All ages. Free.) Riemenschneider
Who received the most MTV Music Awards nominations this year? Katy Perry, with nine. On a roll with five consecutive No. 1 pop smashes, she delivers the sassy, suggestive spectacle that MTV loves, but also the sweet and colorful that top-40 kids crave. Certain aspects of her concert might require parents to talk to their young kids afterward -- Perry can be as bawdy as she is bubbly. The pop tart postponed this show last month because of food poisoning; tickets for the July 9 show will be honored. Opening are DJ Skeet Skeet and Natalia Kills. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Xcel Energy Center, $25-$47.) Bream
Release the Sunbird is the rather flighty moniker of Rogue Wave frontman Zach Rogue's rather earthy new side project. The Bay Area indie-rocker -- who has retained a soft-guy, big-heart charm throughout a variety of musical manifestations -- mellows out and gets his folk on for "Come Back to Us," his new album for Jack Johnson's Brushfire label. On tour, he is playing the songs in a stripped-down set with harmonizing partner Kate Long. (9 p.m. Wed., Turf Club. 21 & older. $12.) Riemenschneider
After two cancellations at First Avenue due to laryngitis, Adele is stepping up to where her popularity demands -- a sold-out Xcel Energy Center (actually the theater setup, holding about 10,000). Her "21" is the biggest selling album of the year, on the impetus of the chart-topping "Rolling in the Deep" and "Rumour Has It." Arenas, however, may not be a good fit for her artistry. Adele has a special, soulful voice but the 23-year-old Brit has demonstrated nervous energy and a chatty stage fright in her two previous Twin Cities appearances, both in small theaters. Her handpicked opening act is rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson, who was a little bit rock, a little bit country and all charmer two weeks ago at the Minnesota Zoo. (7:30 p.m. Wed.) Bream
