BENEFITAlmost as swiftly as the tornado that ripped through town on May 22, a cross-section of Twin Cities musicians lined up to stage "Northside: A Twin Cities Community Benefit." Performers, many with north Minneapolis ties, include: local gospel giants Sounds of Blackness, Robert Robinson, Sara Renner, Tonia Hughes and Darnell Davis; rock fixtures Soul Asylum and G.B. Leighton; mindful hip-hop stars Brother Ali and Toki Wright; jazz stalwarts Prudence Johnson, Dean Magraw and Ginger Commodore, plus such in-between acts as the Peterson family, Paris and Jamecia Bennett, the New Standards, the TC Jammers and chief organizer Larry Long. A dozen-plus organizations are also donating their services. Proceeds benefit the Minneapolis Foundation's North Minneapolis Fund. (5 p.m. Sun., State Theatre. $26.50-$101.50.) Chris Riemenschneider
POP/ROCK Los Angeles dance-pop trio Foster the People just put out its debut album via Columbia Records, and it has already gone straight from the buzz bin to the top 10. The record, "Torches," debuted at No. 10 in Billboard on the strength of "Pumped Up Kicks," a summery single that sounds like a giddier clone of Peter, Bjorn & John's "Young Folks." There are a few more clever and sophisticated tracks on the record, including flirty, Scissor Sisters-like dance jams. It could be an I-was-there kind of local debut, or maybe forgotten by the fall, when the band returns to First Avenue. Gardens and Villas open. (9 p.m. Sat., Fine Line. Sold out.) Riemenschneider
After helming a spirited record by hometown legend Roky Erickson last year, Will Sheff and his earnest folk-rock crew Okkervil River from Austin, Texas, bring a little of Roky's psychedelic flavor back along with a Texas-sized load of ambition for their new double-album, "I Am Very Far." The disc piles on a lot of styles and themes in mostly enviable ways, though it might draw the same kind of mixed reaction as the new one by fellow earnest-with-a-capital-E indie-folk hero Bright Eyes. Coincidentally or not, New Jersey's riling punk poets Titus Andronicus are back in the opening slot after supporting Bright Eyes on tour this spring. Future Islands also perform. (8 p.m. Sun., First Avenue. 18 & older. $17.) Riemenschneider
Natalie Merchant, the voice of "What's the Matter Here?" and "These Are Days," left 10,000 Maniacs in 1993, and founding guitarist Rob Buck died in 2000. But the Maniacs have pressed on, with founding keyboardist Dennis Drew still on board and Mary Ramsey on vocals. The group is celebrating its 30th anniversary. (7 & 9 p.m. Sun., Dakota, $40-$50.) Jon Bream
As evidenced on his late 1970s staples "Year of the Cat" and "Time Passages," Glasgow troubadour Al Stewart is a fine, literate storyteller. His latest recording, 2008's "Sparks of Ancient Light," complements his catalog admirably with its history-obsessed lyrics, strong melodies and warm vocals. (7 p.m. Mon., Dakota, $30.) Bream
After opening for Kelly Clarkson, 3 Doors Down and Plain White T's, unabashed radio rockers and Maroon 5-wannabes Parachute are now headlining their own tour. One of their openers is Hugo, who wrote a tune on Beyoncé's album that led to his own recording deal for Jay-Z's Roc Nation label and appearances on Letterman and Kimmel. Hugo's "Old Tyme Religion" album features a bluegrassy stomp treatment of Jay-Z's "99 Problems" as well as blues-folk-rock originals that suggest recent Robert Plant. (9 p.m. Mon., Cabooze, $12.) Bream
Israeli-born alt-folk chanteuse Keren Ann, who splits her time between Paris and New York, is writing an opera, composing a film soundtrack and adapting Parisian writing of the 1920s to music by Satie, Stravinsky and others. She's also touring to promote "101," her sixth solo recording but the one she considers her first pop recording. Her lyrics are literate in a Leonard Cohen kind of way but her sound is an eclectic mix of jazz, folk, rock and electronica. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Cedar Cultural Center, $13-$15.) Bream
After wowing audiences in Europe and Asia, country-pop supernova Taylor Swift -- 17 million albums and 31 million downloads sold -- has brought her Speak Now World Tour to the United States this spring. Don't expect any vocal showboating, but do expect some ukulele and piano playing, plenty of hair-tossing and dramatic scenarios (a wedding, snowfall, ballerinas, etc.). Opening are Christian-tinged popsters Needtobreathe and country-rocker Frankie Ballard, who last month opened for Bob Seger in St. Paul. (7:30 p.m. Tue.-Wed., Xcel Energy Center, sold out.) Bream
