Twin Cities concerts of the week: Atmosphere, Lil Skies, the Steeles

Atmosphere: The Minneapolis hip-hop heroes return to the Palace to top off a fall tour behind their latest album, "La Vida Local," loaded with darker tones and some surprisingly mesmerizing tracks that are among their most chill songs ever. St. Paul's own Dem Atlas opens to tout his new LP, "Bad Actress." Also with loca locals the Lioness and DJ Keezy. (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Palace Theatre, 17 W. 7th Place, St. Paul, $30, eTix.com.)

Lil Skies: If you're having trouble keeping track of all the tattoo-faced, grill-toothed rappers who've gone viral, Skies has an unlikely background going from rural Pennsylvania to 10 million SoundCloud streams and an Atlantic Records deal and at age 19-20 with his chilled-out, nasally voiced singles "Red Roses" and "Nowadays." The real-life Kimetrius Foose's breakout mixtape, "Life of a Dark Rose," is immaturely misogynistic and actually just quite boring, but he's playing a 3,500-capacity club for his local debut, so he's doing something right. (8:30 p.m. Fri., Myth, 3090 Southlawn Dr., Maplewood, all ages, $40, eTix.com.)

Halloween, Alaska: After a break spent living abroad, James Diers (formerly of Love-cars) is back to fronting this uniquely and tastefully electro-tinged rock quartet with Bad Plus drummer Dave King, ubiquitous guitar wiz Jacob Hanson and ex-12 Rods bassist Bill Shaw. They finally have a new album landing this week, "La Centre," offering a shape-shifting mix of lushly ambient gems, playfully digi-funky jams and some straight-up, soaring rockers. Low's Alan Sparhawk opens with a solo set. (9 p.m. Fri., Turf Club, $12-$15.)

Kinda Kinky Holiday Concert: There's only one Kinks holiday hit, "Father Christmas," but the full-time local tribute band Kinda Kinky has milked it into a hit of its own with this long-running food-drive show with friends from around the music scene. Participating singers this year will include Molly Maher, Curtiss A, members of Prairie Fire Lady Choir, Nato Coles, Jim Ruiz and a couple dozen more. They obviously go way deeper than "Lola" and "You Really Got Me." (7 p.m. Fri., Minneapolis Eagles Club #34, $10 or $5 with nonperishable food item.)

The Steeles: No one in town has more original material for the holidays than this family quintet. The soulful siblings have created many seasonal tunes over the years — and they like to mix in a few traditional carols, as well. J.D., Fred, Jearlyn, Jevetta and Billy Steele fill the stage with their passionate voices, joyous personalities and talented children, who add to the festive family atmosphere. (7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Fitzgerald, $26-$58)

The Blenders: Celebrating their 20th anniversary of Christmas shows, the Fargo-launched vocal quartet has dropped two new seasonal singles this year — "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Let the Music Get Down in Your Soul" (originally recorded by Rance Allen). The group, which used to be exclusively a cappella but now has a band, has material from five previous holiday albums, as well. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. & 2 p.m. Sun. Pantages, $46)

Mannheim Steamroller: Kind of the granddaddy of touring Christmas pageants, the unstoppable Omaha juggernaut returns for two shows in one day. Chip Davis' classical-pop creation has been so popular that he's released a live Christmas album to go along with four studio Yule discs. (4 & 8 p.m. Fri. Orpheum, $48.50-$68.50)

Jillian Rae, Eliza Blue: Folk music vet Blue returns from her new home in rural South Dakota — where she made a new album with Neil Young & Crazy Horse bassist Billy Talbot — to pair up with her violin-bowing pal Rae on the darkest day of the year and share their bright though not always sunny original tunes. Eau Claire songwriter Hemma opens. (8 p.m. Fri., The Parkway, 4814 Chicago Av., Mpls., $12-$16, theparkwaytheater.com)

Garagey Lil' Holiday Festival 2: One of the Twin Cities' preeminent bands of the '60s, the Castaways, headlines the second installment of this party for vintage garage-rock fans. Minneapolis kid James Donna and his group made it to No. 12 on the Billboard singles chart in 1965 via Soma Records with "Liar, Liar," an early psychedelic nugget later featured on the fabled "Nuggets" anthology and numerous soundtracks. They're playing a rare reunion set alongside music by the Sex Rays, Fret Rattles, Black Widows and other shenanigans such as Dr. Bob's Puppet Show and burlesque. Proceeds benefit the Water Mission. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Hook & Ladder Theater, 3010 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls., $12-$15, the hookmpls.com.)

Michael Bolton: The raspy-voiced, Grammy-winning belter promises holiday favorites (remember him doing "Jingle Bells" in that Pizza Hut commercial?) as well as greatest hits. The "How Am I Supposed to Live without You" hitmaker may have picked up a few new fans a few years ago by joining Lonely Island of "Saturday Night Live" fame for the song and video of "Jack Sparrow." Will that ditty be on the set list? (8 p.m. Sat. Mystic Lake Casino, $40-$65)

Eleganza! does "Exile": One of Minneapolis' grimiest yet grooviest rock bands — led by former Chooglin' and Midnight Evils frontman Brian Vanderwerf — is taking on the hard but noble task of performing the Rolling Stones' revered 1972 double-LP "Exile on Main Street" in its entirety. Don't expect spot-on renditions, but do expect the group to fully rip the joint with an expanded 15-member lineup. The Front Porch Swingin' Liquor Pigs open. (9 p.m. Sat., 7th Street Entry, $10-$12.)

Man Sized Action Christmas: Friends and frequent openers to Hüsker Dü back in the early-'80s, Man Sized Action's now-annual reunion show has turned into something of a broader old-time-Minneapolis punk gathering. Hard-blasting power trio Arcwelder has rejoined the lineup and will top off the night this year, while the Mighty Mofos, Silverteens and Dragnet kick things off. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Minneapolis Eagles Club #34, $10.)

Jimi Hendrix Remembered: It's the 26th annual tribute to the guitar god featuring some of Minnesota's finest including Julius Collins, Jellybean Johnson, Jeremy Ylvisaker, Annie Mack, Cole Allen and other. (9 p.m. Sat. Cabooze, $14-$18)

The Peterson Family Christmas: Keyboardist Ricky Peterson has been on tour with Fleetwood Mac. Paul Peterson has been leading the Minneapolis Funk All-Stars. Patty Peterson has been performing a Barbra Streisand tribute. Bassist Billy Peterson has been getting overdue recognition for his contributions to Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks." Those jazzy Petersons will get together for their annual holiday celebration. (6 & 8 p.m. Sun. & 7 p.m. Mon. the Dakota, $30-$35)

"Snaildartha": The concept of a holiday show gets a Buddhist/dadaist twist in this excursion led by cultural mixmaster Chris Strouth, with Matt Fugate narrating the tale of "Jerry the Christmas Snail." The soul-jazz score employs a host of cool players, including avant sax savant George Cartwright, nimble bassist Chris Bates, organist Scott LeGere and drummer George Marich. (7 p.m. Sun., Turf Club, $12, first-avenue.com.

JazzMN Orchestra: There's the Brian Setzer Orchestra, which is a big band that mixes rock, rockabilly and swing. For a more traditional big-band treatment of holiday music, there is the JazzMN Orchestra, with special guest, pianist/vocalist Andrew Walesch, who will tackle arrangements made famous by Harry Connick Jr. and Michael Bublé, among others. (7:30 p.m. Mon. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, $35-$50)

Moore By Four: After exploring their classic repertoire in a few recent reunion performances, the 1980s/'90s institution will revisit their holiday songbook. With Sanford Moore's arrangements and the jazzy vocal talents of Yolande Bruce, Connie Evingson, Ginger Commodore and Dennis Spears (who lights up a room like a Christmas tree), there will be plenty of Christmas spirit. (7 p.m. Mon.-Tue. Crooners, $30)

Tribute to Roy Hargrove: The late trumpet great was a frequent guest on the Dakota stage, so it's a fitting site to consider his legacy. Justin Robinson, Hargrove's alto sax player, joins this salute by local jazz stars including Debbie Duncan and trumpeters Solomon Parham, Adam Meckler and Omar AbdulKarim. (7 p.m. Tue., Dakota Jazz Club, $25. dakotacooks.com)

Kurt Vile: Philadelphia's hazy, Velvet-y indie-rock mainstay last played in town with kindred spirit Courtney Barnett touting their fun collaborative record, but now he's back out doing his own thing with his sturdy band the Violators. Their new album "Bottle It In" is a little lighter and mellower than prior efforts — even quite pretty in parts — which should make for a more varied live set this time around. Laurel Canyon-flavored Los Angeles folk-rocker Jessica Pratt opens. (8 p.m. Wed., First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., $28-$31, first-avenue.com.)

Robert Robinson and Gwen Matthews: Minneapolis own Pavarotti of gospel always brings a joyous spirit whether he's singing hymns or interpreting pop hits. Add gospel-soul force Matthews to the mix and you're talking comfort and joy squared. (7 p.m. Wed. Dakota, $30-$35)