Twin Cities concerts of the week: John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett at the State, Destiny Roberts at the Southern

Bernard Allison: The guitar-playing son of blues star Luther Allison started touring with Koko Taylor the week he graduated high school. He's been making his own records for more than 25 years. His latest, 2015's "In the Mix," was recorded in Minneapolis, with Twin Cities drummer Mario Dawson. (9 p.m. Fri. Famous Dave's Uptown, $15.)

Montgomery Gentry: It's been a while since this country duo had a hit. The year was 2011 and "Where I Come From" was the song. Late last year, Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry returned to Average Joe's Entertainment, their post-Columbia Records home, and they are promising a ninth studio album this year. (8:30 p.m. Fri. Medina Entertainment Center, $43, medinaentertainment.com)

John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett: These veteran singer-songwriters have figured out a viable business model between tours with their bands. The two solo acoustic guitarists swap songs and stories. The songs drawn from their formidable catalogs may be familiar, but the stories bring surprises. Maybe Lovett will talk about his new role on CBS' "Life in Pieces." Maybe Hiatt will explain whatever happened to his '90s supergroup Little Village with Ry Cooder, Nick Lowe and Jim Keltner. You never know what will pop out of the mouths of these longtime touring pals, but it's always entertaining. (8 p.m. Sat. State Theatre, Mpls., $51.50-$89, ticketmaster.com)

John Scofield: The veteran guitar ace is billing this as "Country for Old Men," as he pays tribute to the music of Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, George Jones and other country giants. The band includes Steve Swallow, Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart. (7 & 9 p.m. Sat. Dakota, $25-$45, dakotacooks.com)

Those Pretty Wrongs: The lone surviving member of influential Memphis band Big Star, Jody Stephens channels the spirit of his old group in his new duo with former Freewheelers frontman Luther Russell. Ben Glaros opens. (9 p.m. Sat., 7th Street Entry, $12-$14.)

Destiny Roberts: St. Paul's Central High School has produced yet another stellar newcomer into the local music scene — or "interstellar" in the case of this 22-year-old rapper's new album, "Moon Melanin Mami." The eight-song collection carries a fun but deeper-reaching theme of becoming "the first black woman in space," and even includes a comic-book accompaniment. Conversely, there's something grounded and earthy about her neo-soul-tinged music and Afrofuturistic lyricism. (6 p.m. Sun., Southern Theater, Mpls., $10, BrownPaperTickets.com)

Ana Popovic: To warm up for the upcoming all-star Experience Hendrix Tour, the blues-rock-soul firebrand is flexing her chops in clubs. The Serbian-born, Los Angeles-based singer-guitarist is promoting her ambitious 2016 triple album, "Trilogy," which features 23 tracks and such guests as Robert Randolph, Joe Bonamassa and Bernard Purdie, among others. Popovic wrote most of the tunes herself but she also covers classics by Chaka Khan, Duke Ellington and Tom Waits. (7 p.m. Sun.-Mon. Dakota, Mpls., $25-$30, dakotacooks.com)

Aaron Lewis: The guy who gave us one of the most ubiquitous rock songs of the 2000s, "It's Been Awhile," has set aside his old band Staind for a country music career that's now two albums deep. He's still playing rock rooms and a handful of his older songs on tour. (8 p.m. Sun., First Avenue, sold out.)

Global Roots Series: There's no shortage of international music on the Cedar's calendar nowadays, but this week marks an especially rich week for it. Wednesday sees the return of Mali's powerhouse vocalist Salif Keita, who has collaborated with the likes of Cesaria Evora and Carlos Santana and performs here with Congolese guitar master Siama. Ireland's Celtic music mainstays Solas perform again Thursday. Next Friday sees Congo's hot new soukous/funk band Mbongwana Star, featuring former members of Staff Benda Bilili. (7:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri., Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Av. S., Mpls., $22-$35, TheCedar.org.)

Sting: Last year, rock's Renaissance man released his first album of pop and rock songs in 13 years. Tunes from "57th & 9th" will be a focal point of his concert repertoire but, in his return to small venues, he promises plenty of Police favorites and tunes from his solo career. Opening are the Last Bandoleros and Joe Sumner, Sting's son. (8 p.m. Thu. Myth, Maplewood, $87-$300, ticketmaster.com)