Monday, July 1

Sleep Study, American Authors, Taj Raj

7th St. Entry, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $8 adv/$10 door, 18+

If you missed Taj Raj at their big release show at the Turf last month, tonight's gig gives curious fans another chance to sample their new alt-country influenced rock sound up close. And judging by the studio session they taped recently for the Local Show, it'll be well worth the trip out on a Monday night. Rounding out the bill are Brooklyn's American Authors and Minneapolis lo-fi vintage rock audiophiles Sleep Study, who will headline.

Tuesday, July 2

Iguano

Cause Spirits and Soundbar, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $5, 21+

A band that embodies the old-school coolness and boogie-oogie of classic soul 45s, Iguano will get your hips swinging and sneak a smile onto your face. Their charm is as infectious as their groove. New acts Kiss or Kill and Faye Goulet open.

Erik Koskinen Band and Actual Wolf

Turf Club, St. Paul

8 p.m., $5, 21+

Molly Maher and Erik Koskinen just wrapped up a seven-and-a-half-year run of weekly Wednesday night gigs, first at Nye's and more recently at the Aster, so Maher could take a break to work on new music. But that won't stop Koskinen from soldiering on with his fantastic live band (which includes J.T. Bates on drums and Frankie Lee on bass) at this new residency, which brings him to the Turf every Tuesday night. For the first installment Koskinen will be joined by Actual Wolf, who will open with a solo set.

Murder of Crows

Red Star Lounge, Duluth

9 p.m., 21+

Gaelynn Lea and Alan Sparhawk formed the Murder of Crows when tasked with providing a live soundtrack to the 1920 silent film The Penalty in 2011. The duo will reprise their film score roots Tuesday at the Red Star Lounge as they offer ominous melodies synced to Steven Spielberg’s Jaws.

Wednesday, July 3

Audio Perm

7th St. Entry, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $8 adv/$12 door, 18+

Explosive hip-hop collective Audio Perm will take over the Entry for this Independence Day Eve show, which will also feature sets by Psymun and Damacha (who were just featured on H2 Local), James Franken, and special guests.

Thursday, July 4

4th Fest

Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth

5 p.m., free, all ages

Twin Ports visitors and residents alike will be treated to a free community celebration this Independence Day at Duluth Bayfront Festival Park. This family friendly event will kick off at 4:30 and will include music from The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, Big Wave Dave & the Ripples, and will culminate with a performance from The Voice’s Nicholas David Mrozinski and a fireworks display at 10:10 pm.

Kablam!

Honey, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $5, 21+

A trio of Minneapolis's finest DJs will keep the dance party going all night with help from surprise guests.

D4th, 5th, and 6th of July

Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis

6 p.m., $15, 18+

Dillinger Four's annual Independence Day blowout has become the stuff of legends. This year, they are stretching the party across three nights, with Banner Pilot headlining Thursday night, D4 headlining Friday, and Off With Their Heads headlining Saturday. Over a dozen other great punk and hardcore bands are also on the bill; full schedule on the Triple Rock's site.

Red, White, and BOOM

Father Hennepin and Mill Ruins Park, Minneapolis

6 p.m., free, all ages

This free annual event draws tens of thousands to the river's edge in downtown Minneapolis, and always features a sampling of local music. This year, Disaster Bird and PopROCKS! play Mill Ruin Park, and Step Rockets and Herman Jones & Friends will be in Father Hennepin Park. Fireworks will follow at 10 p.m.

Friday, July 5

Cause Four-Year Anniversary

Cause Spirits and Soundbar, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $6, 21+

Lyn-Lake restaurant, bar, and music venue Cause is celebrating its fourth anniversary all weekend long, and they've tapped some of their favorite bands to help celebrate. Friday night's lineup includes the Goondas, Black Blondie, Hot Ashes, and Kill to Kill.

Bathysphere

First Avenue, Minneapolis

6 p.m., $15 ($25 for weekend pass), 18+

About a dozen local psych bands will appear alongside national acts at the inaugural Bathysphere festival, a two-day "psychonautical voyage" that will culminate in performances by New York's Dean and Britta on Friday night (who will play songs from Dean Wareham's defunct late '80s-early '90s project Galaxie 500) and A Place to Bury Strangers on Saturday night. With First Communion Afterparty, Magic Castles, Pony Trash, Flavor Crystals, and many more.

Votel (opening for Glimpse Trio)

Icehouse, Minneapolis

11 p.m., $5, 21+

Bay Area improvisers Glimpse Trio will invite Martin Dosh to sit in for them at this special show, which will also feature an opening set by scintillating electro experimentalists Votel.

Saturday, July 6

Twin Ports Bridge Festival

Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth

10 a.m.-11 p.m., $35, all ages

Love in 2013 is the theme to this year’s Bridge Festival, an event set to “celebrate our shared humanity, diversity, appreciation of Lake Superior and commitment to thrive economically, socially and environmentally in a sustainable manner for a brighter future.” The day-long event will feature a yoga session, water ceremony, guest speakers and a mix of local and visiting bands playing throughout the day. Bands set to perform include Batteryboy, Snöbarn, Jason Wussow & Friends, Breanne Marie, The Kingston Trio, Mason Jennings, and Cloud Cult.

Cause Four-Year Anniversary

Cause Spirits and Soundbar, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $7, 21+

Lyn-Lake restaurant, bar, and music venue Cause is celebrating its fourth anniversary all weekend long, and they've tapped some of their favorite bands to help celebrate. On Saturday night, Birthday Suits will headline a bill that also includes Bloodnstuff, Sonic J, and Ex Nuns.

Pony Trash, Crimes, and Robust Worlds

Turf Club, St. Paul

9 p.m., $7, 21+

Three stellar local garage rock bands go head to head at this Turf show—including Pony Trash, who will be fresh off their appearance at Bathysphere on Friday night.

Sunday, July 7

Cause Four-Year Anniversary

Cause Spirits and Soundbar, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $7, 21+

Lyn-Lake restaurant, bar, and music venue Cause is celebrating its fourth anniversary all weekend long, and they've tapped some of their favorite bands to help celebrate. Sunday night's finale will include performances by Orca Colony, Dream Crusher, and special guests.

Twin Ports recommendations courtesy of our Duluth Local Show host Walt Dizzo.