Wednesday, September 18

Jonny Lang

State Theatre, Minneapolis

7:30 p.m., $43.50-$53.50, all ages

The Fargo-born, Minneapolis-reared guitarist returns home to play the State in support of his first album in seven years, the adult contemporary, pop, and blues leaning Fight for My Soul. Read up on the latest in Jonny's life in the Star Tribune.

Thursday, September 19

Local Current Live at Third Thursday

Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis

6 p.m., free, all ages

Join the Local Current team at the MIA for our monthly Third Thursday series. This time around, a pair of energetic party-starters, Hot Freaks and Apollo Cobra, will play as part of an evening the museum is calling "LOL MIA," which will also include comedians, improv games, make-your-own comics, and more.

Birthday Suits (opening for Peelander-Z)

Turf Club, St. Paul

9 p.m., $10, 21+

Expect nonstop action at this showcase of Japanese punk bands, starting out with Minneapolis powerhouse duo Birthday Suits and culminating in the off-the-wall antics of theatrical NYC group Peelander-Z.

Friday, September 20

Gingko CD-Release Show

Icehouse, Minneapolis

11 p.m., $8, 21+

Josh Grier of Tapes 'n Tapes broke free from the expectations of his hard-touring band to create an album that is fun, freaky, and freeing. Gingko's Manopause dropped earlier this month (read my review), and Grier will bring his new band—which includes his Tapes bandmate Jeremy Hanson, Jeremy's brother Jake Hanson (Halloween, Alaska, Solid Gold), Adam Switlick (Communist Daughter), and Rob Skoro (Mason Jennings)—to Icehouse this weekend to celebrate its release. Carroll opens.

Kristoff Krane and No Bird Sing

The Garage, Burnsville

5 p.m., $8 adv/$10 door, all ages

Two of Minneapolis's most thought-provoking MCs headline a huge lineup of local hip-hop at all-ages venue the Garage, a teen center-turned-rock club in Burnsville. Also on the bill is Christopher Michael Jensen, Tyler Nelson, PCP, Glow Mechanics, New Planets, Bazooka Danger, and Crawdadd.

Phantom Tails, We are the Willows, Fort Wilson Riot

Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $5, 18+

Three of the quirkiest, most experimental pop groups in town will join forces with Greensboro, North Carolina's Eros and the Eschaton for what's sure to be a memorable show.

Har Mar Superstar

First Avenue, Minneapolis

8 p.m., Sold Out, 18+

How does one celebrate Har Mar Superstar Day, exactly? The City of Minneapolis is about to find out. R.T. Rybak is just one of many fans who are excited to welcome Har Mar, a.k.a. Sean Tillmann, back to his hometown in celebration of his stellar soul-channeling new album Bye Bye 17. He'll be joined by tourmate Lizzo (of the Chalice and GRRRL PRTY) and Texas trio Purple.

Silverback Colony and Equal Xchange

Red Star Lounge, Duluth

9 p.m., free, 21+

Gabe Douglas of the 4onthefloor brings his more guitar-driven bar rock band back to Duluth.

Saturday, September 21

Hip Hop Harambee

Nomad Pub (outside in parking lot), Minneapolis

1-10 p.m., $15-$20, all ages

Now in its second year, the Hip Hop Harambee Block Party strives to unite diverse communities of music fans. This year's lineup includes national headliners Shabazz Paalces, Big K.R.I.T., and Devin the Dude, plus locals Lizzo (who will pull from her forthcoming Lizzobangers album with Lazerbeak and hypeman Cliff Rhymes), Toki Wright and Big Cats!, VANDAAM, Dred I Dread, Psymun and K.Raydio, and the International Reggae All-Stars. The day will be hosted by P.O.S. and Tish Jones.

Jeremy Messersmith with Cjell Cruze

New Century Theater, Minneapolis

7 p.m., $19-$25, all ages

Dubbed the "New Century Sessions," this new songwriter series offers artists a chance to share stories about their songs and perform in a small setting (think about the size and layout of a comedy club). The New Century Theater, which is owned by the Hennepin Theatre Trust and located in the first floor of the City Center, tested out the format last summer and will officially launch the series this week with performances by recent Glassnote Records signee Jeremy Messersmith and alt-country openers Cjell Cruze.

#MPLS Video Release Party

Icehouse, Minneapolis

10:30 p.m., $8, 21+

Heiruspecs fans will find a lot to love about new group #MPLS—they even recruited Heiruspecs MC Felix to guest on one of their songs. The live hip-hop and R&B group is gearing up for the release of their debut album, So High, and will preview the record and release their first music video on Saturday night at Icehouse.