With so much of the media's attention focused on the State Fair this week, it can feel like there isn't much else going on. But that's far from the case, especially as far as the local concert calendar is concerned.

For help with your planning, here's a list of our top picks for gigs this week. You can find even more to do over on The Current's event calendar, and peruse all the State Fair musical action here.

Monday, August 27

Fat Kid Wednesdays
Icehouse, Minneapolis
9:30 p.m., $5, 21+
Saxophonist Michael Lewis, bassist Adam Linz, and drummer JT Bates present an evening of jazz improv, recreating the vibe of their much-loved Clown Lounge series in the new Nicollet Ave space. The trio typically plays two separate sets, making the low cover charge a steal. (Watch a video from last week's set here.)

Tuesday, August 28

Charlie Parr 
Turf Club, St. Paul
8 p.m., $8, 21+
Duluth bluesman Charlie Parr is a regular performer at the Turf, but don't sleep on these intimate shows. This week he'll be playing with talented St. Paul singer-songwriter Martin Devaney.

Wednesday, August 29

Sti-Lo Reel
7th St. Entry
9 p.m., $5, 18+
Minneapolis rapper Sti-Lo headlines an evening of hip-hop curated under the Flood Watch banner (which is also putting out a collaborative new compilation this fall). Kison, Tek, Meta, and hosts Knox and Big Whiz are also on the bill. 

Thursday, August 30

High on Stress
Mears Park, St. Paul
5 p.m., free, all ages
As part of the ongoing Music in Mears series, Replacements-channeling alt-rockers High on Stress provide a reason to show up early. They play at 5:45 p.m., and will be followed by the Hobo Newphews of Uncle Frank and Charlie Parr.

All Eyes, WolfLords
Icehouse, Minneapolis
10:30 p.m., $5, 21+
Two of the Twin Cities' most promising new female-fronted mood-pop bands on one bill? Sold. All Eyes is Alicia Wiley's new vehicle, while WolfLords finds vocalist Aby Wolf experimenting with producer Grant Cutler (Lookbook, Grant Cutler and the Gorgeous Lords).

Friday, August 31

Wabasha Days #11
Ecolab Plaza (across from Amsterdam Bar & Hall), St. Paul 
4 p.m., free, all ages
It's your last chance to attend this free series, and what a lineup: Retribution Gospel Choir headline along with Fire in the Northern Firs, Laarks, and Exile. 

The Evening Rig Album-Release Show
Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis
8 p.m., $8, 18+
There's something quite appropriate about the fact that an album titled Nothin' to Hear Here almost snuck right past us. Don't let this lightly promoted release show slip past you, though; the new album is easily the Evening Rigs' best yet, and you can stream the whole thing in advance of the show.

UMAMI, Bollywood
Turf Club, St. Paul
9PM, $6, 21+
Made up of ex-members of Guystorm and Military Special, UMAMI shares this bill with increasingly buzzy band Bollywood, a group who has redefined how lo-fi you can go. They also released a trippy video for their song “Young” which gives us a new perspective on famous Twin Cities landmarks. 

Teenage Moods
Hexagon Bar, Minneapolis
10PM, free, 21+
This early Merge Records-sounding band is releasing their album Grow on CD and cassette. Crimes, France Camp and The Mystery Train offer themselves as support for the night. 

Saturday, September 1

CLAPS
Turf Club, St. Paul 
9PM, $6, 21+
On the heels of an excellent new tape release on Moon Glyph, electronic trio CLAPS will be joined by psych-folk band Blood and Sun, All Eyes (the new project from Alicia Wiley), Temple and DJ Jared Flair.

TIGER VS.
7th St. Entry, Minneapolis
8PM, $5, 18+
This electro-pop trio is still relatively new on the circuit, and they’re doing a release show for their Lone Wolf record after a release back in May. Nice Purse, I, Colossus and Dust Buns open the show.