Thursday, January 23

Low

Fitger’s Brewhouse, Duluth

10 p.m., free, 21+

We’ve arrived at week two in Low’s quest to perform every song from their discography over the course of seven weeks in the intimate confines of Duluth’s Fitger’s Brewhouse. Each week the band draws new songs out of a hat and puts together a new playlist. (They’d draw songs from the stage, but they literally have to re-learn how to play some of their earliest tunes as some of the songs you’ll hear during this residency haven’t been played live in 15 years.) The show starts at 10 p.m., but getting there early is not a bad idea.

Friday, January 24

The Current's 9th Birthday Party

First Avenue, Minneapolis

7 p.m., sold out, 18+

The Current celebrates our 9th anniversary with two nights at First Avenue. Friday night's sold-out show will feature Strange Names, Actual Wolf, Lizzo, and Har Mar Superstar.

Cedar Avenue Fire Benefit

Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis

6 p.m., $20, all ages

Artists from throughout the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood's diverse and vibrant community will come together to raise money for the victims of the New Year's Day fire that caused 13 injuries and three deaths and left dozens without homes. (Read more here.) With Spider John Koerner, the Brass Messengers, Martin Devaney, Phil Heywood, Jon Rodine, Southside Desire, Augsburg JIVE, and DJ Go Getta with SYAV (Somali Youth Against Violence).

PaviElle

Pillsbury House Theatre, Minneapolis

8:30 p.m., $10, all ages

If you dug the '70s soul vibe of PaviElle's debut single, "Be Right There," then you'll be in for a treat Friday night as she performs with her band at the Pillsbury House. There are no openers, so get there on time if you want to see the full show.

Tickle Torture, Pony Bwoy, Psymun & K.Raydio, Vacation Dad (opening for Chiffon)

Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $7, 18+

If you missed out on tickets to the Current's birthday party but still want to get caught up on some of the latest and greatest to emerge from the local scene, this show at the Triple Rock is a slam dunk. Baltimore's Chiffon will headline, and the rest of the lineup may as well be called Best New Bands of 2013, Vol. 1, including scintillating soul duo Psymun & K.Raydio, futuristic R&B collaboration Pony Bwoy, subversive electro-pop artist Tickle Torture, and synth and looping aficionado Vacation Dad.

Hey, Remember Nostalgia Album-Release Show

Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul

9 p.m., free, 21+

New five-piece Hey, Remember Nostalgia celebrate their debut, self-titled release, which KT Lindemann describes as combining "twinkling guitar and piano riffs with timeless vocal harmonies and breezy percussion." Get there early for openers Hot Freaks and Bear the Sound.

The Tisdales, Dave Rave

Red Star Lounge, Duluth

10 p.m., free, 21+

Rich Mattson has revived his Northwoods rock act the Tisdales and they’ll be setting up shop at the Red Star Lounge on Friday. Mattson, who also performs in more country and folk-themed projects with Germaine Gemberling and Ol’ Yeller, has never shaken the need to turn up the amps and get back to his rock roots. Hopefully this latest run of shows will get the Tisdales back in the studio for another album. Globetrotting rocker Dave Rave will open the show.

Saturday, January 25

The Current's 9th Birthday Party

First Avenue, Minneapolis

7 p.m., $20, 18+

The Current celebrates our 9th anniversary with two nights at First Avenue. Saturday night's show features the Cactus Blossoms, Heiruspecs, Howler, and Caroline Smith—and tickets are still available!

Gospel Gossip

Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $6, 18+

Four bands who create distinctive, textured, shoegaze-inspired rock music converge at the Triple Rock this Saturday. Gospel Gossip headline with support from Gloss, the Velveteens, and Robust Worlds.

Charlie Parr Album-Release Show

Sacred Heart Music Center, Duluth

7:30 p.m., $5, all ages

As KT Lindemann noted earlier this week, Hollandale is a brand-new instrumental album by Charlie Parr that was recorded in an abandoned house. With encouragement by friend Al Sparhawk, Parr recorded five freestyle tracks that all push the boundaries of what we’ve come to expect one of his records to sound like. Because these songs were recorded on the spot with no set structure, they will likely never be performed live in quite the same way. Check out a unique performance from Parr at the vinyl release party this Saturday at Sacred Heart, with special guests Jerree Small (Southwire) and Ben Weaver.

The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, the People Say Fox

The Rex, Duluth

10 p.m., $5, 21+

It’s a family experience when Ian and Teague Alexy take the stage together as the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank. The brothers call Duluth home, but the ‘hobo’ moniker certainly seems to fit as they spend more nights on the road than they do in their own beds. Joining the Hobos at the Rex will be the bright young stars of the People Say Fox, who layer guitars and vocals in a style so passionate and with such professional skill that you’ll swear you’ve heard these tracks during the tensest moments of your favorite television dramas.

Jaundice, This Is Now, Gutter Skunt

The Bedrock Bar, Duluth

10 p.m., free, 21+

If your weekend calls for something a little more brutal, Duluth’s west end is calling your name. Heavy metal stalwarts Jaundice bring rock and roll over the bridge to the fittingly named Bed’rock’ Bar for a free show on Saturday. Fellow metal act This is Now and thrash and grindcore inspired Gutter Skunt complete this lineup, which is not for the faint of heart.

Northern Minnesota concert recommendations courtesy of Duluth Local Show host Walt Dizzo.