Thursday, June 5

#MPLS Album-Release Show

Fine Line Music Café, Minneapolis

7:30 p.m., $10 adv/$15 door, 18+

With a little funk, a little R&B, a little rock, and a lot of influence from the founders of the Minneapolis Sound, #MPLS offer a fresh take on soulful party music on their debut album, HELLO. Sample the new album here and head down to the Fine Line tonight for the big release show with Heiruspecs and DJ Adora Tokyo.

Heliotrope X

Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis

6 p.m., $12/day, all ages

Consistently one of the best showcases of underground talent in the Twin Cities, the Heliotrope festival rings in 10 years with a three-day soiree at Intermedia Arts. Thursday's lineup includes sets from Robust Worlds (Chris Rose of Vampire Hands), Breakaway, Milo Fine and Paul Metzger, and more. Find the full lineup and set times along with an interview with the festival's founders here.

The Red Herring Lounge Grand Opening

The Red Herring Lounge, Duluth

7 p.m., free, 21+

The grand opening of Duluth's newest music venue, the Red Herring Lounge, kicks off with a three-day party featuring 17 bands/performers plus lots of food and drink, a photo booth, and tons of giveaways. The space officially opens the doors Thursday with performances from Toby Thomas Churchill, Lion or Gazelle, Fever Dream, Germaine & Rich, The People Say Fox and Johnny Vee. Read Andrea Swensson's interview with owner Bob Monahan here.

Pete Fest

Beaner's Central, Duluth

5 p.m., free, all ages

A unique showcase of Twin Ports' talent will fill the stage at Beaner's Central during a four-day birthday party for Pete Cich. Who is Pete and why does he get his own fest? Cich, also known as "Door Guy Pete," has been the friendly face welcoming music fans at Beaner's for over a decade, and it's his permanent smile and genuine appreciation for local music that has so many acts lining up to perform at his birthday bash. Five acts take the stage Thursday night: Maddy Siiter, Ruben, Lesser Planets, Ryan Lane and Dedric Clark and the Social Animals.

Friday, June 6

Rebel Rebel: Rock for Pussy XI

First Avenue, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $10 adv/$12 door, 18+

Is it any surprise this is still going strong after 11 years? One of the most fun and festive cover nights returns to First Avenue to honor David Bowie and raise money for no-kill cat shelters in the Twin Cities. Organized by the Current's own Mary Lucia and helmed by musical director John Eller, this year's bash will feature cameos from dozens of local musicians including Little Man's Chris Perricelli, soul sensation Maurice Jacox, the Suburbs' Hugo Klaers and Steve Brantseg, Venus de Mars and All the Pretty Horses, the Rembrandts' Phil Solem, and Black Diet's Jonathan Tolliver. Full lineup and deets on Facebook.

Wits with Bob Mould and Jen Kirkman

Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul

7 p.m. doors, $33-$56, all ages

In what will serve as his big hometown appearance in support of his new solo album, Beauty & Ruin, out this week, Bob Mould will be the musical guest on this week's Wits alongside comedian and actress Jen Kirkman. If you miss this taping at the Fitz, catch Bob when he comes back at the end of the summer to play MN Music-on-a-Stick at the State Fair.

Heliotrope X

Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis

6 p.m., $12/day, all ages

Consistently one of the best showcases of underground talent in the Twin Cities, the Heliotrope festival rings in 10 years with a three-day soiree at Intermedia Arts. Friday will include sets from WILD!!Wing (led by Josh Journey-Heinz of Knife World fame), Thunderbolt Pagoda, the Rope and more. Find the full lineup and set times along with an interview with the festival's founders here.

Hard Feelings, Gin Street, The Crash Bandits, Dan Mariska

The Round-Up, Duluth

9 p.m., free, 21+

Duluth's Round-Up Bar and Grill known for its selection of delicious fried foods and karaoke stars once again makes room on the floor (there is no stage) for local punk acts to perform. Duluth's own Hard Feelings and Gin Street welcome the Crash Bandits and Dan Mariska visiting from Minneapolis. At these shows, many of the Round-Up regulars have been known to join in on the head banging, and the Hard Feelings' own Patrick Lynaugh even has his own Round-Up fan club. The show is free but donations are strongly suggested for touring bands.

The Red Herring Lounge Grand Opening (Night Two)

The Red Herring Lounge, Duluth

7 p.m., free, 21+

The second night of the opening celebration of the Red Herring features a diverse mix of regional acts including performances from Charlie Parr, Barbara Jean, the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, Red Mountain, Strange Names, and a special collaboration between Southwire and Ben Weaver. Charlie Parr and Ben Weaver have a split 7-inch coming out on Chaperone Records June 17.

Pete Fest (Night Two)

Beaner's Central, Duluth

5 p.m., free, all ages

The second night of Pete Fest is filled with a bevy of young talent including performances from: Vivielle, Potluck Communists, Bloodpine, Tanner Groehler, Paper Parlor and The Frances Lee Williams Band.

Saturday, June 7

West by West Bank Music Festival

Acadia Cafe, Minneapolis

12 p.m.-10 p.m., $10, all ages

In what's being dubbed the first annual West by West Bank Music Festival, bands will perform outdoors in the Acadia Cafe parking lot and kick $1 from each ticket toward Avenues for Homeless Youth. Over a dozen acts are slated to play over the course of the afternoon and evening including Lifted Mindz, Sweetz P, Apollo Quad, and Tyler Nelson. Full lineup and set times here.

Alpha Consumer Album-Release Show

7th St. Entry, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $10 adv/$12 door, 18+

Adventurous space-rockers Alpha Consumer converge to celebrate the release of their new Totally Gross National Product release, simply titled MEAT. Fans of the Cloak Ox's excellent full-length debut, Run the Dog, will find a lot to love on Alpha's latest—no surprise given the presence of ace guitarist Jeremy Ylvisaker in both groups. BBGUN and the Upward Few open.

FMLY FEST Pre-Party

Bedlam Theater, St. Paul

7 p.m., $10, all ages

To celebrate the opening of their new Lowertown St. Paul location, the Bedlam Theater has assembled a stellar lineup for this outdoor show, which doubles as a pre-party for the big FMLY FEST event coming up in early August. Black Diet, Frankie Teardrop, the Shakin' Babies, Dolly Patron (a Dolly Parton cover band), Teenage Moods, VATS, and the Miami Dolphins are all scheduled to perform. More details on Facebook.

Heliotrope X

Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis

6 p.m., $12/day, all ages

Consistently one of the best showcases of underground talent in the Twin Cities, the Heliotrope festival rings in 10 years with a three-day soiree at Intermedia Arts. The final night will feature OAKS, Blood Folke, Nomia and more. Find the full lineup and set times along with an interview with the festival's founders here.

The Red Herring Lounge Grand Opening (Night Three)

The Red Herring Lounge, Duluth

8 p.m., free, 21+

The final night of the Red Herring opening celebration features four local acts and a closing performance from marathon musician and fashionable rocker Mark Mallman. The show starts with Sarah Krueger followed by the Murder of Crows, Wood Blind and the Social Disaster.

Tin Can Gin, the Stringdingers

Red Star, Duluth

10 p.m., free, 21+

Hot off the release of their first full-length record, Duluth's Tin Can Gin will bring their energetic string band to the Red Star. Playing a blend of bluegrass and folk rock, Tin Can Gin have been known to convince even the most shy audience members to get up and dance. Tin Can Gin will be joined by fellow string slingers the Stringdingers from Minneapolis.

Pete Fest (Night Three)

Beaner's Central, Duluth

5 p.m., free, all ages

Night three of Pete Fest turns up the volume with a couple of heavier acts taking the stage. Saturday's lineup includes Velahsa, Thefty By Swindle, Stereo Confession, Fire in the Tropics, Adam Svec and Hearts Bane.

Sunday, June 8

Lyn Lake Street Festival

Jungle Theater Parking Lot (off Garfield and Lake St.), Minneapolis

12 p.m.-8 p.m., free, all ages

The summer concert season is upon it, and with it, dozens of free street festivals that showcase our best up-and-coming bands. Sample some of the hottest acts of the moment this Sunday when the Secret Stash Soul Revue, Rogue Valley, Dosh, Toki Wright & Big Cats, and Gingko all line up to play the Lyn-Lake Street Festival, now moved to the parking lot behind the Jungle Theater and Fuji-Ya.

Pete Fest (Night Four)

Beaner's Central, Duluth

5 p.m., free, all ages

The final night of Pete Fest boasts a lineup consisting of some of the Twin Ports most well-known acts. The music gets started with a performance from Gossamer Road and continues with Zakk Grandahl, 41 Headlights, Teague Alexy, the Brothers Burn Mountain. Charlie Parr will close things down when he takes the stage at 9 p.m. ​

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