Saturday 2.17
Valerie June, Birds of Chicago @ First AvenueTripping the temporal coil with Valerie June is an extraordinary journey into the mystic. Her exquisite synthesis of what she calls “organic moonshine roots” includes dusty country, Memphis soul, and chamber folk, while her idiosyncratic musical language—gospel murmurs, earthy moans, ethereal cries—spark innovative twists while contemplating eternity’s inevitable rush on The Order of Time. Sublime chamber Americana duo Birds of Chicago, boasting a new country-blues EP (American Flowers), opens. 18+. 7 p.m. $25. 701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis.
Vieux Farka Touré @ Dakota Jazz ClubThe title of Samba, Mali guitarist Vieux Farka Touré’s latest album, isn’t a reference to Brazilian music. In Songhai it means “second born,” which he is to late desert blues icon Ali Farka Touré, whose influence remains strong even as Vieux adopts elements of rock, reggae, funk, and the spirit of Jimi Hendrix. Recorded before a small audience, Samba sets songs about culture, family, and Mali’s political turmoil to hypnotic Saharan grooves, fueled by sinuous and skittering guitar, ngoni, and calabash. 7 p.m. $32—$38. 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.
Cassandra Cole @ Aster Café Though she’s written songs since age six, singer-songwriter Cassandra Cole has only recently recorded her original material. Tonight she’ll release one of those new tracks, funded by an Indiegogo campaign and recorded with Savannah Street Music. Cole will perform seven of her pop tunes which borrow stylistically from singer-songwriters like Annie Lennox, Tori Amos, and even Janet Jackson. Read our full interview with Cole here. With Syvers. $10. 9 p.m.
Sunday 2.18
Jeezy @ Music Hall MinneapolisFrom the sonics of his early trap music to the way his hustler’s tales motivated later rappers’ come-ups, Jeezy, now 40, is easily one of the most influential MCs of the past two decades. In recent years, the bellowing Atlanta honcho has applied his O.G. status in different ways, from 2013’s socially aware Church in These Streets to December’s opulent Pressure. The latter’s “American Dream,” featuring Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, was a hugely anticipated song that didn’t disappoint. With Tee Grizzley, the young face of Detroit street rap. 18+. 8 p.m. $38-$138. 111 Fifth St. N., Minneapolis.
