James Taylor, Carole King, Spoon, Black Lips, announce local dates

Spoon

​We weren't kidding last week when we said this is a busy time for show announcements -- yesterday there were so many coming through our Twitter feed that we could barely keep up. Here's a summary of the latest announcements:

James Taylor & Carole King
Xcel Center
May 25
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will share a backing band and perform together as part of their Troubadour Reunion Tour, which stops at the Xcel Center in May. Tickets go on sale Saturday, January 23.

Spoon
First Avenue
April 2-3
Spoon have already been getting some positive attention for their new album, Transference, and we're guessing that by the time these April dates roll around the buzz will have grown into a roar. The band will play two dates, one 21+ (on the 2nd) and one all ages (on the 3rd) with openers Deerhunter. Tickets on sale this Friday (pre-sale happening now).

Black Lips
Varsity Theater
April 3
Across town on the same night as the all ages Spoon show, First Ave will present the Black Lips at Dinkytown's Varsity Theater. The 18+ show will also feature Box Elders. Tickets go on sale Friday.

Puscifer
April 2-3
Pantages Theatre
As if that first weekend of April wasn't booked enough, Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan will bring his side project, Puscifer, to the Pantages for a two-night stand. Tickets ($39.50) on sale this Saturday at 1 p.m.

Beach House
Cedar Cultural Center
April 4
Ethereal pop band Beach House will come to the Cedar on the first Sunday in April, the same night as Passion Pit at First Avenue.