Weekend Checklist: Alpha Consumer, Gay Beast, and more

​Who says January is a slow month for shows in the Twin Cities? This weekend is jam-packed with festivities, from the Current's sold-out sixth birthday party to CD-release shows for Alpha Consumer, Gay Beast, More Than Lights, and Say Like the French Say.

Here's a rundown of our best bets for Friday through Sunday:


FRIDAY

Gay Beast (LP-release)
7th St. Entry
Read our interview with the noise-rock trio here. With Tips for Twat, Condominium, Camden. 18+. $7. 9 p.m.

The Tribe & Big Cats (CD-release)
Cause Spirits & Soundbar
Read our review of the new disc here. With Mally, IBE. 21+. $7. 9:30 p.m. (Also playing a free in-store at Fifth Element at 4 p.m., all ages.)

Maria Isa
Cabooze
With Prof, Mnemosyne, Lazlo Supreme, Toussaint Morrison. 18+. $10. 9 p.m.

Angelique Kidjo
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Read our preview here. All ages. $15-$25. 7:30 p.m.

89.3 the Current's 6th Birthday Party (Sold Out)
First Avenue
Set times here. With Free Energy, Jeremy Messersmith, Brother Ali, Roma di Luna, Trampled by Turtles. 18+. Sold Out. 7 p.m.

Anti-Civ Records Benefit
Memory Lanes
With Children of Euler, Bouncer Fighter, Slain, Burger Thirst, Toil. 21+. Free. 10 p.m.

Little Man
Triple Rock Social Club
With the Magnolias and StrangeLights. 18+. $7. 9 p.m.

A Cold Night for Alligators II: A Tribute to Roky Erickson
331 Club
With 'Baby' Grant Johnson, the Fontanelles, Nikki & the RueMates, Matt Latterell, the Jerry Blackwells. 21+. Free. 10 p.m.

Dale Watson
Lee's Liquor Lounge
Read our recommendation here. With the Hell County Truckers. 21+. $15. 9 p.m.



SATURDAY

Alpha Consumer (CD-release)
7th St. Entry
Read our interview with Alpha Consumer from this week's City Pages here. With Pink Mink, H.U.N.X. 18+. $8. 9 p.m.

More Than Lights (CD-release)
Fine Line Music Cafe
With Parallax, Wide Eyes, Duenday, Alicia Steele. 18+. $7/$10 at the door. 8 p.m.

Lazerbeak
Turf Club
With Marijuana Deathsquads, Double Bird. 21+. $7. 9 p.m.

Kill the Vultures
Nick and Eddie
With Black Audience and Adam Levy's new project Liminal Phase. 21+. $6. 10:30 p.m.

Chastity Brown, Brad Senne
Aster Cafe
Two high-quality songwriters in an intimate setting. $8. 9 p.m.

Say Like the French Say (CD-release)
Cause Spirits & Soundbar
With Hunting Club, Kill Me Kare Bare. $5. 9:30 p.m.

City on the Make
Dakota Jazz Club
As part of the Dakota's Late-Night Series. 21+. $5. 11 p.m.

Savage Aural Hotbed
First Avenue
Read our preview here. With the Brass Messengers, Mercy Kill. 18+. $8. 6 p.m.

Giravves
Nomad World Pub
With International Espionage, Sunspot, the New McCarthy. 21+. $5. 9 p.m.

TC Dubstep Infrasound Vol. 4
The Loft at Bar Fly
With Liquid Stranger, Cyborg Optix, Smilodon & Toffler, more. 18+. $10/$15 at the door. 8 p.m.


SUNDAY

Ben Folds (Sold Out)
First Avenue
Read our interview with Ben Folds here. With Street Corner Symphony. 18+. $35. 6:30 p.m.

Sunday Night Dance Party
Palmer's
With Nick the Feelin' and guests. 21+. Free. 9 p.m.