The best Twin Cities concerts this week: 3/6-3/12

Photo by Erik Hess

Votel will perform at the Burning Down the House benefit at Sound Gallery

With Spring approaching, forget the snow for a second, Minneapolis is selling out shows left and right. Wednesday night, sisters Tegan and Sara are welcomed to Minneapolis by a sold-out First Ave mainroom. Muse hits the Target Center Thursday and Imagine Dragons sells out the Varsity on Friday. Saturday evening, Brother Ali will speak at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum at Augsburg College, while former Prince drummer Bobby Z hosts his second annual Benefit 2 Celebrate Life at First Avenue. 

Wednesday 3.6.2013

Tegan & Sara with Diana
First Avenue Mainroom
Synth-laced Duo
18+, SOLD OUT, 7 PM 

Caveman
7th St. Entry
Sounding like the shaggier and stoned East Coast counterpoint to Local Natives, Brooklyn quintet Caveman likewise rely on tribal rhythms and wild-eyed group harmonizing to get under listeners' skin. Their excellent debut album from 2011, CoCo Beware, darted deftly between direct anthemic material and unhinged psych-pop explorations, wisely favoring economic running times even when opting for a sweepingly cinematic sound. Ten tracks clock in at a tidy 36 minutes. Their self-titled sophomore album, due next month on Fat Possum, looks to continue the group's sonic winning streak based on the strength of lead single "In the City," a sumptuous slice of synth-driven balladry. With Computer Magic, Strange Names. --Rob Van Alstyne
18+, $10, 8 PM

Thursday 3.7.2013

Muse with Dead Sara
Target Center
Polished U.K. Rock 
AA, $40-65, 7 PM

Lindsey Stirling
First Avenue Mainroom
YouTube Sensation
AA, $18, 6 PM

Miami Dolphins, Oaks and DJ TRL
Kitty Cat Klub
Out of Control
21+, FREE, 10 PM 

Friday 3.8.2013

Burning Down the House benefit
The Sound Gallery
The year got off to a rough start for Andy Bothwell, a.k.a. Astronautalis, and his roommates Claire Monestario (La Manchita), Dirty Donuts' Vicki Seymour, and Jeremy Jetson (Spyder Baybie Raw Dog) in northeast Minneapolis when a fire tore through their home. Not only did the flames damage a lot of their stuff and make the place uninhabitable, but items were stolen after the fact, too. All without renter's insurance, they've got plenty of costs to recoup. A bunch of local friends and musicians are pitching in for the Burning Down the House benefit show to be hosted by Botzy (Culture Cry Wolf, the Best Love Is Free) on Friday. The night's entertainment includes Doomtree's Mike Mictlan, Enola Gay, Votel, Spyder Baybie Raw Dog, Lydia Hoglund, Claire de Lune, Fort Wilson Riot, Father You See Queen, Me and My Arrow, DJ Young Baby Ander Other, and some surprise guests. --Reed Fischer 
21+, 10:30 PM

Slightly Stoopid with Tribal Seeds and The Heard
First Avenue Mainroom
Feel-good Vibes
18+, SOLD OUT, 7 PM

Jukebox the Ghost with Matt Pond and The Lighthouse & The Whaler
Fine Line
Driving Modern Pop
18+, $14, 8 PM

The Sudden Lovelys 
Aster Cafe
Nordeast Folk
AA, $8, 9 PM

Imagine Dragons with Atlas Genius and Nico Vega
Varsity Theatre
Synth-Laden Rock
AA, SOLD OUT, 6 PM

Lovely Bad Things with Crimes and Kill-Me Kare Bare
7th Street Entry
Hyperactive Garage 
18+, $8/$10, 8 PM