Thursday, Aug. 23: Dawes

DAWES

8:30 p.m. Thu.-Fri. • Leinie's Bandshell, State Fair • free with fair admission

Not just Oldiesville, the Leinie's Bandshell lineup at the Minnesota State Fair kicks off this year with a modern favorite. L.A. quartet Dawes has earned ample Current and Cities 97 radio play and packed First Avenue over the past three years with its rousing, spirited, soulful twang-rock songs . Fans of the Band or BoDeans are likely to dig these guys. CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

BONNIE RAITT

7:30 p.m. • State Fair grandstand • $34.50-$44.50

Touring in support of the first-rate "Slipstream," her first album in seven years, Bonnie Raitt will make her seventh appearance at the State Fair. The Twin Cities is always an emotional place for her because her late brother, sound engineer Steve Raitt, lived here for three decades. Opening is fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Mavis Staples, who always gets soul-stirring on "I'll Take You There" and "Respect Yourself." JON BREAM

Murder by Death

9 p.m. • Triple Rock • 18-plus • $14

This Indiana quintet often sounds as bleak as its name, especially with frontman Adam Turla's deep, Nick Cave-meets-Warren Zevon baritone voice and desolate songwriting style. However, the group also boasts lively Irish baroque country-rock arrangements that will probably be more electrifying than ever on its upcoming album for Bloodshot Records, "Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon," produced by John Congleton (Explosions in the Sky, St. Vincent) and featuring Okkervil River's Scott Brackett as a new member. Wild labelmates Ha Ha Tonka open. C.R.