Critics' Picks: Robert Plant, Cut Copy, My Chemical Romance, and more

First Avenue ∑ Sunday 4.10

Formed during the mid-1970s halcyon days of the U.K. punk upheaval, Wire remain a highly influential band who continue their enigmatic, maverick ways on the new Red Barked Tree. Disbanded and revived several times over the years, Wire is now reduced to the trio of original members Colin Newman, Graham Lewis, and Robert Grey, joined by guitarist Matt Simms on tour. Always unpredictable, Wire veer from anti-rock obstinacy to exploring pop conceits, strict avant-garde experimentation, minimalism, and noisy punk aggression. Tree has a bit of it all, from the opening "Please Take" (juxtaposing sleek, lyrical pop with a fuck-off message) to the jagged, industrial spiral "Moreover" and the punky bile of "Two Minutes." It's an album with tendrils drifting back to an earlier era, yet Wire don't sound dated so much as a band still setting their own peculiar agenda of fragmented symmetry. With Arcwelder. 18+. $18/$20 at the door. 7 p.m. 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612.332.1775. —Rick Mason

Kevin Eubanks Quintet

Robert Plant brings his Band of Joy to the State

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Historic State Theatre

805 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Category: Theaters

Region: Minneapolis (Downtown)

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Dakota Jazz Club ∑ Monday 4.11 and Tuesday 4.12

After leading the Tonight Show band for 18 years, Kevin Eubanks left the late-night TV spotlight last spring, jaywalking back to his career as a respected jazz guitarist largely left in limbo for two decades. Although he did some playing and recording on the side, it was vastly overshadowed by his Leno gig. So last November's excellent Zen Food is essentially a welcome re-introduction. Juggling electric and acoustic music, Eubanks shows off his superlative chops on a repertoire of originals that touch on fusion, blues, bop, and beyond while working grooves that run from tasty to steamy. The jaunty drive of a piece like "Los Angeles" is nicely contrasted by the gorgeous, richly contemplative "Adoration," which is emerging as Eubanks's theme song. Joining him are fellow Leno alumni Smitty Smith on drums and pianist Gerry Etkins, along with saxophonist Bill Pierce and bassist Rene Camacho. All but Etkins are along on tour. $45 at 7 p.m.; $30 at 9 p.m. 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612.332.1010. —Rick Mason

My Chemical Romance

First Avenue ∑ Tuesday 4.12

Every record that My Chemical Romance has ever released has been a concept album, which is not so much a sign of prog-rock excess as it is a desire to be recognized as rock 'n' roll storytellers (well, comic-book writers, anyway). Was all the emo makeup just a tipoff to the band's theatrical tendencies? Either way, MCR have ditched most of the crying-in-your-diary sad-sack moves that the dreaded E-word drags with it, trading tears for stadium-rock aspirations. It's not very cerebral and loses its flavor faster than cheap gum, but it's big, dramatic fun while it lasts. With Neon Trees and the Architects. All ages. $36.50. 5 p.m. 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612.332.1775. —Ian Traas