Etta James turned 70 in January, and guess what? The legendary soul singer can still bring you to tears, as she handily proved at Red Rocks Amphitheatre last year. James and her Roots Band will play the Pikes Peak Center tonight ($42-$54) and the Paramount Theatre on Saturday ($39.75-$75).
Kaki King deserves credit for experimenting with her dizzying guitar compositions by sprinkling bits of melodic pop dust throughout her new disc. Catch her at the Walnut Room on Saturday with Denver’s Bela Karoli. $15.
Minmae’s jumbled pile of influences contains bits of Pavement, Pollard and Midwestern decay, but the warbling Portland, Ore., band, led by Sean Brooks, frequently sounds like none of them. Minmae plays Wednesday at the Oriental Theater. $10.
Music for Animals’ new self-titled record may lag in spots, but its jittery, glittery high points are as satisfying as anything the Killers or Interpol have cranked out lately. The San Francisco band plays Thursday at 3 Kings Tavern, with dance-friendly locals Photo Atlas and We Are! We Are! $8.
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
