Brandi Carlile (photo credit: Columbia Records)
Brandi Carlile (photo credit: Columbia Records)

Here are my recommendations for weekend concerts. But as they say, tickets are going fast!

Brandi Carlile: The Maple Valley singer, songwriter and guitarist is a real star now, thanks to a solid catalog of albums. Her latest is “Give Up the Ghost” featuring songs inspired by bassist Phil Hanseroth’s dreams, which were recorded in a bedside journal. It’s a thoughtful, probing album marked by Carlile’s powerful vocals. Check out the band’s Web site.

Guest performers include no less than Elton John, Chad Smith (the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer) and Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). Read my review here. Filling out the band are guitarist Tim Hanseroth, Phil’s twin brother, and cellist Josh Neumann. The concert is at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Paramount Theatre. Opening is Katie Herzig. Tickets: $27.50 at STG Presents.

Gossip: Gossip, formerly called The Gossip, is led by Beth Ditto, who oversize looks and personality drive the band’s wild, punked-up blend of soul-inspired dance music. The group was among the biggest acts at the Capitol Hill Block Party last summer. The band’s current album, “Music for Men,” was produced by recording guru Rick Rubin.

The band is the talk of Portland, which the band describes as “a great town for donuts.” Read about Ditto’s childhood encounter with Bill Clinton in her home state of Arkansas. The concert is at 8 tonight, Oct. 23, at Showbox at the Market. Tickets are sold out, you can always beg.

Visqueen: Led by singer-guitarist Rachel Flotard, Seattle’s Visqueen has been wildly popular ever since the release of the debut album “King Me.” The group’s new album, “Message to Garcia,” is a tribute to Flotard’s father, a larger-than-life former New York City steamfitter who died of cancer last spring. It is easily one of the best Seattle rock albums of the year. Read my interview with Flotard here.

Headlining tomorrow night’s (Oct. 24) show at the Tractor Tavern is Shonen Knife, the pastel-colored Japanese rock band with the Ramones-like sound. Music starts at 9:30 p.m. with Connecticut Four. Tickets: $15 at TicketWeb.

Ani DiFranco: Folk singer and feminist Ani DiFranco formed her own record label years ago and did it her way. Now based in New Orleans, the prolific singer-songwriter has released “Red Letter Year,” another powerful, politically conscious album. Read my 2006 interview with DiFranco from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

DiFranco peforms at 8 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 24) at the Moore Theatre. Opening is Anais Mitchell. Tickets: $35 through STG Presents.

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