Station 4: Tuesday, May 20 – 5:00 doors $20

The presence of the symphonic metal giants in Arch Enemy playing a small club is awesome enough, add to that mammoth Dark Tranquility, a potato, some carrots, and bam, you got a metal stew on baby! The Greek powerhouse of Firewind along with Divine Heresy both round out the bill, giving it more of a feel akin to that of a stadium-sized rock show (or at least the Myth) than one at a venue more suited towards garage rock bands. Pack your bags, throw on your Maiden t-shirts and skip out of school early kids, this all ages show is one not to be missed. [Chris DeLine]

Arch Enemy: (Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
Dark Tranquility: (Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
Divine Heresy: (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
Firewind: (Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia)

400 Bar: Wednesday, May 21 – 8:00 doors $12 18+

The White Rabbits are playing on Wednesday night at the 400 Bar, and it should be a pretty damn good time. Their upbeat “honkytonk calypso” music is a step above a lot of what much of indie rock is offering these days and the guys put a lot of energy into their live shows. I am not sure if the club’s stage will fit their two drum kits and gazillion band members, but I am sure that they will make something work. Expect a tightly packed house, sweat-inducing temperatures, and wildly dancing hipsters. Get drunk at home beforehand because the drinks are expensive. [Jon Behm]

White Rabbits: (Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
White Rabbits “The Plot” (mp3)
White Rabbits “Kid on My Shoulders” (mp3)
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson: (MySpace)
Humanboy: (MySpace)

Dinkytowner: Thursday, May 22 – 9:00 $5 18+

Of course the big show this week is Soundset ‘08 in the Metrodome parking lot on Sunday. But since everyone probably already knows about that (and its hip hop karaoke after-party at First Ave.), let me promote another cool hip hop show. Thursday at the Dinkytowner, Florida’s Sol.iLLaquists of Sound will be playing. I have yet to catch one of their shows, but everyone I’ve talked to says that they’re one of the most exciting live acts in hip hop – expect some live MPC magic, progressive politics and a whole lot of energy. [Kyle "El Guante" Myhre]

Sol.iLLaquists of Sound: (Official) (MySpace)
Sol.iLLaquists of Sound “Mark it Place” (mp3)
Sol.iLLaquists of Sound “As If We Existed” (mp3)
Adrenaline: (Official) (MySpace)
Mr. Ruff: (MySpace)

Metrodome Parking Lot: Sunday, May 25 – 11:00 am Gate $25

Possibly the biggest local show of the year, Soundset 2008 celebrates not just national hip hop and rap but all likes of local talent, at least sixteen local acts helping round out the bill. That being said – the big guns are taking the stage as well: Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Aesop Rock with Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz, Dilated Peoples…even if the show delivers brief Warped-Tour style mini-sets this is an absolutely insane lineup that every local hip hop music fan should be going nuts about. [Chris DeLine]

Atmosphere: (Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
Atmosphere “Shoulda Known” (mp3)
Atmosphere “Don’t Stop” (mp3)
Atmosphere “Lyndale Avenue’s User’s Manual” (mp3)
Dialated Peoples: (Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
Aesop Rock: (Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
Brother Ali: (Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
Brother Ali “Truth Is” (mp3)
Beat Junkies: (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
Little Brother: (Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
Eyedea & Abilities: (Official) (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
Eyedea & Abilities “Now” (mp3)
P.O.S.: (MySpace)
Blueprint: (MySpace)
Mac Lethal: (Official) (MySpace)
Mac Lethal “Rotten Apple Pie” (mp3)
Abstract Rude: (MySpace) (Wikipedia)
I Self Divine: (MySpace)
Psalm One: (MySpace)