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The street-blocking light rail construction isn’t enough to keep music-loving locals from traversing across the river, thanks to tons of big events (Red Bull Flugtag), parties in the park (MN Original’s launch in Mears Park), titilating benefits (Racktacular) and dance parties (Let’s Dance). Now with the newest music festival to hit the Capital City, the organizers of Saturday’s Lowertown Music Fest (not to be confused with the Concrete and Grass Lowertown Music Festival in September or last weekend’s Lowertown Block Party) have upped the ante by booking three local acts that can easily sell out the First Avenue Mainroom: Mason Jennings, Cloud Cult, and Tapes ‘N Tapes.

Mason Jennings

Probably one of the most popular singer-songwriters in town, Mason Jennings has been steadily building a fanbase without giving in to commercial gloss. On 2009′s Blood Of Man, Jennings played all the instruments himself, giving a rough-around-the-edges feel to the solid set of songs.

Duluth experimental folk band Cloud Cult made a name for themselves nationally after their song “Lucky Today” was featured in an ad for Esurance and they found themselves on Last Call with Carson Daly. They’re bound to preview some new tunes from their upcoming full-length Light Chasers, which doesn’t hit stores until September, but the orchestral pop album is already available for purchase online.

Tapes 'N Tapes

Indie-rockers Tapes ‘N Tapes also found some fame after garnering an impressive 8.3 rating on Pitchfork for their breakthrough album The Loon as well as a coveted spot on Late Show with David Letterman back in 2006. Though the band’s upward trajectory has plateaued, hopefully they can make good on the buzz when their upcoming third album (recorded this past March) is released.

The fest clearly is capitalizing on the resurgence of the Lowertown arts district over the past couple of years, but it’s hard to complain about such a good lineup, which is rounded out by buzzing folkies Peter Wolf Crier, UK folk-punk singer Frank Turner and wacky kid-friendly duo Koo Koo Kanga Roo.

3 p.m. Sat. $25-30. Mears Park, 5th & Sibly, St. Paul, www.lowertownmusicfest.com

Beatlemania hits St. Paul this weekend, as do folk-rockers Wilco and Tapes ‘N Tapes on its “Tour of the Twin Cities.”

Insert your head here: The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band"

THURSDAY: The Beatles are in Big Trouble at Turf Club
With the re-release of the Beatles entire re-mastered catalog this month, it was only a matter of time before a local group would capitalize on the excitement. Big Trouble, a supergroup instrumental band composed of members from Heiruspecs, Kid Dakota, Jessy Green, and many more, gets even more super with E.L.nO’s David Campbell (also a DJ on 89.3 The Current) providing guest vocals. The super-supergroup will be playing the hits all night, and there’s more: the new Beatles Rock Band will be set up for competition in the Clown Lounge; a giant 8’ x 8’ mock-up of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band cover with cutouts for heads will be set up for your picture-taking enjoyment; Beatles movies will play all ngiht; and DJs from 89.3 The Current will be on hand spinning Beatles and Beatles-related tunes. (9 p.m. $5. 21-plus. 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

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