Thursday, July 4
After recording some of their well-received new album, “Sonic Ranch,” at Creation Audio in Minneapolis and seeing their mid-’90s hit “Out of My Head” gain new life in a prominent “Ted Lasso” scene, Texas-pop-rock darlings Fastball return to Minnesota for a fireworks-accompanied party opening for fellow ‘90s radio favorites Sister Hazel (5-10 p.m. Mystic Lake Casino, free); celebrate freedom with Minnesota’s long-running kings of the boogie Lamont Cranston (8 p.m. Belvedere tent at Crooners, $35-$45).
Friday, July 5
1. Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs: The former longtime guitarist for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and later short time with Fleetwood Mac, Campbell is finally coming into his own with his side project that’s become full time. He seems more confident on the Knobs’ third album in four years, the just released “Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits,” on which he receives help from Graham Nash, Lucinda Williams and Chris Stapleton. The band is revamped with Steve Ferrone returning to the drum kit and Chris Holt now on guitar and keyboards. And, yes, they will do a few Petty songs. Shannon McNally opens. (8 p.m. Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul, $52.50 and up, axs.com)
2. The Kid Laroi: A protégé of Juice Wrld, this Aussie rapper/singer, 20, has been making a name for himself on collabs with Justin Bieber (the No. 1 hit “Stay”) and Miley Cyrus (“Without You”). The well-connected L.A. resident also has teamed up with Jungkook, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Yachty, Future, Robert Glasper, Lil Durk and Polo G, among others, and he landed a tune, “Forever & Again,” on the “Barbie” soundtrack. Oh, yeah, on his First Time Tour, the Kid LaRoi is garnering attention for dating Canadian pop star Tate McRae. Glaive and Chase Shakur open. (7:30 p.m. the Armory, 500 S. 6th St., Mpls., $26 and up, ticketmaster.com)
3. Miranda Lambert: It’s been a minute since the much-acclaimed country star has had a hit (2021′s “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” with Elle King). But she has a new collaboration with white-hot Lainey Wilson coming called “Good Horses.” And Lambert dropped a new single, “Wranglers,” in May, and she’s been teasing another one, “For Anyone Who Needs to Move On,” on social media. Yes, Lambert is going to deliver a new recorded-in-Texas album this year (it’s “very country,” she promises of her 10th studio effort). Meanwhile, the feisty Texan has a jukebox full of classics from “From the House That Built Me” to “Kerosene” to fill a set list. (8 p.m. Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheater, $90-$150, etix.com)
Also: Twin Cities indie-rock vet Darren Jackson is back with his first album in five years as Kid Dakota, “Praegustator,” which he’s celebrating with a release party also featuring FènixDion and Dylan Safar (9:30 p.m. Icehouse, $15-$25); the 45-piece U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America celebrates Independence Day (7:30 p.m. Lake Harriet Band Shell, free); veteran vocalist Anne Hampton Callaway is touring behind “Finding Beauty: Originals Vol. 1,” which features guests Melissa Manchester, Tierney Sutton and Kurt Elling (7 p.m., also Sat., Crooners, $42-$52); veteran Scottish singer-songwriter Al Stewart brings back the ‘70s classics “Year of the Cat” and “Time Passages” with his band, the Empty Pockets (7 p.m., also Sat., the Dakota, $50-$65).
Saturday, July 6
4. Trampled by Turtles: The harborside homecoming concert by the high-wired acoustic string band that played its first gig 21 years ago up the shore at Sir Benedict’s Tavern has turned into one of Duluth’s most popular annual events, with Trampled fans from all over coming to take part. This year’s installment comes between the sextet’s spring tour dates with Turnpike Troubadours and fall shows with the Avett Brothers. Big crowds are their norm these days. Indiana’s harmonious rock unit Houndmouth of “Sedona” fame opens. (6 p.m. Bayfront Festival Park, 350 Harbor Dr., Duluth, resale tickets only, first-avenue.com)
5. Taste of Minnesota: In its second iteration in downtown Minneapolis, the resurrected Taste of Minnesota is aiming for a little hometown flavor with its music. The Wallflowers return on Saturday to the Twin Cities, where frontman Jakob Dylan spent many childhood summers with his father, Bob Dylan. Headlining on Saturday is country powerhouse Martina McBride of “Independence Day” fame. Sunday’s big attraction is Minneapolis-launched Morris Day & the Time, preceded by original Time members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Other local musicians round out the lineups including Sounds of Blackness, Johnny Holm Band, Sophia Eris and Gear Daddies. (noon to 8 p.m. Sat. & Sun. Nicollet Mall, Mpls., free, tasteofmn.com)
6. The Baseball Project: Playing sidemen in this baseball-themed all-star band might still be the only chance to regularly catch former R.E.M. members Peter Buck and Mike Mills in action, as they reiterated their commitment to not stage a reunion at their other band’s Songwriters Hall of Fame induction last month. Seeing them back on tour after last year’s album “Grand Salami Time!,” you can witness what keeps them running the bases with this fun team led by Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate) and Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows) and featuring ex-Minnesotan Linda Pitmon (Zuzu’s Petals) on drums. Please, though, nobody ruin the fun by mentioning Kent Hrbek to the Braves-loving Mills. (8 p.m. Turf Club, 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul, resale tickets only, axs.com)