STATE FAIR CONCERTS:
Stevie Nicks: While Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie are recording and touring together, Fleetwood Mac's other singer/songwriter continues on her solo trek. Don't expect an evening of greatest hits. Instead, as she did in December at Xcel Energy Center, Nicks has been doing lots of deep tracks, especially from her "24K Gold" album combined with a handful of favorites like "Gypsy" and "Gold Dust Woman." Vanessa Carlton opens. (7:30 p.m. Fri. Grandstand, $49-$90.)
George Clinton & P-Funk: One of the fair's splashiest free-stage bookings of recent memory, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's funkiest inductee still serves as a spirited ringleader for a mostly young, new army of bandmates playing nothing but old Parliament and Funkadelic classics, including "One Nation Under a Groove," "Atomic Dog," "Flashlight" and "Give Up the Funk." They were able to spark a strong party vibe in a stifling mid-afternoon environment at Paisley Park in April, so imagine how much fun they'll be on a warm summer night outdoors at the fair. (8:30 p.m. Sat. & Sun., Leinie's Lodge Bandshell, free.)
The Pines: Never mind their Iowan roots. Singer/songwriters Benson Ramsey's and David Huckfelt's shimmery folk-rock and stoically poetic, Dylanesque songwriting will make for one of the most Minnesotan music offerings at the fair this year. (8 p.m. Sat. & Sun., Schell's Stage West End Market, free.)
John Mellencamp: When it comes to recordings, Mellencamp has been in an acoustic Americana groove for several years. This year's "Sad Clowns & Hillbillies" features some strong songwriting ("All Night Talk Radio," "Battle of Angels") and splendid duets with Carlene Carter. She's on tour with him, as opening act and member of his band. However, his concerts have been heavy on radio favorites and light on new material, save the spirited "My Soul's Got Wings." (7:30 p.m. Tue., grandstand, $49 & $64, etix.com)
Pentatonix: As popular and sugary a choice for the grandstand as Sweet Martha's Cookies, the country's most popular a cappella group — actually saying something these days — just dropped a cheery remake of Robyn's classic hit "Dancing on My Own" and is still delivering many of the same original tunes and Bieber, MJ covers on tour as at last year's Xcel Center show. It's the same opener, too: wife/husband act Us the Duo. (8 p.m. Wed. grandstand, limited $40-$50 remain.)
Hot Club of Cowtown: This stylish, cool Texas trio has become a regular at the Dakota Jazz Club in recent years playing an updated brand of Bob Wills-style Western Swing music. (1 & 2:30 p.m. Mon. & Tue., Leinie's Bandshell, free.)
Romantica: Irish-born brooder Ben Kyle and his wistful, Minneapolis-based Americana rock band have one of the best local albums of the year, "Shadowlands," spiked with topical and religious tunes, plus a drinking song or two. (8 p.m. Wed. & Thu., Schell's Stage West End Market, free.)
Usher: The R&B star didn't mount a big tour behind his slow-selling 2016 album "Hard II Love." But you know he's still got those smooth dance moves, sweet voice and thrilling hits, including "Yeah," "Burn" and "I Don't Mind." (7:30 p.m. Thu. grandstand, $72-$97, etix.com)