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)
OTHER SHOWS:
Brad Paisley: The wise-cracking, guitar-slinging CMA Awards co-host seemed eager to please on this year's "Love and War," which features duets with Mick Jagger, John Fogerty, Timbaland and Bill Anderson. The album and Paisley's recent track record suggests he's cooled off with radio. He hasn't had a No. 1 song since 2014, though he had 18 charttoppers before that. He's still got the hot guitar licks, quick wit and winning showmanship instincts. (7 p.m. Sat. Treasure Island Casino amphitheater, Red Wing, $70, ticketmaster.com)
2 Chainz: The Atlanta rapper will be the first mainstream hip-hop artist to hit St. Paul's newly remade theater riding a buzz around his questionably titled fourth record, "Pretty Girls Like Trap Music." With such featured guests as Drake, Nicki Minaj and Migos, the album boasts the usual slow-throbbing beats and quizzical references — dude likes Benihana a whole lot! — which promises for an odd show, but hopefully charming so. He's bringing the so-called Trap Choir with him as well as Memphis opener Young Dolph. (8 p.m. Fri., Palace Thatre, 17 W. 7th Place, St. Paul, $40, eTix.com.) Chris Riemenschneider
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill: You won't see either of their names on the country singles charts these days. Nashville's No. 1 couple are a classic act, a husband-and-wife duo with individual hits that endure and a chemistry that makes their duets sparkle. They're promising to drop a duets album this year, with a preview during their third duo tour — their first North American trek in 10 years. Opening is Natalie Hemby, writer of such hits as "Pontoon," "Drinks After Work" and "White Liar." (7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, $69.50-$119.50, ticketmaster.com)
Aurora Nealand & Tom McDermott: Since settling in New Orleans in 2005, multithreat performer Nealand has flourished in a bevy of projects. A soprano saxophonist, vocalist and accordionist who plays traditional New Orleans jazz, rockabilly and avant-garde jazz, she has an easygoing flair and charisma. She heads north in a duo with McDermott, a fluid and knowledgeable stride and boogie-woogie pianist. (7 p.m. Sun., Crooners, Fridley, $20-$45, croonersloungemn.com)
Regina Marie Williams: There will be conversation, understated humor and a whole lot of soul in this inaugural cabaret show by the Ivey Award-winning actor/singer, known for her work in "Sister Act" and "Nina Simone: Four Sisters." Joining her are Jevetta and Jearlyn Steele, the powerhouse singing sisters, and Ashley Dubose, who made a splash on â–º NBC's â—„ "The Voice." This will take place in an unnamed new events space on the third floor of the former Solera restaurant. (7:30 p.m. Mon., 900 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. $15, Hennepintheatretrust.org)
Midnight Oil: The outspoken, environmentalist Australian band that hit it big with "Beds Are Burning" exactly 30 years ago is still going strong with most of its original members, a consistently riveting live show and the same passion (and need) for its messaging. (8 p.m. Tue., First Avenue, $50.)
Dr. Lonnie Smith: The Hammond B3 organ star got his start playing with George Benson in the 1960s. With last year's "Evolution" album, Smith returned to the Blue Note label for the first time since 1970. Produced by Don Was, the often exciting soulful jazz recording finds Smith accompanied by an array of stars, including Robert Glasper, Joe Lovano and Keyon Harrold. This spring Smith, 75, was honored with an NEA Jazz Masters award. (7 p.m. Wed. Dakota, Mpls., $35-$45, dakotacooks.com_
Lil Yachty: Just two weeks after "American Teen" singer Khalid packed Myth, another AutoTune-employing, youthful, Southern hip-hop star is headed to the Maplewood mega-club to preview his own teen-centric debut album, "Teenage Emotions." The Georgia rapper, 19, broke big with his wacky-weedy hit "Broccoli" and has been building buzz for his new record with the Diplo-spiked single "Forever Young." Surely, he'll also have to deliver one of the standout tracks from his earlier mixtapes, "Minnesota." (8 p.m. Thu., Myth, 3090 Southlawn Dr., Maplewood, $29.50, all ages, eTix.com.)
