Now in its 17th year, FitzGerald’s AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL is easily one of this city’s best summer bashes. Spanning four days, the festival combines a great atmosphere, lots of top-notch Cajun-American barbecue and 24 generally superb performers covering a huge spectrum of American music. The full schedule is too long to list here, but some highlights are: Wednesday: Kelly Willis, Geno Delafose, the Iguanas. Thursday: the Iguanas, the Bottle Rockets, Los Straightjackets. Friday: Otis Clay, Jimmy LaFave, Alejandro Escovedo. Saturday: the Hackberry Ramblers, Blue Mountain, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men. The American Music Festival takes place Wednesday, Thursday and July 3 and 4. 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. 708-788-2118.
The `A’ list
Pearl Jam, Friday and Saturday at Alpine Valley and Monday at the United Center: They’re pals with Neil Young. They hate the music biz. Their records have improved. And they try to do the right thing for their fans. But aren’t these guys also pals with media-dependent star chaser Dennis Rodman? How’s that for a knee to the credibility. Alpine Valley: Highway D and Highway 120, East Troy, Wis. 414-642-4400. United Center: Sold out.
Ani DiFranco, Sunday at the Aragon Ballroom: Candid, unconventional, full of sexual bravado and more than a little infatuated with her own independence, Ani DiFranco is the kind of hip youth symbol the record industry constantly tries to concoct. But being self-made and emotionally real, DiFranco has connected where most canned rebels don’t. Her new LP, “Little Plastic Castle,” wisely tones down the sanctimony and lets the brash, melodic music do the talking. 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. 312-559-1212.
Fred Frith, Larry Ochs and Miya Masaoka, Thursday and July 3 at Unity Temple: For 30 years, guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Fred Frith has been one of those select experimenters whose music has been as consistently rewarding as it has been adventurous. Working with everyone from Eno to the Residents to John Zorn, and as a member of Henry Cow, the Art Bears and Skeleton Key, Frith has produced an amazing body of work. This is his first U.S. tour in a decade. He’ll be joined by renowned koto player Masaoka and Rova Saxophone Quartet member Ochs. 875 Lake St., Oak Park. 708-383-8873.
Wynonna, Friday and Saturday at the Star Plaza: It’s true that cloying arrangements and schlocky ballads are part of Wynonna’s shtick, but so are impeccable song selections, earthy singing and a willingness to rock out. Granted, Wynonna’s show biz/substance tightrope act may be calculated, but it’s undertaken with a precision and enthusiasm that’s hard to knock. I-65 and U.S. 30, Merrillville, Ind. 219-769-6311.
Clancy Brothers, Friday at the Abbey Pub: This legendary ensemble’s lean, lilting renditions of traditional Irish songs perfectly dovetailed with the Greenwich Village folk boom of the early ’60s. By emphasizing the stories at the heart of Irish songcraft with their smooth harmonies and easygoing accompaniment, the Clancys almost singlehandedly popularized myriad genre staples in this country. 3420 W. Grace St. 773-478-4408.
The Schramms, Saturday at Lounge Ax: The Schramms would qualify as a wonder just for leader Dave Schramm’s jaw-dropping fretwork and signature guitar tone that crosses church bells with the sound of vintage pedal steel. But Schramm also has a knack for turning thoughtful, literate lyrics and hooks like comb-fresh honey into rootsy songs that stick in your ears like briars on flannel, as the band’s great new LP, “Dizzy Spell,” attests. 2438 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-525-6620.
Albita, Sunday at House of Blues: Imaginative composer and electrifying performer, traditionalist and modernist, sex symbol and androgynous mystery, Albita is one of those rare personalities capable of fulfilling divergent roles without collapsing in conflict. Similarly, her scorching music is deeply rooted in classic Cuban rhythms even as it flashes a thoroughly contemporary vision. 329 N. Dearborn St. 312-923-2000.
Other concerts
Shaggy, Thursday at the Cubby Bear: Taking a turn for the tuneful, this influential dancehall toaster followed up the commercial splash of “Boombastic” with last year’s aptly titled “Midnite Lover.” More seduction than explosion, “Midnite Lover” found Shaggy using his cascading toasts as garnish rather than main course on a platter rippling with guest vocalists and melodic pop. 1059 W. Addison St. 773-327-1662.
Michael Bolton, Friday at the Rosemont Theatre: Heavy metal may have a reputation for blasphemy, but few headbangers have a history of defilement equal to Michael Bolton’s. Having mauled a host of R&B classics a few years ago, Bolton reportedly is now training his pennywhistle pipes on opera?! Someone hang up the garlic and keep this monster at bay. 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont. 312-559-1212.
Chicago Country Music Festival, Friday and Saturday at the Grant Park Petrillo Music Shell: Friday: Suzy Bogguss, John Anderson, Billy Dean. Saturday: Faith Hill, Restless Heart. Saturday afternoon “Americana” showcase: the Derailers, the Ex-Husbands, Ruthie and the Wranglers, Reckless Kelly. 312-744-3370.
Also: Boyz II Men, Sunday at the World Music Theatre.
