A summer without reggae is kind of like Christmas without sleigh bells. Certain seasons are inextricably linked to certain sounds. And this weekend one of reggae’s finest will be paying Chicago a visit. Since releasing the seminal hit “Marcus Garvey” in 1975, BURNING SPEAR has been one of Jamaica’s most consistent performers and most articulate social-political spokesmen. Although Spear has never tinkered much with his trademark sound — a blend of supple, hypnotic, cycling grooves and mellifluous vocal chanting — that’s not at all a bad thing. He’s still producing quality music, and his live sets are renowned for their charismatic power. Burning Spear performs Saturday at House of Blues. 329 N. Dearborn St. 312-923-2000.
THE A LIST
Smokin’ Grooves Tour, Friday at the International Amphitheatre: This hip-hop caravan would be notable simply for putting Cypress Hill, Wyclef Jean and Busta Rhymes on the same stage, but the presence of Public Enemy makes it truly special; the rap legends’ set will be one of the year’s most highly anticipated events. Canibus, Black-Eyed Peas and Gang Starr also perform. 4220 S. Halsted St. 773-254-6900.
Neil Finn, Saturday at the Vic Theatre: With his great new LP, “Try Whistling This,” former Crowded House songwriter Neil Finn proves he’s still one of the best pop tunesmiths on the planet, and he’s not letting moss molder over his songcraft. Finn deftly splices samples and synthetic textures into his melodic creations, but the music’s primary focus remains bittersweet hooks that ring like six-string wind chimes. 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. 312-559-1212.
Badar Ali Khan, Saturday at the Park West: Although he lacks the spine-tingling vocal virtuosity of his renowned cousin — the late, great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan — and his group doesn’t command the overpowering rhythmic pull of Nusrat’s collective, Badar Ali Khan does possess an impressive mastery of qawwali music tradition. As a result, his new LP, “Lost in Qawwali II” captures some of that tradition’s call-and-response ecstasy and long-form hypnotic allure. 322 W. Armitage Ave. 312-559-1212.
Anthrax, Sunday at House of Blues: One of the few metal acts widely respected outside the genre, Anthrax’s lean, brash, groove-driven roar has found favor with both punks and hip-hoppers. But after being dropped by its label and MTV, the band has had to re-group and re-focus. Its recent return-to-action, “Volume 8 — The Threat Is Real,” is a generally potent burst of tuneful, inflammatory hard rock that successfully dabbles in other styles, although two stabs at No Depression country are simply laughable. 329 N. Dearborn St. 312-923-2000.
Other Concerts
Lilith Fair, Wednesday at the World Music Theatre: As the popularity of other summer package tours wanes, Lilith Fair seems to grow stronger, even though this Chicago edition boasts fewer big names than in other cities. Performers include: Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Bonnie Raitt, Liz Phair, Des’ree, Victoria Williams, Drugstore and others. I-80 and Harlem Ave., Tinley Park. 708-614-1616.
Hanson, Friday at the World Music Theatre: Not to be confused with the punk band Hanson Brothers, nor with the fictional Hanson goons in the movie “Slapshot,” this Hanson consists of three non-fictional, non-goon brothers actually named Hanson who play freshly scrubbed ’70s soul-pop that’s somewhere between the Jackson 5 and Edison Lighthouse. If you’re the parent of teenage girls, there’s no getting out of this one. I-80 and Harlem Ave., Tinley Park. 708-614-1616.
Phish, Saturday at Alpine Valley: The bad news about Phish’s latest LP “Slip, Stitch and Pass” is that it includes wooden, narcoleptic covers of the Talking Heads’ “Cities” and ZZ Top’s “Jesus Just Left Chicago.” The good news is that it includes a mersh catalogue offering hemp baseball caps, which, if properly smoked, might make Phish’s cliched, hippie-dream jam rock sound like Quicksilver Messenger Service or something equally substantial. Highway D and Highway 120, East Troy, WI. 414-642-4400.
Solex, Saturday at the Empty Bottle: It’s interesting that so many electronic sound artists adopt abstract pseudonyms, as if the music’s impersonal nature negates personal identity. Or maybe it’s just shtick, like playing rockabilly as “Southern Culture on the Skids.” Regardless, Dutch sampler Elisabeth Esselink (“Solex”) creates terse, tuneless pop via electronic keyboards and a wide array of sampled effects that produce some evocative moments but often devolve into chilly discord. 1035 N. Western Ave. 773-276-3600.
Drugstore, Wednesday at the Double Door: With a name like Drugstore and a new LP titled “White Magic for Lovers,” one might expect some kind of neuron-blowing, cerebrum-frying experience from this quartet. Instead, Drugstore dispenses a somewhat generic, if edgy and arty, alt-rock with lyrics about murder, junkies and death. Still, Wal-Mart might have been a better moniker. 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-489-3160.
Also: Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire, Friday at the Horizon; Spearhead, Friday at the Cubby Bear; Backstreet Boys, Saturday at the World; Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Monday at House of Blues.
