1. Mark Knopfler
Part country twang, part biting blues cry, Mark Knopfler’s guitar tone is one of rock’s most identifiable sounds. Saturday at the Rosemont Theater. 312-559-1212.
2. Television
Television’s dazzling ax duo of Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd kept imaginative guitar artistry alive during punk’s heyday. Thursday at Metro. 773-549-0203.
3. Yo La Tengo and Eleventh Dream Day
Tengo’s Ira Kaplan and Dream’s Rick Rizzo torched the post-punk landscape and remain formidable players. Wednesday at Metro. 773-549-0203.
4. Keller Williams
Acoustic wizard Keller Williams has emerged as the jam band scene’s flamboyant answer — sort of — to Leo Kottke. Friday at the Park West. 312-559-1212.
5. Tim O’Brien
He’s a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and a bluegrass innovator, but classic C&W and the guitar were Tim O’Brien’s first loves. Saturday at the Old Town School of Folk Music. 773-728-6000.
