BRAD PAISLEY “It ain’t hip to sing about/ Tractors, trucks, little towns, or mama/ Yeah, that might be true/ But this is country music/ And we do.’’ So begins the proud new album from one of contemporary country’s most compelling stars. In support of “This Is Country Music,’’ Paisley is on the road with Blake Shelton, whose profile has risen dramatically since his appearances as a judge/coach on “The Voice,’’ and Jerrod Niemann. July 16, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25-$59.75. Comcast Center. 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com
(Wade Payne/Associated Press)
Music: the week ahead
BRAD PAISLEY “It ain’t hip to sing about/ Tractors, trucks, little towns, or mama/ Yeah, that might be true/ But this is country music/ And we do.’’ So begins the proud new album from one of contemporary country’s most compelling stars. In support of “This Is Country Music,’’ Paisley is on the road with Blake Shelton, whose profile has risen dramatically since his appearances as a judge/coach on “The Voice,’’ and Jerrod Niemann. July 16, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25-$59.75. Comcast Center. 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com
(Wade Payne/Associated Press)
POP & ROCK
HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS A perfect summer show with a great ’80s band that still sounds vibrant playing a jukebox full of hits - including “The Power of Love,’’ “Do You Believe in Love,’’ and “I Want a New Drug’’ - as well as the Stax gems they cover on their latest album, “Soulsville.’’ 7:30 p.m. July 16. $30-$70.
WXRV RIVERFRONT FESTIVAL The 10th annual edition of this free festival by the water in Newburyport features a diverse lineup including quirkily delightful singer-songwriter Doughty, formerly of Soul Coughing, soul man Marc Broussard, alt-country-tinged rockers the Damnwells, and coed Brit popsters Scars on 45. 1 p.m. July 16. Free. Waterfront Park, Newburyport. www.wxrv.com
LIL WAYNE Weezy returns to town with a pretty big entourage in tow including heavy-hitting rapper Rick Ross, contemporary soul chanteuse Keri Hilson, electro party people Far East Movement, and R&B loverboy Lloyd. Expect to hear all, or at least parts of, Wayne’s best known jams as well as sneak peeks at tracks from the forthcoming “Tha Carter IV.’’ 7 p.m. July 17. $22.25-$143.25.
MOTLEY CRUE, POISON & THE NEW YORK DOLLS Crue frontman Vince Neil’s vocals are a pretty long way from the band’s ’80s heyday. Poison frontman Bret Michaels is more reality-show star than rock star these days. And, aside from the tenuous “glam’’ connection, the New York Dolls’ appearance on this bill seems bizarre. But, hey, none of these bands is getting any younger. So if you’ve ever considered indulging in a night of nothing but good time, glam-rock/pop-metal nostalgia, you might not want to wait. 7 p.m. July 19. $40-$120. Comcast Center. 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com
SARAH RODMAN
FOLK & COUNTRY
BASTILLE DAY PARTY Presented by the French Cultural Center with World Music/CRASHarts responsible for the entertainment, this annual celebration blocks off Marlborough Street in anticipation of 2,000 spectators saluting all things Francophone. From the Afropop realm, Yoro Ndiaye and his band play an infectious mix of Senegalese dance music. And Rupa & the April Fishes offer an even broader take on French music, melding chanson with jazz, folk, and Latin rhythms. Rain or shine, the event starts at 6 p.m., with music commencing an hour later. July 15, 6-11 p.m. Tickets: $35, $28 in advance. Marlborough Street between Berkeley and Clarendon streets. 617-876-4275, www.worldmusic.org
THOMAS DYBDAHL Blue-eyed soul suits this Norwegian singer-songwriter, who’s finally making inroads in this market with the US release of his graceful new folk-pop album, “Songs.’’ Dybdahl headlines an early show that also features fellow heart-on-sleeve singers Marc Pinansky and Brendan Little. July 16, 6:15 p.m. Tickets: $10. T.T. the Bear’s. 617-492-2327, www.ticketweb.com
MANÁ A pioneering force in Latin rock since forming in the late ’70s (under another name), Maná has become a juggernaut well beyond its native Mexico. The band’s fan base is almost as fervent in this country, ensuring that Maná’s Boston show behind a new album, “Drama y Luz,’’ will be this summer’s premier local Latin rock concert. July 17, 8 p.m. Tickets: $58-$100. Agganis Arena. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com
JAMES REED
JAZZ
MARIO PAVONE’S NU UNIT The veteran bassist/composer has anchored the trios of avant-jazzers Paul Bley, Bill Dixon, and Thomas Chapin. His latest group - with saxophonists Tony Malaby and Philippe Cretien, cornetist Dave Ballou, pianist Craig Taborn, guitarist Michael Pavone, and drummer Matt Wilson - celebrates the release of his latest CD, the critical favorite “Arc Suite T/Pi T/Po.’’ 6 p.m. July 15. $15. Bradley Hall, Rivers School Conservatory, 333 Winter St., Weston. 781-235-6840, www.riversschoolconservatory.org
CHARLES NEVILLE & HARVEY DIAMOND QUARTET Soulful, bluesy saxophonist Neville, of the New Orleans R&B brother act, joins forces with Boston-based pianist Diamond, a direct link to legendary jazz pedagogue Lennie Tristano, for a freewheeling performance featuring jazz standards and original compositions. Fire and ice. 9 p.m. July 15. $15. Ryles, 212 Hampshire St., Cambridge. 617-876-9330, www.rylesjazz.com
JOHN HAMMOND & THE DUKE ROBILLARD BAND Two of the great living masters of the music - country blues acoustic guitarist, singer, and harmonica player Hammond and uptown electric blues guitarist Robillard - appear together, covering the blues waterfront from the Delta to the big city. 7:30 p.m. July 16. $18-$25. Lowell Summer Music Series, Boarding House Park, 40 French St., Lowell. 978-970-5200, www.lowellsummermusic.org
JOSEPH BOWIE & ADAM RUDOLPH DUET The versatile trombonist and leader of the jazz/punk/funk band Defunkt joins forces with percussionist Rudolph, leader of the group Moving Pictures, which combines American jazz improvisation with folk music from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the African Diaspora. 8 p.m. July 20. $10. Outpost 186. 186 Hampshire St., Cambridge. 617-876-0860, www.outpost186.com
KEVIN LOWENTHAL
CLASSICAL
MARLBORO MUSIC The venerable Vermont chamber music retreat opens its 60th anniversary season this weekend. On Saturday night, Marlboro musicians play works by Schumann, Spohr, and Brahms. On Sunday afternoon, it’s Brahms, Shostakovich, Zemlinsky, and Mendelssohn. In Marlboro, Vt. 802-254-2394, www.marlboromusic.org
TANGLEWOOD On Friday, Kurt Masur returns to lead Schumann’s First Symphony and Dvorak’s Cello Concerto with Lynn Harrell as soloist. Saturday night, John Storgaards conducts an all-Sibelius program, with the Symphony No. 5, “Finlandia,’’ “Valse Triste,’’ and the Violin Concerto, with soloist Nikolaj Znaider. Sunday afternoon, Keith Lockhart and the Pops take over for a tribute to Cole Porter, with guest vocalists Kelli O’Hara and Jason Danieley. 617-266-1200, www.tanglewood.org
ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL Rockport continues with concerts throughout its concluding weekend. Pianist Russell Sherman has wisely been given the last word, with a Sunday evening recital devoted to works by Liszt and Schumann. Sold out but returns may be available. 978-546-7391 or www.rockportmusic.org
BOSTON LANDMARKS ORCHESTRA The free Wednesday-night concerts have returned to the Esplanade this summer with the Landmarks Orchestra now under the direction of Christopher Wilkins. Next Wednesday he leads an all-Tchaikovsky program, including the Symphony No. 4 and the Violin Concerto with Hyunsu Ko. 7 p.m., July 20. Hatch Shell at the Esplanade. 617-520-2200, www.landmarksorchestra.org.
JEREMY EICHLER 
© Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company.
