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Music notes: Gin Blossoms, Blue Oyster Cult play weekend fests

July 4 rocks

There will be loads of live music to be heard all over the suburbs this weekend, as communities continue their summer festival/Fourth of July celebrations. Among the bigger tickets will be the acts at Naperville's Ribfest and Arlington Heights' Frontier Days. Ribfest's music lineup includes headlining acts like the country duo Love and Theft (July 4), former Supertramp singer Roger Hodgson (July 5) and classic rockers George Thorogood, Foghat and Blue Oyster Cult (July 6). Frontier Days, meanwhile, has the alt-pop group the Gin Blossoms (July 4) and the Bacon Brothers (July 5), featuring actor Kevin Bacon, on tap. Don't miss a chance to see great bands so close to home! Ribfest runs July 3-6 in Knoch Park in Naperville. General admission is $15 at the gate. Go to ribfest.net. Frontier Days runs July 2-6 in Recreation Park in Arlington Heights. Free. Go to frontierdays.org.

Noise-rock maestros

Every Chicago-area rock fan is duty-bound to see Shellac in concert at least once. The local noise-rock trio is anchored by Steve Albini, the musician-producer known for his acerbic wit, fierce punk-rock work ethic and wizardry on the electric guitar. Albini is joined in Shellac by bassist Bob Weston (a stellar producer in his own right) and drummer Todd Trainer — together, they form one of the most blistering rock acts around, a band that is never better than when it is playing live for a home crowd. Shellac performs on Sunday, July 6, and Monday, July 7, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15. Go to lincolnhallchicago.com.

Sir Paul returns

Paul McCartney, who once was in an English rock quartet you might have heard of, is returning to Chicago next week. He's in his 70s now, but if reviews of recent shows are any indication, the former Beatle has not slowed down in the least. 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison, Chicago. Tickets start at $89.50. Go to ticketmaster.com.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney returns to Chicago next week for a show at the United Center. Associated press
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