Music notes: Rise Against brings punk to Northerly Island

<h3 class="briefHead">Rise Against returns</h3>

Chicago's own hard-core punk rockers Rise Against return home with Killswitch Engage and letlive. for a Friday-night set at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion. The band's latest album, "The Black Market," was released last summer and spawned the hits "I Don't Want to Be Here Anymore" and "Tragedy + Time." Hear these and favorites from the entire catalog at an all-ages show on Northerly Island. 7 p.m. Friday, July 17, at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S. Lynn White Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $29.50. (866) 448-7849 or livenation.com.

<h3 class="briefHead">Pitch perfect </h3>

Pitchfork Music Festival is one of the smaller of the three-day music festivals in Chicago this summer, but it certainly spotlights the local star power: Wilco, Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, How to Dress Well, to name a few. Three-day passes to the Union Park extravaganza are sold out, but some single-day tickets are still available.

Gates open at 3 p.m. Friday, July 17, and noon, Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19. $65; pitchforkmusicfestival.com.

<h3 class="briefHead">Country 'Voice'</h3>

Calling all Y'allers! Craig Wayne Boyd, the 2014 winner of season 7 of NBC's "The Voice," is bringing his gospel-country-tinged tunes from Nashville to Antioch Friday. Fresh off a recent guest appearance on "The Voice," where he debuted his new single "I'm Still Here," Boyd is preparing to release his first album. Catch some more of his new tunes at Blarney Island, along with guests Dylan McDonald & the Avians and Cliff Cody. 6 p.m. Friday, July 17, at Blarney Island, 27843 W. Grass Lake Road, Antioch. General admission is $20; a VIP package is available for $50. (847) 395-3804 or blarneyisland.com.

<h3 class="briefHead">'Shake It Off' at Soldier Field</h3>

Pop-country starlet Taylor Swift has won a large and diverse fan base with her fun, witty hits the kids love and the wholesome appeal that parents can get behind. While her latest album, "1989," and its first singles are planted firmly in the pop genre, her down-home charm is a huge part of what's going to fill the stands as she brings the "1989 World Tour" for two nights to Soldier Field, along with openers HAIM, Vance Joy and Shawn Mendes. 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19, at Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $122. (866) 448-7849 or ticketmaster.com.

<h3 class="briefHead">Concerts</h3>

Lindy's 2nd Annual Bang 'n Blues Fest: 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 17; 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 18; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 19, Lindy's Landing, 115 Park St., (at Park and Main streets), Wauconda. Live music, food and family activities. The blues-based musical lineup includes Liz Mandeville, Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners, The Bluz Brothers Band, and headliner Delta Pines. Brunch on Sunday, July 19, runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by more band performances. Admission is $5 and gives guests full access to all three days of fest. There is an extra charge for Sunday brunch. (847) 526-9780 or lindyslanding.net.

Student Body: 7 p.m. Friday, July 17, Lions Park, 570 Penny Rd., East Dundee. Rock/pop cover band. Free. eastdundee.net.

Whitesnake, Foghat: 7 p.m. Friday, July 17, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. Tickets start at $49. Lawn $25. oshows.com.

Josh Gracin and Six String Crossing: 7 p.m. Friday, July 17, H.O.M.E. Bar (House of Music and Entertainment), 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Country. $15. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com.

Wheaton Band Festival: 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Friday, July 17, and 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 18, Memorial Park, 208 W. Union, Wheaton. Local bands perform. Free. wheatonbandfestival.org.

Cowboy Jukebox, One of These Nights (Eagles tribute band): 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 17, RiverEdge Park, Aurora, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. Rock. $3. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carlos Miguel Prieto: 8 p.m. Friday, July 17, pavilion at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Classical, miscellaneous. $25-$50. Lawn $10. (847) 266-5000 or ravinia.org.

Rockin' for the Troops 2015: Noon Saturday, July 18, Cantigny Park, 1s151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Operation Support Our Troops America presents this 10th annual music fest for a great cause, headlined by Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. $25. cantigny.org.

Taylor Swift: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago. $66.50-$197. ticketmaster.com.

Flutist Tessa Vermeulen: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 18, Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 E. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. Classical, miscellaneous. A freewill offering will be taken at the door. Parking is free. Church is handicapped-accessible. bethel-ucc.org.

Rob Thomas: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, pavilion at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Rock. $85-$95. Lawn $38-$43. (847) 266-5000 or ravinia.org.

REO Speedwagon: 8 p.m. Saturday, July 18, RiverEdge Park, Aurora, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. Rock. $45. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com.

Chris Weaver Band at Country in the Park: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Free. rosemont.com.

One Foot in the Groove at Downers Grove Summer Concert Series: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, Fishel Park, on Grove Street, Downers Grove. Horns band. Free. Food and drinks available for purchase. In case of inclement weather, concerts are held at Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave. dgparks.org.

Elgin's Fox Valley Men of Harmony Chorus, Rockford's Second City Chorus and Schaumburg's Brotherhood Chorus at Elgin HarmonyFest: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, band shell at Wing Park, 1000 Wing St., Elgin. Concert features tunes from various Walt Disney pictures, Broadway shows, spiritual and patriotic songs and more. Free. cityofelgin,org.

John Primer at Events in the Plaza Concerts: 7:30 p.m. July 21, Independence Grove, 16400 W. Buckley Road (Route 137), Libertyville. Pack a picnic or buy dinner and beverages at the cafe. $6 per vehicle after 5 p.m. lcfpd.org.

Heartache Tonight: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23, Wauconda Area Public Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. Picnic baskets welcome. Free. (847) 526-6225 or wauclib.org.

Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.