Upcoming concerts
Stars with Stars, 7:30 p.m. today at the Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $22. (312) 559-1212.
Toronto collective Stars beat Radiohead at their own game by allowing their current album, "In Our Bedroom After the War" (Arts & Crafts), be a free download two months before its proper release late last month. The decision proved strangely lucrative, considering this follow-up tour is playing to sold-out crowds across the country. Like fellow countrymen the Arcade Fire and the New Pornographers, the band prefers bombastic pop melodrama that plays best in a live setting.
Lee Rocker, 9:30 p.m. today at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $15. (708) 788-2118.
Lee Rocker is best known as the bassist for the Stray Cats, the premier rockabilly revival band from the 1980s. These days he's playing solo, which means past collaborations with famed Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore as well as recording for Chicago's Alligator records. This show celebrates his second Alligator album, "Black Cat Bone," a collection of muscular, economic, country-informed speed rock.
Jay-Z, 11 p.m. Wednesday at the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, Chicago. $100. (312) 559-1212. Sold out.
The hip-hop godfather and label executive rises from retirement to play this special late-night club date as part of a five-city tour to promote the release of "American Gangster" (Roc-a-Fella), a set of new music inspired by the upcoming Denzel Washington film of the same name. He'll perform the entire album live, plus a few signature tunes thrown in for good measure.
Mary Gauthier with Diana Jones, 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $20. (773) 525-2508.
One of the best songwriters to come to prominence over the last five years is Mary Gauthier (pronounce it "go-shay"), a Louisiana native who writes stark and chilling song narratives about life on the fringe -- similar to Lucinda Williams but more sparse and quiet. Her second major label album is "Between Daylight and Dark" (Lost Highway). Set against moody atmosphere by producer Joe Henry, it is a set of slow-moving songs about restless characters -- railcar drifters, Katrina evacuees -- who are trying to find their way home.