Music notes: Arcada welcomes country songstress Gretchen Wilson

Country favorite

Gretchen Wilson has garnered acclaim for following her own instincts in the occasionally conformist world of country music. She adds elements of soul and 1970s classic rock to her sound, and she records on her own label, Redneck Records. The Grammy-winning Illinois native makes a stop in the suburbs this weekend.

8 p.m. Friday, May 24, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $39. Go to oshows.com.

Final chance

Libertyville native Ike Reilly and his band, the Ike Reilly Assassination, will play the final show of their recent “residency” at Chicago's Schuba's Tavern this weekend, bringing to a close a string of shows that began in March. The band is putting the finishing touches on its sixth full-length album, and fans will get previews of the new songs at the Schuba's show. This is a great chance to see a local favorite in one of Chicago's best rock venues. Jason Heath & the Greedy Souls will also perform.

8 p.m. Sunday, May 26, at Schuba's Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $10. Go to schubas.com.

What a Riot

The initial lineup announcement for this year's Riot Fest Chicago has just been announced, and it is a doozy. The three-day festival in Humboldt Park will include performances by a stunning array of legendary rock/punk/indie acts, including the Violent Femmes, Dinosaur Jr., X, Bob Mould, Mission of Burma and Guided By Voices. It also features newer bands like Best Coast and Surfer Blood, as well as some local acts with ties to the suburbs, like the Smoking Popes and Screeching Weasel. More bands will be announced shortly. This is shaping up to be a special weekend of music. Three-day passes are on sale now for the special price of $129.98, but that deal won't last long.

Riot Fest Chicago runs Friday through Sunday, Sept. 13-15, at the Humboldt Park grounds at the corner of Division Street and Sacramento Avenue in Chicago. For tickets and schedule information, go to riotfest.org.