We're going to see triple-digit weather this weekend and it's most likely going to suck. A lot. But to make it suck less, might we suggest a cold beer and some of the best concerts Dallas has to offer this weekend? What do you say?
Tim McGraw With Kip Moore, and Cassandra Pope, 7 p.m. Friday, August 8, at Gexa Energy Pavilion, livenation.com, $36-$66 In 2009 Tim McGraw received a feature write up titled "The Redemption of Tim McGraw;" at the rate he's going with his current legal issues and fan-slapping furor we should be getting a similar puff piece on the artist in about 3 years. Granted, this is to be expected. America loves to build up an artist, let them do something regrettable so the public can tear them apart, and then build them back up. As such, the current situation with McGraw is more of a cycle than his mid-career album cycle. But, hey let's talk about the music. And, man McGraw's music is bland as it can be. If you want to go to a show for the sole purpose of hearing a song you might recognize and get drunk, then McGraw is your kind of guy. Just make sure you don't touch his pants. Jaime-Paul Falcon
Devin the Dude With Stone of G-Squad, J Spoolz, High Rollaz and Sevon, 8 p.m. Friday, August 8, at Trees, 2709 Elm St., 214-741-1122 or treesdallas.com, $21 With an indolently conversational flow and a pedigree that came up under the auspices of DJ Screw, Florida-born, Houston-bred Devin the Dude slings meandering weed-and-pussy-centric slice-of-life tales that unwind like the plots of some alternate universe Seinfeld, where Jerry (in this case Dave Chappelle) is a rapper and Kramer's actually a sketchy weed dealer portrayed by Charles Barkley. Devin would be a minor character - Jerry's favorite rapper, who he's always trying to promote but for some reason never makes it mainstream - known for popping into various episodes and dropping left-field jokes over grooves that pulse and bob like the wax in a lava lamp. Come to think of it, maybe that would just make him like Jerry's dad or possibly even Uncle Leo. Steve Steward
Josh Grider 9 p.m. Friday, August 8, at The Rustic, 3656 Howell St., Free Josh Grider's "Summer and Sixteen" missed the No. 1 spot on the Texas Regional Radio Report by just five spins back in August of 2013, but landed in the No. 37 for the year. In fact, he had three songs on TRRR's top 200 songs of 2013 -- all higher than 100. And that's just something Grider does. It was at Baylor where he discovered his love for country music. After one night at one of Waco's own honky-tonks, Grider ditched his jazz band and his classical training to pursue country music all the way. With some influence from Willie Nelson to Dave Matthews, Grider released his album "Luck and Desire" earlier this year and Friday night, he'll return to Texas from Nashville to perform at The Rustic for free. Paige Skinner
Loretta Lynn 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 9, at Bass Music Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth, 817-212-4325 or basshall.com, $33-$88 With a name like Loretta Lynn, which begs to be spoken with an accent, and a birthplace such as Butcher Hollow (in Kentucky), it's no wonder the "Coal Miner's Daughter" became the Queen of Country Music. Classic and controversial songs such as "The Pill" and "Dear Uncle Sam" painted a picturesque tale of female working-class honor and, told through each of her 54 studio albums and six books, became an inspiration to women everywhere. In the last decade Lynn remained current enough to collaborate extensively with Jack White. Now at the ripe age of 82, the First Lady of Country steps away from her ranch for another tour, bringing her twin daughters, Peggy and Patsy, along as backup singers. Lynn's current show brings on hits such as "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin'" and "One's On the Way," but if the lessons they teach are lost, please use "The Pill" as a reference. Eva Raggio
Ten Hands 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 9, at Kessler Theater, 1230 W. Davis St., 214-272-8346 or thekessler.org, $15 Seeing that Ten Hands's reunion gig back in January was such a complete success, it's no wonder that the band is playing again this Saturday. Actually, it's kind of odd that Paul Slavens and crew have waited so long. The positive response and talk of a new album have put a spotlight on Ten Hands that the band hasn't seen since the heyday of the Deep Ellum music scene in the late '80s. The fact that many of the band's members live out of state and have other musical commitments could be two factors that have limited these well-received reunion gigs. Indeed on this occasion, the band will be missing percussionist Mike Dillon. No worries, though, as Ten Hands has a flexible lineup that still manages to pack a jazzy punch. Darryl Smyers
