Top weekend shows: Robbie Fulks, Willie Nelson, Joe Boyd-Robyn Hitchcock
Robbie Fulks: The songwriter-raconteur will pay tribute to Michael Jackson, drawing on the array of adventurous Jackson covers – from “Mama’s Pearl” to “Billie Jean” -- collected on Fulks’ fine 2010 album, “Happy,” 9 p.m. Friday at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Av., $15; lincolnhallchicago.com.
Willie Nelson: The Texas maverick just keeps rolling along, his mellifluous voice and jazzy guitar playing anchoring a cavalcade of honky-tonk hits and outlaw-country anthems, 8 p.m. Friday at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., $45, $60, $70; ticketmaster.com.
Joe Boyd and Robyn Hitchcock present “Chinese White Bicycles”: Visionary producer Boyd will read excerpts from his excellent ‘60s memoir, “White Bicycles,” while Hitchcock will play the music of Syd Barrett, Nick Drake and other Boyd favorites, 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave., $35, $33, $31; 773-728-6000.
greg@gregkot.com