Best summer concerts: The top ten

Peter Brtzmann
The Vision Festival, an annual free-jazz convocation, celebrates the primal genius of this 70-year-old German saxophone titan. Brtzmann's relentless improv flights will leave you breathless and totally wired. Abrons Arts Center. June 8 at 7pm; $30, seniors and students $20.

Sade + John Legend Win tickets
Sade Adu and John Legend are R&B crooners of different countries (U.K., U.S.), pop eras ('80s, '00s) and genders (woman, lover man). But both artists dive into R&B with classy, old-school charm, gently escorting listeners from candlelit dinners to steamy dance floors and, finally, to silk-adorned bedrooms. June 21: Nassau Coliseum. 7:30pm; $53--$183. June 24: Izod Center. 7:30pm; $53--$183. June 25: Prudential Center. 8pm; $52.50--$182.50.

Animal Collective
One of 2009's best live music events was a two-night stand at Prospect Park by avant-pop MVPs Animal Collective; this summer, the ambitious four-piece will coalesce in New York City for the first time since then, testing out their spacey, jammy new material. Celebrate Brooklyn (at the Prospect Park Bandshell). July 12 at 5:30pm; $35.

James Blake Win tickets
The 22-year-old British wunderkind works at a high level of difficulty by stitching together sonic styles like dubstep and soul; his live show isn't to be missed, because despite the vocal murkiness of his self-titled debut, this bloke can really sing. Webster Hall. July 13 at 8:30pm; $25.

Rihanna + Cee Lo Green
RiRi preps her shortest shorts for these two super-hot NYC dates with rotund, gleeful soulman Cee Lo. There's a reason why she's among the best-selling artists of all time: Expect to get good and sweaty dancing to songs like "Only Girl (in the World)" and of course, "Umbrella." July 19: Nassau Coliseum. July 21: Izod Center. Time TBA; $39.75--$278.39.

Tom Z
Tom Z is a legend of tropicalia, the ludicrously groovy art movement from late-'60s Brazil that caught fire with late-'90s indie-rockers. Now at age 74, the avant-gardist plays New York for the first time in more than a decade, on the heels of last year's career-spanning box set, Studies of Tom Z. (His '90s American tour with Tortoise was a Dadaist spectacle featuring hard hats, flames and other fun "instruments.") Alice Tully Hall (at Lincoln Center). July 19 at 8pm; $45, $60.

Wanda Jackson + Imelda May
Wanda Jackson, America's long-reigning Queen of Rock, is having a banner year thanks to The Party Ain't Over, her rollicking new Jack White--produced LP. The Oklahoma legend—and Elvis's ex!—headlines SummerStage, with young rockabilly comer Imelda May opening. Central Park SummerStage. July 27 at 7pm; free.

Britney Spears + Nicki Minaj
More than a decade into her drama-strewn career, Britney continues to make great pop records (including her most recent, Femme Fatale) and put on thrillingly odd live shows. This time around, her manager says, she's going for a "postapocalyptic vibe." Wig-wearing wonder Nicki Minaj brings her loony hip-hop in support. Aug 2: Nassau Coliseum. Aug 5: Izod Center. 7.30pm; $23.25--$103.25.

Sonic Youth + Wild Flag
Scene icons and electric live act Sonic Youth share a bill with Wild Flag, a group that features the guitar heroics of Carrie "What Isn't She Good At?" Brownstein and goes a long way toward rekindling some of the Sleater-Kinney magic. The Williamsburg Waterfront. Aug 12 at 5:30pm; $32.50.

Bon Iver
Did Bon Iver songman Justin Vernon ever dream through clouds of smoke that one day he'd be duetting with Kanye West? Unlikely, but that just makes his past year playing shows with Yeezy even more ridiculously cool. Cooler still is the fact that Vernon has also found time to make a new, self-titled album, which he'll be playing from at this nighttime show in beautiful Prospect Park. Aug 8: Celebrate Brooklyn (at the Prospect Park Bandshell). 7:30pm; advance $37.50, at the door $40. Aug 9: United Palace Theatre. 8pm; $45.