RECOMMENDED

While this incarnation of “The Pretenders” should really be called “Chrissie Hynde and a few musicians who stand behind Chrissie Hynde,” there’s still ample reason to check out what remains of one of the 1980’s more important new-wave acts. Back in the day, The Pretenders put out a couple of tight, playfully snarky records, and Hynde help craft the prototypical punk-rock frontwoman, inspiring millions of women to grab the nearest Fender Telecaster and write songs about how awesome they are. The band’s newest album, “Break Up the Concrete,” is Hynde’s latest foray into adapting her leathery persona to alt-country blues, and while it’s no artistic breakthrough, it’s a nice, agreeable record, the kind a 57-year-old should be fairly pleased with making. One last piece of evidence of The Pretenders’ influence: you could probably trace the opening acts—Cat Power and Juliette Lewis—right back to Hynde’s frontwoman authority, even if they seem less like tourmates and more like two girls at a party who fight over what to play on the stereo. (Andy Seifert)

August 18 at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield, (773)618-8439, 7:30pm. $42.25.