The heat is on: Tina, Madonna, Coldplay ...

So, just an aside before we get rolling on upcoming shows: I got a call from a reader who was appalled – appalled! – that, in last week's column, we claimed there was no such thing as a dry heat.

"You're an idiot! Obviously you've never lived in Houston!" the reader charged.

OK, a) not the first time we've been called an idiot, won't be the last; b) you're right, we've never lived in Houston, but we were born in Wichita Falls, Texas, and raised, among other places, in Austin, Texas; Fayetteville, N.C.; and Columbus, Ga. So we know humidity, thank you very much.

Finally, c) the "dry heat" comment was of the sarcastically self-pitying, we-hate-the-heat variety. Dry, wet, whatever. Hate it.

Translation: Distractions will be grumpy from now until winter.

Anyhoo, speaking of hot, we've got a bunch of feverish sizzlers for your concert-going pleasure: How's Tina Turner, Oct. 22 at Arco Arena? Tickets ($57.75-$150) go on sale at 10 a.m. May 19 through TicketMaster.com.

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And now for a chill pill: Critically speaking, pop band Coldplay has always taken a bit of a back seat to its British brethren in Radiohead. You know, similar falsettos, similar lush, soaring sounds, only all slightly less complicated. Which is not to say that Chris Martin and company aren't enjoyable and good in their own right. They are, they totally are. Figure it out for yourself when Coldplay, whose new album "Viva La Viva" hits stores June 17, stops by July 21 at Arco Arena.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. June 14 through LiveNation.com.

*** Under the radar: Singer- songwriter Lucinda Williams falls somewhere between Hank Williams, Ryan Adams and Sheryl Crow on the music scale. Think twangy, boozy and mournfully sharp, catchy country-rock. In other words, she'd be a big star if the mainstream ever listened. She performs Sept. 4 at the Crest Theatre (1013 K St.). Tickets ($35-$48) go on sale at 10 a.m. May 16 via Tickets.com or by calling the Crest at (916) 442-7378.

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Sugar high: OMG you guys, Distractions is so excited, she's ready to break out the Aqua Net and relive the fashion tragedies of her youth. Why? Madonna's Sticky & Sweet tour arrives Nov. 1 at Oakland's Oracle Arena. They don't call her the Material Girl for nothing – those pricy tix ($55- $350) go on sale at 10 a.m. June 1 through LiveNation.com and TicketMaster.com.

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Free-ish: Your wallet may be empty but your ears will be filled with free music thanks to Cache Creek. Well, kind of. If you have a Cache Creek membership card or if you can spring $20 for admission to the casino, then it's free. The almost-gratis lineup features, among others, Pablo Cruise (June 28), the Tubes (July 5) and Commander Cody (Aug. 30). For a complete schedule and other info, visit www.cachecreek.com.

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Big show, big deal: If it's mid-May, it must be time for the fourth annual Boil N'Fry Day which, honest, is more fun than it sounds. This 21-and-over event starts at 2 p.m. May 17 in the Sacramento Builder's Exchange parking lot (at 13th and S streets) and centers around barbecue, beer and music, including Deke Dickerson, Jackpot, the Brodys, Poplollys and Rowdy Kate. Oh, and proceeds from the $10 tickets benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Get them by visiting www.brownpaper tickets.com/event/32425.

About the writer:

• "Coming Distractions" by The Bee's Rachel Leibrock runs Tuesdays in Scene. Call her at (916) 321-1176 or e-mail rleibrock@sacbee.com. For more on local music and happenings, read Leibrock's blog postings at 21Q (www.sacbee.com/21q).