Humphry seized upon the Greek roots “psyche” (for “soul” or “mind”) and “delein” or “deloun” (“to make manifest” or “to show or reveal”) to form “psychedelic,” and he illustrated its use in a rhyming couplet: “To fathom hell or soar angelic/Just take a pinch of psychedelic.” Since then, few bands have embodied the mind-revealing or soul-manifesting goals of great psychedelic rock as effectively as Spiritualized.

This is not to say that things have gotten any easier for the promoters since the annual concert originated as the Intonation Music Festival in 2005. In fact, the massive undertaking of Lollapalooza, which hits Grant Park next month, has had a very visible and deeply painful impact on Pitchfork in year four as many of the acts it sought were poached by its bigger, pricier and much more corporate competitor.

As a result, Pitchfork 2008 has more second-timers—some of them welcome, others not so much—and way-below-the-radar newcomers, though the latter may only mean that there will be more surprises. The promoters say they’ve worked hard to correct the fest’s two biggest problems in years past—the sometimes dicey sound quality and the overcrowding at the secondary stage/dance tent (this year, that platform, called the Balance Stage, has changed places with the Flatstock poster exhibit)—and, as always, the corporate sponsorships are so unobtrusive as to be invisible, if you aren’t looking for them.

Here is a look at my best bets over the course of this long musical weekend, as well as the schedule for all of the performers on the fest’s three stages.

Thankfully, the only thing heavy here is the music: One look at the titles of endearingly hard-hitting tunes such as “Bukowski Dating Service,” “Meatgum” and “Scatalogically Speaking” is indicative of the group’s sarcastic lyrical take on its favorite debaucheries. “For fans of Roxy Music and Kyuss,” is how one fanzine summed things up, and it’s hard to find a better description.

Tongues perform at Gasthaus, 15 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin, on Monday with the Brokedowns, FIYA, 97-Shiki and North Lincoln and at Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland, on Aug. 28. Visit www.myspace.com/storybookfuneralband for more info and a healthy sample of the group’s unhealthy but delicious sounds.

If the Old Town School of Folk Music’s Folk & Roots Festival still hasn’t satisfied your craving for those sounds, Charter One Pavilion on Northerly Island presents the strong double bill of soul legend Al Green, supporting his strong new album “Lay It Down,” and New Orleans shaman Dr. John, with Soulive opening starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 to $85 through www.ticketmaster.com or (312) 559-1212.

The 11th annual fest takes place Saturday and Sunday at Welles Park in Lincoln Square (Lincoln Avenue between Montrose and Sunnyside), and the music kicks off on the main stage at 12:55 tomorrow afternoon with Special Music by Special People, an ensemble stemming from the Park District’s program for aspiring musicians with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome and director by Joe Yost and other volunteer musicians.

Read on for an overview of the rest of the offerings.

The group will perform at the Venue at Harrah's Horseshoe Casino in Hammond on Aug. 9. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster -- no word on the price as yet -- according to the band's Web site and email blasts.

But still can't be bothered to set a Chicago date for a reunited Pumpkins show. What's up with that?

(Don't ask me; I haven't been able to get an answer out of anyone in the band's camp.)

In any event, the release from Fender follows the jump.

Two years ago, shortly after the release of the invigorating "Highway Companion," his third solid solo effort and the 18th album overall in a long and storied career, Tom Petty announced that he was swearing off large-scale arena tours for good.

But on Wednesday, there he was again at age 57, leading the Heartbreakers through a satisfying two-hour set at a sold-out United Center, and with his laconic charm and trademark nasal twang as oddly endearing as ever.

Tickets go on sale Friday, July 11, at 11 a.m. at the Auditorium box office and through Ticketmaster at $75 each, with a limited number of upper gallery seats at $60. There will also be a special limited ticket pre-sale for active members of Pearl Jam's Ten Club; details at www.pearljam.com.

Liam Finn will open both shows, which start at 7:30 p.m.

The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, is hosting a talent-packed benefit show starting at 9 p.m. Saturday for the Chris Saathoff Foundation (www.chrissaathofffoundation.org), which assists groups that provide support for children in need throughout the world. The lineup includes Chin Up Chin Up, the Smith Westerns, Mt. St. Helens, White Mystery and the Victim of Time DJs, with hosts Miss Mia and Ratso from “Chica-Go-Go,” complimentary hot dogs and raffle prizes. The cover is $10; for more information, visit www.hideoutchicago.com or call (773) 227-4433.

Whether you blame a delayed midlife crisis or the catharsis necessitated by divorce and a near-fatal bout with Hepatitis C—a battle chronicled on his last disc, the downbeat but effective “The Boxing Mirror” (2006)—the Texas musician rocks with a vengeance on his latest, belying the nostalgia of a concept album about his involvement in the early punk era with sounds that are absolutely vital and of the moment.