Music notes: Sufjan Stevens revisits Illinois

Come on! Feel the Illinoise!

Sufjan Stevens, the singer-songwriter with a penchant for collections, has been strumming out concept music since before his 2000 release of “A Sun Came.” But his career finally appeared on the map with the 2003 launch of his Fifty States Project and its much publicized first, “Michigan,” a love song to his home state. His second (and probably final) album in the States collection, “Illinois,” hits home with references to locations and history. Hear him play in support of his newest album, “Carrie & Lowell,” at The Chicago Theatre Friday and Saturday. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25, at The Chicago Theatre, 175 North State St., Chicago. Tickets start at $33. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com.

Blue Arcada Cult

Even though its arguably greatest hit came out 39 years ago, I still get a little thrill when I stumble across Blue Öyster Cult's “(Don't Fear) The Reaper” on the radio. The band's catalog has grown some (and its lineup has rotated some), but that hard-driving rock spirit lives on. The Cult brings its guitar-driven jams to the Arcada Theatre Friday, along with Canadian power-balladeers April Wine. 8 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main Street, St. Charles. Tickets start at $39. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.

A benefit for John Emerson

John Emerson, a noted sound engineer on the Chicago-area music scene, gave frequently of his time and expertise to local musicians, many just starting out. He ran shows and often gave band members their first taste of recording. His death in March left a hole in the suburban music scene, and many local musicians who got a push from John — including 88 Fingers Louie, The Bollweevils, The Fold, August Premier, A.T.F.O., The Usuals and Lights Over Bridgeport — are gathering for a benefit show at Reggie's Rock Club to raise money for his family. 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at Reggies Rock Club, 2105 S. State St., Chicago. $20, and donations welcome. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Concerts

Chicago Master Singers with the Ars Viva Orchestra: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, and 7 p.m. Sunday, April 26. at the Divine Word Chapel, 2001 N. Waukegan Road, Techny. English choral works. $15-$48. Call (800) 595-4849, or visit chicagomastersingers.org.

Patti LuPone with “Far Away Places” concert: 8 p.m. Friday, April 24, Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. $50-$70. Visit finearts.northcentralcollege.edu.

Blue Oyster Cult with April Wine: 8 p.m. Friday, April 24, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $39-$79. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.

MG3 Band: 9 p.m. Friday, April 24, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Country. For information, call (847) 678-0088, or visit countrybaril.com.

R Gang: 9 p.m. Friday, April 24, Grand Victoria Casino, 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. R&B and more. For information, visit grandvictoriacasino.com.

Christian Collins Band: 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues, rock. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenulounge.com.

Mike & Joe: 10 p.m. Friday, April 24, Austin's Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. Rock. $8. (847) 549-1972 or fuelroom.com.

Wheaton College Gospel Choir: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 25, Wheaton College's Todd. M. Beamer Center, 421 N. Chase St., Wheaton. $7. Ticket available at door. Visit wheaton.edu.

Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock with Herman Rarebell, Francis Buckholtz, Doogie White, and Wayne Finlay: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $39-$79. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.

Kombii: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25, Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. Pop, rock. $49, (773) 777-8898 or copernicuscenter.org.

The Delta Connection with Gary Vincent, Kevin Purcell and Tony Root: 9 p.m. Saturday, April 25, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 26, The Broken Oar, 614 Rawson Bridge Road, Port Barrington. For information, call (847) 639-9468 or visit brokenoar.com.

Ronnie Baker Brooks: 9 p.m. Saturday, April 25, FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $15. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Ian McFeron, Hoss: 9 p.m. Saturday, April 25, Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora. For information, call (630) 264-2739 or visit twobrothersbrewing.com.

Blackened: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, H.O.M.E. Bar (House of Music and Entertainment), 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Rock; Metallica tribute band. $7. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com.

Steve Justman: 2 p.m. Sunday, April 26, in the Graue House at the Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 S. York Road, Oak Brook. Folk. Free. (630) 655-2090 or grauemill.org.

Naperville Men's Glee Club with “Voices of Hope” concert: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26, Wentz Concert hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Pop, blues, Broadway hits and gospel tunes. Cancer survivors may register at napervillemensgleeclub.org to receive a complimentary concert ticket, courtesy of the DuPage Foundation. Regular admission is $10-$20. Visit napervillemensgleeclub.org.

Arlington Heights Community Concert Band: 3 p.m. April 26, Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Band presents its spring concert. Free admission; seating is limited. To reserve tickets, send email to ahccbtickets@gmail.com, or call (847) 718-7702. Remaining tickets available at the door.

Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Classical and more. $27-$41. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.

Rob Haight with ”The Music of John Coltrane and Billy Strayhorn”: 7 p.m. Sunday, April 26, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $20. (847) 677-7761 or order online at skokietheatre.org,

Bad Bad Meow: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, The Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St., Chicago. Rock. $8. (773) 478-4408 or abbeypub.com.

Death Cab for Cutie with The Antlers: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Alternative rock. $34.50-$49.50. (312) 462-6300, or visit thechicagotheatre.com.

• Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.