Music notes: Have a blast with the Belvederes
The Belvederes boys
To anyone familiar with the work of The Belvederes, it should be no surprise that this modern-day rock band was inspired by the soundtrack for Tom Hanks' 1996 film “That Thing You Do!” The original songs from this talented Northwest suburban garage-rock quartet — fed by that movie and bands of the era — incorporate some pop, a little funk and a whole lot of fun. And when lead singer John Ford steps up to the mic, it's all soulful, feel-good rock 'n' roll. Start the new year with music and dancing Saturday, Jan. 7, when The Belvederes are joined by Jack Swain's Big O, a tribute to Roy Orbison, at FitzGerald's in Berwyn. FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
English invasion
American English, one of the best Beatles tribute bands, visits Crystal Lake's Raue Center for the Arts for a performance Saturday, Jan. 7. Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Tickets start at $20. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
Tomorrow Never Knows fest
Tomorrow Never Knows tosses five nights of music and comedy into venues throughout Chicago, chasing away the chill with local indie artists, national performers and up-and-coming comedians such as Michelle Wolf and Beth Stelling. Catch some of this year's local flavor with Ezra Furman's headlining set at Lincoln Hall Thursday, Jan. 12; Into It. Over It. taking the spotlight at Metro Friday, Jan. 13; Negative Scanner playing Schubas Saturday, Jan. 14; and Sons of the Silent Age's tribute to David Bowie at Metro Sunday, Jan. 15. While the fest doesn't start in earnest until Wednesday, Jan. 11, the festivities ramp up from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, with the TNK Pass Pick-Up Party, featuring a DJ set by Chicago's RapperChicks, food, beverages and giveaways at the Chicago Athletic Association, 12 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Tomorrow Never Knows runs from Wednesday, Jan. 11, through Sunday, Jan. 15, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago; Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago; The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., Chicago; Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago; Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. Five-day pass is $100; individual shows are $12-$20. See tnkfest.com for full schedules and ticket info.
Concert highlights
Sean McKeough Memorial Benefit featuring Naked Raygun and Deals Gone Bad: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at Concord Music Hall, 2047 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $20. (773) 570-4000 or concordmusichall.com.
The Disappointments, Brian Fraze, Austin Fillmore, Simpleton & Cityfolk: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at Joe's on Weed, 940 W. Weed St., Chicago. $10-$15. (312) 337-3486 or joesbar.com.
Kofi Baker's Cream Experience: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Out Cold featuring Bobby de Maria, DJ Cross, Chris U, Vito D: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Terrapin Flyer: Noon Saturday, Jan. 7, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. rohlwing Road, Lombard. $8-$10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Real Friends & Knuckle Puck holiday show with Mat Kerekes, Homesafe, Sleep On It, Belmont, Caving: 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Concord Music Hall, 2047 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $28. (773) 570-4000 or concordmusichall.com.
Blackened, Little Orphan Monkey: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $7. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Thinner Teed & The Teradactyls: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Mackey's Hideout, 2601 S. River Road, McHenry. (815) 363-7040 or mackeyshideout.com.
Fletcher Rockwell: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Q Bar Glendale Heights, 2240 Bloomingdale Road, Glendale Heights. $7. (630) 893-9346 or qbarglendaleheights.com.
Afterlife featuring Kings of Class, Nikho, Randall Dean, Jay Lugz, Tecko, B. Hebda, Sean Strange, Jame$ Dean: 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. (630) 291-5986 or afterlifechi.com.
NightSPHEAR, Ivy Ford: 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Buddy Guy's Legends, 700 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago. $10. (312) 427-1190 or buddyguy.com.
Owens Room, Rebel Soul Revival: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $3. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.