Music notes: Indie pop darling Regina Spektor plays Chicago

Spektor treats Chicago Theatre to indie pop

She sounds like a folk singer. She looks like a folk singer. But Moscow-born indie pop singer Regina Spektor has turned classic folk on its head as a big player on the anti-folk movement. Toying with the tenets set forth by artists such as Joni Mitchell, she writes about simple moments rather than tackling the momentous. Spektor's ever-evolving musical style has earned her recognition and recently won her a duet with Ben Folds on “The Hamilton Mixtape,” where they tackle the touching “Dear Theodosia.” See her this weekend in Chicago. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $36.50-$81.50. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com.

Turnspit headlines benefit show

Turnspit's roots are firmly planted in good old Midwestern alternative rock, but on closer examination you'll detect some pop-punk thorns among the blossoms. Brad Davis, Jason Swearingen and Dan Tinkler provide a solid base for Gillian McGhee's dirty yet melodic lead vocals, especially on songs like “Lamplighters” and “Then You Came Along,” where she trades gritty lines with guitarist Swearingen. Catch them as they headline the unique 1st Ward Events at Chop Shop with The Blind Staggers, Airstream Futures and Kodakrome. A portion of sales will benefit GirlForward, an organization that helps empower refugees in Chicago. 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, at 1st Ward Events at Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., Chicago. $8-$10. (773) 537-4440 or chopshopchi.com.

Rock from Mr. Russia

Hard-rocking duo Mr. Russia has a reputation for intense performances, which makes Lombard's BrauerHouse a perfect fit. They'll be joined by Invictus, a three-piece punk outfit out of the Western suburbs, and OUTDrejas, a Homewood-based band that embodies the high-energy rock spirit in their outrageous (get it?) live shows. 9 p.m. Friday, March 24, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $7-$10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

Livin' on a Prayer

Bon Jovi is true rock royalty, sporting singalong anthems along with numerous awards and nominations during three decades in the spotlight. This fan favorite rolls into town with the band's “This House Is Not for Sale” tour Sunday, March 26, with Iowa-based 35th & Taylor opening. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Tickets start at $19.75. (312) 455-4500 or unitedcenter.com.

Concert highlights

Barrier, VCTMS (CD release), El Famous, Altered Perceptions, Spit, Luca, Our Shadows (EP release), Under Aegis: 6 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Cairo Ale House, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. $7-$10. (630) 876-9600 or cairoalehouse.com.

Summer Camp on the Road - Night One, featuring Lunar Ticks, Alabaster, Digeometric, Funk Vendetta, The Dropper: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison, Chicago. $10. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Home Free: 8 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Boulevard, Aurora. $35-$125. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

Father Figures, Commonweather, The Burst and Bloom, BambiRaptor: 8 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $9-$10. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

Southern Soul Assembly featuring JJ Grey, Marc Broussard, Anders Osborne and Luther Dickinson: 9 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. $30-$48. (312) 526-3851 or thaliahallchicago.com.

Elmer and the Ceramic Trees, Green Noise, Hotstop, Chisler: 6 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at The Oasis, 151 Hawley St., Grayslake. $5. (847) 986-2799 or oasisgrayslake.com.

Textures Of Lions, Teach the Fire, Feed Me to Monsters, Teach the Fire, Last Fantastic Nasty: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Reggies, 2105 S. State St., Chicago. $10. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Summer Camp on the Road - Night Two, featuring Martian Agriculture, Railway Gamblers, Zombie Manana, Bronson Rock, Catfish and the Dogstars: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison, Chicago. $10. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

7th heaven: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $8. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

Todd and the Ten Pins: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, march 25, at Richie's Restaurant and Sports Lounge, 9812 Lawrence Ave., Schiller Park. (847) 928-8500 or richiesrestaurantandsportsbar.com.

Sami's House Party, featuring Sami Grisafe, Killing gods, Chris Buehrle and DJ BYOB: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15-$20. (773) 404-9494 or martyrslive.com.

Superbig, Gallery-81: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Ballydoyle, 5157 Main St., Downers Grove. $5. (630) 969-0600 or ballydoylepub.com.

Andy Suzuki & The Method, Femina-X, Big City Burn, The Red Flags, Electric Slave: 10 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $12-$15. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

Afterlife featuring Nikho, Kings of Class, Jeramie Sanchez, RYTHMC, Sean Strange, Tecko, Hey Captn: 10 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. Free before midnight. (630) 291-5986 or afterlifechi.com.

José James, Nate Smith, Corey King: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30, at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $20.25-$36.25. (847) 492-8860 or evanstonspace.com.

Wake Island, Rakunk, Red Jr., LAIK: 7 p.m. Monday, March 27, at Subterranean Downstairs, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

Cory Branan, Woodrow Hart & the Haymaker: 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $15. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.

Dude Same, The Fonzie Scheme, The Regular: 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted, Chicago. $5. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com.

Twin Peaks, Red Grave, Deeper (benefit show for the ACLU): 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $25. (773) 276-3600 or emptybottle.com.

The Shades, Brendan Fletcher: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 30, at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $20-$35. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com.

The Devilish Winks, Old Grand Dad, Elijah Berlow: 9 p.m. Thursday, March 30, at Quenchers Saloon, 2401 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $5. (773) 276-9730 or quenchers.com.