Sound check: Incubus, Jimmy Eat World play Tinley Park
Pardon me
Incubus' third album, “Make Yourself,” pushed the hardworking California band into the spotlight, with a solid blend of introspective nu metal-edged alternative rock hits (“Pardon Me,” “Stellar”) and the surprisingly tender ballad “Drive.” The band's visit to Tinley Park's Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre is a great pairing with Jimmy Eat World, which found success skating along the edge between alternative rock optimism and pop-punk angst. Come ready to dance along to the hits “Bleed American,” “The Middle,” “A Praise Chorus” and more. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. Tickets start at $29. (708) 614-1616 or tinleyparkamphitheatre.com. 6:45 p.m. Saturday, July 29
Musical Waves
For a Chicago-born band with some pretty high-level connections, Above Waves sure has flown under the radar locally lately. It's surprising, considering the band's level of alt-pop polish. Their stage presence is nothing short of magnetic. And frontman Ryan Bradley soars above the crowd vocally (with Bryan Walker's bass, Creighton Bibbs on guitar and Lance Bennett behind the drums). Get a taste of Above Waves when the band joins Chicago hip-hop artist Mikey to the P and DJ Butl3r in supporting rapper Shwayze in Lombard this weekend. Brauerhouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $13-$15. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, July 29
Dual duels
Since May, 16 area bands have been putting their hearts and souls into the Side Street Studio Arts Battle of the Bands for a chance at a grand prize package. The final four - Phantoms & Pestilence, Mt. Pocono, Accidentally on Purpose and Beach Bunny - remain for the semi-finals, playing out over two nights this weekend. Head to the Elgin studio to support your favorites or discover somebody new. Phantoms & Pestilence and Mt. Pocono play at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 28; Accidentally on Purpose and Beach Bunny perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. $5 suggested donation. (847) 429-2276 or sidestreetstudioarts.org.
Complexities of Cityfolk
Chicago's Simpleton & Cityfolk is a bit of an enigma: The band's lovely Americana sound tends to embrace a slower pace, and yet the songs are embued with loads of potential energy. The haunting “Le Moyne & Hoyne” is a perfect example. The mood is mellow, the vibe is a leisurely stroll down a tree-lined road, and yet the beautiful song is heavy with harmony and powerful memories. The band plays Thursday, Aug. 3, at Chop Shop in support of Andrew Leahey and the Homestead in what, it turns out, is a farewell show to drummer Sku. 1st Ward at Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., Chicago. $7-$10. (773) 537-4440 or chopshopchi.com. 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3
Fest roundup
Homegrown Arts & Music Festival: July 29 at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle, homegrownartsandmusicfestival.com. (Read more about this weekend's fest at dailyherald.com.)
Wicker Park Fest: July 29-30 on Milwaukee Avenue from North Avenue to Paulina Street, wickerparkbucktown.com.
Lollapalooza: Aug. 3-6 at Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago, lollapalooza.com.
Shuffled tracks
“Simple Things,” a poppy track by Above Waves, perfect for driving around on a chill summer afternoon (Spotify and iTunes)
“Stay Awake,” a solid alternative offering from Dear Dario, playing this weekend's Homegrown Arts & Music Festival
“A Praise Chorus,” still one of my favorites from Jimmy Eat World's 2001 release “Bleed American” (Spotify and iTunes)
Concert highlights
Maurice Brown & Talib Kweli: 7 p.m. Friday, July 28, at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $25-$30. (773) 404-9494 or martyrslive.com.
David Paige: 8 p.m. Friday, July 28, at Houndstooth Saloon, 3369 N. Clark St., Chicago. No cover. (773) 244-1166 or houndstoothsaloon.com.
OUTDrejas, Invictus: 9 p.m. Friday, July 28, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $5-$8. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Fletcher Rockwell: 9 p.m. Friday, July 28, at Potter's Place, 29 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. No cover. (630) 355-9165 or pottersplacenaperville.com.
Maurice Brown & Talib Kweli: 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 28, at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $25-$30. (773) 404-9494 or martyrslive.com.
Nation, featuring Eddie Riot, Joe Buddha, Nick J, Ricky Sinz, Mark Matras, Tecko and Derek Specs: 11 p.m. Friday, July 28, at EXIT, 1315 W. North Ave., Chicago. $5; free before midnight. (773) 395-2700 or exit-chicago.com.
Dark Heart News, Apache Grosse, Furious Frank, King By Friday: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $7-$10. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
Loverboy: 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main Street, St. Charles. $39. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
El Famous, Deadships, When We Was Kids, Capital Vices: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $5. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.
The Brokedowns, Bird Sounds, Rad Payoff, High Priests: 9 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Quenchers Saloon, 2401 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $6. (773) 276-9730 or quenchers.com.
Afterlife featuring Prok & Fitch: 10 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10. (630) 291-5986 or afterlifechi.com.
The Belvederes: 2 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at Nero's Pizza & Pub, 300 Eastgate Court, Algonquin. No cover. (847) 458-0282 or nerospub.com.
Jeff Brown and Alex Gilewicz: 3 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at City Winery Riverwalk, 11 W. Riverwalk South, Chicago. Free. (312) 229-5593 or citywinery.com.
7 Minutes in Heaven, The Millennium, A Summer High, The Burst and Bloom, Howell: 6 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $12-$15. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.
<i> Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor. He may not be a musician, but he plays one in Guitar Hero. You can follow him on Twitter at @BShamieDH.</i>