Decemberists to play at Wheaton College

While their upcoming album ("Hazards of Love") is being mixed, the literate Oregon folk rockers head out in support of "Always the Bridesmaid," a series of three new singles to be released on 12-inch vinyl and digital download sites. The first of these, "Valerie Plame," is already out. "Days of Elaine" drops on Tuesday and "Record Year" follows in December.

Facts: :7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Wheaton College's Edman Memorial Chapel, 401 E. Franklin Ave., Wheaton. $30 advance, $35 at the door. (630) 752-5390.

Montgomery Gentry

Live music returns to Pheasant Run with mainstream country stars Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry. The duo's latest, "Back When I Knew It All," continues to walk the dusty line between heck-raisin' Saturday night frivolity and earnest Sunday morning churchiness. Keith Anderson and the PennyMaeDixon Band open, while Cross Country Junction plays afterward.

Facts: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Pheasant Run Mega Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $54-$64. (630) 584-6342.

Marnie Stern

Stern's freaky fretboard fireworks put most indie guitar gods to shame. Her new sophomore album (with a name too long to print here) is a tad more even-tempered and accessible than last year's excellent "In Advance of the Broken Arm," but still shines with plenty of textured, unpredictable enthusiasm. Fellow New York experimentalists Gang Gang Dance headline.

Facts: 9:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $10 advance, $12 at the door. (773) 276-3600.