Ludacris, Soulja Boy, Twista at Allstate Arena
A mammoth collection of hip-hop and R&B stars hits the suburbs this weekend, as the 2010 Big Jam concert rolls into town. This 10th annual event is organized by local hip-hop station WGCI 107.5-FM. This year's lineup includes Ludacris, Soulja Boy, Ciara and Chicago rapper Twista. That should put some funk into your holiday season!
6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets cost $20-$145. Go to ticketmaster.com.
A Waco weekend
The Waco Brothers, a stellar alt-country band with members from the Northwest suburbs, will play two shows at Chicago's Schubas Tavern this weekend. The Wacos are led by local music legend Jon Langford, and the band routinely delivers one of the best slices of live rock 'n' roll you'll find anywhere. For a taste of what's to come, why not check out the band's most recent record, “Waco Express,” a live album recorded at, you guessed it, Schubas.
9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18-19, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Tickets cost $14. Go to schubas.com.
Rock legend
Elvis Costello has one of the great voices in rock, one that can deliver angry, snarling lyrics one moment and romantic crooning the next. Costello will perform songs from throughout his career at WXRT's Big Holiday Concert next week. If seeing one of rock's greats live isn't enough, consider that his opener is alt-country hero Alejandro Escovedo.
7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, at the Chicago Theater, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Tickets run $39.50 to $75. Go to ticketmaster.com.