Music notes: Riot Fest invades Chicago

Local punks

The Northwest suburbs are again well represented in Riot Fest, the annual celebration of punk music taking place at multiple venues in the city. Among the local bands on the bill are The Smoking Popes (Saturday, Oct. 8), Shot Baker (Oct. 8) and Dan Vapid & The Cheats (Sunday, Oct. 9). The fest also brings such powerhouse acts as Weezer, Urge Overkill and The Descendents. Riot Fest runs through Sunday, Oct. 9, at several venues in Chicago. Times and prices vary by show and venue. For full schedule, go to riotfest.org.

Flying their ‘Flag'

One of the most celebrated rock releases of the year so far has been the self-titled debut from Wild Flag, an indie-rock “supergroup” of sorts, consisting of Carrie Brownstein, Janet Weiss, Mary Timony and Rebecca Cole. In the past, the four have been part of such acclaimed bands as Sleater-Kinney, Steven Malkmus and The Jicks, Helium and The Minders. (Brownstein also plays a starring role in the television comedy “Portlandia.”) The band has two shows this weekend in the city. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, and Sunday, Oct. 9 (Yellow Fever opens both nights), at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, Chicago. $15. emptybottle.com.

Offbeat sound

Bassist-keyboardist Ryan Hembrey, a former jazz student at Palatine High School, anchors the offbeat band Sonoi, which will play a show in Chicago this weekend. Sonoi delivers sophisticated, offbeat music that straddles the line between classic and experimental pop. The band released its self-titled debut record last year, and it has a new record in the works. The band will be playing at the Hideout. Sonoi and openers A Tundra and BEVEL will perform at 9 p.m. Oct. 13, at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, Chicago. $8. Go to hideoutchicago.com.