Music notes: Jayhawks fly again at the Vic
Alt-country heroes
The Jayhawks emerged from the now-legendary Minneapolis music scene of the 1980s, but unlike most bands from that scene, they wore country-music influences proudly on their sleeves. Their music is known for its infectious melodies and the irresistible harmonies of singer-guitarists Mark Olson and Gary Louris. After a hiatus from 2005 to 2009, the band re-formed and in 2011 released its first album in eight years, “Mockingbird Time.”
7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $31. Go to jamusa.com.
Veteran rockers
Los Lobos has been making acclaimed rock music for more than 30 years. The band, which formed in East Los Angeles in the late 1970s, explores a variety of genres on its records, from traditional rock to blues to country to Mexican folk. Los Lobos has won multiple Grammys in its distinguished career, and the band shows no signs of slowing down. (Its most recent record, “Tin Can Trust,” came out in 2010.) Los Lobos will make three stops in the suburbs next week, including a Thursday date in Aurora.
8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $35 to $40. Go to paramountaurora.com. (The band will also appear Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24-25, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights. Go to metropolisarts.com.)
Big shows coming
It might not seem like it, but the summer music season is not that far away, and already some huge shows are scheduled in the Chicago area. Tickets for these go fast, so don't drag your feet!
Ÿ Van Halen, featuring original lead singer David Lee Roth, will hit the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on April 1. Go to allstatearena.com. (They also appear at Chicago's United Center on Feb. 24. Go to unitedcenter.com.)
Ÿ Pink Floyd vet Roger Waters brings a concert celebrating “The Wall” to Wrigley Field on June 8. Call (773) 404-2827.
Ÿ Ageless crooner Neil Diamond hits the United Center on July 6.
Ÿ The earnest rockers in Coldplay will spend two nights at the United Center — Aug. 7 and Aug. 8.