Sound check: Ike Reilly at Schubas; Dropkick Murphys streaming; ARC, Pitchfork tickets
Irish in Aurora
Formed during the pandemic to support home base The Venue, The Irish Mystics are heading back to the stage for a rollicking St. Patrick’s Day party and benefit show for the Aurora music venue and the Fox Valley Music Foundation. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora. $15-$20. themusicvenue.org.
Ike Reilly at Schubas
Libertyville folk-rocker Ike Reilly brings the whole band and his deeply moving storytelling as The Ike Reilly Assassination plays three intimate shows at Schubas to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend. 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16, and 6 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $25. lh-st.com.
Shipping up to Boston
The Dropkick Murphys might be wrapping up their most recent tour in their hometown Boston this weekend, but they’re celebrating the Irish holiday weekend with their fans worldwide as they livestream their set from Fenway Park Sunday night. Ticket holders will also get unlimited streams of the performance during the 7-day re-watch period. Streaming starts at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 17. $24.99 at veeps.com.
Joystick Jazz
Step back to the era of late-night gaming sessions in the basement — but with a grown-up twist — as Chicago’s celebrated Blueshift Big Band shares animated, jazzy arrangements of the familiar chiptune soundtracks from favorites Mario, Zelda, Sonic and more at Hey Nonny for a midweek performance. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. $15-$35. heynonny.com.
Fest announcements
Pitchfork Music Festival: Alanis Morissette, Black Pumas, Jamie XX, Carly Rae Jepsen, Brittany Howard and Chicago’s own 100 Gecs join a stacked lineup for the return of Pitchfork to Chicago’s Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Friday through Sunday, July 19-21. General admission is $109 for a single day and $219 for a three-day pass; VIP upgrades are also available. pitchforkmusicfestival.com.
ARC Music Festival: Blending Chicago icons with global influences, the electronic dance music fest returns to Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Chicago, Friday through Sunday, Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, featuring Armand van Helden, Carl Cox, Green Velvet, Charlotte de Witte, Derrick Carter, Gorgon City, Idris Elba and the North Shore’s Kaskade Redux, among many more. Tickets go on sale at noon Friday, March 15, at arcmusicfestival.com.
• Brian Shamie is the Design Editor at the Daily Herald.