Music notes: American English fetes 50 years of Beatles
Beatles forever
Not that anyone has ever needed an excuse to hype the Beatles, but this month marks the 50th anniversary of the band's famous appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964, so there are tributes galore out there. A couple of local options: “The Beatles 50th Anniversary Celebration” will take place at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, a show that includes noted Beatles tribute band the Liverpool Legends and an appearance by the late George Harrison's sister, Louise; meanwhile, another local tribute band, American English, will re-create the Ed Sullivan performance at Elgin Community College.
American English will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin (in Building H). $35. Go to elgin.edu. “The Beatles 50th Anniversary Celebration” begins at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $29. Go to oshows.com.
The Choir returns
The Damn Choir, an indie band with members from the Northwest suburbs, will celebrate its new album, “Creatures of Habit,” with a show this weekend in Chicago. The band's music combines driving guitar and orchestral touches like cello and glockenspiel. This weekend's show will kick off a big national tour.
10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, Chicago. $8. Go to hideoutchicago.com.
Think summer!
In this winter of endless snow and polar vortexes, it's nice to think ahead to the live music that awaits us all this summer. One of the area's biggest music events, the Pitchfork Music Festival, has already put tickets on sale. The three-day event always delivers a lineup filled with acclaimed indie-rock bands, along with some veteran favorites. If you've followed the event in the past, you should have a decent sense of the kinds of artists that will play the show this year.
The Pitchfork Music Festival will take place July 18-20 at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph, Chicago. Single-day tickets cost $60, and a three-day pass is $130. Go to pitchforkmusicfestival.com.