Sound check: Violent Femmes, Nora Marks, Beer Can'd Fest and more
Dionne in Des Plaines
Six-time Grammy-winning hitmaker Dionne Warwick (“Walk on By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “That's What Friends Are For”) brings her catalog of soulful pop to the suburbs for a show in Des Plaines this weekend. 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. $59. desplainestheatre.com.
'Buzzing' with Nora Marks
Recently Nora Marks has been leaving a trail of singles leading to Friday's EP release and show. Fans can check out “The Buzzing of Flies,” a thoughtful brew of rock with a punk edge and contemplative lyrics, at the Gman Tavern as Nora Marks takes the stage with Cut Your Losses, OK Cool and Pinksqueeze. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St., Chicago. $12-$15. gmantavern.com.
CalicoParty
Not afraid to pair deep, emotional songs with upbeat, jangly melodies, CalicoLoco has been bringing joyful life to the Chicago-area music scene for the last few years, most notably with the earlier 2022 releases “Zeke Goes to Lala” and “Life of the Party.” Before the band - including members from Woodstock, Palatine and Chicago - heads out on tour this month, fans can catch them at a Chicago send-off show this weekend with Jen Fur, Llo Llo and an after-show set by DJ Zeetus Lapetus. Also, watch for our feature on the band and its upcoming single next week. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at Golden Dagger, 2447 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $10. goldendagger.com.
Beer Can'd Festival
Blue Island Beer Company keeps it local for its annual Beer Can'd Festival with a punk and ska bill packed with lots of Chicago and suburban bands. The Crombies and Take the Reins top the lineup, along with Fear City, Tall Doug, Capgun Heroes, No Dead Heroes, Death & Memphis, Run and Punch, The Repellents, Islanders, James the Boneless, Everything We're Not, DJ Ivanna Riot and Cara Scandal. 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Blue Island Beer Company, 13357 Old Western Ave., Blue Island. $30. eventbrite.com.
Cornernstones of Rock
Relive the classic rock era with the Cornerstones of Rock show in Waukegan this weekend. The Ides of March (featuring Jim Peterik) headline the evening, which also features The Buckinghams, The Cryan' Shames and New Colony Six in an extravaganza of favorite tunes, all originally from the Chicago and suburban music scenes. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $35-$85. genesee theatre.com.
Dressing up with ZORILA
Shine up your shoes for something completely different this weekend. Chicago alt-rock band ZORILA takes the stage at EVOLVE, the Field Associates' annual fundraising gala at the Field Museum, The benefit, featuring food and drinks from BIPOC- and women-owned Chicago-area businesses, a silent auction and more, raises money for the museum's community outreach programs, exhibits, research and more. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $150 per ticket, but discounts for bundles. fieldmuseum.org.
Country with Kelsea
Country-pop star Kelsea Ballerini hits Rosemont with her “Heartfirst Tour,” promoting her very recent release “Subject to Change.” Musical guest Georgia Webster tags along for the show. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $18. ticketmaster.com.
'Let me go on ...'
The Wisconsin-bred band Violent Femmes was a staple in the '80s - with strummy guitars and melodies that hooked listeners just right (and have stuck with me in particular for near four decades now) and lyrics both clever and just crude enough that I felt like I was doing something wrong. The folk-punk Femmes are coming back to Chicago for two nights at Thalia Hall early next week with Las Cafeteras. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 4-5, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Tuesday is sold out, but tickets for Wednesday start at $39.50. thaliahallchicago.com.
Demi Lovato and friends
Actor and pop singer Demi Lovato (“Solo,” “Up,” “Sorry Not Sorry”) brings her “Holy Fvck” tour with Royal & the Serpent to town for a night in Rosemont. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $38.50. ticketmaster.com.
Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music junkie. Email him at bshamie@dailyherald.com, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter (@thatshamieguy) or Instagram (@chicagosoundcheck). He also keeps tabs on the Chicago music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.