Music notes: Robert Cray brings the blues to Aurora
Foxy blues
Blues guitarist Robert Cray headlines Friday night as Blues on the Fox gets under way for a weekend of soul-waking music, also featuring the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Marcia Ball, Los Lobos and more. See some of the best hard-rocking blues acts as they bring their hot and fiery stage shows to Aurora's RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. $10-$20 for Friday, $30-$40 for Saturday. riveredgeaurora.com. 6 p.m. Friday, June 17, and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18
Rock outdoors with the BoDeans
If you're looking for a taste of summer, catch the BoDeans at Ravinia. The Wisconsin-based roots rockers are known for their high-energy Americana vibe, but outside, their energy really pops. Singer-songwriter Martin Sexton opens the night at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $22-$55. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, (gates open at 5 p.m.)
Keep it positive with Gallery-81
Perseverance and positivity are the name of the game for Downers Grove native Carmen Gabriel and his band Gallery-81. Fresh off a show at the House of Blues, the band has recently seen their single “Freight Trains” roll to No. 8 on Reverb Nation's rock charts in Chicago and explode to No. 1 on the Q108 rock charts with our neighbors to the north in Canada. They're working hard to keep the momentum going with shows around Chicago and the suburbs and an appearance at the Homegrown Music and Arts Festival later this summer. Catch them as they open for classic rock veterans Saints N Sinners at Q Bar Darien, 8109 Cass Ave., Darien. $7. (630) 241-0970 or qbardarien.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, June 18
Rebel Soul at EvenFlow
The first hard-pounding riffs of Rebel Soul Revival's “The Night” let you know you're about to sink your teeth into some juicy, bluesy rock. With Matt Keen expressively manning the microphone, Revival - featuring Aaron Martinez on drums, Drew Doepke on guitar and Kevin McMahon anchoring on bass - navigates through classic rock waters, picking up elements of funk and jam rock along the way. Catch the energy of their live show when they play Geneva's EvenFlow Music & Spirits, 302 W. State St., Geneva. (331) 248-0269 or evenflowmusic.com. 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 22
Upcoming concerts
Windy City Lake Shake Country Music Festival: 2:55 p.m. Friday, June 17; at 3:15 p.m. Saturday, June 18; and at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at First Merit Bank Pavilion, 1300 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago. Three-day country music fest features performances by country artists including Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, Brooks and Dunn and many others. General admission is $99.50-$299.50. VIP packages cost $599.50. lakeshakefestival.com.
Keith Semple at Wheeling Friday Concert: 7 p.m. Friday, June 17, Heritage Park, 333 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, Free. Keith Semple of NBCs “The Voice” performs tunes from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, 1970s rock and more. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com.
Gone 2 Paradise at Arlington Heights Sounds of Summer: 7 p.m. Friday, June 17, Harmony Park, 99 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Rock; Jimmy Buffet cover band. Free. (847) 368-5000 or vah.com.
BoDeans with Martin Sexton: 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $35-$55. Lawn seats $22-$27. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
A Man Called Stu, Pearls Mahone, Soda Gardocki: 9 p.m. Friday, June 17, at Brauerhouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. Rockabilly, blues rock. $8-$10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Omar Coleman Blues Band: 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Chicago-style harmonica. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
101 WKQX PIQNIQ with The Lumineers, Young the Giant, Garbage and others: Noon Saturday, June 18, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park. Rock. $20-$75. (708) 614-1616 or livenation.com.
Naper Nights Community Concert Series: 5 p.m. Saturday, June 18, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. June 17: The Fortunate Sons, a tribute band to Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Mr. Blotto, a jam band that performs tributes to the Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead and The Band. one Saturday, June 18: Beggars Banquet (a Rolling Stones tribute band) and American English (Beatles tribute band) perform. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. No outside food or beverages allowed. Adults $15; kids ages 4-12 are $10. Children under 4 and members are free. napersettlement.org.
Ralph Covert's Acoustic Army: 9 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Acoustic. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Afterlife featuring Kings of Class, Nikho, Luka, Don Parra, Boyce, Dangerwayne, Nick J: 10 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. House, EDM. Free before midnight. housemusicsavedmylife.com.
The Lumineers, Soak: 7 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Indie folk. $25-$45. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com.
Capannari's Acoustic Tuesday Concert: 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, Capannari Ice Cream, 10 S. Pine St., Mount Prospect. Free. (847) 392-2277 or capannaris.com.
The Highway Men: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Mian St., St. Charles. Country and more, with salutes to Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. $19. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Cash Box Kings: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, in Millennia Plaza amphitheater, Independence Grove, 16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville. Band performs Chicago-style blues. Parking is $6 per car after 5 p.m. on concert days for all preserve visitors. (847) 968-3497. Pack a picnic, or purchase food on-site. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating. lcfpd.org.
Seth MacFarlane with the Chicago Philharmonic and special guest Katharine McPhee: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, in pavilion at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $80-$100. Lawn $38-$43. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
Lance Lipinsky & the Lovers at Carol Stream Summer Concert: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 23, Carol Stream Town Center, 960 N. Gary Ave., Carol Stream, Vintage rock, big band, Motown and more. Food and beer concessions begin at 6 p.m. Free. (630) 665-7050 or carolstream.org.
Live the Who (tribute band) at “Rockin' in the Park”: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 23, MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Rock; musical tribute to The Who. Food and beverage tents will be on the park's great lawn. Musical fireworks display after every show. Free. rosemont.com.
Kathleen Dooley: 9 p.m. Thursday, June 23, Brody's Irish Pub, 1941 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Concert and CD release party. Dooley performs songs from her new CD “Lost in My Skyfront.” No cover charge. (630) 892-2763 or brodysirishpub.com.
Lisle Community Band: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23, Lisle Community Park, 1800 Short St., Lisle. Group performs concert with patriotic theme. In the event of extreme weather, concert will move to the Lisle Senior High School auditorium, 1800 Short St., Lisle. Refreshments will be sold and a raffle held. Bring chairs and blankets for seating. Free. (630) 853-6196 or lislecommunityband.org.
Lisa Rock with “Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Pop, rock. $25. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. For information, visit geneseetheatre.com.
Patti LaBelle with The Commodores: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23, in pavilion at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $70-$85. Lawn $38-$43. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.