Music notes: Everclear, Vertical Horizon rock Elgin
Elgin's Rocktoberfest
Portland's Everclear gave the national music scene a buzz in 1995 with the lighter-on-grunge-heavier-on-rock "Sparkle and Fade," featuring the feel-good summer hit "Santa Monica." They followed it up with 1997's "So Much for the Afterglow," which hit heavy and hard with anthems of discontent "Everything to Everyone" and "Father of Mine." These hits are sure to make the set list Saturday when Everclear and Vertical Horizon ("Everything You Want," "You're A God") play Rocktoberfest, Grand Victoria Casino's beer and music festival in Elgin. 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Grand Victoria Casino, 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. $15-$20. (847) 468-7000 or grandvictoriacasino.showare.com.
Get charmed at Troubadourium 2016
Troubadours of old traveled the countryside, composing songs and entertaining the masses with poetry of love and adventure. Modern-day troubadours get their time in the spotlight when Mackey's Hideout presents the fifth annual Troubadourium Saturday. Washington folk/alternative artist Danny Barnes headlines the night, which features sets from Algonquin blues rocker Althea Grace, singer-songwriter Kendra Swanson, Rebel Soul Revival's lead guitar and vocalist Matt Keen and guitarist Josh Mihalovic from Wonder Lake. 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Mackey's Hideout, 2601 S. River Road, McHenry. $12. (815) 363-7040 or mackeyshideout.com.
Foreigner frontman
British-American rock band Foreigner rode the wave to stardom in the late '70s and early '80s with hits such as "Cold as Ice" and "I Want to Know What Love Is." The band's success sprung, in part, from the songwriting talents of lead singer Lou Gramm. Hear his solo hits when he visits the Arcada Theatre Saturday. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$79. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
'Symphony' at Sears Centre
Megadeth, a thrash metal cornerstone with hits such as "Symphony of Destruction" and "Holy Wars ... The Punishment Due," brings the "Dystopia World Tour" to the Sears Centre. Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth opens. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Sears Centre, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $20-$58. (847) 649-2222 or searscentre.com.