Sound check: Jason Mraz is all about the wordplay at Ravinia
Mr. A-Z
Jason Mraz, the erstwhile “curbside prophet,” didn't have to wait long for his rocket to come when his hit single “The Remedy (I Won't Worry)” took over airwaves with the release of his 2002 debut. Sixteen years later, Mraz is touring in support of his sixth studio album, “Know.,” which dropped at retailers and on all streaming services earlier this month. Catch him with folk-pop singer Brett Dennen when they play the outdoor stage at Ravinia this weekend. 7 p.m. (gates open at 4 p.m.) Saturday, Aug. 25, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $43-$115. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
56 Music Fix
Mount Prospect's first weekend-long music celebration, 56 Music Fix, counts off this weekend, bringing 30 area bands to venues and performance spaces in bars, restaurants, boutiques and more throughout the village. The fest, created in conjunction with the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, aims to promote both local musicians and the many businesses in the downtown Mount Prospect area. And better yet, there's no cover all weekend. Visit 56musicfix.org for a list of musicians, venues and schedules. Friday through Sunday, Aug. 24-26, at various venues throughout Mount Prospect. More info at 56musicfix.org.
neXt2rock 2018
The field has been narrowed for Cumulus Radio's 2018 neXt2rock battle of the bands competition, and the top five Chicago-area contenders - Friday Pilots Club, Like Language, Midwave, Take the Reins and The Giving Moon - are prepping to play Cubby Bear Thursday, Aug. 30, in front of fans and a panel of judges including yours truly (as well as the host, radio legend James VanOsdol). Come to the 21-and-older show hosted by WKQX to support some excellent local musicians and cheer on your favorites as they fight for a trip to California for the national finale and a chance at a record deal.
Meet the contestants:
Friday Pilots Club
Members: Caleb Hiltunen, Drew Polovick of Chicago
More: fridaypilotsclub.com; facebook.com/FridayPilotsClub
Like Language
Matthew Murray and Kristen Donnelly of Elmhurst
More: likelanguagemusic.bandcamp.com; facebook.com/likelanguagemusic
Midwave
Kyle Brauch and Brandon Mackey of Roselle
More: midwave.bandcamp.com; facebook.com/midwavemusic
Take the Reins
Matt Benson and Courtney Boyers of Wheaton, Dave Burke of Naperville, Dan Duffy of St. Charles and Erik Hilger of Schaumburg
More: takethereins.bandcamp.com; facebook.com/takethereinschicago
The Giving Moon
Sean Seales of St. Charles, Adam Suto of Elburn and Nathan Melville of Schaumburg
More: givingmoon.com; thegivingmoon.bandcamp.com; facebook.com/thegivingmoon
9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.) Thursday, Aug. 30, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $5; 21-and-older show. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
Concert highlights
Gov't Mule's “Darkside of the Mule Tour” with The Avett Brothers, The Magpie Salute: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $25-$69. (800) 745-3000 or livenation.com.
Deville, Nahkriin, Tanzen, Soluna: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $7-$10. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.
Beach Boys: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $60-$85 pavilion seating; $48-$53 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
Bright Kid, Harvey Fox, Praytell, Kirsten Arian: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $12-$15. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.
Dedicated to the Ones I Love: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $20-$30. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org.
Sponge, The Giving Moon, Seasalt: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at RocHaus, 96 W. Main St., West Dundee. $20-$25. (815) 482-2870 or rochaus.com.
888, Marina City: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., Chicago. $12-$15. (773) 537-4440 or chopshopchi.com.
The Hood Internet: 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or ticketweb.com.
Flatfoot 56, Skapone: 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $12-$15. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
The Wailers, Old Shoe, Liquid Soul: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Sideouts, 4018 Roberts Road, Island Lake. $25-$800. (847) 526-7174 or sideouts.com.
Miranda Lambert & Little Big Town's “The Bandwagon Tour” with Tenille Townes: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $18-$84. (800) 745-3000 or livenation.com.
Midnight Riders, Sour Brothers: 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $7-$10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Brass Buckle Band: 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $3. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Fire is Motion, Better Love, Observing With Annie, Bittersweet Drive: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $8. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
Breaking Benjamin, Five Finger Death Punch, Nothing More, Bad Wolves: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $18-$110. (800) 745-3000 or livenation.com.
We Banjo 3: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $20-$120. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
<i> Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music fanboy. You can follow him on Twitter at @thatshamieguy. Listen to Brian's “2018 Chicago Sound Check Vol. 6” Spotify playlist for a sampling of some of the local bands he's written about recently for the Daily Herald.</i>