Sound check: Jack White hits the spotlight at Aragon Ballroom
Jack White takes Chicago
Despite his notoriously famous stance on personal privacy, Jack White just can't stay out of the spotlight. The musician who helped steer the garage rock resurgence of the early 2000s with his band The White Stripes also heads up rock group The Raconteurs ("Steady, As She Goes") - rumored to be releasing new music in 2019 - and created and performs in The Dead Weather. All this while founding and running his label, Third Man Records. Catch the prolific rock star and all his frenzied energy at the Aragon Ballroom for a powerful way to kick off the manic holiday week. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, at the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $77. (844) 425-5923 or aragonballroom.org.
America at Arcada
The British-American band that introduced "A Horse With No Name," "Sister Golden Hair" and other folk-rock hits to the states returns for two nights in St. Charles. Two of the three founding members of America - Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell - bring the hits from their more than 40-year history to start your weekend. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16-17, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $69-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Dead Freddie vinyl release
If you like your garage rock with a side of punk, a touch of ska and a little accordion thrown in, check out Dead Freddie. The band, which originally played in the late '70s and early '80s, found new life in 2013 with founding member Donatas Ramanauskas and a new lineup, with a blend of the original sound and some new influences. Check out the band's vinyl release show, where they'll play the full album along with a few special treats. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at Cigars and Stripes BBQ Lounge, 6715 Ogden Ave., Berwyn. $5. (708) 484-1043 or stripesbbq.com.
• 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. 8" Spotify playlist for a sampling of some of the local bands he's written about recently for the Daily Herald.