Sound check: Richard Marx goes acoustic for pre-Valentine's Day show
Richard Marx acoustic
Grammy winner Richard Marx, the platinum-selling ballad-rock royalty from the Chicago area, primes fans for Valentine's Day with a preholiday treat: A night of love songs at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. Enjoy favorites (and probably a few new works from “Limitless,” his new album out Friday, Feb. 7) with a loved one during this rare acoustic performance. 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $59-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Weekend Run Club release show
For the last two years, The Weekend Run Club has been banking on the fact that any song, no matter how serious or sad, can have a good groove you can dance to. And as the fan base has grown for the young indie-pop band, it seems members have been right. They take that a step further with last week's release of the debut LP “Zoo,” bumping up the lyrical transparency and letting the music guide the ride. The Weekend Run Club will show off its new wares when the band headlines a release show at Beat Kitchen, co-sponsored by Kickstand Productions and Chicago Sound Check, along with a solid lineup of fellow scenesters: Violet Crime's indie-flavored blues-rock, deep indie-pop from August Hotel and dreamy fun alternative from Splits. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, Chicago. $10-$13. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.
Draft Week's Lincoln Hall debut
Draft Week is back and brighter than before! The DuPage-born alternative rock band you know and love — with Kevin McNamara, Chad DeLeon, Mike Zevin and Nathan Taylor — will fill Lincoln Hall with some brand-new tunes and a tweaked-up sound. BambiRaptor, The Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club and KACHI the BAND bring a powerful blend of rock, power-pop and indie as they join the evening's lineup. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $10-$15. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.
Chill Fest 2020
Need a way to stay warm this weekend? Heat up the winter with The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce's annual Chill Fest Saturday, Feb. 8. Stroll from venue to venue down Milwaukee and Division during the pop-up music festival — including 828 Chi, Alexandra Marks Jewelry, Crossroads Trading Co., Dynamic Salon, Epoch Studio Salon, Futurgarb, Gemini, Jackson Junge Gallery, Matty and Lou, Sprout San Francisco, The Den Café, TOMS, Transit Tees, Volumes Bookcafe and YETI — to enjoy free acoustic performances while patronizing local businesses. Visit wickerparkbucktown.com/chillfest to find where and when acts such as Sammy Cannillo, Marshall, Arlington Heights' Acoustic Raccoon, Naperville's Meghan and Timothy Pratt, Berwyn's Ian Leith and more will be playing. 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, around Wicker Park. Free. wickerparkbucktown.com.
In memory of Coren McLeod
Anyone who knew Coren McLeod knew she was a force of nature on the Chicago and suburban music scenes (and beyond). She tirelessly balanced her show on Rock Rage Radio, her new McLeod Media Company, her love for concert photography and support for numerous bands on the scene. Her sudden death this January in McHenry left area musicians looking for a way to honor her. Zac Johnson, Caleb Hansen and Kevin Iles have organized an 18+ benefit show to raise money for Coren's family and to support the Epilepsy Foundation Saturday, Feb. 8. Ten acts will perform at Cairo Pizza and Grill in West Chicago — Kim Banis, Sal Rizzo, Vyse, Jury of Fears, OUTDrejas, Wheel of Giants, The Beta Waves, Welcome to Jonestown, Werewolves at Hour 30 and Confusion — and share memories of Coren. A raffle will also benefit the fund. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Cairo Pizza and Grill, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. Free, but $10 donation is requested. (630) 876-9600 or facebook.com.
Black Holes (Blue Stones)
For a taste of modern Canadian garage-rock (served with a steamy side of fuzzy psych jams and bluesy riffs), you can't do much better than The Blue Stones. The duo behind “Black Holes (Solid Ground),” “Shakin' Off the Rust” and the recently released single “Grim” packs a powerful punch live, and they're bringing all the heat of their “Hidden Gems Tour” to Chicago's Schubas for a midweek show with JJ Wilde. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $12-$15. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.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). Brian also keeps tabs on the Chicago-area music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.