Halloween weekend concerts - from your car or couch

Posted October 28, 2020 11:00 pm

Brian Shamie

Country musician Chris Janson will be joined by Jordan Davis for a Halloween Eve drive-in show Friday, Oct. 30, at Now Arena in Hoffman Estates. Courtesy of Chris Janson

Halloween is going to look a little different this year.

And it's not just because we'll have a full moon - and a blue moon at that.

Restrictions on bars in the Chicago suburbs have been reimplemented because of recent spikes in the number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois. But innovative venues and artists are creating new spaces for music fans to celebrate this most spooky of fall holidays.

Here are a few shows to enjoy either from your car or your couch to bring some entertainment to your witchy weekend. Check for safety regulations and any last-minute changes before you head out.

Drive-in shows

Platinum-selling breakout country star Chris Janson headlines the parking lot stage at Hoffman Estates' Now Arena Friday, Oct. 30, for the Halloween Country Throwdown. Nashville artist Jordan Davis joins Janson live as they visit the Chicago area to bring a night of acoustic country to the suburbs. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the Now Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $80 general admission for two; $104-$154 general admission for four; $304 VIP parking for four. ticketmaster.com.

Elgin-area pop act Beach Bunny headlines Schaumburg's Boomers Stadium Friday, Oct. 30. Courtesy of John Tuanqui

Beach Bunny, the pop band that got its start playing around the Elgin area, has since grown up, with sets at Riot Fest and Lollapalooza during the last couple years. This weekend, catch them headlining Boomers Stadium for Duff Entertainment's Live from the Lot Halloween weekend series. Beach Bunny will be joined by The Bad Bad Hats Friday when they play the parking lot drive-in show. The Saturday night Local H show has sold out. 7:30 p.m. (gates at 6) Friday, Oct. 30, at Boomers Stadium, 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. $100 for general admission for a car of four; $160 for VIP parking. duffentertainment.com.

Riot Fest presents two nights of Halloween treats with drive-in performances and spooky movie screenings at Bridgeview's SeatGeek Stadium Friday and Saturday. On Friday, Oct. 30, New Found Glory rocks the stage, followed by a screening of the 1988 horror comedy “Beetlejuice.” On Saturday, Oct. 31, south suburban Knuckle Puck and Michigan's Hot Mulligan play the stadium, followed by the supernatural classic “The Exorcist.” Both nights, guests can win a costume contest for Riot Fest 2021 deluxe passes, so come in your spooky best. 8 p.m. (gates at 6:30) Friday, Oct. 30; $149.98 plus fees for general admission for one car with four people, $35 for additional passengers. 7 p.m. (gates at 5:30) Saturday, Oct. 31; $124.98 general admission for four, $25 per additional passenger. SeatGeek Stadium is at 7000 S. Harlem Ave, Bridgeview. riotfest.org.

Techno producer Maceo Plex plays two nights at the Lakeshore Drive-in at Chicago's Adler Planetarium parking lot this weekend. DJ Pierre provides support both nights. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31, at Lakeshore Drive-In, 1362 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago. Friday general admission is $250 per car of four passengers, with a $30 guest add-on. Saturday, general admission is available for cars of two or four for $140-$250 with a $30 guest add-on. (312) 728-8022 or lsdrivein.com.

Libido Funk Circus drive-in show: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Barrington Metra Station, 201 S. Spring St., Barrington. $25 per vehicle of up to six passengers. eventbrite.com.

Chicago's Mark Rose joins Hawthorne Heights for an emo-themed, pre-Halloween livestream Friday, Oct. 30. Courtesy of Mark Rose

Livestreams

Chicago musician Mark Rose joins Ohio emo rockers Hawthorne Heights for a “Stay Home” livestream performance on Halloween Eve. The show, rescheduled from early October, has taken on a Halloween theme, and will also include VIP meet-and-greet and merch packages, featuring emo trivia with the band, VIP laminate and buttons, patches and specially produced tour batch coffee. 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at onlocationlive.com. $12-$70.

Homesafe: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at twitch.tv/homesafeil.

BaseCamp's Halloween Celebration with Semple: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Facebook.com/sempleband.

Side Street Studio Arts Halloween Dead Stream with Foresight: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at sidestreetstudioarts.org or facebook.com.

Lifehouse “No Name Face 20th anniversary show”: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at stageit.com. 200 notes ($20) in StageIt's in-house currency.

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