Sound check: 'America's Got Talent' finalist Joey Kar plays LongShot
Joey Kar's Got Talent
Manhattan, Illinois, native Joey Kar's Southern rock stylings brought him all the way to the finals in 2020's "America's Got Talent" competition on NBC. This weekend, he's putting his talent to good use to benefit music education for youngsters. Playing at The LongShot Sports Pub in Lakemoor, Kar (7 p.m.) and supporting band Delta Rising (4:30 p.m.), will take the stage for an evening of music and fun on the bar's outdoor patio (weather permitting). 10% of the ticket sales will benefit the McHenry Elementary School District 15 music programs.
4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at The LongShot Sports Pub, 615 IL-120, Lakemoor. $10 for general admission, $15 for VIP; for more information, visit facebook.com/thenewlongshot.
Take me to the Riot
Riot Fest, Chicago's late-summer celebration of music, is still on for this weekend, bringing its wide-ranging lineup of rock, alternative, metal, hip-hop and even a few retro faves to the stage for the season's almost-last gasp. Headlining this year are Chicago's own Smashing Pumpkins, along with Coheed and Cambria and Lupe Fiasco Friday; Run the Jewels wraps up Saturday with Rise Against and the Dropkick Murphys; Sunday leads up to closer Slipknot with Machine Gun Kelly and The Flaming Lips, with Anthrax just added to the day's lineup. Sure, the headliners draw crowds, but the rest of the lineup gives this festival so much of its flavor; Vic Mensa, Beach Bunny, The Lawrence Arms, The Bollweevils, Action/Adventure, Knuckle Puck, Ganser and Pet Symmetry are already a great mix, and they're just the Chicago representatives. And don't forget about the Thursday night kickoff party with Morrissey, Alkaline Trio, Patti Smith and more to get your Riot Fest weekend cooking.
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 17-19, at Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive, Chicago. $124.98 plus fees for single-day passes; VIP, Deluxe and Ultimate packages also available at riotfest.org.
'Rockin' for the Pantry'
Glen Ellyn's School of Rock presents three hours of entertainment for the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry benefit concert on Hunger Action Day this weekend. Bring chairs and picnic baskets to the parking lot at Faith Lutheran Church, where guests can spread out near their cars. The pantry will be accepting donations with a special request for canned tuna and chicken.
6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at Faith Lutheran Church, 41 N. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $50 per car ($65 at the gate) or $25 per person for bikers or walk-ins. More info at (630) 469-6988 or glenellynfoodpantry.org.
Alligator Records anniversary
Alligator Records uses its 50th anniversary to celebrate Chicago blues as part of the city's monthlong musical Chicago In Tune festivities. The free show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion features the Nick Moss Band with harmonicist Dennis Gruenling; Wayne Baker Brooks; Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials joined by Billy Branch; and The Cash Box Kings with an appearance by Shemekia Copeland.
5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Free. Visit millenniumpark.org for details.
12 hot shows this week
Islander with September Mourning, Erabella, Bullet to the Heart, Tanzen: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at The Forge, 22 W. Cass St., Joliet. $15-$45. (815) 280-5246 or theforgelive.com.
South City Revival: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept 17, at Mundy Park at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora. $20 terrace, $15 lawn seating; admission increases $5 at the door. themusicvenue.org.
The Last Generation: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $10 at the door. facebook.com.
The Ugly Lovers, Full of Moxy, Quantum: 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $5-$25. brauerhouse.com.
CHNNLL album release show with ZORILA: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at Subterranean Downstairs, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10. subt.net.
Ben Folds with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra: 8 p.m. (gates at 5 p.m.) Saturday, Sept. 18, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $38-$48 for lawn, $65-$90 for pavilion, prices increase by $5 the day of. ravinia.org.
Wild Earp: 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Free. fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
The Dick Biondi Big 89 Birthday Bash with The Buckinghams, The Ides of March, Felix Cavaliere (of The Rascals), New Colony 6, The Cave Dwellers, Rosie & the Rivets, Hot Rocks, Jimmy Sohns (of the Shadows of Knight) and Merle Perkins: 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $89, VIP Experience is $189. arcadalive.com.
Judas Priest "50 Heavy Metal Years Tour" with Sabaton: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20, at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $37. ticketmaster.com.
Damien Jurado/Okkervil River: 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 21-21, at Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $20-$35. evanstonspace.com.
The Blue Stones "Hidden Gems Tour" with Maybird: 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $15. subt.net.
Joan Osborne: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 23-24, at Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $25-$75. evanstonspace.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 local music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.