Sound check: Nelly, Tiffany, Everclear and Tomorrow Never Knows
Nelly at Genesee
The three-time Grammy-winning, platinum-selling rapper Nelly brings his string of hits and favorite collaborations from his two decades on the music scene to Waukegan for a night of hip-hop and revelry.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $59.50-$99.50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com.
Tomorrow Never Knows
The Tomorrow Never Knows festival brings some heat to the cold, gray January days with five nights of performances across six Chicago stages. A melding of the local indie scene's best with national acts and comedians, the festival brings together Thee Sacred Souls, Girl K, Burr Oak, Ashley Ray & Felonious Munk, Sam Evian, Native Sun, Dante Elephante, Exum and much more. Some shows are sold out, so check on the schedule and get tickets at tnkfest.com.
Wednesday through Sunday, Jan. 19-23, at Golden Dagger, 2447 N. Halsted St., Chicago, (773) 857-0166 or goldendagger.com; Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com; Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com; Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago, (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com; Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., Chicago, (773) 227-4433 or hideoutchicago.com; and Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, (773) 654-3971 or sleeping-village.com.
Tedeschi Trucks stop
Florida blues-rockers Tedeschi Trucks Band returns to Chicago for four nights of powerful, soulful performances. The band, which weathered the pandemic storm with its Fireside Sessions livestream series as well as intimate Fireside Live shows, returns to its full-scale performances with two nights this weekend before returning for two more nights next week.
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21-22, and Friday and Saturday, Jan. 28-29, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Tickets start at $19.50. (312) 902-1500 or msg.com.
Also, the Tedeschi Trucks Band's 2020 and 2021 “Wheels of Soul Tour” shows at RiverEdge Park (360 N. Broadway, Aurora) have been rescheduled to Tuesday, July 26, at the outdoor venue. Previously purchased tickets will be honored, but seats are still available at (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.
So much for the afterglow
Everclear, one of the most-enduring alternative bands to rise from '90s rock, returns to the Chicago area this weekend. Armed with hits “Father of Mine,” “Local God,” the breakout smash “Santa Monica” and other favorites, Everclear brings a celebration of nostalgia from the era. 2019 Onesti Entertainment/Daily Herald Suburban Chicago's Got Talent competition winner McCrae presents support for the Portland band.
8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$89. (630) 962 7000 or arcadalive.com.
Jazzing up the classics
Alto saxophonist Branford Marsalis brings his acclaimed jazz expertise to a collaboration with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra exploring the crossroads between jazz and classical by blending selections from Debussy's “Rhapsody” with the themes from Bizet's opera “Carmen,” Rossini's “The Barber of Seville” and more.
8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $35-$105. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org.
'80s Ladies Night with Tiffany
Join '80s pop icon Tiffany as she headlines Libertyville's Impact Fuel Room for a night celebrating the styles, the trivia and of course, the music of the era. Drink specials will be served and awards will be given for the best-dressed, totally rad partygoer.
7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at Impact Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. $25 for general admission, but VIP and table packages are also available. (847) 549-1972 or impactfuelroom.com.
Sawyer Brown with Bella Cain
Country music stars unite at the Genesee for a Thursday night show featuring the award-winning, country-rock act Sawyer Brown. Hot regional country act Bella Cain opens for a midweek down-home party.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $30-$70. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.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). He also keeps tabs on the Chicago music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.