Sound check: Rob Zombie tickets, Homegrown Fest news, Ministry and more
Zombie returns
Rock icon and filmmaker Rob Zombie is dropping in on the Chicago area with a few friends this August. Tickets for the "Freaks On Parade Tour" - stopping at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park Friday, Aug. 5, with Mudvayne, Static-X and Powerman 5000 - go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Friday, March 25, at livenation.com.
Homegrown revisited
In 2020, the Homegrown Arts & Music Festival - the annual suburban celebration of local music - presented a streaming option of the day's performances to keep festgoers safe and socially distanced during the COVID outbreaks. That presentation has been edited down to a tight 8 hours of rock, folk and indie performances, and this weekend the video is heading back online for viewers to relive. The Homegrown Infinity TV Replay - presented by Local Nation and Video Girl Pro on the Mandolin streaming platform - will play from 4 p.m. Friday, March 25, to midnight with the full performances and live online chatting with artists Marina City, Mel Senese, Curious Grace & Black Rabbit, The Weekend Run Club, Black Bolts, The Bank Notes, The Million Reasons, Metrofern, Each Day and Stanley and the Baskets. Virtual pass purchasers also will have access to the entire set of performances on demand for 72 hours through 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 28. Tune in at 4 p.m. Friday, March 25, or throughout the weekend for $24 at homegrownartsandmusicfestival.com or boxoffice.mandolin.com.
• The Homegrown Arts & Music Festival is looking for performers for the 2022 festival, set for Saturday, July 30, at BaseCamp Pub in Lisle. Find more info and to submit your band, see homegrownartsandmusicfestival.com.
'Rockjavik' jams
American jam band Umphrey's McGee is taking its show on the road with three performances livestreaming this weekend from Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland. Tickets for the "Rockjavik" series can be purchased individually or as a three-day pass and include one-week replay from the time of the original performance.
3 p.m. Friday, March 25, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27. $25 for individual tickets, $60 for a three-day pass at boxoffice.mandolin.com.
Purple Reign
Take a spin through the electrically charged catalog of legendary artist Prince as Purple Reign (featuring Jason Tenner) showcases the hits that made him a fan favorite at the Paramount Theatre this weekend.
8 p.m. Friday, March 25, at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $54-$118.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.
Chicago's Western Elstons
A blend of some of the best artists from across the Chicago area, The Western Elstons brings a little honky tonk, a little country and a little rock to Aurora this weekend.
8 p.m. Friday, March 25, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora. $15-$20; admission increases by $5 at the door. (331) 212-8490 or themusicvenue.org.
Industrial strength
Chicago-born industrial band Ministry returns to its hometown with the "Industrial Strength Tour," sharing the band's latest album, "Moral Hygiene," as well as a pandemic-postponed 30-year celebration of "The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste," Ministry's fourth studio album released in 1989. The band will be joined by The Melvins and Corrosion of Conformity for the Chicago tour stop next week.
7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave., Chicago. $38.50. jamusa.com or ministryband.com/tour.
• 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.