Sound check: Pino Farina headlines Des Plaines Theatre, Tomorrow Never Knows fest kicks off mid-week
Pino Farina in Des Plaines
The Pino Farina Band puts its best alt-rock foot forward for a headlining show at the Des Plaines Theatre this weekend. The performance, which will see the debut of the band's new single "Perfect Sky" (as well as the release of new merch, commemorative posters and CDs and a contest for ticketholders), will also be joined by an opening set from Chicago-area rock and folk singer Gina Gonzalez.
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. $19-$29. desplainestheatre.com.
Sincere Engineer on stage
Chicago's Deanna Belos and her fiery indie-punk project (and recent Riot Fest performer) Sincere Engineer headline the Bottom Lounge this weekend, capping a lineup of hot Midwest acts. Lansing, Michigan, grunge-punk Rodeo Boys kick off the gig, joined by Chicago's post-hardcore act Droughts and alt-punk favorites Fluorescents.
8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $16. bottomlounge.com.
Todd Kessler and the Brother Brothers
Todd Kessler, the Deerfield folk-rocker who drew hopeful tears with "Holding On," his late-2020 song-and-video collaboration with Naperville's Kevin Andrew Prchal, will once again be telling his stories and playing his heartfelt songs as he opens SPACE in Evanston for The Brother Brothers. The indie-folk duo, twins Adam and David Moss originally from Peoria, will be playing songs from last summer's album "Cover to Cover" along with some new tunes they have in the works for an upcoming release.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $15-$22. evanstonspace.com.
Tomorrow Never Knows
The Tomorrow Never Knows festival injects some heat into Chicago's gray January with five nights of musical performances spread across four stages - Golden Dagger, Sleeping Village, Schubas and Lincoln Hall. Bringing together some of the local scene's hottest rising stars and indie acts from across the country, Tomorrow Never Knows shows off the future of indie music. Find a playlist of the acts, check the full schedule and get tickets at tnkfest.com.
Wednesday through Sunday, Jan. 18-22, 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; and Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, (773) 654-3971 or sleeping-village.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.