Sound check: Magic City Hippies back in Chicago
Return of the Hippies
Buffalo Grove-native drummer Pat Howard comes back home as the Miami-based Magic City Hippies hit Chicago's Metro for a night of tropics-inspired, danceable pop-rock, including favorites off last year's full-length release "Water Your Garden," as part of its "Winter Tour 2023."
9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $22.50-$25 at metrochicago.com.
Burst at Bottom Lounge
The Burst and Bloom headlines Bottom Lounge with a celebratory play-through of last year's self-titled release (plus a few new jams), joined by The Neverafter, Sixty Lumens and Havens for a night spanning the Chicago-area's indie-rock to hard-rock scenes.
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $10. bottomlounge.com.
Prom night!
Kickstand Productions presents this year's Winter Prom at Beat Kitchen, featuring Disaster Kid, Tommy Kessler, Damager, Blue Car and Tourist Season. Semiformal attire is encouraged for this 17+ show, so take the opportunity to pull out the fancy duds for this night of rock, punk and alternative.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $15 at beatkitchen.com.
Lucky Pickers in Aurora
Musicians Despina Pafralides and Caleb Peters hit the stage as bluegrass duo Lucky Pickers at Aurora's The Venue for the first time this weekend with a unique blend of genres.
8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora. $5 suggested donation. themusicvenue.org.
Rachel Drew at SPACE
Prolific Chicago singer-songwriter Rachel Drew takes the stage with her soulful ballads and rocking bangers (and possibly a few new songs destined for a 2023 release) for a midweek show at SPACE. The Rachel Drew Band will be joined by power-pop trio Tennis Court Oath.
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $15-$22 at evanstonspace.com.
Local showcase
Singer-songwriters Demi Clara and Aaron Kelly host The Venue's monthly local showcase singing songs and telling stories alongside performances by Taylor Oechsel and Christopher Marszalek of Plainfield indie band Each Day and Adela and Dan, the musical duo behind The Underbelly Hours podcast.
7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora. $5. themusicvenue.org.
• Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music junkie. Email him at bshamie@dailyherald.com or follow him on Instagram (@chicagosoundcheck). He also keeps tabs on the Chicago music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.