Sound check: Bitter Jester’s finale, Evanston’s Out of Space, Michael McDermott at The Venue and more
SPACE Out of Space
Evanston music venue SPACE presents its second Out of Space concert series of the year Sept. 1-4, this one in the parking lot at Temperance Beer Co. in Evanston. The family-friendly series brings Houndmouth with Ric Wilson Thursday, Neko Case with Courtney Marie Andrews Saturday, and Steel Pulse and KRS-One Sunday. 7 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.) Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 1-4, at Temperance Beer Co., 2000 Dempster St., Evanston. Ticket prices vary by night, but they’re generally between $35 and $40; tickets are half-price for kids 4-14 and free for those younger than 4. outofspaceconcerts.com.
• The Friday night Car Seat Headrest concert was canceled due to illness. Opener La Luz will now play an 8 p.m. performance at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, with Chicago rock band Rookie; tickets are $15. Tickets for the festival will be refunded at point of purchase.
Michael McDermott in print
See Chicago folk-rocker Michael McDermott in a whole new way as the musical artist plays a concert, yes, but also presents excerpts from his new book, “Scars From Another Life.” A VIP package to the event also features a copy of the book and a meet-and-greet with McDermott at the show. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora. $35 for general admission, $45 for premium seating and $70 for VIP; tickets increase by $5 if purchased at the door. (331) 212-8490 or themusicvenue.org.
Bublé bops
Nearly two decades ago, Canadian crooner Michael Bublé brought the jazzy vibes of the Rat Pack era back into the global cultural conversation with his self-titled release in 2003 and the triple-platinum selling (in the U.S. alone) follow-up “It’s Time.” Now, a number of Grammy and Juno awards later, he’s back on tour promoting his latest release, “Higher,” with a stop at Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $65-$155. ticketmaster.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2
The Lumineers at the plate
With the group shout-along “Ho … Hey,” Colorado band The Lumineers inserted themselves into the jangle-rock movement, adding one of the genre’s most powerful voices toward the mainstream embrace of alt-folk stadium shows. The band celebrates both the 10-year anniversary of that triple-platinum debut album, as well as this year’s release, “Brightside,” with the “Brightside World Tour,” heading to Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago, along with Ohio folk-rockers Caamp and English singer-songwriter James Bay. $49-$129. mlb.com/cubs/tickets/concerts. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3
European energy
Even if you don’t think you know German industrial metal band Rammstein, chances are good you have at least heard their hit song “Du hast,” which has been featured on numerous movie and game soundtracks since its release in 1999. The band brings its showmanship and pyrotechnical stage energy to Soldier Field, 1410 Special Olympics Drive, Chicago. $54.50-$94.50. ticketmaster.com/ or soldierfield.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3
Bitter Jester finale/benefit concert
The scramble to reschedule the Bitter Jester Music Festival’s grand finale concert after the Highland Park shootings on the Fourth of July found Nic DeGrazia and his crew back where this season started — Madame Zuzu’s Teahouse, owned by Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan. The concert, now also a benefit show for the Highland Park Business Recovery Fund, features the summerlong competition’s eight finalists — Fightin’ Bob, Fluctuation, Keep the Eleven, New Age Americans, Scorched Waves, Summer Drive, Summer League and VENGANZA — along with featured solo performer Linda Therese and special guests Pete’s Diary with Peter Dankelson, Exit 122 (formerly F!REWORKS), Opening Day and Pretoria. The concert is free, but donations and proceeds will benefit the Highland Park Business Relief Fund. 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, at Madame Zuzu’s Emporium, 1876 1st St., Highland Park. Free, but donations will benefit the Highland Park Business Recovery Fund run by the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce. Visit facebook.com/BitterJesterBattle for updates.
• If you can’t make Sunday’s show, The Bitter Jester fest wraps up its season with a “Best of” showcase at the Navy Pier Beer Garden (600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago) from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5, featuring Summer League, Opening Day, Scorched Waves, Luscia Jane, Linda Therese, Joey Wilbur, Jabari Zakee and former Bitter Jester winners Pretoria and Summer Drive. navypier.org.
Bandcamp Friday
Way back at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, online music retailer Bandcamp declared Bandcamp Friday, when it waived its revenue sharing for 24 hours so almost all of the money spent on local artists actually made it to the artists at a time when it was needed most. Bandcamp just announced its plans for Bandcamp Friday to continue for at least the last four months of 2022 — Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 — from midnight to midnight Pacific Time.
• 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).
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