Sound check: Local H celebrates ‘Zoo’; Marcus Mumford and Gogol Bordello hit town

Stage ‘boss’

With a dash of wit laced with musical charm, TV’s Tony Danza (“Taxi,” “Who’s the Boss?”) brings his “Tony Danza: Standards & Stories” show to the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Danza presents a look behind the scenes of his TV and stage experiences, along with a collection of favorites from the great American songbook (plus a little soft shoe). $29-$99 at arcadalive.com. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21

Local H’s ‘Zoo’

Rock band Local H, originally formed in Chicago’s northern suburbs in the late 1980s, marks the 20th anniversary of its much-loved album “Here Comes the Zoo” (“Hands on the Bible,” “Half-Life”) with a two-set night at Chicago’s Metro. The band’s Scott Lucas and Ryan Harding will power through a set of favorites, followed by a full-album playthrough of the guest of honor. 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $24-$28. metrochicago.com.

Kali Masi at GMan

Following up last year’s release “[laughs]” with a year heavy with touring (including some time in Europe), Chicago and West suburban-born punk band Kali Masi heads to Wrigleyville Friday along with Sam Russo and Minneapolis punk band Tightwire for a 21-and-older show. 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at GMan Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St., Chicago. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. gmantavern.com.

Fletcher Rockwell weekend

Catch two nights of rock with a side of folk as Fletcher Rockwell takes the stage with its roots-rock originals and modern Americana-spun covers at both area Bub City locations this weekend. 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at Bub City Chicago, 435 N. Clark St., Chicago. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Bub City Rosemont in Parkway Bank Park, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Make table reservations at bub-city.com.

‘God, Family, Country’

Craig Morgan — country star, Army veteran and more recently TV personality on the CBS/Paramount+ series “Beyond the Edge” — visits the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines, with his “God, Family, Country Tour.” Morgan will share songs from his upcoming album and stories from his just-released memoir, “God, Family, Country.” $49 at desplainestheatre.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Country’s Carrie Underwood

Multiplatinum country artist Carrie Underwood brings “The Denim & Rhinestones Tour” to the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Special guest Jimmie Allen joins her Saturday. $39-$150 at rosemont.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

A night with Gladys Knight

The Empress of Soul Gladys Knight (“Midnight Train to Georgia,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “That’s What Friends Are For”) presents an intimate evening of timeless classics when the seven-time Grammy winner takes the stage at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$149 at arcadalive.com. 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Oct 22

Singing kids’ blues

Celebrate Chicago’s beloved blues duo Wendy and DB (Wendy Morgan and Darryl Boggs) as they present their latest release for children, “Into the Little Blue House,” for a family-friendly show at the North Shore’s premiere listening venue SPACE. The release party amps up the fun with puppets, interactive blues music, singalongs and raffles. 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $12, free for children younger than 1 at evanstonspace.com.

Why do birds …

“Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters,” the longest-running tribute to the chart-topping group, brings its touring act to The James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, for a matinee of classic pop. $30; $28 for seniors and military; $15 for students at jlcenter.clcillinois.edu or (847) 543-2300. 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23

Start wearing purple

After a riotous showing at Riot Fest in Chicago last month, New York gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello is heading to the suburbs for what promises to be a raucous free-for-all of frenetic beats, unbridled energy and catchy hooks in its fever-dream of a stage show. Y’know, just a typical performance for this crazy-talented group. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $34-$69. geneseetheatre.com.

Mumford, no sons

A decade ago, the jangle-rock sound of indie-folk breakout group Mumford and Sons was inescapable after its debut lead to Lollapalooza appearances and world tours. This week, the band’s lead singer Marcus Mumford hits Chicago with songs from his recently released self-titled debut solo album, joined by American rock group The A’s. 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $39-$149 at msg.com.

Midweek metal

With blistering guitar solos and a stage show that embodies metal’s rise, Judas Priest blows into town next week for a show at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. The “50 Heavy Metal Years” tour also features special guest Queensrÿche. $99-$199 at geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25

• 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.

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