Sound check: Magic City Hippies back in Chicago; Hey Nonny’s Blues Week

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 and Bloom 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.

Anthrax returns

Thrash metal legend Anthrax, in a continuing celebration of the band’s 40th anniversary, is taking to the road again with co-headliners Black Label Society on a tour that stops at Chicago’s Radius, 640 W. Cermak Road. Northern California thrashers Exodus will join them on this 25-date run. Ages 17 and older. $45. radius-chicago.com. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29

Lake Street Dive

With a poppy blend of neo-soul and folk, Boston’s Lake Street Dive heads to Waukegan this weekend as its “Gather Round Sounds Tour” stops at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Chicago-born blues-pop singer Monica Martin joins the tour. Tickets start at $60.50 at geneseetheatre.com; $1 of each ticket will support Musically Fed in the fight against hunger. 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29

Hey Nonny Blues Week

It’s Blues Week at Hey Nonny! Kicking off Tuesday night with performances by Toronzo Cannon and Tom Holland, the Arlington Heights venue, 10 S. Vail Ave., celebrates a week’s worth of some of the hottest blues artists around, including The Steepwater Band with Eric Noden on Wednesday, Joanna Connor & the Altered Five Blues Band on Thursday, Chicago Blues Supersession on Friday, Mud Morganfield with Studebaker John on Saturday and the Delmark Allstars on Sunday. Ticket prices vary. heynonny.com. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, through Sunday, Feb. 5

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).

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