Weekend Reminders

Wolf Alice photo from their official Facebook page.

Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention, or concert tickets going on sale.

First, let’s welcome UK indie rock band Wolf Alice, whose North American Tour in support of their new album The Clearing brings them to Chicago tomorrow for a sold-out show at The Vic. Lead vocalist-guitarist Ellie Rowsell is equally compelling as a consoling friend or a screaming banshee, and her bandmates are with her every step of the way. Wolf Alice has released four top-notch albums since 2015. Songwriter Willy Mason will be their opening act throughout the tour. 

As noted in a recent Facebook post from band member Ted Ansani, Material Issue’s show this Saturday at Schubas on Chicago’s north side has sold out. He promises the critically acclaimed power pop band will have another gig soon in 2026.

The very first CBGB Festival will take place this Saturday in Brooklyn, NY. An email from Western Publicity states, “The CBGB Festival pays tribute to New York City’s gritty, sticker-covered past through a modern lens.” The scheduled performers include Iggy Pop, Jack White, The Damned, Johnny Marr, Lunachicks, Marky Ramone, Soul Glo, and The Linda Lindas.

The WXRT Live From The XRT Concert Archives series continues tomorrow night at 9:00 pm with a May 9, 2002 performance by Garbage recorded at The Riviera Theatre in Chicago. The concert can be heard on 93.1FM; 93XRT.com; and the Audacy app.

Tomorrow will be a busy day for new releases from well-known artists. As noted in the September issue of the Illinois Entertainer, those albums include Saving Grace by Robert Plant; Neon Grey by Neko Case; 100 Sound Affects by Fred Armisen; Here For It All by Mariah Carey; Based On The Best Seller by Sloan; and Jeff Tweedy’s three-album set Purity Ring.

The 60 Years Of Ronnie Wood Fearless Anthology, which includes his solo work as well as the time he’s spent performing with Rolling Stones, The Faces, Jeff Beck Group, The Birds, The Creation, Rod Stewart, and Ronnie Lane, also drops tomorrow. It’s available as two LPs or two CDs.

Chicago-based singer-guitarist Terry White hasn’t achieved world fame quite yet, but his latest album You Won’t Have A Name is coming out on Bandcamp tomorrow. He has a record release party coming up on October 2 at Fitzgerald’s in Berywn, IL, that will also feature performances by The Loaded Dice, Cannonball, and other special guests.

Rhythm and blues singer Gerald McClendon has impressed many audiences around the Chicago area, and he’ll perform with his band on the patio at Fitzgeralds in Berwyn tomorrow night. As McClendon noted in a Facebook post, that patio has heat lamps so there’s no need to worry about it being chilly outside.

Reeling2025 - The 43rd Chicago LGBTQ + International Film Festival opened today and will run through this Sunday at Landmark’s Century Centre on the city’s north side.

Mud Morganfield, son of blues icon Muddy Waters, and a respected artist in his own right, has a CD release party for his latest effort Deep Mud coming up at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights this Saturday.

Casey McDonough and Eric Howell have worked with several Chicago area musicians over the years, but I’m not sure if they’ve ever performed as a duo. That’s what it looks like they’ll be doing tomorrow night at Cary’s Lounge at 2251 W. Devon.

Chicago Gourmet’s popular Hamburger Hop event returns tomorrow night in what’s being billed as a “Culinary Crosstown Classic!” on the Harris Theater Rooftop. The competition will involve my south-side nephew Joe Flamm of Top Chef, Rose Mary, and il Carciofo fame, and northsider Sarah Grueneberg, chef and co-owner of the Monteverde Restaurant and Pastificio. Hamburger Hop is being presented by the Home Grown Program supported by Sysco, Door Dash and Blue Moon; the Harris Theater is located at 205 E. Randolph in the downtown area.