Incoming

Here’s a hearty Chicago welcome to Joe Jackson, who’s in town as part of his 2026 North America Tour in support of his new album Hope And Fury. Jackson will perform at Park West tomorrow and Wednesday.

The Forever Mine Festival, taking place from noon to 10:00 pm this Saturday and Sunday in Union Park, will honor Chicago’s essential role in house and rhythm and blues music. Headline acts for the all-ages event include Keyshia Cole; Kelly Rowland; Kaytranada; and Shaggy. See the official website for the full lineup.

Rattleback Records, a definitely cool store on Chicago’s far north side, has a three-act showcase of garage rockers Tuff Sudz, power pop/rock quartet A.M. Slingers, and former The M’s leader Josh Chicoine’s new band Cult Canyon coming up on May 29 at the Burlington Bar. A.M. Slingers will be celebrating the release of their second album To The Nines; and Cult Canyon recently released their Smoke Tricks album. Burlington Bar is located at 3425 W. Fullerton.

The Zombies’ lead vocalist Colin Blunstone still draws rave reviews 60+ years after the band emerged from the British Invasion scene. He’ll likely find more critical acclaim during his UK Believe In Miracles Tour, which continues this week with shows in Lytham; Leeds; Bristol; and Coventry. The tour runs through May 28.

International Pop Overthrow - Liverpool 2026 will kick off this Sunday and run through through the following Sunday at The Cavern Pub and The Cavern Club. Dozens of acts are scheduled to perform, including long-time IPO world travelers Dave Rave and The Jeremy Band. The official International Pop Overthrow website has the entire Liverpool 2026 schedule; with links for most of the acts who’ll be performing. It’s a great way to discover new music, especially when the act has a Bandcamp page.

Chicago-based singer-songwriter AJ Rosales has a performance coming up at the Friendly Bar in Berwyn, IL on May 26. The show is part of the Friendly Community Songwriter Series, and will include Rosales introducing new material that wasn’t on his Phasedrift album or earlier releases. The music starts at 7:00 pm, and there is no cover charge.

Thrift Store Halo and The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club, two bands well known in Chicago for bringing catchy rock to their club appearances and albums, will perform this Saturday at Reggies just south of downtown. Levee District, who describe their approach as “Pure Power Pop from Chicago's saloons, brothels, key clubs, and late night dives” are also on the bill that night.

Joe Algeri and Paul Colombini of the Australian power pop band The Outryders are on the verge of releasing their first album in a few years. The new songs will also feature Illinois native, bass player Herb Eimerman, who has worked with Algeri on several projects, thanks to modern recording technology.

The Webstirs (9:00 pm) and The Imperial Sound with Rachel Drew (10:00 pm) will share a double bill this Saturday night at FitzGerald’s Side Bar in Berwyn, IL. Admission is free.

Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti, who’s known for his rock and roll tribute shows around the Chicago club scene, will celebrate Pete Townshed’s birthday a day late at Montrose Saloon this Wednesday. The music starts at 8:00 pm. Looking a few weeks ahead, Phil Angotti and Friends have a Beatles Brunch at FitzGerald’s On The Patio in Berwyn, IL on June 7.

The Ivy - Traces Of You - 2026 Tour, named after a 2025 album of previously unreleased Ivy songs recorded by band members Adam Schlesinger, Andy Chase, and Dominique Durand between 1995 and 2012, comes to Sony Hall in New York City this Thursday. Hopefully, the current version of Ivy will also perform songs from the band’s studio albums, such as Long Distance; guestroom; and realistic. The other venues on the Traces Of You Tour are the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles on May 27; and the Schellraiser Humboldt Hideaway venue in Wells, NV on May 30. Sadly, we lost Adam Schlesinger to COVID-19 in 2020.

Phil Yates of Chicago-based power pop band Phil Yates And The Affiliates has a solo gig coming up at Uncommon Ground - Lakeview on June 6. The Transference and Joe Dilillo are also on the bill that night.

Music On Stage, which has been staging plays in Palatine, IL for some time now, will perform Lionel Bart’s Oliver! starting this Saturday and running through May 24 at Cutting Hall. Billed as “freely adapted from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist,” the musical features book, music, and lyrics by Lionel Bart. Cutting Hall is located at 150 E. Wood Street in Palatine.

Monty Python’s The Holy Grail will continue its run through May 31 at the CIBC Theatre in downtown Chicago.