Weekend Reminders

Weekend Reminders on 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.

International Pop Overthrow - Liverpool 2026 will kick 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.

Two good local bands for the price of nothing. The Webstirs (9:00 pm) and The Imperial Sound with Rachel Drew (10:00 pm) will perform this Saturday night at FitzGerald’s Side Bar in Berwyn, IL. Admission is free. In related news, The Imperial Sound’s energetic new single titled “Coming Out To Fid You” is available to download on Bandcamp.

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.

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 weekend with shows in Bristol tomorrow; Cardiff on Saturday; and Coventry on Sunday. The tour runs through May 28.

The Chris Greene Quartet will no doubt perform songs from their new Pravda Records album Conversance as they celebrate their 21st anniversary this Sunday at Evanston SPACE. A recent Facebook post states that general admission tickets are almost sold out.

Joe Shanahan, who’s been running the Chicago venue Metro for several years, is also an adventurous DJ. He’ll be spin funk, punk, and soul songs during his all-vinyl set at GMan Tavern this Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. And he says we should bring all our friends.

Avid record collectors in the northwest Illinois suburbs can now show off their favorite acquisitions before a live audience. The Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights recently started a New Vinyl Fridays series in which participants can sign up at 8:30, and hear their album played at some point after 9:30. As a recent Hey Nonny email noted, “You provide the record, we provide the player.”

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.

Music On Stage, which has been staging plays in Palatine, IL for some time now, will wrap up its performances of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! this Sunday 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.