Incoming

No need to fear these Zombies.

Think of today’s post as a mixed bag of Halloween candy and treats to be enjoyed later.

The Zombies’ third annual Begin Here Festival (following ones in 2023 and 2024) kicks off this Friday and will run through Sunday in St. Albans in the UK. It’s billed as a unique fan experience that includes lead vocalist Colin Blunstone performing a candlelight concert accompanied by composer/musician Dave Bainbridge and Q Strings. There will also be a record signing with Blunstone, Rod Argent, and other band members; Q and A sessions with band members; and a ‘60s-themed dance party.

The Chicago-based acid-folk trio Esmerelda’s Boys are regulars on the local club scene, and they have an album release event for their Hurt and the Eve of Destruction EP coming up this Sunday at Montrose Saloon. Special guests will include The Val Leventhal Band featuring Anne McIntyre; Patrick Reninger; Alpha Stewart; Pierce Crask and Ellis Clark; and Eric Chial and friends.

The 50th Anniversary Who By Numbers album by The Who becomes available this Friday. The band has released a very fun Acoustic Stripped Mix of their 1975 hit single “Squeeze Box,” along with an animated video (inspired by John Entwistle’s art for the original album cover) that can be viewed on YouTube.

Join together, lend a hand. The Music Moves Mountains Foundation, a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity organization that uses music to assist people experiencing medical issues, will present A Tribute To Keith Moon all ages event this Sunday at Central Machine Brewery Works in Austin, Texas. Special guests will include Gregg Bissonette; Stephen Perkins; Michael Jerome; and Keith’s daughter Mandy Moon. In addition to live performances, there will be a silent auction to benefit the Music Moves Mountains Foundation.

Cole’s Bar on Chicago’s north side has a Gay Halloween event planned for this Friday that will feature Naked Brunch covering songs by Queen; Calico Loco honoring My Chemical Romance; and Jenny Scara performing Justin Bieber material. The entertainment starts at 9:00 pm; Cole’s Bar is located at 2338 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

Police vocalist-bassist Sting, who has found success with the band as well as with his solo career, will bring his 3.0 Tour to Montreal, QC tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday. Looking ahead to 2027, Sting has several Las Vegas Residency shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in March and October.

The hard-hitting, feminist band L7 (“When We Pretend That We’re Dead,” “Shit List”) will bring its The Last Hurrah Tour 2026 to The Vic Theatre in Chicago this Sunday.

Now don’t that make you feel a whole lot better? Congratulations to The B-52’s on earning a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, in front of Amoeba Music store. The ceremony will be held this Wednesday at 11:30 am.

The Second Summer, a Chicago-based alt rock/power pop band, will likely showcase its new single “Underwater” when they perform as part of the local label Hardstop Records’ showcase taking place on Sunday at the Bookclub in Chicago. Label mates Hollow Bastion and The Transference will also be on the bill.

Marshall Crenshaw’s Fall 2026 Tour, with special guests Sarah Borges and Eric Ambel, kicks off tomorrow in Toronto, ON and will continue through November 23. Crenshaw will be backed once again by musicians Fernando Perdomo and Derrick Anderson on this tour, which brings Crenshaw to The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago on Halloween night.

The FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn, IL will present the Dead Sullivan’s Retro Rock & Roll Halloween Bash this Thursday. The Facebook post describes this event as “A vintage rock and roll dance party featuring smashed hits from the 50s/60s by “Bloody” Holly, “Scary” Lee Lewis, and the “Ghoul” Groups of the 60s.” “Dead” Sullivan will serve as host, while Zachary Stevenson & Friends provide live music. General admission is $15; minors can only attend if accompanied by a guardian; costumes are encouraged.

The Hideout Chicago venue on the city's north side will hold its 30th Anniversary Chic-A-go-go Halloween Dance Party at noon on Halloween.

Carrollton, TX garage rock band Shortwaves will perform on Halloween at the Bearded Lady venue in Ft. Worth, TX. The Facebook post sports a hip-looking Frankenstein illustration, so there might be some scary tunes involved. There’s no cover charge, and the show starts at 6:00 pm.

Singer-guitarist Michael Steven Cohen, a former member of the power pop bands The Abbeys and Pop Dollys, has embarked on a successful career playing selections from The Great American Songbook at dinner clubs. I’ve never known him to be frightening, but maybe he can perform a few spooky toe-tappers at his show in the lounge at Chicago Prime Italian in Schaumburg on Halloween night.

Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side will present a three-night Halloweekend this year, which means there will be even more local bands masquerading as famous acts. This very fun event has been around for several years in various clubs, and seems to have found a permanent home at Montrose Saloon. There’s a lot to recommend, but here are a few prime examples: Everly Hillbillies as The Everly Brothers; John Aselin as Roky Erikson; Rachel Drew as Siouxsie And The Banshees; Ellis Clark as Badfinger; Amazing Heeby Jeebies as The Cramps; and Phil Angotti as Sting. Admission for these 21+ shows is $20 each night; the Thursday showcase starts at 7:00 pm; and at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.

The Soul Avengers, a Chicago-based quartet featuring Steve Dawson, Alton Smith, Bill Brickey, and Chris Greene will return to Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL on Halloween night. Nothing in their Facebook event announcement suggests a haunting theme, but there’s sure to be plenty of cool music.

You’re also sure to find some Halloween fun on the radio. For example, The Razor And Die Annual Spooktacular can be heard from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, October 30 at WLUW88.7FM and WLUW.Org.