Weekend Reminders

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.

Neil Young will be 80 years old on November 12, and fans in Chicago can party a bit early this Sunday night at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue. Steve Dawson, Tommi Zender, Alton Smith, Gerald Dowd and John Abbey—all well-known musicians on the local scene—will perform a “career spanning” Neil Young tribute divided into an acoustic set and an electric one.

The 24th Annual International Pop Overthrow - New York festival opened tonight at The Parkside Lounge in Manhattan will run through this Sunday. Over 30 acts are scheduled to perform.

Revolution(s), Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s play about a soldier who returns from Afghanistan only to find his south side Chicago neighborhood also in turmoil, will finish its run at The Goodman Theatre this Sunday. Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine fame created the music and lyrics; and Steve H. Broadnax III is the director.

Marshall Crenshaw’s 40+ Years In Showbiz! tour will hit the east coast this weekend, with stops in Rochester, NH tomorrow; Fall River, MA on Saturday; and Northampton, MA on Sunday. James Mastro will be his opening act at each of those gigs. Crenshaw’s tour continues through November 25.

Prog rock will definitely be on the menu when the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band McLuhan shares a double bill with the local duo Esmeralda’s Boys this Saturday at the Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich, IL. There’s no cover charge; but a $15 donation is suggested.

The Black Harvest Film Festival opens tomorrow at the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago. Over 70 films from around the world will have their Chicago premieres as the festival runs through November 16.

Chicago-based power pop band/recording artists Dolph Chaney And The Phins will return to Montrose Saloon on November 8, along with Tall Grass Captains, Secret Forest Service, and Satellite Union.

The Chicago-based indie rock band Van Go can pick several impressive originals from their albums when they perform at The Gallery Cabaret on the city’s north side this Saturday at 9:00 pm. It’s being billed as the Van Go Live 2025 World Tour! One Night Only!

The WXRT Live From The XRT Concert Archives series continues tomorrow night at 9:00 pm with an April 16, 2000 performance by Smashing Pumpkins recorded at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. The concert can be heard on 93.1FM; 93XRT.com; and the Audacy app.

Chicago-based power pop band The Spindles will have two albums worth of catchy originals and well-chosen covers to draw from when they perform at 7:00 pm on November 8 at Shannon’s Deli in Lombard, Illinois. The country and western quartet Saddleman will perform their original tunes at 8:30 pm.

Robbie Schaefer and Danielle Wertz will perform Both Sides Now: The Music and Lives of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen at SPACE in Evanston, IL this Sunday. Created by Schaefer and Wertz, the piece is billed as a theatrical concert with a cabaret style ambience.

Incoming

Tickets go on sale this Friday for at least three concerts on the Ivy - Traces Of You - 2026 Tour. The venues and dates are Park West in Chicago on May 14; Sony Hall in New York City on May 21; and Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles on May 27. A post on the band’s Facebook page suggests a fourth place will be added. Traces Of You, the 10-track album of previously unreleased Ivy songs recorded by band members Adam Schlesinger, Andy Chase, and Dominique Durand between 1995 and 2012, was released this past September. Sadly, we lost Adam Schlesinger to COVID-19 in 2020.

WXRT’s legendary radio personality Terri Hemmert will share some of her favorite holiday songs during an in-store appearance at Treetime Christmas Creations (22102 N. Pepper Road) in Lake Barrington from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm this Thursday. Those interested are advised to guarantee their space at the event by registering in advance.

Wicked Cool Records and Little Steven’s Underground Garage will present The Chesterfield Kings Christmas Show with special guests The Grip Weeds on December 13 at Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport, NY.

Robbie Schaefer and Danielle Wertz will perform Both Sides Now: The Music and Lives of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen at SPACE in Evanston, IL this Sunday. Created by Schaefer and Wertz, the piece is billed as a theatrical concert with a cabaret style ambience.

Boz Scaggs, who was recently nominated for the Songwriters Hall Of Fame, will bring his Rhythm Review Tour 2025 to the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago tomorrow night. In addition to playing his well-known hits, Scaggs will be showcasing his new Detour album.

Garbage will perform songs from their new album Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, as well as hits such as “I’m Only Happy When It Rains” and “Stupid Girl” at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles tomorrow night. The concert is part of a tour that will also take them to Mexico City; Auckland, New Zealand; and various locations in Australia. Los Angeles glam rock band Starcrawler will be the opening act tomorrow.

Chicago-based power pop band The Spindles will have two albums worth of catchy originals and well-chosen covers to draw from for their 7:00 pm gig this Saturday at Shannon’s Deli in Lombard, Illinois. The country and western quartet Saddleman will perform their original tunes at 8:30 pm.

Revolution(s), Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s play about a soldier who returns from Afghanistan only to find his south side Chicago neighborhood also in turmoil, will finish its run at The Goodman Theatre this Sunday. Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine fame created the music and lyrics; and Steve H. Broadnax III is the director.

Chicago-based power pop band Dolph Chaney And The Phins will return to Montrose Saloon on November 8, along with Tall Grass Captains, Secret Forest Service, and Satellite Union.

Prog rock will definitely be on the menu when the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band McLuhan shares a double bill with the local duo Esmeralda’s Boys this Saturday at the Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich, IL. There’s no cover charge; but a $15 donation is suggested.

Sunday Papers

The Who have released a 7 CD/Blu-Ray Super Deluxe Edition Box Set of their 1978 album Who Are You. Fans get all that for $124.98, plus a 100-page hardcover book with sleeve notes by Matt Kent and Steven Wilson; previously unpublished photos; and memorabilia. A Deluxe 4 LP Edition is available for $89.98, and there’s a Deluxe 2 CD Edition for $19.98. As always, The Who have other splendid items available in their online store, including t-shirts, posters, a hoodie, and a tote bag.

Ratboys, the Chicago-based indie rock band whose 2023 album The Window made quite an impression with local fans and the media, have a new album coming out on February 6. Singin’ To An Empty Chair is available for pre-order on the Ratboys Bandcamp page; and the two tracks already available —“Light Night Mountains All That” and “Anywhere”—are both impressive.

Tickets for The Smithereens with Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill concert at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL are now on sale. Cowsill and Peterson, who released an album together earlier this year, have become regular guests at live gigs by The Smithereens.

As recently noted by Tammy Easter, Admin for the official Let’s Active Facebook page, an Easter And Gang Play Let’s Active concert led by founding member Mitch Easter will take place on November 29 at The Ramkat in Winston - Salem, NC. The band’s entire catalog was newly remastered and will be released on streaming sites in late November.

Chicago-based power pop band The Spindles will have two albums worth of catchy originals and well-chosen covers to draw from when they perform at 7:00 pm on November 8 at Shannon’s Deli in Lombard, Illinois. The country and western quartet Saddleman will perform their original tunes at 8:30 pm.

International Pop Overthrow - Boston returns for its 22nd year on November 12 – 15 at The Square Root venue. This will be the penultimate IPO bash for 2025; with International Pop Overthrow - Toronto scheduled for November 21 – 23 at The Painted Lady.

Revolution(s), Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s play about a soldier who returns from Afghanistan only to find his south side Chicago neighborhood also in turmoil, has opened at The Goodman Theatre. Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine fame created the music and lyrics; and Steve H. Broadnax III is the director. Revolution(s) runs through November 9.

As noted on the WXRT Facebook page and by WBEZ staffer Mike Davis in a recent issue of the Chicago Sun-Times, David Byrne and Mala Gaonhar’s immersive event Theater Of The Mind will have a Chicago-only run in March at the Reid Murdoch Center in the downtown area. Theater Of The Mind will be the directed by Andrew Scoville and produced by the Goodman Theatre.

In other WXRT news, long-time radio personality Terri Hemmert, or Aunt Terri as she’s affectionately known, will make an in-store appearance at Treetime Christmas Creations (22102 N. Pepper Road) in Lake Barrington from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm on November 6. She’ll “share her favorite holiday musical selections” in what’s being billed as a holiday season kick-off celebration. Those interested are advised to guarantee their space at the event by registering in advance.

The Gram Fest - Cosmic American Music Festival is taking place on November 22 at the Joshua Tree Cultural Center - Blak Box Theater in Joshua Tree, CA. Performers include Sin City All Stars with special guests Jonny Kaplan And Friends, plus numerous other acts.

Chicago-based power pop band Dolph Chaney And The Phins will return to Montrose Saloon on November 8, along with Tall Grass Captains, Secret Forest Service, and Satellite Union.

In a move I’m willing to bet nobody saw coming, Australian garage rockers Hoodoo Gurus will be backed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on January 29 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The listing on the Ticketek site promises the band’s material will be “reimagined on an epic scale, with orchestral arrangements bringing fresh energy and grandeur.” Sure sounds like fun.

For rock fans who love to travel. Iggy Pop; Joan Jett And The Blackhearts; Hoodoo Gurus; and ZED will share a tour in Auckland, New Zealand next year on January 23, 26, and 31. Six months later, Hoodoo Gurus will be one of the headline acts down under at the Birdsville Big Red Bash. It’s being promoted as The Most Remote Music Festival In The World.

WGN Radio’s cultural- and civic-minded program Outside The Loop will celebrate its 1,000th episode with a live taping at the FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn, IL on November 22. Singer-songwriter AJ Rosales, who recently released the impressive new album Phasedrift, will be a featured guest.

The John And Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Live At The One To One Concert boxset is available to pre-order at the online Official John Lennon Store. Recorded live at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 30, 1972, the concert is available in 9 CD + 3 Blu-Ray Boxset; 4 LP; 2 CD; 2 LP, and 1 CD formats.

Congratulations to former WGN radio host and current creator/host of the Radio Misfits Podcast Networks Nick Digilio on the release of his 40 Years, 40 Films book. It’s now available from Eckhartz Press.

Paul McCartney’s Got Back North American Tour 2025 continues its run with concerts tonight and tomorrow in Atlanta. Upcoming shows include Nashville; Columbus; Pittsburgh; Buffalo; and Montreal. The long and winding road ends with concerts at the United Center on November 24 and 25, which means Chicago area fans will have something fun to talk about with their families at Thanksgiving dinner.

Prog rock will definitely be on the menu when the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band McLuhan shares a double bill with the local duo Esmeralda’s Boys on November 8 at the Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich, IL. There’s no cover charge; but a $15 donation is suggested. 

The Chicago-based Super Creeps David Bowie tribute band has a performance coming up on November 15 at Montrose Saloon with special guests The Means (Of Joy Division) and that man of many bands, Eric Chial.

Tickets are now on sale for Gladys Knight’s concert with special guest saxophone player Harold Dawson on November 13 at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL. Knight recorded several rhythm and blues classics, including “Midnight Train To Georgia,” “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” and “If I Were Your Woman.”

Coming up on February 6, The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles will present the double bill of The Lovin’ Spoonful With The Hollies Greatest Hits Starring Terry Sylvester. Long-time Hollies fans will recognize Sylvester as the musician who replaced Graham Nash in the late 1960s and stayed with them for a few decades.

Robert Plant, whose Saving Grace album with vocalist Suzi Dian is now available, has two concerts with her coming up in Chicago. They’ll be at The Vic Theatre on November 12, and at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on November 13.

Tickets are now on sale for the Desert Rock - A Tribute To The Laurel Canyon Music Scene event coming February 6 to The Raue Center For The Arts in Crystal Lake, IL. The two-hour multimedia show will celebrate the music of Linda Ronstadt; CSNY; The Byrds; Buffalo Springfield; Loggins And Messina; Poco; JD Souther; Warren Zevon; Lowell George; Tom Waits; Gram Parsons; and others.

The 28th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute will be held on November 16 and 17 at Uncommon Ground Lakeview venue on Chicago’s north side.

FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL has issued a low ticket warning for the Chris And Heather’s Country Calendar Show involving several performers from the Chicago music scene on December 6. Even if you can’t make the show, I highly recommend finding a way to buy the Heather’s calendar because it’s always a masterpiece.

Cheap Trick’s latest album, All Washed Up, is due out November 14. The band has already teased fans with the songs “The Riff That Won’t Quit” and “Twelve Gates.”

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan’s new album titled Better Broken is now available; with the title track being the first single. Her 2025 North American tour will include a stop at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on November 22.

The Webstirs, a Chicago-based band that’s been a reliable source for well-crafted and witty indie rock, will release its next album, High Up In The Trees, on November 14. They’ll perform a free show in the Sidebar at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL that night, with special guests Sunshine Boys.

A Carnival Of Grey And White, the latest and long-awaited album from the Milwaukee-based power pop band Trolley is now available on Bandcamp. In addition to the catchy title track and Elvis Costello style “As Long As I Can Find You,” which were previously released as teasers, other energetic gems include “Leaving You Behind,” “Stepping Up,” and “Radio Silence.”

The Saint Rocke venue in Hermosa Beach, CA has a fun double bill of Flamin Groovies and The Pandoras coming up on November 19.

Halloween Song: “This Is Halloween”

And now, the final spooky song from the BHT haunted vault for the October 2025. Have a safe and wonderful Halloween.

Danny Elfman emerged as a spooky presence in the 1980s when he fronted Oingo Boingo on hit songs such as “Dead Man’s Party” (see my October 19 post) and “Stay.” His quirky energy and maniacal grin, along with that deep voice, made lines like “Leave your body and soul at the door” simultaneously threatening and fun. He moved on to writing scores for Tim Burton movies like Beetlejuice, Batman, Corpse Bride and Sleepy Hollow. His best work might have been for Burton's dual holiday feature The Nightmare Before Christmas, which gave us the angst-ridden and unforgettable hero Jack Skellington.

“This Is Halloween”, one of the many highlights from the soundtrack, ushers us into the holiday town via an ominous beat, full orchestra, and operatic choruses. Comic voices abound as several creepy residents introduce themselves: “I am the one hiding under your bed./Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red.” Elfman’s clever rhyming couplets and macabre humor make “This Is Halloween” an enduring classic.

With the holiday now upon us, homeowners across America await the arrival of trick-or-treaters. Depending on how authentic the kids’ costumes are, playing “This Is Halloween” could be the perfect soundtrack as they make their way up your front steps. Just be sure to dole out enough candy to keep them satisfied.

Halloween Song: Charming Disaster - “Disembodied Head”

Another post from the BHT haunted vault, the second tonight, following my Weekend Reminders post.

I discovered the Brooklyn-based, goth-folk duo Charming Disaster via a Facebook post promoting a four-act gig at Reggies Music Joint in Chicago in 2023. Considering the dark and catchy tunes such as “Monsters,” “Grimoire,” and “Bat Song” on their album Super Natural History, you’d feel lucky to have Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris show up at your Halloween party. And probably a little afraid.

On “Disembodied Head,” Bisker and Morris take a mad scientist movie cliché and explore how it would actually feel, using imagination and clever wordplay. “Wake one day and here you are/You’re just a brain inside a jar,” they sing over a sparse guitar arrangement. “Now what you get is what you see/You’re on your own got nobody.” The song might also serve as a satire on meditation and the dangers of overthinking things. At any rate, it’s fun.

Halloween Song: R. Dean Taylor - “There’s A Ghost In My House”

Another post from the BHT haunted vault.

Even for those who haven’t seen the 2021 U.K. thriller Last Night In Soho, it’s well worth checking out the soundtrack. It’s packed with music from the Swinging ‘60s era, ranging from international hit singles to songs that were particular to the English charts. That’s where R. Dean Taylor’s “There’s A Ghost In My House” found success in 1974, after collecting dust since being recorded for the American label Tamla Motown in 1966. Although it was composed by the stellar writing team of Holland, Dozier, Holland, with help from Taylor, Tamla Motown didn’t see its potential. I had never heard this song before buying the Last Night In Soho soundtrack, but was immediately hooked by it.

“There’s A Ghost In My House” isn’t about a real haunting; it’s a series of clever, quick rhymes describing how much a guy misses his former girlfriend. “Where our love used to be,” Taylor sings to an arrangement that deftly melds classic soul with guitar-driven garage rock, “Only shadows from the past I see.” Taylor hears footsteps on the stairs, and feels fingertips running through his hair even though he’s all alone. He confesses, “In my mind, I know you’re gone, but my heart keeps holding on.” The song would make a perfect segue after The Electric Prunes nugget “I Had Too Much To Dream” on a Halloween party playlist.

Note: The video link to “There’s A Ghost In My House” on YouTube takes a few moments to kick in. It’s a funny match to a vintage Fred Astaire clip.

Weekend Reminders

Photo by Josh Darr, from official David Byrne 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.

Here’s a warm Broken Hearted Toy welcome to former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, who’ll finish a three-day series of concerts at The Auditorium Theatre in Chicago tomorrow night. Byrne, who’s in the midst of his Who Is The Sky? Tour, was recently named as one of the nominees for the Songwriters Hall Of Fame 2026 Induction & Awards Gala.

British singer/author Wesley Stace (formerly John Wesley Harding) has an 8:00 pm gig tonight at The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Dag Juhlin, who’s been part of Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy’s R.E.M. Tribute tours as well as being a member of several Chicago area bands, will be the opening act.

Halloweekend, the annual event featuring local musicians performing as famous rock acts, takes place tonight and tomorrow at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. Twelve local acts will pay tribute to rock and roll stars over two nights—including Androgynous Mustache as Oingo Boingo; Amazing Heeby Jeebies as Gun Club; and Phil Angotti as Creedence Clearwater Revival tonight. Tomorrow’s showcase includes The Well Respected Men as The Kinks; Rachel Drew as The Cure; and Dancing Horses as Echo And The Bunnymen. For the full lineup, check my October 18 post, or the Montrose Saloon website.

He just won’t stop imitating rock stars. Phil Angotti and The Damn Torpedoes will perform Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers songs at the Reclaimed Bar (3655 N. Western) in Chicago tomorrow night. On Sunday, Phil Angotti and Friends have a Beatles Brunch scheduled at FitzGerald’s at noon. As with his Halloweekend performance, Angotti will be backed by a different cast of well-known Chicago musicians at each of these gigs.

Tickets for The Smithereens with Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL go on sale tomorrow morning at 10:00 am.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has scheduled Special Halloween Performances of its current production Paranormal Activity for tomorrow night at 6:00 and 10:00 pm. It’s loosely based on Oren Peli’s 2007 movie, and from the reviews I’ve read in Chicago newspapers, it’s very frightening.

Jai Brenai Productions will present Funk-O-Ween: A Personified Funk Experience this Saturday at City Winery Chicago. The show starts at 7:30 pm and will honor James Brown, Rick James, Chaka Khan and Prince.

Quad Con is holding a Rockford Comic Con And Toy Show at the Cherryville Mall in Rockford, IL this Saturday and Sunday. There will be 70 vendors scattered around the shopping center. Admission is free.

Jeff Tweedy’s Twilight Overide Tour With Guest Macie Stewart will come to The Salt Shed this Saturday. Named after Tweedy’s recently released triple solo album, the equally ambitious North American/European tour will run through February 2026.

Chicago-based band The Neighbors will perform alternative rock and indie Americana tonight at Brudder’s. The music starts at 9:00 pm; the venue is located at 3600 N. Pulaski.

Chicago indie rockers The Handcuffs will take a break from recording their next album for a return visit to Mary’s Place in Rockford, IL this Saturday. The Attitudes will be their guest opener.

The Other Art Fair, a global and inventive effort from online gallery Saatchi Art to create a place “where the experience exists outside of four white walls,” is coming to Artifact Events in Chicago on this Friday through Sunday. The price of admission ranges from $18 to $312.50, depending which day you choose. Artifact Events is located at 4325 N. Ravenswood Avenue.

The Return Of The Flock show scheduled for November 1 at Park West on Chicago’s north side has been cancelled due to an injury to one of the band members. Hopefully, a make-up date for The Flock, a critically acclaimed jazz rock ensemble that was well ahead of its time in the 1960s, will be announced soon.

As noted by the well-traveled rock and roll drummer John LeQuesne in a Facebook post this morning, Grace Slick, the enchanting lead vocalist of Jefferson Airplane, is celebrating a birthday. Best wishes, Grace, and thanks for all those psychedelic gems.

Also, Happy Birthday and best wishes to Ken Stringfellow, a founding member of The Posies and a successful solo artist.

And now, on the eve of Halloween, let’s raise a magic potion toast to all the ambitious people around the world (and possibly the universe) putting last minute touches on their Halloween parties. Drink safely; drive sensibly, decorate imaginatively, frighten carefully, and conjure up the best playlist of spooky songs you can. I’ve been posting Halloween song profiles for most of this month for party planners looking for suggestions.