Friday 1
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STARLISTER Last summer in this paper, I wrote about Starlister front man Loren Wilson, who used statistical software to analyze record reviews on Pitchfork, generate guidelines for writing critic-pleasing songs, and whip up some would-be critic-pleasing songs of his own. Starlister’s “If I Leave Without You,” a track on Hyde Five, a compilation released in April on Wilson’s Mr. Hyde label, wasn’t written with the help of algorithms. But if they ever do come up with songwriting software that gives instructions like “1) Steal the beat from ‘Jungle Boogie’ 2) Overdub six Kevin Shields-like guitar parts over it and 3) Imitate Michael McDonald as faithfully as possible,” I’d at least download a free version to tinker with. Scotland Yard Gospel Choir headlines; Summer at Shatter Creek opens. 10 PM, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, 773-276-3600 or 800-594-8499, $8. –J. Niimi
TOOTS & THE MAYTALS Frederick “Toots” Hibbert sure got the red-carpet treatment when True Love (V2) came out last year: the celebrity-drenched album helped score the reggae pioneer a Saturday Night Live slot with the Roots and Bootsy Collins (“Toots, Roots, and Boots”), a Grammy, and a Bonnaroo set. But while it’s very nice to see the man get his due, I’m looking forward to a Toots & the Maytals album that’s 100 percent Clapton-free. Steel Pulse headlines. See also Saturday. 9 PM, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, 312-923-2000 or 312-559-1212, $29.50 in advance, $31 at the door, 18+. –Monica Kendrick
Sunday 3
PETER HIMMELMAN BAND This LA singer-songwriter-guitarist is 45 years old, which I find hard to believe–I mean, hasn’t he been around forever? Maybe it’s just that he seems to be everywhere: he dabbles in film, TV, and children’s music and still finds the energy to make his own records, which are funny, piercing, and have a bone-deep R & B sensibility that’s unusual in confessional pop. His latest, Imperfect World (Majestic), uses Hammond organ and spastic, aching guitar to express, among other things, a naked lament for his late sister and a defiant cry to God. David Singer & the Sweet Science open. See also Wednesday. 8 PM, Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, 773-525-2508 or 312-559-1212, $25. –Monica Kendrick
HUNCHES Last year’s Hobo Sunrise (In the Red), the latest album from this Portland quartet, is so overheated and humid that the very thought of playing it in July seems to add insult to injury. But it’s worth the sweat: the band joyously pushes garage cliches to their noisy limit, then subverts them by revealing a pop-loving heart at just the right moment. The Hot Machines and the Busy Signals open. 10 PM, Subterranean, 2011 W. North, 773-278-6600 or 800-594-8499, $10. –Monica Kendrick
