Pop icon Richard Marx dominated the 1980s airwaves and Walkmans with his smooth ballads “Right Here Waiting” and “Hold On to the Nights,” along with slew of more pointed and poppy hits, including “Should’ve Known Better” and the Grammy-nominated “Don’t Mean Nothing.” But the Highland Park-raised musician didn’t stop there; he picked up a second career writing songs for other musicians, including Keith Urban’s smash hit “Long Hot Summer.” Marx pays a visit this weekend to Crystal Lake’s Raue Center for the Arts for what might be the perfect late-Valentine’s Day date (ahem!). At the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $49-$56. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17
Chicago treasure Mavis Staples is a slow-burning highlight on our music scene — her gospel roots informing her rhythm and blues persona for years locally and nationally before inspiring her to dabble in hip-hop, rock and pop. In the last two decades of her trailblazing 67-year career, Staples has worked with other performers, including Bob Dylan, Ice Cube and Ludacris — her acoustic recordings with local musical anchor Jeff Tweedy produced the standout “Wrote a Song for Everyone” — and won her first Grammy for the 2010 album “You Are Not Alone.” She brings her legendary spirit to the Chicago Symphony Center with special guest Phil Cook. At Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $35-$75. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17
Revolt Coda is 100 percent fun to watch. With two EPs available online and another due for the studio this summer, the band — now in its third year jamming on local stages — has a strong recording game. But the magic comes when they’re in the spotlight. Zac Conforti, a former Naperville resident, channels pure rock power in his lead vocals, supported by Santino Carbonaro’s front-and-center jamming on bass and Dallas Moreland’s classic rock rhythms. And once Sal Rizzo straps on his guitar, he barely touches the ground with his gravity-defying moves. Catch the live show and their new songs (watch them play with the highs and lows of rock dynamics on “Sex Sells”) when they headline at Joe’s on Weed Street with Johnny Kilroy, Brandon James, The Giving Moon and Dina Bach. At Joe’s on Weed Street, 940 W. Weed St., Chicago. $8. (312) 337-3486 or joesonweedst.com. 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23
The curtain rises on the annual Dunn Dunn Fest Thursday, bringing together some of the best and brightest musical talent — a solid mix of touring and local acts — to six venues in Chicago this year: Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.; Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave.; Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave.; Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia; Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave.; Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted St. The fest, which kicks off its fifth year Thursday, Feb. 16, and runs through Saturday, Feb. 18, features nearly 50 acts, with roughly half from Chicago and the suburbs.
Hey, are you in a band? Chicago’s Cubby Bear and MER are co-sponsoring an open panel discussion featuring Eric Olsen (of Kickstand Productions), George Medic (of White Couch Productions and The Wire) and Josh Niemiera (of Double D Booking) with some tips and tricks to help you book more local shows. Meet other area musicians and promoters and enjoy a performance by indie folk rockers The Regular. And it’s free! At Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. Free. (773) 327-1662, facebook.com or cubbybear.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23
Fool House, Coverlicious: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Dear Dario, Ars Nova, Ode, The Flat Rats: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at Joe’s on Weed Street, 940 W. Weed St., Chicago. $10-$15. (312) 337-3486 or joesonweedst.com.
Mike & Joe: 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at Trophy Room, 170 W. Ontario St., Chicago. $12.35. (312) 600-6920 or trophyroombar.com.
Ship Captain Crew, Skylines, Ugly Sweater Party, Heavenfaced, Heading West: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Subterranean (downstairs), 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
Here Come the Mummies, The North 41: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $25. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.
Save the Clocktower, Gallery-81, Ember Oceans, Royal Outsiders: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $6-$8. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
Todd and the Ten Pins: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Paddy O’Fegans, 204 N. Halsted St., Chicago. (312) 997-3100 or paddyofegans.com.
Sweet Figurines, 13-Monsters, The Turdles: 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $7-$10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Judas Beast: 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Express Yourself with Watermät at Afterlife: 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. $5. (630) 291-5986 or afterlifechi.com.
Game of Thrones Live: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $19-$291. (312) 455-4500 or unitedcenter.com.
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