Paradise Artists
The new wave act ABC.
Retro Futura with Belinda Carlisle/ABC/Modern English/Tony Lewis/Annabella Lwin/Limahl
ABC coalesced in 1980 in Sheffield, England, and immediately made a splash in its home country with the post-punk-kissed single "Tears Are Not Enough," which became a Top 20 hit. The song later appeared on what many consider the band's masterpiece: 1982's The Lexicon of Love, a lavish, smoking jacket-clad nod to Roxy Music-style glam-pop, lounge-jazz crooning and plush synth-pop that spawned the global hits "Poison Arrow" and "The Look of Love." As the '80s progressed, ABC's fortunes ebbed and flowed, although the band continued to enjoy U.S. success. Although many new wave records sound dated, ABC's debonair futurism ensures that the band's '80s LPs have aged like fine wine. They join Belinda Carlisle, Modern English, Limahl from Kajagoogoo, Tony Lewis from the Outfield and Bow Wow Wow's Annabella Lwin on this '80s tour. (Annie Zaleski) 7:30 p.m., $48.50-$85.50. Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park.
SATURDAY, AUG. 4
Lemur Fest 4 Featuring Ryan Caraveo/Prince Ish/Nick Samps/Kent Archie/Bre Vibez/Freshy Ramone
For the past several years, local promoter Wallace Settles has hosted Lemur Fest, a hip-hop festival featuring rising talent, at the Grog Shop. The fourth annual rendition of the fest comes to the club tonight. Seattle-based Ryan Caraveo, an up-and-coming rapper who has received widespread acclaim for his new album, At Least I Tried, will headline the event, and locals such as Prince Ish, Kent Archie and Nick Samps will round out the bill. (Jeff Niesel), 8 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Grog Shop.
Lindsey Stirling
A motivational speaker in her spare time, Lindsey Stirling has emerged as a self-described "electronic music impresario" in the wake of the release of her 2012 self-titled debut. A violinist, dancer and artist followed up the success of her debut with her sophomore effort Shatter Me. Her literary debut, The Only Pirate at the Party, which she co-wrote with her sister Brook S. Passey, became a New York Times Bestseller. Tonight, she comes to town in support of her latest effort, Brave Enough, which draws from classical, EDM and Celtic rock, making it sound like a cross between Enya and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. (Niesel) 8 p.m., $36. Jacobs Pavilion.
SUNDAY, AUG. 5
Maroon 5/Lee Brice
The pop/rock juggernaut that is Maroon 5 launched some 20 years ago in Los Angeles. Formed out out of the ashes of alternative rock act Kara's Flowers, the band quickly topped the charts with "Harder to Breathe," a song that successfully straddled the rock/pop line. Lead singer Adam Levine's career now eclipses that of the band. A coach on NBC's reality talent show The Voice, he's become a celebrity-at-large and carries himself with the kind of pretentious that comes with the turf. Expect him to display his "moves like Jagger" at tonight's show, part of the Concert for Legends at the NFL Hall of Fame. (Jeff Niesel) 8 p.m., $50-$275. Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Old 97's/Pedigo’s Magic Pilsner
The Old 97’s are more than just another angsty 90s/early 2000s rock band; they have always had a unique flare. The guys are effortlessly cool and stray away from sounding like they are trying too hard at any point in their catalogue. “Every Night Is Friday Night (Without You)” is a well-crafted grievance with perfectly blended instrumentals. “Champaign Illinois” is a morning after anthem that parallels a life that was wasted. The melancholy of the party lifestyle and the end of such days is expressed in the most insightful of ways. “Question” is a bit more stripped down. The acoustic ballad is about taking chances, living and learning, something we can really get behind. (Halle Weber), 8 p.m., $20. Beachland Ballroom.
