A look ahead at shows worth seeing (and hearing) this week ...

DAVID GUETTA
The No. 1 DJ in the world returns to raise the roof (possibly literally) at the Congress, ahead of a summer full of festival bookings, the return of the Electric Daisy Carnival and a residency in Las Vegas. The Frenchman knows he'll be in the motherland this weekend: "It's interesting because [dance] music was born in Chicago with house music and Detroit with techno, and we took it in Europe and turned it into something trendy and cool, crossing-over and playing it on the radio," he recently told the Hollywood Reporter.
At 7:30 p.m. May 25 at the Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $48.50-$125. Call (773) 276-1235; congresschicago.com.

DOWNTOWN SOUND
The city's annual free Downtown Sound concert series kicks off Monday evening with two underappreciated local heroes: Kelly Hogan, the former Rock*A*Teen longtime Chicago omnipresence, and Scott Lucas & the Married Men, the rootsy side of Local H's Lucas. Both have new albums due on June 5: Hogan's "I Like to Keep Myself in Pain," and "Blood Half Moon" from Lucas' Married Men.
At 6:30 p.m. May 28 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Admission is free. Visit the site.

A look ahead at shows worth seeing (and hearing) this week ...

BONNIE RAITT
One of rock's finest interpreters, Bonnie Raitt, 62, has re-emerged after a seven-year recording hiatus with yet another set of perfectly pleasant, well-chosen and occasionally daring songs, "Slipstream." With her honey-smooth voice and take-it-easy guitar playing, she'll hold down two nights this week in Chicago.
Marc Cohn opens at 7:30 p.m. May 19-20 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. Tickets: $39.50-$75. Call (800) 514-ETIX; jamusa.com.

FANTABULOSO
Another package show from WKSC-FM (103.5), the Fantabuloso bill features Enrique Iglesias (who's getting around this summer and will be at the United Center Aug. 3 with Jennifer Lopez), Gym Class Heroes, B.O.B., the Wanted, Karmin, Cobra Starship, Havana Brown, Neon Hitch, Dev and Outasight, Carly Rae Jepsen and -- just added -- Adam Lambert. That's a lot of short sets.
At 5:30 p.m. May 18 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd. in Rosemont. Tickets: $25-$95. Call (800) 745-3000; ticketmaster.com.

A look ahead at shows worth seeing (and hearing) this week ...

ST. VINCENT
Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent, is still touring on the strength of her visceral, alluring 2011 album "Strange Mercy," but she recently announced she's got another set coming in the fall -- a collaboration with Talking Heads frontman David Byrne. She was a monster at Coachella, so she might tear down the Vic.
At 7:30 p.m. May 11 at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield. Sold out.

A CELEBRATION OF LEVON HELM
Faculty and friends of Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music -- where legendary Band drummer Levon Helm just performed one of his star-studded Midnight Ramble shows in March -- gather this weekend to celebrate the life of the influential musician, who died in mid-April. Featured players include Steve Dawson, Nate Herman, Charles Kim, Steve Levitt, Arielle Luckmann, Colby Maddox and more.
At 7 p.m. May 13 at Old Town's Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $11-$12. Call (773) 728-6000; oldtownschool.org.

A look ahead at shows worth seeing (and hearing) this week ...

M83
It's not easy to sell a double album these days, but M83's "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming" contained at least one ringer: the masterful synth-driven single, "Midnight City," the best of 2011. Anthony Gonzalez says he penned it as a soundtrack to the little films in his head, and it's a cinematic sensation: even in concert, where the touring band is energetic and spunky, at least for a bunch of knob-twiddlers.
At 7:30 p.m. May 4 at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine. Sold out.

CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS
Lots of nostalgia nerds play old-timey music, but the Carolina Chocolate Drops aren't kidding around. This quartet salvages traditional rural tunes and styles (from the Carolinas, of course) that might otherwise be lost to warped 78s and crumbling sheet music. They also stir in more modern active ingredients; yes, there's fiddle and banjo, but there's also some occasional beat-boxing.
Bhi Bhiman and Po' Girl open at 9 p.m. May 5 at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $20. Call (773) 525-2508; lincolnhallchicago.com.

A look ahead at shows worth seeing (and hearing) this week ...

COUNTING CROWS
They haven't put out new music in a while -- the recent releases have been last year's live album, a solo album of covers by singer Adam Duritz and now a band album of covers, "Underwater Sunshine" (Bob Dylan, Richard Thompson, Teenage Fanclub) -- but the well-meaning '90s band is still known for putting on a great show.
At 7:30 p.m. April 22 at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine. Tickets: $47.50. Call (800) 514-ETIX; jamusa.com.

ORGANIK VIBE TRIO
Two-time Grammy winner and Chicago native Dave Samuels is looked to as one of the nation's top vibes players, playing with musicians as varied as Oscar Peterson and Chet Baker to Frank Zappa and Bruce Hornsby. Samuels returns home this weekend (after some time) with his jazz trio featuring Hammond B3 and drums.
At 9 p.m. April 20 at the Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway. Tickets: $12 at the door. Call (773) 878-5552; greenmilljazz.com.

A look ahead at shows worth seeing (and hearing) this week ...

THE FRAY
It was a spirited rearrangement of our national anthem, and it wouldn't have been so dreadful if the guitarist had just played in tune with the rest of the band. Fortunately, after the NCAA debacle earlier this month, the Fray has a lengthy tour to distract them. The "Greys Anatomy"-approved Denver quartet is supporting February's "Scars and Stories."
At 7:30 p.m. April 17 at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine. Tickets: $35. Call (800) 514-ETIX; jamusa.com.

MASTODON & OPETH
Mastodon, the critics-darling, heavy metal band, is finally touring its fifth album, "The Hunter" -- a straightforward, no-nonsense collection of screamers after several heavily themed albums. Written with performance in mind, the band plans to play it in its entirety during shows this spring, on a co-headlining tour with Swedish hard rockers Opeth.
At 7 p.m. April 13 at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine. Tickets: $35. Call (800) 514-ETIX; jamusa.com.

A look ahead at shows worth seeing (and hearing) this week ...

THE CRIBS
Britain's the Cribs, returning to life without guitarist Johnny Marr, spent some time in Chicago recording part of their upcoming album, "In the Belly of the Brazen Bull" (due May 8) with Steve Albini. The first single ahead of that effort is a stomping anthem for our fair city, "Chi-Town." The oft-repeated chorus goes, "Meet me down in Chi-Town / in Logan Square underground / You know the one / we were always there." Sing along when they return for a show this week.
At 8 p.m. April 9 at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. Tickets: $20. Call (773) 525-2508; schubas.com.

SBTRKT
Weren't we talking about dubstep all last year -- now there's post-dubstep? That's SBTRKT's forte, touring his turntables in support of a new self-titled album. The London musician-producer, born Aaron Jerome, is among the many masked DJs these days. His way with a tune, like "Wildfire," often sets him apart.
At 10 p.m. April 7 at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn. Tickets: $18.50 advance, $20.50 day of. Call (312) 923-2000; houseofblues.com/chicago.

A look ahead at shows worth seeing (and hearing) this week ...

HOWLER
This spunky Minneapolis quintet emerged as a popular favorite at this month's South by Southwest festival in Texas. They sound like a rollicking party where the Strokes and the Buzzcocks cover '50s rockabilly and doo-wop. It's definitely worth checking out at this free in-store show.
At 6:30 p.m. April 3 at Reckless Records, 3126 N. Broadway. Free. Call (773) 404-5080; reckless.com.

LEE RITENOUR
It's been a great couple of weeks for fans of modern guitar. First B.B. King, then George Benson, now acclaimed Los Angeles studio player (more than 3,000 sessions) and solo artist (more than 40 albums) Lee Ritenour takes a rare lap around the country. There's no new album -- he's got one in progress tentatively called "Rhythm Sections" -- just an opportunity to hear why his nickname is Captain Fingers.
At 8 p.m. April 4 at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse. Tickets: $28-$43. Call (773) 381-4554; maynestage.com.

A look ahead at shows worth seeing (and hearing) this week ...

JAMES MURPHY
He's turned off his LCD Soundsystem, and now electropop pioneer James Murphy is indulging in collaborations with other artists as well as his passion behind the turntable. With classic rock and new wave influences this deep, his DJ sets are rich and textural. He leads a dance bill that includes DJ LA Jesus, Mister Joshua and Kool Hersh.
At 10 p.m. March 23 at the Mid, 306 N. Halsted. Tickets: $20. Call 312-265-3990; themidchicago.com.

MIKE DOUGHTY
One of the most interesting musicians from the '90s, the leader of Soul Coughing now looks back on that decade as an unhappy time of addiction. He just published a memoir, The Book of Drugs, and he's reading from it during his current shows, which also include what's become a requisite feature for him: Q&A with the audience.
He's got two suburban shows this week, first at 7:30 p.m. March 22 at S.P.A.C.E., 1245 Chicago Ave. in Evanston ($32-$42; 847-492-8860; evanstonspace.com), then at 8:30 p.m. March 23 at the Montrose Room at the InterContinental Hotel, 5300 N. River Road in Rosemont ($25; 847-544-5300; montroseroom.com).

A look ahead at shows worth seeing (and hearing) this week ...

LEVON HELM
Revered classic rock drummer Levon Helm (the Band) regularly hosts "Midnight Rambles" at his Woodstock, N.Y., barn, and now he's taking the hootenannies on the road, touring with special guests Donald Fagen (Steely Dan) and guitarists Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett (Little Feat). His Chicago stop is a fund-raiser for the venue, thus the steep tickets.
At 5:30 p.m. March 16-17 at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $250. Call (773) 728-6000; oldtownschool.org.

THE BLACK KEYS
They've moved from small clubs to big theaters with lightning speed, and now hard-rocking duo the Black Keys are on their first arena tour. Don't expect a lot of pyro and stage sets, though. They're charging through songs from the latest album, "El Camino," and others with bare-bones panache and bare-knuckle force.
Arctic Monkeys open at 7:30 p.m. March 19 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: $39-$59. Call (800) 514-ETIX; jamusa.com.