It may be winter, but Chicago concert bookings haven’t slowed down. Here’s a sampling of some of the more notable shows in the next few months (listed chronologically):
Buddy Guy: At age 80, Guy remains a guitar visionary with a sheets-of-sound tone that influenced everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton and beyond. His annual monthlong hometown residencies give him additional incentive to stretch out. 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Buddy Guy’s Legends, 700 S. Wabash Ave., $55; www.buddyguy.com
Saba: One of the key players in Chicago’s new wave of hip-hop artists, Saba released one of the year’s best mixtapes, “Bucket List Project.” It underlines his talent for genre-busting melodies and arrangements. 6:30 p.m. Friday at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., $15 and $18; www.lh-st.com
Alejandro Escovedo: The Texas rocker is joined by R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, Kurt Bloch and the Decemberists’ John Moen for a show that will spotlight their most recent collaboration, the excellent “Burn Something Beautiful” album. 8 p.m. Jan. 26-28 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., $40-$55; www.citywinery.com
Ryley Walker: The guitarist brings a jazz sensibility to his songs on stage, and leaves plenty of room to stretch the arrangements with his ace band of musicians. 8 p.m. Feb. 1 at Space, Evanston, $15 and $25; www.evanstonspace.com
Drive-By Truckers: The recent “American Band” is among the Truckers’ best albums in a two-decade career, with its mix of rage and introspection. 8 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield, $30; www.jamusa.com
Japandroids: The Vancouver power duo of singer-guitarist Brian King and drummer David Prowse returns with its first album in four years, “Near To the Wild Heart of Life.” 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., $35; www.jamusua.com
Run the Jewels: Killer Mike and El-P revivify the glory of tag-team rap vocals on a series of hard-hitting albums, and their no-nonsense, high-energy shows throw one knockout punch after another. 8 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., $30.50; www.jamusa.com
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic: The funk master is calling this the “Mardi Gras Madness Tour” and special guests are promised. What’s certain is that the songs remain a party that can’t be stopped. 8 p.m. Feb. 19 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., $38-$58; www.thaliahallchicago.com
Wilco: A four-night hometown residency by one of Chicago’s best bands — what’s not to like? 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22, 23, 25 and 26 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., $49.50-$85; www.jamusa.com
MO: Karen Marie Orsted rides the moment generated by her Major Lazer collaboration “Lean On” with a show that blends buoyant and dreamy electro-pop. 7 p.m. March 13 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., $24 and $26; www.metrochicago.com
Ariana Grande: The pop singer with 11 top-40 hits will be joined by guests Little Mix and Victoria Monet. 7:30 p.m. March 14 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., $29.95-$199.95; www.ticketmaster.com
Vince Staples: Chronicling a hardscrabble childhood in Long Beach, Calif., on an acclaimed 2015 album, “Summertime ’06,” Staples is now ready for his first major national tour. 8 p.m. March 19 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., $20; www.metrochicago.com
Greg Kot is a Tribune critic.
Twitter @gregkot
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