Shovels and Rope
Shovels and Rope Photo: Molly Hayes

BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO

2/17 at 8 As zydeco music’s portal to mainstream pop, Stanley Dural Jr. (stage name Buckwheat) has earned spots alongside Eric Clapton, Bono, and Questlove for his virtuosic accordion playing. Expect an even-keeled career retrospective from the Louisiana native. $30–$42. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph. citywinery.com

NOAM PIKELNY

2/18 at 8 Free of his pop-folk counterparts in Punch Brothers, the banjoist takes his show on the road to preview a catalog of new solo songs (due out on an LP sometime this year). $25–$45. SPACE, 1245 Chicago, Evanston. ticketweb.com

JAKE SHIMABUKURO

2/1–2 More or less the Eddie Van Halen of ukulele, this Hawaiian virtuoso hit it big in 2006 when his rendition of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” became one of YouTube’s first viral videos. He’s since upped the rock-star lifestyle by signing to Epic Records, nabbing a litany of awards, and collaborating with the likes of Ziggy Marley and Béla Fleck. $45–$55. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph. citywinery.com

 

SHOVELS & ROPE

2/20 at 8 Headlining singer-songwriter Jason Isbell is worth the ticket to this rare Chicago Theatre folk show, but opener Shovels & Rope is the clincher. The wife-husband duo’s latest venture is Busted Jukebox, a covers album featuring a slew of unlikely folk renditions, such as “Last” by Nine Inch Nails and “Patience” by Guns N’ Roses. $40–$571. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. ticketmaster.com