The Magnetic Fields

Wow. Sunshine? Non-freezing temperatures? Is this really Chicago? Better enjoy it. Knowing this place, a blizzard is waiting in the wings before Spring has officially sprung.

Don’t have plans yet? Plenty of great shows this weekend including Sonoi at the Hideout, Gauge and Goatwhore at Bottom Lounge, the Magnetic Fields at Harris Theatre and more!

But first, a reminder that Loud Loop Radio will be back on the air tomorrow, Saturday, March 6, at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Radio DePaul.

Lets get to it, shall we?

FRIDAY

SONOI
Chicago experimental indie-rock outfit Sonoi haven’t released their debut album yet, but they’re already taking the city’s live scene by storm. Tonight they’ll the Hideout where they made their live debut a little more than a year ago, and then they’ll hit the road for Brooklyn where they’ll open for Califone. Keep your eyes on Loudlooppress.com as we’ll have a review soon-to-be-released self-titled record. Additionally, tonight’s bill sports Chicago roots rocker Judson Claiborne and Erien Caffall. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 3/5. The Hideout. 21+. $8.

SATURDAY

GAUGE
Oh, so you missed their surprise show last night at Ronny’s? Well, you have another chance to see them on Saturday night at the Bottom Lounge. Never heard of Gauge? Understandable seeing how they’ve been broken up for the past 16 years. Gauge are the type of band that I idolized in high school from the post-hardcore Slint, Fugazi and Braid school of rock. Loud, abrasive, raucous and singing by the lead vocalist wasn’t a necessity. For a type of music that seemingly belonged to high school kids in the 1990’s, it’s very interesting to see them much older and wiser playing their old tunes again. RUNNER, American Heritage and Big Science open. (Richard Giraldi)

8:00 p.m. Saturday, 3/6. Bottom Lounge. 17+. $10.

CIMM FEST
Care to learn a little history while taking in some grand local countrified music? Then check out the CIMM Fest (Chicago International Movies and Music Festival) this Saturday at the St. Paul’s Community Center (2215 W. North Ave.). Friend of the site Lawrence Peters will be there along with his outfit, the aptly named Lawrence Peters Outfit to play an original score during a screening of The Plow That Broke the Plains, a documentary on the causes, both natural and man-made, that lead to the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s. The score is a collection of Outfit tunes plus a new song about the, as Lawrence puts it, “1951 Kaw River flood that took my Kansas family’s farm and livelihood.” Shows like this don’t come around often. Did I mention Mucca Pazza will follow? Now I did. (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 3/6. St. Paul’s Community Center. $12

SUNDAY

GOATWHORE
Well, the Saints won the Super Bowl. New Orleans has risen again. And that weak segue brings me to the Goatwhore show at the Bottom Lounge (http://www.bottomlounge.com/) this Sunday. Unfamiliar? The name kind of gives it away but Goatwhore play a sweet combo of modern black metal, all cardboard drums, and old school Venom-esque stuff. That means riffs you can decipher and vocals you can almost make out. Completely awesome. Rounding out the bill are 3 of Chicago’s own: The Muzzler, Hate, and Dark Spectrum. Posers beware. (Ross Meyerson)

7:00 p.m. Sunday, 3/7. Bottom Lounge. 17+. $10 adv/$13 at door.

THE MAGNETIC FIELDS
Led by singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt, The Magnetic Fields are unique brand of pop music that includes noisy, folky, gypsy and even inside elements. The band will perform two nights at Chicago’s lovely Harri Theatre, Sunday’s show is sold out, so if you want tickets try Craigslist or hit up Monday’s gig. If you haven’t, check out our review of their newest release Realism from our own Jason Shough. (Richard Giraldi)

7:30 p.m. Sunday, 3/7 and Monday, 3/8. Harris Theatre. Sunday’s show is SOLD OUT/Monday tickets are $30-35.