Don’t let this dreary, fickle weather ruin what is lined up to be a fantastic weekend for live music. The city is alive with the sound of wailing guitars and synths.

We’re excitedly chattering about a bevy of shows large and small, from everyone’s favorite – basement gigs – to Neon Marshmallow Fest occupying the Empty Bottle.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

FRIDAY

SOFT SPEAKER
If you’re a fan of the electric guitar, you’re a fan of Soft Speaker. The band’s latest, I’ll Tend Your Garden (reviewed by our own Ross Meyerson here), is a ferocious axe attack chock full of Neil Young-like abusive solos and chunky Dinosaur Jr.-esque riffage. Also set to rock your face tonight are Chicago’s bluesy, alt-country outfit Whisker Music and straight from New Orleans, the rootsy sounds of Jake La Botz. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 6/10. Cole’s. 21+. FREE!

NEON MARSHMALLOW FESTIVAL
If you saw our interview with Neon Marshmallow Fest creators Dan Smith and Matt Kimmel than you know the Chicago-based experimental music festival returns this weekend. This year’s edition is slimmed down to three days worth of eclectic rock, trance, free jazz and other not easily categorized noise-making groups. Prepare to get your minds blown within the confines of the Empty Bottle’s tiny walls with creator of the synthesizer Morton Subotnik, Chicago synth machine Beau Wanzer, and Brooklyn trancers Oneohtrix Point Never, just to name a few. Neon Marshmallow is an experience not to be missed. (Audrey Leon)

6:00 p.m. Friday, 6/10; 6:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/11; 6:00 p.m. Sunday, 6/12. Empty Bottle. 21+ $25 (single-day) & $70 (three-day passes).

>>RADIANT DEVICES<<
There are so many elements present in Radiant Devices’ music that seeing it live may be the only way to truly appreciate it. The duo, consisting of Mojdeh Stoakley and Fyodor Sakhnovski, use unusual items such as satellite dishes and propane tanks to pad its more traditional rhythm section. Stoakley uses her own spoken word over a complex mixture of jazz, ambient beats and pure hard rock. You can’t miss this. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 6/10. The Mutiny. 21+ Free!

SATURDAY

OUTER MINDS
Chicago’s Outer Minds are perhaps the perfect garage pop band. Their Plustapes release, lovingly reviewed by Ross Meyerson, stands out with its catchy melodies in between the crunchy, reverbed guitars and eerie keyboards. If you like your music raw but with hooks that can be sing alongs, you’ll probably want to check them out. But that’s not all. I’ve already given a 350-word reason why you need to watch local psych-bluers Vee Dee in a live setting, and Mannequin Men will also be on hand rock you with their chugging indie rock as well. A three-fer for the ages. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/11. Pancho’s. 21+ $5.

THE ANTLERS
In 2009, The Antlers pulled off the near impossible by making a record, Hospice, that is both cripplingly depressing and addicting at the same time. They’re back in Chicago this weekend touring with their new record, Burst Apart, which while lacking the sheer weight of their first offering, finds the band expanding the basis of its sound to incorporate more electronic elements. Live, The Antlers bring new life to their melancholic setlist, with each song being equally epic and cathartic. This will be the biggest intimate show you go to all year, and it shouldn’t be missed. (Andy Kondrat)

8:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/11. Metro. 18+ $18.

ORANGE GOBLIN
Britain’s biker doom metalers Orange Goblin come a-calling. Kind of the Molly Hatchet of doom these guys will draw you in with their rad name and radder album covers. Then you’ll hear their music and not really get the connection. But there’s tons of goodness here. For instance, Nachtmystium, whose “Addicts: Black Meddle Part 2″ is still confusing and blowing my mind. Bible Of The Devil have been putting their Thin Lizzy meets Iron Maiden stamp on Chicago’s music scene for over a decade now. Meanwhile, Buried At Sea sound much more like what Orange Goblin would seem to sound like. Slow, chugging doom riffs, lumbering drums, excruciating vocals. That’s an Orange Goblin, damn it. But it’s also the sound of being buried at sea. So get there early is what I’m saying. (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/11. Double Door. 21+. $18-$20.

RODEO
Three oh-wait-I-don’t-have-to-do-three-reasons-for-weekend-diversions reasons to not go on with this bit. Basement show, em effers! Check out some local talent in the friendly confines of a venue you’ve never been to. Why there’s editor in chief Richard Giraldi’s Rodeo still riding high from the release of their debut EP, “Sarcastic Summer”. You like guitars, and you love the 90′s. You love Rodeo. Swimsuit Addition will be there too. We’re still hanging around the 90′s as Swimsuit Addition channel your favorite RRRiot GRRRLLS (spelling?) and add a little surf rock because they can. The Automatic Lovers bring a dirty garage ethic to their snotty punk rock. They’ll be bashing their instruments as well. Last but not least is one of my favorites, Merlin Wall, who bring the nerd to tonight’s festivities. I’m still digging “Crushing From Afar” and eagerly await some new tunes. Be cool. (Ross Meyerson)

7:00 p.m. Saturday, 6/11. 1542 N. Oakley. All Ages. $3 donation if you can.

SUNDAY

THE CATHY SANTONIES
It’s fair to say that we here at Loud Loop love women who rock. There’s just something about that raw passionate energy bursting forth and breaking away from all societal norms. So it kind of goes without saying that we think the Cathy Santonies rock pretty damn hard. We’ve seen them play the tiniest, but loudest, hole in the dark (The Mutiny), but now the quartet is headed back to the Double Door’s spacious and well lit stage. Don’t miss this show. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Sunday, 6/12. Double Door. 21+ $5.

Sweet Cobra

2. Also on tonight’s bill are Chicago’s Bible Of The Devil, whose name absolutely oozes metal. This four-piece, however, is more locked in on the ’80s classic metal sound blended with power rock as showcased by the first track on their Myspace, “Ol Girl”, which features some tweaky Thin Lizzy guitar leads that eventually give way to Mark Hoffmann’s very non-metal vocals. But they definitely work in the song. It’s as if The Hold Steady came out of the mid-’80s Los Angeles metal scene. Not to mention the song has a killer chorus hook. If you like your metal a bit less abrasive on the ear drum, then Bible Of The Devil is your band.

3. Opening tonight’s show is Head Of Skulls! who play a grungy, angsty hard rock and/or post-punk act that brims with urgency. At times they recall heavier Local H material but with more of a driving Black Sabbath, gritty feel. Also, tonight’s show is a fundraiser for a documentary titled Kill All Redneck Pricks: KARP LIVES! 1990-1998 on Tumwater, Washington, metal act Karp. So, you know, three distinct metal bands playing for a cause that celebrates metal. Doesn’t that always equal a win? Yes, it does.

9:30 p.m. Monday, 6/28. The Empty Bottle. 21+. Free.

Photo Credit: Carrie Musgrave - livebabylive.com

It’s that time again, we’ve looked ahead and started filling in our calendars with all of the awesome upcoming shows headed to Chicago in the next few months. Being the good guys and gals that we are, we’re sharing our favorites with you, all of which will surely be not-to-miss performances of artists from around the globe that includes an impressive line-up of local acts. Check out below what we think are the hot Winter/Early Spring concerts, local acts are BOLD for easy access, and let us know in the comments what we may have missed.

MONDAY, JANUARY 25

Cacaw – Empty Bottle

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27

DJ Krush – Empty Bottle

Streets on Fire – Double Door
One of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010, they bring angular and frantic guitar riffs as lead singer Chadwick spouts his gnarled, rambling messages over at tight rhythm section. It’s fun yet dark and, at times, nearly psychotic.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29

Adam Franklin – Hideout

Earth Program – Ronny’s
One of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010, and it’s their record release party!

The New Deal – Park West

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30

Cold War Kids – Vic Theatre

Pentagram – Empty Bottle

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Asobi Seksu – Schubas

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4

State Champion – Bottom Lounge

The Entrance Band, Lights, White Mystery – Empty Bottle

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Dark Star Orchestra – Vic Theatre

Gov’t Mule – House of Blues

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

The Academy Is… – Metro
A special show in celebration of the 5 year anniversary of their debut release Almost Here with and opening set by Minneapolis based pop group Sing it Loud.

Dark Star Orchestra – Vic Theatre

Mavis Staples – Old Town School of Folk Music

Jemina Pearl – Beat Kitchen

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7

D.R.I – Reggie’s Rock Club

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Mako Sica – Hideout

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13

DOOM, Mos Def – Congress Theater
Rescheduled from January 29th.

Fucked Up, Kurt Vile – Empty Bottle

Gene Ween Band – Lincoln Hall

Mariah Carey – Chicago Theatre

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Mariah Carey – Chicago Theatre

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Editors, The Antlers – Vic Theatre

An Evening With The Residents – Logan Square Auditorium

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Nosaj Thing – Lincoln Hall

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18

St. Vincent – Metro

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Four Tet – Empty Bottle

Trey Anastasio – Riviera Theatre

Smoking Popes – Reggie’s Rock Club

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Chicago Underground Duo – Hideout
Album release party for 2010’s Boca Negra on Thrill Jockey.

Patti Smith – Park West

Smoking Popes – Reggie’s Rock Club

Tortoise – Lincoln Hall

Scott Lucas and the Married Men – Schubas
Local H frontman Scott Lucas is striking out on his own with his new group The Married Men. This show at Schubas is a record release party for their debut album “George Lassos the Moon.”

The Sweeps – Bottom Lounge
One of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21

Bela Fleck and The Africa Project – Old Town School of Folk Music

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22

El Perro Del Marr – Lincoln Hall

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Paul Di’Anno (original singer of Iron Maiden), Bible of the Devil – Reggie’s Rock Club

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26

Screeching Weasel – Reggie’s Rock Club

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Alkaline Trio, Cursive – Metro

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Cursive, Alkaline Trio – Metro
Cursive live is not to be missed. Frontman Tim Kasher is hilarious and unpredictable, which are all necessary components for a great live performance. Additionally, according to Audrey Leon Cursive’s “Mama, I’m Swollen” is one of the best albums of 2009.

TUESDAY, MARCH 2

Furthur – Auditorium Theatre

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3

Furthur – Auditorium Theatre

Streets On Fire – Empty Bottle

One of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010

THURSDAY, MARCH 4

Gomez – Vic Theatre

FRIDAY, MARCH 5

Citizen Cope – Vic Theatre

J. Davis Trio – Bottom Lounge

moe. – Riviera Theatre

SUNDAY, MARCH 7

The Avett Brothers – House of Blues

Magnetic Fields – Harris Theater

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

Magnetic Fields – Harris Theater

TUESDAY, MARCH 9

Califone – Lincoln Hall
All My Friends are Funeral Singers will be shown along with a live performance of the soundtrack.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10

Califone – Lincoln Hall

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound – Tonic Room

Vetiver – Empty Bottle

FRIDAY, MARCH 12

Hockey – Lincoln Hall

Kreator, Voivod, Nachtmystium – Bottom Lounge

Muse – United Center

Pelican – Beat Kitchen

SATURDAY, MARCH 13

RJD2 – Metro

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists – Bottom Lounge
Ted Leo is heading back to the Windy City to blow the roof off of the Bottom Lounge with songs from his latest release “The Brutalist Bricks,” many of which were performed at Lincoln Hall’s grand opening last October.

SUNDAY, MARCH 14

Orphaned Land, Indian – Bottom Lounge

MONDAY, MARCH 15

My Gold Mask – Empty Bottle
One of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18

Experience Hendrix – Chicago Theatre

P.O.S. – Bottom Lounge

FRIDAY, MARCH 19

Gil Mantera’s Party Dream – Empty Bottle

Appleseed Cast – Bottom Lounge

SATURDAY, MARCH 20

Alice In Chains – Aragon Ballroom

Norah Jones – Chicago Theatre

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24

Air – Riviera Theatre

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound – Tonic Room

Matthew Good – Double Door

THURSDAY, MARCH 25

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Metro

Vampire Weekend – Riviera Theatre
Check out Andy Kondrat’s review of Contra, and let us know what you think of the band’s sophomore effort.

FRIDAY, MARCH 26

Tegan and Sara – Aragon Ballroom

Vampire Weekend – Riviera Theatre

THURSDAY, APRIL 1

The Black Lips – Logan Square Auditorium

Spoon, Deerhunter – Aragon Ballroom

FRIDAY, APRIL 2

Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O, Plastic Crimewave Sound – Empty Bottle

Passion Pit – Congress Theater

SATURDAY, APRIL 3

Xiu Xiu – Lincoln Hall

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7

Henry Rollins – Vic Theatre

THURSDAY, APRIL 8

The xx, jj – Lincoln Hall
Each group put out killer albums last year making several of our top 10 lists.  This pairing of double consonant named bands will be grooving and moody and is already sold out.

FRIDAY, APRIL 9

Japandroids – Lincoln Hall
Check out Dan Henshaw’s review of their 2009 release, Post Nothing, a favorite of Andy Kondrat’s.

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

Mission of Burma – Double Door

FRIDAY, APRIL 16

Dr. Dog – Metro

King Sunny Ade and His African Beats – Old Town School of Folk Music

MONDAY, APRIL 19

Hot Chip, The xx – Riviera Theatre

FRIDAY, APRIL 23

Trans Am – Empty Bottle

SUNDAY, APRIL 25

B.B. King – House of Blues
The legend returns for another show at the HOB. If you haven’t seen him and Lucille do yourself a favor and get out for this concert.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29

Yeasayer – Metro

FRIDAY, APRIL 30

Owl City – Aragon Ballroom

This weekend, we’re spotlighting tonight’s Basement Jaxx show, Numero Group’s Eccentric Soul Revue, Chicago’s own Bible Of The Devil and more.

But before we get to our picks for top weekend shows, a reminder: Loud Loop Radio will once again grace the intertubes tomorrow, Saturday, November 7, at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. CST on Radio DePaul. We’ll probably talk the Julian Casablancas album and Future of The Left who rocked my brain last night.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

Basement Jaxx
This rarely happens. It’s been three years since the duo toured North America, and who knows how long it could be before they come back. This round of dates is billed as a “DJ Tour,” so you know, lots of dancing. Also, doesn’t this look awesome? – Dan Henshaw

8:00 PM. Friday, 11/6. Congress Theatre. $26.

Gil Mantera’s Party Dream
Ohio-natives Gil Mantera’s Party Dream are bringing their brand of fun, 80’s inspired synth-pop to the Empty Bottle on Friday. Expect a raucous and raunchy live show filled with over-the-top performances by Mantera and his brother and guitarist Ultimate Donny. Try not to be surprised if the men end the night with a striptease. Seeing is believing, check out this video of GMPD performing “Eyes of Blue” at the Empty Bottle in 2006. – Audrey Leon

10:00 PM. Friday, 11/6. Empty Bottle. $12

Numero Group: Eccentric Soul Revue
Yesterday we gave you details about the upcoming Eccentric Soul Revue tour featuring artists from the local re-issue label Numero Group. The tour, which heads out East next week, kicks off Saturday night at Lincoln Hall. Renaldo Domino, Syl Johnson, The Notations, Linda Balintine, Sharon Clark and Pastor TL Barrett will be backed by JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound. The show last April at the Park West was an amazing night of soul and funk tunes – truly like taking a step back in time to the golden age of these artists’ heydays. – Andrew Kahn

9:00 P.M. Saturday, 11/7. Lincoln Hall. 18+ $30.00

Bible Of The Devil
Chicago’s very own Bible Of The Devil bring their Thin Lizzy meets Iron Maiden brand of retro-metal to the Cobra Lounge this Saturday. Do you like guitarmonies? Bible Of The Devil’s got a trunk full. Get out and help celebrate 10 years of BOTD shredding mercilessly. Ironhead and High spirits open. – Ross Meyerson

10:00 PM. Saturday, 11/7. Cobra Lounge. 21+. FREE!

L&L from Permanent Records
In the mood to hear a variety of jams? Dude, hit up the Whistler on Sunday night to see what Permanent Records own Liz and Lance have up their sleeves. They DJ a set there the second Sunday of every month and this second Sunday is no exception. Guarantee you’ll head home with a list of shit you can’t wait to buy (or whatever kids do these days). – Ross Meyerson

9:30 PM. Sunday, 11/8. The Whistler. 21+. FREE!