Three reasons to see Andrew Bird tonight at the Fourth Presbyterian Church…

1. I was at the first of these “Gazellegheid” shows on Monday, and while that in and of itself is not a reason for you to go, let me give you a quick recap: Bird limped onto the stage at 8:01 (foot injury), took a seat on a stool, and played an hour and a half of gorgeous music, much of it instrumental and written for, or played for the first time, at these shows (a very rearranged version of “Nomenclature” was the only song I actually recognized).

And he used natural amplification through those big horns of his, and, oh, the church’s huge gorgeous stained-glass window served as a backdrop for the whole thing. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, folks. Don’t hate yourself for missing it, and then having to hear people rave about it for years to come.

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Three outstanding reasons to head to Reggie’s Music Joint tonight to see Shadows On A River, the Blah Blah Blahs and God’s Guns tonight:

1.  It’s one of those line-ups that, stylistically, makes no sense. The Blah Blah Blahs bring a late 80’s British pop sensibility while Shadows On A River offer a more subtle and lush vibe and God’s Guns bring a loud, bass heavy approach to straight ahead rock.  See if this is a train-wreck or the work of an evil genius.
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Three reasons to see Metric at Cubby Bear tonight…

1. Better known for their stint in Canadian super collective Broken Social Scene, singer Emily Haines and guitarist Jimmy Shaw are the backbone of the band Metric. Its fourth album Fantasies is one of the better ones released in 2009.

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Three reasons to check out My Were They at the Empty Bottle tonight:

1.  This is simply your last chance to see this band play a concert before they officially break up and form other bands.  Now, granted this assumes that there won’t be a reunion show down the road.  But even then you can go to that show and say you were at this show proving just how cool you really are.

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Three wholesome reasons to get to the Empty Bottle tonight:

1. You are an ardent supporter of Chicago’s underground music scene and tonight’s show is Chicagoland from top to bottom. Or maybe you aren’t, but you love what’s happening in today’s garage scene and tonight’s show is garage heaven from top to bottom.  Maybe you don’t want me speaking for you but want to get out of your cold apartment.  Any way you slice it you should head to the Bottle tonight.
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Three reasons to see Sloan at Lincoln Hall tonight…

1. Together for nearly 20 years, this Canadian rock outfit continues to put out music chock full of fresh harmonies and toe-taping melodies including this year’s Hit and Run EP, featuring the single “Take it Upon Yourself.”

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Three Reasons to see Meat Puppets at Schubas tonight…

1. Do you ever find yourself longing for the old days of alternative rock? Well, then, the Meat Puppets’ three-night stand (Nov. 12-14) at Schubas is just what the doctor ordered. Meat Puppets may be best known for appearing alongside the members of Nirvana for their now legendary MTV Unplugged in New York performance, but this Phoenix, Arizona, “cow punk” band has been around since the early 1980s.

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Three reasons to see Snoop Dogg at the Congress Theater tonight…

1. For all his movie appearances, commercials, reality shows, and general ridiculousness, it’s always good to remember that Snoop Dogg is actually a really talented rapper.

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