Yeah, it might be pretty, um, snowy outside. But, like, there’s some totally awesome shows going this weekend. We’re talking Psych Fest at the Hideout, The Runnies at Ultra Lounge, Gaberdine at Subterranean and more!

Let’s go…

FRIDAY

THIRD EYE VISIONS: CHICAGO PSYCH FEST 3
The best of Chicago psych, kraut and rock that implements sonic elements that are on the fringe of the aforementioned genres are featured in a two-night festival at the Hideout tonight and Saturday. If you just casually keep up with the Chicago You already know some of the names: CAVE, Dark Fog, Rabble Rabble, Plastic Crimewave. But don’t sleep on the supporting acts like bombastic guitar twirlers Killer Moon, rhythm and blusers The Velcro Lewis Group, mind melters Verma, dirty garagers Strychnine and more. Let’s get heady, ya’ll. (Richard Giraldi)

7:00 p.m. Friday, 1/20 & Saturday, 1/21. The Hideout. 21+. $10.

DJ JONATHAN TOUBIN BENEFIT
First the sad part: Recently while in Portland, New York soul/R&B DJ Jonathan Toubin was injured in a freak accident while sleeping in his hotel room. The good news: Friends of Toubin have rallied in support and offered support. This brings us to tonight where the Empty Bottle has put together on excellent show in his honor. Melodic noise rockers Radar Eyes (whose new HoZac LP will be dropped soon), garage poppers Outer Minds, noisy surfers House Sounds and a slew of great local DJs. And if snowed in? Then go ahead and donate via paypal to ihearttoubin@gmail.com. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 1/20. The Empty Bottle. 21+. $8 minimum donation.

SATURDAY

THE RUNNIES
If you’re jonesing for a garage rock fix, look no further than Ultra Lounge tonight. Chicago trio The Runnies pack a powerful retro punch to the senses with Mary McKane’s gritty vocals sung over lingering organ and plenty of jangly guitar. Also appearing are headliners and fellow body-grooving garage poppers Hollows, noise rockers Dirty Dancing, and 60s revivalists Little Boy Jr. (Audrey Leon)

8:00 p.m. Saturday, 1/21. Ultra Lounge. 21+ $7.

WHITE/LIGHT
If there’s a better term than “artful noise” for Chicago duo White/Light, I’d love to hear it. The duo have played The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and even fleshed out friends Disappears’ already experimental rock sound, just to name a few of their mighty endeavors. White/Light (Matthew Hale and Jeremy Lemos) contort soundwaves from guitars, pedals, keyboards, etc. to create a house of worship filled with their own joyful drone. Also appearing tonight are headliner and Cap’n Jazz guitarist Victor Villareal who will be celebrating the release of his solo new album; experimental poppers A Tundra; and Austin pop rockers Meryll will open. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 1/22. Panchos. 21+ $6.

SUNDAY

GABERDINE
Cleanse yourself of the week past by checking out the soothing folk pop of Chicago outfit Gaberdine. The sextet’s sophomore album When We Land has all the sparkle and grace of fine orchestral pop, filled with plenty of drama and rising action. Frontman Mark Federighi enchants with his soulful sermon sung high over atypical equipment such as a harmonium, glockenspiel and autoharp. Also on hand tonight are the gentle acoustic stylings of Milwaukee’s Comrade Plymouth, Acoustic duo Jen & Jim and indie rockers Parker. (Audrey Leon)

8:00 p.m. Sunday, 1/22. Subterranean. 21+ $8.

Hollows

1. Chicago quintet Hollows are celebrating its new 7-inch Hot Sand with a free show. What could be better than that? The four ladies and one fellow of Hollows create some outstandingly catchy garage pop jingles replete with spooky organ provided by lead singer Maria Jenkins. Don’t let these girls (and guy) fool you with their adorable outward appearance because underneath all those groovy girl-group-esque harmonies lurks a darker, tougher interior as exhibited on the Halloween appropriate “Shadows in the Dark.” Of course, you won’t be scared for long because the group will have you dancing in no time. I’m pretty sure this is how Stella got her groove back.

2. Just in case you need more convincing here’s a nice little video by High Frequency Media of Hollows performing “Bobby Blueheart” at CHIRP Radio’s launch party at the Empty Bottle last year.

3. Last, but not least, opening the show are Dead Farmers. The Sydney, Australia, trio play abrasive psych-rock that bursts with punk rock energy. Songs like “Bad Time” and “Suns of Thunder” show Dead Farmer’s love of all things fuzz. It’s easy to see them as a more noisy garage rock answer to Comets on Fire. Solid.

8:00 p.m. Thursday, 10/27. The Burlington (3425 W. Fullerton Ave). 21+ FREE!!!!

Thunders | Photo by David Donovan Evans

Chicago outfit Thunders sways between full-tilt, explosive alternative rock madness and bluesy pysch rock bliss on its new album Beautiful Baby in the Bummer of Love (available via Bandcamp).

The group summons the spirits of bands like – the heavily influenced by Nirvana – The Vines or Verbena. Both acts exhibit fierce guitar prowess anchored by snarling, twang-filled vocals.

The song’s title track goes the way of bluesy psych with slow grooves and a chorus of “oohs and ahhs” that slowly erupts into a symphony of crunchy, distorted, squealing guitars and thudding drum beats. Any kid raised on a stedy diet of grunge would be proud. Listen to “Beautiful Baby in the Bummer of Love” below:

As we noted in our Daily Diversion earlier, you can catch Thunders ignite the canons at Ultra Lounge with Jacuzzi Boys, Mickey and Hollows. Tickets are $10.

Jacuzzi Boys | Photo by Ivan Santiago

1. On the surface Miami trio Jacuzzi Boys seem to be riding that same nostalgia wave that most new generation garage rock bands can’t live without. However, the group’s scuzzy surf rock throwback and canned vocals provide the fuel for an excellent party. The tunes on Jacuzzi Boys’ sophomore album Glazin’ should get you spazzing out in the dance floor with seizures of delight. You can still listen to the whole album over at Spin.com.

2. Ladies get your tampons ready because Chicago glam punks Mickey are back in action. If you missed Mickey’s opening set for Wild Flag this summer, let’s just say there were a few feminine missiles launched in the band members’ general direction by the middle of their set. All that aside, the men of Mickey wage an all-out assault on the crowd with their retro punk sound and sweet leather jackets and faces caked with pancake foundation and glitter. You don’t want to miss it. But you might want to stand toward the back.

3. Speaking of ladies, the lovely rocking femmes (and one dude) in Hollows will kick off this dance party. Hollow’s brand of spooky 60s girl group throwback is set to sweet, rumbling rock-and-roll. The combination is too infectious to ignore and will stick with you for days. Plus there’s plenty of organ piped in to let you know when to really get down. If you haven’t already, do check out Hollow’s new single “Hot Sand.” Also opening this shindig are the ever-impressive Chicago hard-rocking power pop outfit Thunders.

9:00 p.m. Thursday, 10/13. Ultra Lounge. 21+. $10.

Thankfully, retro-poppers Hollows have captured that exact sun-and-fun experience on their new tune “Hot Sand.” The track, along with a studio version of “Shapeshifter,” will be released on 7-inch via Soft Power records on Oct. 17.

“Hot Sand” takes Hollows in a less spooky direction as some of their past material (such as “Shadows in the Dark” or “Johnny Appleseed”) and increases the surf-rock quotient. The end result is a bouncy track with plenty of fun organ and Hollows’ trademark sugary sweet harmonies.

Hot Sand by Hollows Chicago

You can catch Hollows along with glam punks Mickey at Ultra Lounge this Thursday, Oct. 13 with Miami’s own Jacuzzi Boys. Tickets are $10.

Gypsyblood

So many shows, so little time. This weekend is brimming with excitement thanks to the brand-new Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements fest happening in Eckhart Park and featuring the likes of Shellac, CAVE, A Lull, Hollows – to name a few. We’re also talking about the Reggie’s Live stage at the Bash on Wabash featuring White Mystery and tons more shows.

Clouds, Schmouds. Let’s rock.

FRIDAY

BRILLIANT CORNERS OF POPULAR AMUSEMENTS
From the people behind Pitchfork Music Fest, new Chicago fest Brilliant Corners aims to go beyond a normal music festival. Drawing inspiration form Vaudeville, Brilliant Corners will not only incorporate music into its three-day event, but also circus acts, carnival rides/games, comedians and more. It should be quite the spectacle. Still, it’s the music we’re anticipating. A slew of buzzworthy local acts are set to take the stage including CAVE, who we just reviewed this morning, A Lull, Hollows and the almighty Shellac. In addition, there are national favorites including the always lively Dan Deacon, Bill Callahan, School of Seven Bells and more. (Richard Giraldi)

12 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Friday, 9/16 – Sunday, 9/18. Eckhart Park (Chicago Ave. & Noble St.). All Ages. 21+.

GYPSYBLOOD
Guitars are so in right now, which is why we’re big fans of local alt-rockers Gypsyblood. Their debut, Cold In The Guestway, is equal parts edgy guitar rock and melodic, melancholy pop. And it works damn well. Also laying down the tunage tonight is Oakland indie poppers Man/Miracle. They combine glassy guitar, electronic touches and reverb heavy vocals for a sound that’s a crooked, spacey version of surf rock. (Richard Giraldi)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 9/16. The Hideout. 21+. $8.

THE MOSES GUN
If Chicago trio The Moses Gun display a fine knack for rumbling, distortion-laden grunge rock, it’s because the band has been kicking around the city in various forms since the early 90s. After playing gigs all around town at such institutions as the Double Door and Gallery Cabaret, according to vocalist Vell Mullens, the band will finally play The Empty Bottle this Friday. And if you’re hungering for another dose of rock, the trio will also play Gallery Cabaret on Saturday, September 17. (Audrey Leon)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 9/16. The Empty Bottle. 21+ $8 or Free w/ RSVP.

SATURDAY

MATERIAL RE-ISSUE
The 90s were a magical time to be around. Not only did you have the “grunge scene” having its revenge on Seattle, but you had some awesome pop rock groups buzzing about Chicago including power pop trio Material Issue. The two remaining band members Ted Ansani and Mike Zelenko are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the group’s revered 1991 album International Pop Overthrow, which featured the lovesick hits “Diane” and “Valerie Loves Me,” at Lincoln Hall with singer Phil Angotti and guitarist Jay O’Rouke. The show will include video highlights and remembrances. Local heavy alt-rockers (and all around badasses) Rockit Girl will open. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 9/17. Lincoln Hall. 21+ $14.

SUNDAY

BASH ON WABASH – REGGIES ROAD BLOCK STAGE
It’s the feel good hit of the fall. Now that the weather has dictated an end to summer, we’ve got our first real neighborhood fest of the fall season in the annual Bash on Wabash. And – holy shit – headlining Reggie’s stage are Question Mark and the Mysterians. You might not recognize the name, but you know their hits “96 Tears” and “Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby,” which Smashmouth bastardized back in the late 90s. Unreal. Also on the bill are primal garage rockers White Mystery and rowdy folk rockers Dastardly. If you love old-fashioned R&B soul, you’ll definitely want to check out The Congregation. This stage is set to be a real smorgasbord of musical delicacies. (Audrey Leon)

Noon – 10 p.m. Sunday, 9/18. Bash on Wabash (14th and Wabash). All Ages. $5 donation.

Chk-Chk-Chk

Is it me or does it feel like everyone and their mother have a show in town on Saturday night? Well, like the highlander, there can only be one (or two).

Here are our top picks for this weekend’s must-see shows.

FRIDAY

DICK WOLF!
Need some good ol’ twitchy, touchy feelie tap-rock in your life? Well, that’s good news because melodic math rockers Dick Wolf! will make Subterranean all hot and sweaty with its sweet fret action. And feel free to check out this excellent demo we posted a few days ago. Chicago pop rockers Late in the Playoffs will headline the room with its dulcet harmonies and huge-ass rock riffs. (Audrey Leon)

8:30 p.m. Friday, 8/26. Subterranean. 17+ $12.

CHK CHK CHK (!!!)
I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but I haven’t thought about dance punks !!! (pronounced chk-chk-chk) in ages. They first popped up on my radar years ago with slow-groove dance rock compositions with odd titles like “There’s No Fucking Rules, Dude” and “KooKooKa Fuk-U,” not to mention the fun, Queen of the Stone Age-inspired “Feel Good Hit of the Fall” from 2001’s self-titled album. Somewhere along the way the albums were fewer and farther between until last year’s Strange Weather, Isn’t it?. !!! still makes music worth dancing to with funky deep basslines and twangy guitars. Surely, sighting the elusive striped hipster dancing is worth full admission price. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 8/26. Bottom Lounge. 17+. $20.

SATURDAY

HOLLOWS
Don’t be fooled by Hollows lovely looks. This all-girl-plus-a-guy outfit creates some spooky, quirky garage pop that’s equally fit for a dank divebar as it is for Saturday morning cartoon (they still have Saturday morning cartoons, right?). Anyway, with a bill rounded out by Loud Loop favorite Radar Eyes, who brings a similar dark-but-accessible approach to pysche-y garage rock, and The Runnies, who will thrill with their smoky garage pop, this is a show that will not only get your head bouncing but perhaps make you break out some wacky PBR-influenced dance moves. We can only hope. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 8/27. The Hideout. 21+ $8.

MERLIN WALL
It’s probably no secret that Merlin Wall are one of my favorites out on the local scene right now. Their surfy and melodic take on nerd rock isn’t wholly innovative but is quite refreshing in it’s honesty. How can one fin fault with the bouncy rhythms and beach party guitar lines of “Pizza Party?” I mean the songs about having a fucking pizza party! Pizza! Party! Or the smooth power pop of Chick Track. What I’m saying is that Merlin Wall are awesome. And be sure to check out melodic indie poppers The Sweeps and The Foot. (Richard Giraldi)

10:30 p.m. Saturday, 8/27. Beat Kitchen. 21+ $8.

SUNDAY

ORCA TEAM
SAKI record store has put together a mighty fine in-store for you this weekend. Portland’s Orca Team are a nifty little throwback to play all those harmless surf rock bands of yesteryear. Don’t forget to do the twist. Also on tap are Chicago fuzzy garage rockers Magic Milk and noise poppers Whales. A fine selection if I ever saw one. And I just did. (Audrey Leon)

4:00 p.m. Sunday, 8/28. Saki Records. All Ages. FREE.

High Places

Summer is wrapping up, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. No, sir (or madam). It’s the weekend and it is time to rock out with our respective pieces out.

We’re highlighting some truly excellent shows including the tenth anniversary Ladyfest Midwest concert at the Empty Bottle and much more! Without further ado, let’s get at it…

FRIDAY

RUNNING
Sure, the headliners of this particular show are Chicago indie rockers Joan of Arc, but it’s safe to say that you don’t need convincing to catch a Joan of Arc performance. No, you need me to tell you why you should show up to Subterranean early, beside scoring a front row spot. Chicago punks Running are worth showing up on time. The group’s abrasive, brooding punk rock explosions first caught our eye shortly before the Pitchfork/Bitchpork weekend festivities landed in our faces thanks to a lovely video shot by none other than Gonzo Chicago. Watch that video; go see the show. Stick around for Joan of Arc and ambient noise rockers Implodes. Try the fish. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 8/19. Subterranean. 17+ $10.

SATURDAY

LADYFEST MIDWEST 2011
As we reported earlier this summer Ladyfest Midwest is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a scaled down, more localized event. Tapped to rock and raise funds for the excellent Chicago Women’s Health Center are rowdy punk rockers Wanton Looks, riot grrrl punks Cathy Santonies, swinging garage rockers Hollows and dance remix artist DJ Reaganomix. Go celebrate some fierce women who rock as hard, if not harder, than most men. (Audrey Leon)

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 8/20. Empty Bottle. 21+ $15.

SUNDAY

HIGH PLACES
High Places sounds more like a goal than just a name. Los Angeles-based duo Rob Barber and Mary Pearson make some groovy beats together. The indie rockers combine atmospheric samples, echo-y vocals and fast-moving dance beats to get all five of your senses in a tizzy. The duo recently released its third album Original Colors on Chicago’s own Thrill Jockey. High Places will play not one, but two shows on Sunday. The first at Logan Square Monument, on Milwaukee Avenue between Logan and Fullerton, and later in the evening at the Empty Bottle along with experimental folks Pillars and Tongues and minimalist rockers Dusty Bibles. (Audrey Leon)

4:00 p.m. Sunday, 8/21. Logan Square Monument. All Ages. Free w/ RSVP
9:30 p.m. Sunday, 8/21. Empty Bottle. 21+ $12.

FLESHBROKER
I can’t quite remember if I’ve ever weighed in on whether Fleshbroker not so much earned their name as much as whether or not there’s a really dark death metal band somewhere yelling, “What do you mean there’s already a Fleshbroker?!” If that fictitious scene is the case (I suspect it is) then that death metal band might give some Fleshbroker a spin and conclude that perhaps it’s not straight from the pits of hell but it is still worthy of the name. For instrumental math rock a song like “Philip Marlow” has some downright chugging metal riffage. Local heroes Pelican and Russian Circles might wanna start looking over their shoulders soon. Opener Old Soul might be that band yelling “what do you mean….” (Ross Meyerson)

8:00 p.m. Sunday, 8/21. Panchos. 21+.$5.

LAWRENCE PETERS COUNTRY THROW-DOWN
Golly, I do love Lawrence Peters. I’ve said it before but a nicer gent you’ll never meet. I, once upon a time, sold this gentleman his groceries and slowly but surely we built a nice little I’m selling you groceries and you’re buying them relationship. Yet, if you saw the two of us run into each other you’d think we were chums from way back. This is all his doing. The guy is genuinely the nicest fella walking this here planet. Tonight he’ll be spinning records, some of which you may know and a ton you’ll have never heard. Go listen. Also, Cpt. Captain, whom I hesitate to link to for the Whistler makes them sound brand new and the Myspace page I found is from 2009, open up with some live music. A charming evening it shall be. (Ross Meyerson)

10:00 p.m. Sunday, 8/21. Whistler. 21+. FREE.

WHOOO! WEEKEND! HELL YEAH! Anyway, there’s just WAYYYY too much going on this weekend for me to jabber on about right now.

Let’s just dive in, shall we?

FRIDAY

HAPPY FUGGIN’ 8TH of JULY
As we reported earlier this week, local screen printers and poster artists FugScreens Studios is opening its shop to the public for a night of free food, drink and live rock and/or roll. Loud Loop Press is proud co-sponsor this event that gives you, our beloved readers, a chance to check out such awesome acts as fuzzy indie rockers Continental Breakfast, post-punks Rodeo and garage-a-billy trio Ornery Little Darlings. (Audrey Leon)

7:00 p.m. Friday, 7/8. FugScreens Studios (1735 N. Ashland Ave). All Ages. Free.

ARCHERS OF LOAF
That’s right, Archers of Loaf. I shouldn’t even have to tell you why but I guess that’s my job so… seminal North Carolina indie rock! While everyone was loving on Pavement I was busy digging the heavier sounds of Archers of Loaf. Now, they are back and ready to get some of that retro love the likes of Dinosaur Jr. and Superchunk have been basking in lately. This shit is well deserved, see. Don’t be a dummy and let the Archers slip through your fingers again. You’ve got two chances to see them and hopefully new material is in our future? In the meantime the good folks at Merge are busy readying remastered re-issues of all four studio albums starting with Icky Mettle in early August. Merge. Archers of Loaf. I mean, this is just perfect. (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 7/8. Bottom Lounge. 17+. $25.
9:00 p.m. Saturday, 7/9. Bottom Lounge. 17+. $22.

LOCAL H
It was only two months ago that the hard rocking duo of Scott Lucas and Brian St. Clair – otherwise known as Local H – played to a packed audience at the Metro as a part of their “All the Hits All Night” tour. Well, now the group is changing it up, playing a smaller gig at the Empty Bottle that promises to deliver the 20-year-old band’s deep cuts. If Lucas’ stop at Coach House Sounds is any indication, the band should pull out some rare gems. Of course if you want to see “Bound for the Floor,” you should hit up the band’s West Fest set on Saturday (See below for more info). (Audrey Leon)

9:30 p.m. Friday, 7/8. Empty Bottle. 21+ $15.

THEIR OCEAN
Two guys known as Keith and Jason somehow make up the entirety of the rather large and lush sounding Their Ocean. You may know Jason from his other duo Boy King Island, upon whom our own Britni Day lavished some pretty heady praise. Less indie than that combo, Their Ocean take on a more of a swirling soul-like thing that at time reminds this here writer of In Tall Buildings. Tonight they are finally celebrating the release of their Still Waters EP which can be downloaded for the low low price of free here. If you like the physical, they will be selling a limited amount of handmade CDs. I still like CDs. (Ross Meyerson)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 7/8. Morseland. 21+. FREE!

HOUSE SOUNDS
Jingly jangly indie rock is what Chicago’s House Sounds do best. A bit surfy, a bit garagey but almost always melodic and fun. But that’s not all going down this evening. Quirky keyboard-n-drum duo Billy Crystal Meth are celebrating their release of their new tape. Oh, and let’s not forget Minneapolis’ non-NFL team spastic bedroom rockers The Miami Dolphins and double keyboard action from Jacksonville’s Chicken and Whiskey. It’s gonna be a grand ol’ time. (Richard Giraldi)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 7/8. Streetside Cafe. Donations accepted.

SATURDAY

WEST FEST
We’ve hit that wonderful mid-point in summer where it is the Wicker Park neighborhood’s time to shine. It’s the second weekend fest of the season for the neighborhood and West Fest is chock full of great bands and DJs for your listening pleasure. Saturday gives us a super diverse lineup. How about black metalists Liturgy? Or girly garage rockers Hollows followed by the hard alternative rock stylings of the aforementioned Local H? Sunday promises to be just as eclectic with Chicago teen poppers Purple Apple, punks Team Band, and experimental rockers A Lull. Check out the entire lineup at WestFestChicago.com.

Noon. Saturday, 7/9 & Noon. Sunday 7/10. West Fest (Chicago Avenue between Damen and Wood). All Ages. $5 donation.

WE REPEL EACH OTHER
Noisy, abrasive, tension-filled, We Repel Each Other do all of these things well. Very well, in fact. Their latest releases are a set of two distinctly different EPs. The first, the logically titled sussurra?:?canta?:?deride, can maybe, possibly be considered “accessible” at times like on the out-of-nowhere sludge blues of “racetrack jack”, while the second EP, interruptions, fills the band’s need to make uncomfortable cacophonies. But We Repel Each Other is not the ONLY reason to get to Memories on Saturday night. Surfy punks Hotlips Messiah will also make an appearance as will power punkers Samantha and minimalist post-posters Lil Tits.(Richard Giraldi)

8:00 p.m. Saturday, 7/9. Memories. 21+. $5.

SUNDAY

THE ULTRA-VIOLET PETTING ZOO FESTIVAL
Have you been to Chicago street fests this summer and thought, “Man, this fest really does lack in the petting zoo and carnival games department.” If so, then the Ultra-Violet Petting Zoo Festival might just be what you’re looking for. Curated by our local-music-loving allies Chicago Mixtape, the fest has one helluva lineup that includes, but not limited to, those wild and crazy kidders White Mystery, blusey soul-bruisers Bailiff, melodic slow burners The Record Low and much, much more. Oh, and did we mention there will be a real live fucking petting zoo where you can touch animals and shit? WHOA! And to cap it all off, it’s a benefit for the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club. Does it get any sweeter? No. It does not get any sweeter.(Richard Giraldi)

2:00 p.m. Sunday, 7/10. Revere Park (3900 N Rockwell). All Ages. $5 Donation.

TINY FIREFLIES
It’s about time these local new wave-inspired indie rockers booked a show in town. Tiny Fireflies, better known as Lisle Mitnik and Kristine Capua, specialize in making music that consists of sweet, sparkling synths and deep, dreamy Mazzy Star-esque vocals. If those names look familiar, it’s because Mitnik and Capua also lend their musical talents to the Chicago band Very Truly Yours. Mitnik and Capua’s last venture under the Tiny Fireflies moniker was an appearance at NYC PopFest. So let’s encourage them to make way more appearances in their home city by catching Tiny Fireflies’ opening spot set at Schubas. (Audrey Leon)

8:00 p.m. Sunday, 7/10. Schubas. 21+ $10.

THE BLACK TAPE
The Black Tape are smooth. Real smooth. Their guitar-focused quartet is heavily influenced by the ’60s sounds of the Kinks and the Beatles, but their music comes across much cleaner sonically. Their tunes are crafted, poppy, melodic and tight as some kind of super tight knot. Of course, that’s not all. If you didn’t get your fix of them last weekend at their epic Obbityfest spectacular, indie space machiners Earth Program will keep doing what they do best: rock your face. Also, stick around for Unplugged and Reborn and The Window Theatre. They’re both totes rad as well.(Richard Giraldi)

8:00 p.m. Sunday, 7/10. The Beat Kitchen. 17+. $10.

Ten years later, the organizers have announced an anniversary edition to take place August 19-21 boasting talented local female musicians. The festival will also once again raise funds for the Chicago Women’s Health Center.

The festivities kick-off on Friday, August 19 with a dance party at Northwest side club Late Bar, 3534 W. Belmont Ave., featuring guest DJ’s Sam O’Rama from Laurie’s Planet of Sound, Maybenauts’ drummer and CHIRP DJ Emily Agustin, and Rebecca Crawford from Permanent Records. Crawford is also one of the original organizers of Ladyfest Midwest 2001.

Ladyfest continues on Saturday, August 20 with a concert at the Empty Bottle featuring punk rockers The Wanton Looks, The Cathy Santonies, spooky garage rockers Hollows and dance DJ Reaganomix. Poonie’s Cabaret host Jyl Fehrenkamp will host the event. Tickets are $15.

Also on Saturday (12-5 p.m.) as well as Sunday, August 21 (2-5 p.m.), there will be a Ladyfest Midwest 2001 archive exhibit, including video, photos and other material, at LivingRoom Gallery on 1530 W. Superior St.

According to its website, Ladyfest Midwest 2001 hosted 4,000 people and raised almost $20,000 to benefit the organizations Chicago Women’s Health Center and Women in the Director’s Chair.

For more information on the tenth anniversary of Ladyfest Midwest, like how to submit your photos, videos, and stories from the first edition or how to donate money to the festival, check out ladyfestmidwest.com