Dick Wolf!

The thaw has begun, so snow is no longer a valid reason keeping you away from live music. There are lots of great shows this weekend, quite a few of them going on tonight. Decisions, Decisions. These things are never easy, so we’ll help you and give our picks for top weekend shows. This time around, we talk Dick Wolf! at the Viaduct Theatre, Gang Of Four at the Metro, Bleeding Hearts Arts Fest and more.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

FRIDAY

DICK WOLF!
Remember how Chicago tap-rockers Dick Wolf! had that big record release party all lined up last week? Then Snowbama rolled through and shows dropped like flies? Well, y’all survived and as a reward there’s this here new and improved (and relocated) record release party. You’ve had plenty of time to digest my review of their latest vinyl release, so I’ll just say you should see these guys. Like for real. Local alt-rockers Geronimo! and indie outfit Audiences will also be playing, so you’re musical needs will be well covered. (Ross Meyerson)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 2/11. Viaduct Theatre. 17+. $7.

GANG OF FOUR
There are only a handful of bands that began in the 1970s that still manage to be just as great as they were back then. Influential British post-punks Gang of Four are easily one of those acts. The band hits up the Metro in support of its latest album Content, but most know the four-piece for its funky, dance rock masterpiece 1979’s Entertainment. Throw on “Damaged Goods” or “At Home He’s a Tourist” and boogie all the down to Clark Street. (Audrey Leon)

7:00 p.m. Friday, 2/11. The Metro. 18+. $28.50.

GRAPE JUICE RECORDS SHOWCASE
Nothing says fun like a great showcase of local bands brought to you by a great up-and-coming local label does it? Didn’t think so. Tonight’s Grape Juice Record Showcase at the Subterranean will be one not to miss. You’ve got charming lo-fi poppers Chaperone, bouncy indie folk group John Drake & The Shakes, melancholy folk songstress Rachele Eve and indie-pop, singer-songwriter Julie Meckler. Go support your local artists and the labels that support them. You know you want to. (Richard Giraldi)

8:30 p.m. Friday, 2/11. Subterranean. 21+. $8.

GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC
Make my funk the P-Funk I wants to get funked up. I shouldn’t have to say more than that, but since I must… There’s no better showman on Earth than George Clinton, whether you’ve seen him in the films “House Party” or the cult classic “PCU” – which starred such fresh-faced actors like David Spade, Jeremy Piven and Jon Favreau – he and his band of misfits can still get crowds fired up with their wild stage show and hits like “Atomic Dog” and “Give Up The Funk.” There’s nothing than can stop a P-Funk party, not even cutting the electricity. True story. Chicago funk and jazz trio Spare Parts will open. (Audrey Leon)

7:30 p.m. Friday, 2/11. Congress Theater. $25.

THE CHURCH
Who knew this Friday was retro day in Chicago? 80s Australian alt-rockers The Church may not be as renounced as George Clinton or Gang of Four, but you’d know them if you heard them. Fans of the film “Donnie Darko” may remember the band’s song “Under the Milky Way” from the party scene. The song comes from The Church’s most successful release 1988’s Starfish, which also contained the catchy track “Reptile.” The Church make its way to Chicago’s Park West for its 30th anniversary tour. (Audrey Leon)

8:00 p.m. Friday, 2/11. Park West. All Ages. $32.50.

SATURDAY

MICHAEL LUX AND THE BAD SONS
Sometimes music seems so darn complicated. All those parts and chord changes and junk. Often there’s such a fine line between fresh and new and 13 year old mall friendly. Sometimes, though, there’s just rock ‘n’ roll. Like porn, it might be hard to describe but you know it when you hear it. Michael Lux And The Bad Sons play rock ‘n’ roll, simply. Not like Elvis, but more like Paul Westerberg. Either way, you’ll know it when you hear it. Feel free to check out the guitarless power trio sounds of Mutts, and the minimalism of Basho while you’re there. (Ross Meyerson)

9:00 p.m. Saturday, 2/12. Panchos. 18+. $5.

BLEEDING HEARTS ARTS FEST
Raise your hand if you like not only live music, but visual arts, burlesque performances and short films? Oh, good. That’s quite a lot of you. Then your best bet for this weekend is at Bleeding Hearts Arts Fest brought to you by the fine people of Odradek Theatre. It all goes down on Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. at the New Rock Theatre, located at 3931 N. Elston Ave., and features tons of live music from the likes of local indie rockers The Clams, sonically inclined sci-fi heads The Earth Program, instrumental heavy-ists Bury My Teeth and more! Don’t for get to donate! (Richard Giraldi)

5:00 p.m. Saturday, 2/12. New Rock Theatre (3931 N. Elston Ave). 18+. Donations Accepted.

SUNDAY

MORGUE SUPPLIER
Maybe subtlety isn’t your thing. Maybe you want to be pummeled. With no pretense to anything but pummeling come Morgue Supplier. Don’t let the name fool you, there’s nothing passive or pretty about their brand of grindcore. That’s a joke, see. I mean, you’ll have to survive Emeticide and They Die Screaming first, but you relish the challenge. (Ross Meyerson)

7:00 p.m. Sunday, 2/13. Empty Bottle. 21+. $3.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgdCO8z2lro

Mavis Staples | Photo by Richard Giraldi

Guhhh…we’re still stuffed full of Tofurkey, but it’s our Friday duty to bring you all our picks for top weekend shows.

In this BLACK FRIDAY edition of Weekend Diversions, we dish on Mavis Staples at Park West, Lawrence Peters Outfit at The Hideout, Gold Motel at the Subterranean and much more.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

FRIDAY

LAWRENCE PETERS OUTFIT
It’s been far too long since we’ve highlighted our friends in the Lawrence Peters Outfit so here we are, mentioning our friends. Just the nicest of nice men, Lawrence Peters and his Outfit pump out traditional country tunes with an earnestness and charm like no other. No foolin’. Not enough Lawrence? Well, Mar Caribe features none other than Mr. Peters on drums. So it’s a Lawrence two fer tonight. Majors Junction open. (Ross Meyerson)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 11/26. Hideout. 21+. $8.

THE SWEEPS
Chicago power poppers The Sweeps are prepping audiences for the January release of its second album The Terrible Children by keeping up its vigorous touring schedule. The trio lands at Lincoln Hall on Friday to support fellow Chicago party rockers The Flavor Savers. As one of our 10 Bands to Watch in 2010Audrey Leon)

6:00 p.m. Friday, 11/26. Lincoln Hall. $10. All Ages.

YAKUZA
Black Friday indeed. Chicago’s Yakuza, of the “I really dug their album” fame, headline a li’l night of dark and heavy music. The Che Arthur Three are perhaps not the heaviest but their post rock stylings and occasional freak outs will still no doubt rattle your brain a bit. The West Side’s Rabid Rabbit will do more than merely rattle your brain. They might make you question what the fuck is going on. Using elements of drone, sludge, psych, and free jazz, these kids make some difficult listening music. In the best way possible. Opener, Bloodyminded play heavy electronica? Yep. It’s going to hurt. (Ross Meyerson)

10:00 p.m. Friday, 11/26. Empty Bottle. 21+. $5 advanced/$8 door.

PAKISTANI FLOOD RELIEF BENEFIT
There’s no better way to ring in the holiday season by remembering those less fortunate. Give and get this Thanksgiving weekend with a show at The Viaduct. The theater is hosting a benefit for Pakistani flood relief featuring acoustic sets by the Mekon’s Jon Langford and Sally Timms, Eleventh Dream Day’s Janet Bean, Man is Man and singer-songwriter Chris Connelly.

9:30 p.m. Friday, 11/26. The Viaduct Theater. $10. 21+

SATURDAY

MAVIS STAPLES
Finally after perhaps the best performance of Lollapalooza 2010, soul queen Mavis Staples returns for her first solo club show in her hometown since the September release of the incredible Jeff Tweedy-produced album You Are Not Alone. If you want to see a true windy city legend, there’s no better place to be than Park West on Saturday night. We think the odds of a Tweedy appearance are pretty favorable, but don’t quote us on that one. (Richard Giraldi)

8:00 p.m. Saturday, 11/27. Park West. $30.

NOMO
A little Michigan and a little Chicago, NOMO kind of show bands like the hated Vampire Weekend what it is to use elements of Afro-beat and the like without sounding like a bunch of college educated white kids. There’s nothing wrong with a college education, mind you. But whereas Vampire Weekend sound cynical to my ears, NOMO sound like they live and love this stuff the way, say, David Byrne does. Erik Hall just so happens to be in NOMO. He also just happens to BE opener In Tall Buildings who I will not call the musical equivalent to your best friend this time. As far as singer/songwriters go, In Tall Buildings kind of just hit that nail on the head.

10:00 p.m. Saturday, 11/27. Schubas. 21+. $15.

HOLLUS
Striking while the iron is still hot, gritty psychedelic rockers Hollus will appear with fellow Chicago success stories I Fight Dragons at the Metro. Hollus released its latest EP Part One in early November and a video for its single “Lucy Grey.” You don’t want to miss a band that our own Britni Day called “amuse bouche for the ears.” (Audrey Leon)

6:00 p.m. Saturday, 11/27. Metro. $11. All Ages.

GOLD MOTEL
Putting her time away from Chicago rockers The Hush Sound to good use, singer Greta Morgan lent her smoky voice to her latest project the indie pop rockers Gold Motel. After the band released its debut album this past summer, they are ready to unleash their new EP Talking Fiction on November 30. You can catch Gold Motel play its mix of sunny and sweet pop rock before the EP drops at Subterranean. (Audrey Leon)

7:00 p.m. Saturday, 11/27. Subterranean. $12. All Ages.

The dispute is based on Ticketmaster’s merge with Live Nation and who has the right to sell tickets at three of Jam’s Chicago venues: The Vic Theatre, Riviera Theatre and Park West.

Basically what happened was that in 2006 Jam signed a deal with Ticketmaster to sell tickets to Jam’s concerts. Of course, Ticketmaster got the fees for tickets sold, but a problem arose when Ticketmaster merged with Live Nation this year. See, Live Nation is Jam’s biggest competitor. The suit filed by Jam’s attorney’s argues that the 2006 deal can be terminated so that Live Nation don’t get any fees from tickets sold to Jam Productions’ shows.

The deal was supposed to last until the end of 2011. But Ticketmaster is fighting for it to continue and has threatened legal action of their own. Additionally, for anyone who has bought tickets to a Jam show this year, you’ve probably noticed that Jam have been using Etix for a number of shows.

We’ll have more on this story as it develops.

Photo by Kirstie Shanley

Hey Chicago! Just because summer is winding down doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of awesome shows to attend! This weekend we highlight The 1900s at Lincoln Hall, the Velcro Lewis Group at Saki, Down-Fi at the Double Door and more!

Let’s get to it, shall we?

FRIDAY

BLANE FONDA & RABBIT CHILDREN
A couple of Chicago favorites, Blane Fonda and Rabbit Children are teaming up to form the bread and meat of an otherwise odd line up sandwich. Headliner Melismatics are corporate rock if I’ve ever heard it and second on the bill, Minneapolis’s Duke of Dark are Nick Cave dark. Or aspire to be. So enjoy our city’s purveyors of fine music and maybe have yourself an early night. (Ross Meyerson)

8:00 p.m. Friday, 8/27. Darkroom. 21+. $8 advanced/$10 door.

THE 1900s
Chicago “Stoner Pop” group the 1900s would probably find the 1960s a more accurate name. The group’s sound is light and airy with the vocals containing a hint of girl group backing harmonies magnifying lead singer Jeanine O’Toole’s voice. The 1900s’ show at Lincoln Hall is designed to get fans pumped for the release of their brand-new album Return of the Century this November. Fellow retro rockers White Mystery are headlining. (Audrey Leon)

9:00 p.m. Friday, 8/27. Lincoln Hall. 21+ $10.

THE SQUARE AFFAIR
Who doesn’t love Logan Square? Chicago’s own Austin, TX, Logan Square is this city’s version of cool. Therefore, they decided to throw a little shindig celebrating the neighborhood’s top musical acts including Jon Drake and the Shakes, The Shams Band, The Minneapolis Henrys and Derek Nelson and the Musicians hit up Logan Square Auditorium for the event. Plus, donations for the Square Affair will go to the Intonation Music Workshop, which is a program that provides children ages 6 – 17 access to musical instruments and a safe environment to practice them in. So, that’s pretty awesome as well. Check it out, Logan-ites! (Richard Giraldi)

8:00 p.m. Friday, 8/27. Logan Square Auditorium. $12.

SATURDAY

VELCRO LEWIS GROUP
Chicago sextet The Velcro Lewis Group plays good old-fashioned rhythm and blues rock. For a modern day band, they are extremely adept at sounding soulfully aged, like a fine wine. The Velcro Lewis group will bring the wisdom and electric washboards to the American Legion Bucktown Post for the Booster Block Party. Velcro Lewis fans need to get there early because the group hits the stage at 1:30 p.m. If you can’t make the block party, The Velcro Lewis will play Saki Records on 3716 W. Fullerton on Sunday at 1 p.m. (Audrey Leon)

12:00 p.m. Saturday, 8/28. American Legion Bucktown, 1824 W. Cortland. $5 Donation. All Ages.
1:00 p.m. Sunday, 8/29. Saki Records. Free. All Ages.

FINAL SHOW AT THE MOPERY
Goodbye The Mopery we hardly knew you. Unfortunately, I never did as you just recently came to my attention. Looking at the list of bands that have graced your stage I clearly missed out on something pretty cool. If you are in my boat maybe perhaps you can get out Saturday night and wish them a fond farewell. The line up is large: Lechuguillas, Running, Loose Dudes, Paper Mice, Bad Drugs, Unmanned Ship, Sun Splitter, ONO, Solotroff, Soliday, Battleship, Sunglasses, Tiger Hatchery. Not a bad send off I’d say. (Ross Meyerson)

7:00 p.m. Saturday, 8/28. Mopery. All Ages. FREE!!!

SLUTTER
After helping Chicagoans start their Thursday morning off right by appearing on the WGN morning show, the talented females in Slutter will bring your Saturday night to a proper close at Park West with the music of KISS. Get ready because Vagene Simmons, GG Stanley, Peterless Criss and Lace SHEley rock and roll all night and party every day! If one tribute band isn’t enough to whet your appetite, Slutter is opening for the Led Zeppelin tribute band Zoso. (Audrey Leon)

7:00 p.m. Saturday, 8/28. Park West. 18+ $15.

SUNDAY

THE DOWN-FI
Indianapolis’s The Down-Fi are fronted by none other than Rocket From The Tombs Craig Bell. Holy crap, right? The Down-Fi certainly are not Rocket From The Tombs, but it’s been like 30 years. Theirs is a much janglier and enthusiastic sound. Chicago’s Dogs Of Fortune open and are followed by the certainly not mother approved Fuck You Kick My Asses. Then there’s Chicago’s Rodeo who clearly do not understand the definition of metal. That’s ok. They do understand what made the Pixies so influential. And listen to that bass! As someone that welcomes back the rock in indie rock I am willing to forgive their loose interpretation of metal and give them the Ross Meyerson asshole seal of approval. (Ross Meyerson)

Doors 8:30 p.m./Show 9:00 p.m. Sunday, 8/29. Double Door. 21+. $5.

• • City Pages talked with Jim DeRogatis about his move from the Sun-Times to Vocalo.org and Columbia College.
• • Time Out Chicago posted a review and photo gallery of the Charlotte Gainsbourg show at the Park West last week.
• • Love Shack  Baby went to the OK Go show at the Metro on April 17 and wrote up a colorful review complete with a clip from the concert.
• • Georgetown’s Vox Populi blog ran an interview with local mash-up duo The Hood Internet.
• • Twista recently went to Kuwait and Iraq on a five stop tour to entertain U.S. soldiers currently stationed there.

Charlotte Gainsbourg has a pretty voice, but it’s more or less just that: pretty. What I mean to say is that she doesn’t possess a lot of range, which makes it all the more astonishing that her new album IRM is such an enjoyable listen. Despite her lack of raw vocal talent, the fourteen tracks that compose the album are a relatively varied and interesting bunch. Gainsbourg herself deserves credit here for switching up her style and delivery from song to song, but the real congratulations should be directed at Beck, who wrote and produced all but one of the album’s songs.

The album’s feel and style varies so much over its course that it never gets boring despite the relative sameness of Gainsbourg’s vocals throughout. She keeps her singing to a soft, middling call for most of the songs, but like I said, she switches up her cadence and delivery to the point where she at least seems like she has some range, at least enough to keep things from getting boring.

Still, it’s Beck’s superb songwriting that deserves the most credit. He tries a wide variety of stylistic approaches, and is for the most part successful. Check the straightforward and acoustic “Heaven Can Wait” versus the mechanical and impatient title track, easily two of the best songs here, and you get an idea of what I mean. Both songs are smashing successes and worlds apart stylistically, and it’s this variance that makes IRM a winner.

Like I said before, Gainsbourg’s voice is very pretty, and she could get away with that for a while, but not for the forty-four minutes she puts in here, not without some great production and songwriting. There’s really too much happening here to mention in one short review, but I’ll try to hit on some of the ideas Beck tries out.

“Greenwich Mean Time” has traces of Midnite Vultures’ “Get Real Paid” all over it, and bonus track “Looking Glass Blues” rocks out and gets funky, recalling any number of Beck staples, specifically Odelay! – era material. Some of my favorite stuff here happens to be some of the slowest and prettiest tracks on the record. “In The End”, “Vanities”, and “La Collectionneuse” all feel linked stylistically without being too similar, and these slower songs give Gainsbourg some room to breathe and let her voice do its thing, and the results are beautiful. Also among this group is the one track Beck did not work on, and the only song performed entirely in French, “Le Chat du Café des Artistes”, and it too is irresistible, owing it’s beauty to the lovely vocals and beautiful instrumental arrangement.

Other tracks are a bit more aggressive and up tempo and they too play an important part in keeping the album from getting boring. “Trick Pony” and “Voyage” are much more in your face than the aforementioned tracks, and the two styles provide excellent breaks from one another. I can’t overstate how much this variety contributes to the success of IRM, as do Beck’s songwriting and production. The album may have Charlotte’s name on the cover, and her lovely pipes are certainly part of the equation, but don’t forget to mention IRM the next time you find yourself explaining to someone why Beck is awesome.
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Catch Charlotte Gainsbourg Wednesday, April 21 at the Park West. Buy tickets at Etix.com when they go on sale tomorrow, Saturday, March 13, at 10 a.m. CST.
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Charlotte Gainsbourg -- “One Trick Pony” -- Live on Letterman -- 1/22/2010

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOJpcgfC7Q8

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