Since most venues don’t book shows Christmas week, this is one of your last chances to catch a concert before the new year. Don’t miss out and see Vince Staples, Pelican, Joanna Newsom, Empire of the Sun and Ryley Walker in person.
Tuesday: Pelican at Empty Bottle.
One of my first months living in Chicago I saw Pelican play an in-store session at Reckless Records, and I remember feeling so happy to have moved to a city where I could go to a record store and also see a show. I’ve seen the local metal act a couple times since then, and the prospect of seeing them at one of Chicago’s best venues with acts like Cloakroom and Goatsnake in support? Totally worth coming into work late on Wednesday.
Tuesday: Vince Staples at Bottom Lounge.
I saw Vince Staples open up for Earl Sweatshirt at Concord Music Hall earlier this year, and the energy of that short set was one of the best rap shows I saw all year—and that was before his excellent “Summertime 06” came out. With Staples having so much new material and more set time, you’d be wrong to miss one of the most essential shows of the year.
Wednesday: Joanna Newsom at Chicago Theatre.
Diving into all the knotty and gorgeous complexities in Joanna Newsom’s recent album “Divers” is both a music critic’s dream and a music critic’s nightmare. There’s so much to unpack and so much to love on first listen that only the most astute reviews can do the work justice. Good thing concerts aren’t album reviews.
Thursday: Empire of the Sun at Aragon Ballroom.
The problem with keeping up any weekly list with a set number of must-see shows is that sometimes there aren’t 5 must-see shows in a given week. I put Australia’s Empire of the Sun here in this spot because I remember really liking its song “Walking On A Dream.” If the rest of the band’s catalog sounds like that, it’ll be fun! If not, sorry!
Friday: Ryley Walker and Circuit Des Yeux at Empty Bottle.
With Meat Wave headlining the Bottle last Saturday, the iconic venue has a pretty good streak starting with local favorites Ryley Walker and Circuit Des Yeux taking the stage this weekend. Both acts have some of the best Chicago releases of the year, and with Walker’s freewheeling and largely improvised jam sessions with his band, this is can’t miss stuff.
[email protected], @joshhterry
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