There are going to be some tough decisions this week when it comes to awesome shows in Chicago, especially on Friday. From tried and true RedEye favorites like Mick Jenkins, Smino and Kweku Collins, to veterans like Green Day and Teenage Fanclub, to newcomers like the Lemon Twigs and Sam Evian, this might be the best overall week we’ve had in a while.
Even with Cubs’ postseason baseball, do the right thing and support your local music scene while you support your local team. PS: The Cubs are off on Friday.
More Top Picks Lubricant
*** = RedEye’s show of the week.
Thursday
***Mick Jenkins, Smino, Kweku Collins
Thalia Hall
1807 S. Allport St. 312-526-3851
Wow, this is a dream bill for Chicago hip-hop fans. With not one, not two, but three former RedEye cover stars, the Red Bull-sponsored “Quest For Love” tour is going to be nothing short of epic. Mick Jenkins is off the release of his long-awaited album “The Healing Component,” Smino will hopefully tease new music off his forthcoming “Zero Fatigue” mixtape and Kweku Collins will dazzle with cuts from his “Nat Love” project. No way this show would be anything less than our must-see show of the week—heck, must-see show of the month.
Tickets: Thaliahallchicago.com
M83, Shura
Riviera Theatre
4746 N. Racine Ave. 773-561-9500
M83, the electronic pop project from French musician Anthony Gonzalez, released an album this year called “Junk,” and fortunately, the ’80s throwback full length was anything but (even though the sometimes cheesy tunes were slightly polarizing). But what I’m really interested in is Shura’s set. The rising English pop singer is stellar, and she should be on everyone’s radar. P.S.: The show is at Riviera now that it was moved from the Aragon Ballroom. Don’t be confused!
Tickets: Ticketfly.com
Friday
Cass McCombs
The Empty Bottle
1035 N. Western Ave. 773-276-3600
This reclusive folk singer doesn’t tour as often as I’d like, but when he does, his career-spanning setlists are completely rapturous. One of the most distinct and necessary voices in the entire genre.
Tickets: Emptybottle.com
Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room
Cobra Lounge
235 N. Ashland Ave. 312-226-6300
As a member of Alkaline Trio and the Falcon, Dan Andriano has one of the best résumés in punk. With his solo band the Emergency Room, the spotlight’s all on the journeyman songwriter and bassist.
Tickets: Cobralounge.com
Sunflower Bean, the Lemon Twigs
Lincoln Hall
More Top Picks Best Circular Saws
2424 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-525-2501
I’ve written a bit about how much I dig New York’s Sunflower Bean before, but this time, I’m going to focus on another New York-based band, the Lemon Twigs. Their most recent album, “Do Hollywood,” is a wonderful throwback to ’70s soft rock, doo-wop and ’60s psychedelia. It’s not like they’re reinventing any wheels, but it’s damn full of great songs.
Tickets: lh-st.com
Teenage Fanclub, Sam Evian
Bottom Lounge
1375 W. Lake St. 312-666-6775
I’m on record as saying Teenage Fanclub’s “Bandwagonesque” is one of my favorite ’90s albums ever, so of course I’m excited about this one. More so, I’m stoked to see opener Sam Evian again. I recently caught the Saddle Creek-signed artist open for Whitney last weekend in Grand Rapids, Mich., and the psych-rockers’ killer songs from “Premium” more than come to life onstage.
Tickets: bottomlounge.com/
Sunday
Green Day
Aragon Ballroom
1106 W Lawrence Ave. 773-561-9500
Haha, why not? It’s been a minute since they’ve released a punk rock classic, but this band is still legendary.
Tickets: Livenation.com