With another week comes another excuse to go see a show. From our favorite politically minded hip-hop duo Run the Jewels hitting Aragon Ballroom to some of the best kept musical secrets playing The Hideout, there’s a lot to love in Chicago music right now.
*** = RedEye’s show of the week.
FRIDAY, FEB. 17
***Run the Jewels, The Gaslamp Killer, Gangsta Boo, Nick Hook, Cuz
Aragon Ballroom
1106 W. Lawrence Ave. 773-561-9500
Last Christmas, Run the Jewels gave their fans the best gift of all by releasing “Run the Jewels 3” three weeks early. Like El-P and Killer Mike’s previous albums under the moniker, “RTJ3” is fantastically hard-hitting hip-hop and bitingly perceptive. They’ll likely appear at a local festival this year, but in case they don’t, this may be your last chance to see them for a while. 8 p.m. Sold out.
SATURDAY, FEB. 18
The Weather Station, Bill MacKay
The Hideout
1354 W. Wabansia Ave. 773-227-4433
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Not that it was ever in a rut, but The Hideout has been experiencing a renaissance of sorts, booking some of the best acts this city has to offer for several months now. Headlined by Canadian folkies the Weather Station, this show is just one example of the jam-packed slate the iconic venue has on deck. 6 p.m. $8. Tickets: hideoutchicago.com
SUNDAY, FEB. 19
Chris Farren, Yeti, Hi Ho
Subterranean
2011 W. North Ave. 773-278-6600
Fake Problems’ frontman and Florida punk troubadour Chris Farren channelled his songwriting toward infectiously fun pop-rock tunes on his recent solo album “Can’t Die.” It’s a total blast of a record that will be enough of an excuse to skip your usual Sunday routine and go to the Wicker Park venue instead. 7:30 p.m. $10-$12. Tickets: subt.net
Wednesday
Pool Holograph, Courtship
The Whistler
2421 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-227-3530
I know I write about Pool Holograph a lot, but I genuinely love this Chicago band and they play a lot of shows around town, like this month’s CHIRP Night at the Whistler. According to the event page, it’s “an evening where you can enjoy the music of CHIRP-curated local artists, the Whistler’s take on classic cocktails and the good feeling of supporting independent radio.” 8:30 p.m. Free. RSVP: chirpradio.org
Jake Xerxes Fussell, Jim Elkington
The Hideout
1354 W. Wabansia Ave. 773-227-4433
Georgia folk artist Jake Xerxes Fussell is releasing his sophomore album “What in the Natural World” next month via label Paradise of Bachelors. The two tastes I’ve heard so far, “Furniture Man” and “Have You Ever Seen Peaches Growing on a Sweet Potato Vine?” are stunning and sparse reimaginings of traditional folk songs. 9 p.m. $10. Tickets: hideoutchicago.com