Winter 2020 Concert Guide

by Kathleen Hinkel

We’re spoiled here in Chicago when it comes to music. Our central location and massive population make our town a potentially lucrative and always practical stopping point for touring musicians of various genres looking to collect New fans. As we ride out the winter weather there are plenty of live music options to keep us entertained. If you’re looking for an astounding vocalist, a hiphop pioneer, a jazz innovator, a psych rock astronaut or perhaps just a place to go shake your bones - you’ll likely discover some sonic treats if you start your live music with our guide. Here are 25 upcoming concerts that are bound to be a unique and inspiring night of music.

January 22

YOUR SMITH

Schuba’s Tavern 8 pm $17 3159 N. Southport

Caroline Smith is a singer/songwriter who presents catchy pop sound with fashionable swagger. With a rocking all-female band and a growing catalogue of laid-back tunes, she's an artist on the rise. Your Smith’s spectrum of rock and pop influences include David Bowie, David Byrne, Michael Jackson and Bonnie Raitt and they are all subtly represented in her style and sound. The song “The Spot” off her 2018 EP Bad Habit was accurately described by NPR’s Stephen Thompson “as a breezy jam that morphs from Sheryl Crow-style summer pop to a kinetic chorus with agreeable echoes of Luscious Jackson.”

Your Smith

Your Smith courtesy photo.

January 22

MIKE GORDON

Thalia Hall 7 pm $32 - $50 1807 S. Allport St.

A founding member of the genrebending rock band Phish, Mike Gordon brings his band of gifted collaborators to Pilsen to showcase their unique brand of experimental funk rock. Setting the pulse for the show is Gordon’s signature bass, which leads the crowd through two solid sets of danceable funk grooves and exploratory space jams. Longtime Gordon collaborator and bandmate Scott Murawski provides a scorching guitar while acclaimed improvisational jazz and funk pianist Robert Walter adds his innovative piano and organ sounds over the top. Drummer John Kimmock and percussionist Craig Myers complete this lively band that Gordon often seems happy creating music with.

Mike Gordon

courtesy of Red Light Management

January 24 + 25

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND

Chicago Theatre 7:30 pm $39.50+ 175 N. State St.

Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, the first couple of blues rock n’ roll, bring their talented 12-piece band to the Chicago Theatre for the second half of their annual local residency. Tedeschi is one of the most stunning blues vocalists of our time while Trucks is one of the world’s greatest living slide guitarists. Married for 20 years and touring together for the past 10, the couple delivers an astonishing two set show with their 12-piece band that features two drummers, a keyboardist and a horn section. Their inspiring catalogue is played with heartening passion, the best of Americana being played today.

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND

Shervin Laine

January 25

GZA

Concord Music Hall 8 pm $20

2047 N. Milwaukee Ave. Legendary hip-hop pioneer and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan GZA will be performing his acclaimed 1995 album Liquid Swords with a live band. GZA is often referred to by his nickname, the Genius, an appropriate tag for this American rap innovator known for his cerebral lyrics. Liquid Swords is widely recognized as a timeless masterpiece and remains among hip-hop’s most relevant treasures 25 years after its original release. It’s hip-hop 101. Treat yourself to a this refreshing revisitation of the roots of rap.

January 31

EMILY BLUE

Beat Kitchen 8 pm $12 2100 W. Belmont Ave.

With a gift for writing authentic lyrics, Emily Blue is one of Chicago’s most promising rising pop artists. Voted Best Pop Artist in 2019 by the Chicago Reader, Blue’s catalogue of quality songs seems to be experiencing constant growth. This past year she also released a fiery rendition of Blondie’s “Call Me.” Aside from an exciting solo act, Blue is also known as the lead singer of Tara Terra, a member of the local LGBT community and an advocate for LGBT rights. This past December, she organized a queer music festival called ICONIC that raised funds for trans rights.

Emily Blue

Emily Blue courtesy photo

January 31

MAKAYA MCCRAVEN

Chicago Symphony Center, Orchestra Hall 8 pm $24+ 220 S. Michigan Ave.

“McCraven, a Chicago-based drummer, producer and beat maker, has quietly become one of the best arguments for jazz’s vitality,” says the New York Times. Self-described “beat scientist” Makaya McCraven will be making his CSO debut to perform the ambitious In These Times, a mixed-media program that embraces socio-political themes accompanied by historical footage and spoken word. McCraven will improvise with longtime collaborators in this breakthrough performance. Influenced by jazz masters and hip-hop pioneers, McCraven is known for delivering an original sound that is rooted in an appreciation of a variety of artists.

February 1

THE WAILIN’ JENNYS

Patio Theatre 7 pm $15+ 6008 W. Irving Park Road

Gorgeous three-part harmonies are the signature of this female Canadian folk trio. Their most recent album, Fifteen, reached the number one spot on Billboard’s Bluegrass chart and the group had appeared several times throughout their earlier career on NPR’s Prairie Home Companion. The demands of motherhood have kept the Jennys out of the studio in recent years but it sounds like they’ll be finding the time to record soon enough as they’ll be road testing new material for an album.

The Wailin' Jennys

Art Turner

FEBRUARY 5

KING PRINCESS

Riviera Theatre 7:30 pm $31.50 4746 N. Racine Ave.

Proudly queer, Mikaela Mullaney Straus exploded in 2018 with her single “1950” about unrequited queer love. This young genderqueer artist organically weaves identity into both the name and music. "When something is your identity, if you're writing in a way that is authentic, then that identity is embedded within the music. There is no choice. There is no separation ... you can't remove that part of yourself.” King Princess released the debut full length album Cheap Queen with legendary pop producer Mark Ronson in 2019 and brings a wildly fun stage presence to the live act.

King Princess at Lollapalooza 2019

Kathleen Hinkel

February 16, 17, & 18

SHAKEY GRAVES

S.P.A.C.E. 8 pm $35+ 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston

Shakey Graves initially caught people’s attention in 2011 with a one-man band setup that included a guitar and a modified old suitcase that served as a kick drum. His bluesy Americana sound easily gave way to a foot-stomping good time and he quickly began selling out large venues nationwide. In the years since, his set-up and sound have evolved and his most recent album, 2018’s Can’t Wake Up, has a dreamy pop feel. This trio of acoustic Shakey Graves shows at Evanston’s intimate SPACE are likely an intriguing opportunity to see the artist strip down his set-up once again and hear an adventurous musician trying something new.

February 19

TOVE LO

Riviera Theatre 7 pm $30 4746 N. Racine Ave.

From ABBA to Robyn, the Swedes have developed a reputation for delivering dance pop superstars to the world. Tove Lo is among the country’s most impressive pop exports of the past decade. The Swedish pop star is currently touring in support of her fourth album, Sunshine Kitty, which has lyrics reflecting on her relationships with men and women. Lo is known as a pop artist with a dark edge, keeping space for melancholy in her music “to not make it too sugary or too bubblegum.” Sunshine Kitty embodies this description yet still is one of Tove Lo’s most uplifting albums to date.

February 20

BABY ROSE

The Empty Bottle 8:30 pm $18 1035 N. Western Ave.

The R&B world is buzzing about this Atlanta-based soul singer’s captivating, sultry, emotive vocals and melodic style. Jasmine Rose Wilson released her debut album To Myself in August and it’s a stunning introduction to the singer and her textured voice. Since beginning to release music over the past year, Baby Rose has drawn valid comparisons to her iconic influences like Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse. A focused young artist with a relaxed, soulful sound, Baby Rose is one of those rare singers who has the vocal talent combined with the passion to potentially become a household name.

Baby Rose

Donte Maurice

February 25

Stonefield

Sleeping Village 9 pm $14 3734 W. Belmont Ave.

The four Findlay sisters hailing from rural Victoria make up this exciting Australian psych rock quartet. The band has been releasing music since its inception in 2006 but the trio of albums they have released over the past three years have cemented their identity as a sophisticated group of musicians whose sonic growth should not be ignored. Their 2017 album As Above, So Below hit #19 on Austrailia’s charts and 2018’s Far From Earth followed by 2019’s Bent have established them as rising rock stars making a global name for themselves. Expect thorough provocative explorations of psych grooves and melodic dance-able beats from this family band.

Stonefield

Stonefield courtesy photo

March 7

RAILROAD EARTH

The Vic 8 pm $26.50 - $44 3145 N. Sheffield Ave.

One of the top bluegrass acts of the past two decades, Railroad Earth plays the sort of whimsical upbeat Americana that makes you want to kick off your shoes and dance barefoot in the grass on a summer day. Unfortunately it’ll be March in Chicago so the barefoot dancing in the grass won’t be happening but their joyful improvisational sound will be and it is known to get crowds grooving in a euphoric bluegrass dance party. The excitement of this band’s faithful followers often rubs off on those checking out the New Jersey act for their first time.

Railroad Earth

Pete Macozzi Photography

March 11 + 12

BOB WEIR and WOLF BROS

Chicago Theatre 7pm $59.50+ 175 N. State St.

Weir, Grateful Dead founding guitarist, explores the band’s massive catalogue with just an upright bass and a drum kit. The Wolf Bros are bassist Don Was and drummer Jay Lane. Weir is clearly having fun as his life proceeds by his own design, playing the songs he has been playing for over 50 years in this new stripped down format. “This is more fun than a frog in a glass of milk,” he told Rolling Stone.

Bob Weir

Jay Blakesburg

March 14

REVIVALISTS with TANK and the BANGAS

Aragon Ballroom 8 pm $46 1106 W. Lawrence Ave.

Some of New Orleans’ most electrifying modern musical exports will be sharing a ticket in Uptown this spring. The charttopping Revivalists are known for their soulful uplifting rock n’ roll and exceptional live performances that typically evolve into a euphoric dance party. Don’t miss the opener as the joyful Tank and the Bangas will be setting the tone for the evening. A fusion of funk, hip-hop and rock, Tank and the Bangas have a deserved 2020 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and have been earning fans nationwide since winning NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2017.

Tank and the Bangas

Gus Bennett Jr.

Revivalists

Revivalists courtesy photo

March 14

SINEAD O’CONNOR

City Winery 8 pm $85 1200 W. Randolph St.

As a person Sinead O’Connor has evolved quite a bit since her rise to fame with her 1990 album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got. While Sinead’s legal name and religious affiliation have changed, her celestial singing voice and bold political convictions remain. The Irish singer still possesses the exquisite vocals that gave the world its most recognizable version of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a song she recently started revisiting live after abandoning it for several years. An opportunity to hear Sinead’s unique and uncompromising voice presents itself now.

March 26

PUSSY RIOT

Metro Chicago 7 pm $31 3730 N. Clark St.

Russian feminist protest punk rock performance artists Pussy Riot will perform as part of their North American tour that benefits Planned Parenthood and they will be fronted by founder Nadya Tolokonnikova. Pussy Riot began to gain attention by staging guerrilla pieces of performance art set to their music in public spaces as political protest. The themes address social justice and feminism, LGBTrights and opposition to Vladimir Putin. Tolokonnikova and Pussy Riot remain defiant activists for free speech and social justice even after spending two years in a Russian prison for singing a song critical of Putin in Moscow’s main cathedral.

Pussy Riot

Facebook

March 28

LIL WAYNE

Radius Chicago 10 pm $70 640 W. Cermak Road

The American Rap prodigy, discovered in 1996 at the age of 13, will be one of the first to perform at Chicago’s newest music venue. Lil Wayne is a beloved hip-hop artist whose massive catalogue has consistently lived up to the hype that follows. As Mosi Reeves wrote in Rolling Stone, “His place on rap’s postmillennial Mount Rushmore is assured.” Lil Wayne’s most recent album Carter V is no exception. As Rolling Stone put it, “It’s an album full of fire and passion from an artist who doesn’t have anything left to prove.”

Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne courtesy photo

April 1

MDOU MOCTAR

Empty Bottle 8:30 pm $22 1035 N. Western Ave.

The Hendrix of the Sahara and the Prince of the Desert are nicknames for Nigerbased Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar. In reviewing Moctar’s 2019 album Ilana (The Creator), NPR’s Bob Boilen said “Mdou Moctar has made the most insane psychedelic guitar album of the 21st century.” Like his influencer Jimi Hendrix, Moctar plays a left-handed Fender Stratocaster. He is one of the most skilled Tuareg guitarists and grew his style playing weddings in a small village on the edge of the Sahara desert, hence the nickname the "Hendrix of the Sahara." The Tuareg guitar style, with its quick repetition and whimsical melodies, could accurately be described as desert guitar trance to those who are unfamiliar.

April 2

DAN MANGAN

Schuba’s Tavern 8 pm $15 3159 N. Southport Ave.

Revered Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Mangan presents us with a unique opportunity to catch his show in an intimate setting at Schuba’s. He’s touring to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his acclaimed album Nice, Nice Very Nice and has graciously included Chicago as one of his four United States stops on the cross-Canada tour. He’ll be playing the album front-to-back to begin the show before revisiting the rest of his catalogue of lyrically brilliant and relatable British Columbia campfire songs. “Robots” off his 2009 album is the song that elevated Mangan to a household name among CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) listeners and is a good place to start exploring his music.

Dan Mangan

Dan Mangan courtesy photo

April 3

STURGILL SIMPSON

United Center 7:30 pm $50+ 1901 W. Madison St. Progressive country rocker Sturgill Simpson doesn’t always follow Nashville’s rules. In 2017 he won the best country album Grammy for his 2016 album A Sailor’s Guide to Earth. That same year he busked on the street outside the Country Music Awards to raise money for the ACLU in protest of the CMA’s rule that would not allow the media to ask questions about politics or guns. Outlaw country may be the best way to describe Simpson’s sound. He's a progressive musician with progressive values who brings bold lyrics and synths to music that is country at its core. Simpson’s tour supports his most recent album Sound and Fury.

April 4

THOM YORKE

United Center 8pm $35+ 1901 W. Madison

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke performs selections from his solo catalogue as part of his trio Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes, which is named after his 2014 album of the same name. Completing the trio with Yorke are longtime Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, who plays multiple instruments including bass, guitar and keys in the show, and visual artist Tarik Barri, who live mixes video projections. The show will draw from Yorke’s entire discography from 2006’s Eraser through 2019’s ANIMA.

Thom Yorke

Greg Williams

April 8

KURT VILE and CATE Le BON

Thalia Hall 8:30 pm $33+ 1807 S. Allport St.

“Cate Le Bon is pretty much my favorite artist. I’m mesmerized by her output over the last 10 years.” Beloved Chicago musician Jeff Tweedy said this to Rolling Stone about Welsh musician Cate Le Bon, who will be touring with Kurt Vile this spring. Kurt Vile, touring without his band the Violators for the first time in 10 years, is a skilled lyricist with a distinct voice and an enthusiasm for collaborating with other indie musicians. This upcoming tour with Cate Le Bon is anticipated to be an exciting collaboration between two adventurous artists.

April 11

SOFI TUKKER

Riviera Theatre 8 pm $25-$27.50 4746 N. Racine Ave.

This smart electronic duo is guaranteed tomake you dance. You’ve likely heard their most popular song “Best Friend” in an Apple commercial when they unveiled the iPhone X. Their music has a worldly feel with lyrics sung in multiple languages and a sound that incorporates various musical stylings to convey empowerment and unity among other things. The pair is German Sophie Hawley- Weld and American Tucker Halpern who met attending Brown University in 2014. Sofi Tukker earned a Grammy nomination for their 2018 album Treehouse and their 2019 album Dancing on the People is an equally impressive follow-up.

Sofi Tukker

Shervin Lainez

April 24

KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD

Radius Chicago 8 pm $37+ 640 W. Cermak Road

This group of genre-bending, wacky Australians are likely the most prolific, talented musicians churning out psychedelic rock today. They have an appetite for experimentation, which has resulted in creating a massive 15 album discography in their 10 years together, including five albums released in 2017 alone. They released two albums in 2019. The first album Fishing for Fishies sounds influenced by classic rock and blues and is a stunning contrast to their other 2019 album, Infest the Rat’s Nest, which is a thrash metal narrative about attempting to survive the end of the planet. Needless to say, expect to be surprised at a King Gizzard show.

King Gizzard

photo courtesy of Big Hassle PR