Upcoming Shows - Week ending March 28th

This week plays out as a nicely stretched out list of awesome, beginning with a FREE show tonight at Empty Bottle with, up-and-coming indie pop stars, Pet Lions!


Monday, March 22nd – Empty Bottle – 9:30pm - FREE
Headliner: Pet Lions
Openers: This Is Versailles, Radar Eyes

Pet Lions + Empty Bottle + free show = Awesomeness! We have been harping on how great Pet Lions are for a while now. Between their recent trip to SXSW should expand and the eventual release of their debut, seeing these guys in smaller venues will be a thing of the past before you know it.


Tuesday, March 23rd – Metro – 6:30pm - $15
Headliner: Manchester Orchestra
Openers: The Features, Biffy Clyro, O'Brother

This is one of those rare shows where we would be just as happy if the main opener and headliner were reversed. Atlanta based rockers, Manchester Orchestra's sophomore album, Mean Everything To Nothing, was a definite high point in 2009 releases; more blowing the doors off their sound than just expanding it. We completely understand getting excited to hear it live (we sure are), but make sure not to miss The Features. The Tennessee band has been around for years, but last year signed to Kings Of Leon's imprint label to release their second LP, Some Kind Of Salvation. Their raw, passionate sound is definitely worth getting to the show early!


Thursday, March 25th – Schubas – 9pm - $8
Headliner: Roman Candle
Openers: Locksley, Rachele Eve

North Carolina roots-rockers, Roman Candle make a Chicago appearance at Schubas Thursday night. If the term 'alt-country' makes your ears perk up, this is the show for you this week. Skip Matheny's earnest, soulful vocals fit the story-telling songwriting wonderfully, and the band's sturdy rock backing, with a healthy dose of southern accents, sound fantastic.


Thursday, March 25th – Metro – 8pm - $22.50
Headliner: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Openers: Band Of Skulls, J Roddy Watson And The Business

If you are more in the mood for gritty blues Thursday night, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club will scratch that itch with a hard-charging, bluesy sound that recalls classic rock greats like The Rolling Stones. Their latest, Beat The Devil's Tattoo, is a sweaty, distortion-tinged effort that should translate beautifully to the Metro stage.


Friday, March 26th – The Aragon – 8pm - $32.75
Headliner: Tegan And Sara
Openers: Steel Train, Holly Miranda

Though the Quin sisters have steadily changed their sound from one album to the next since they burst onto the scene with the brilliantly poppy So Jealous in 2004. Whether that candied gem, or the hauntingly itchy, Chris Walla-produced The Con, or their most recent foray into more straightforward rock Sainthood, Tegan And Sara have proved to be among the most talented, interesting artists around.


Saturday, March 27th – The Riv – 7:30 - $58.50
Headliner: Stone Temple Pilots

With a new album just announced, and a new single ("Between The Lines") hitting the web today, Stone Temple Pilots appear primed to reclaim their rightful place as one of the world's greatest rock bands. The album hits May 25th, but you can get an early listen Saturday at The Riv. They played four tracks at SXSW last week, and early buzz behind the album is strong.

Upcoming Shows - Week Ending March 14th

Got plans this weekend? You might want to rethink them…

Thursday, March 11th – Lincoln Hall – 9pm - $12

Headliner: We Were Promised Jetpacks

Openers: The Lonely Forest, Bear Hand

The latest Scotland sensation, We Were Promised Jetpacks returns to Chicago for a show at the wonderful Lincoln Hall. With a sound full of ragged, restless riffs and some amazingly gut-wrenching lyrics, they have a buzz around them for a reason. Their cathartic debut release was among the best we heard in 2009, and think you would have to have a screw loose to miss the band live. If you only see one show this week, make it this one!

Friday, March 12^th – Schubas – 7pm - $12

Headliner: David Ford

Openers: Brent Puls

If you manage to make out to just two shows this weekend, we highly recommend UK singer-songwriter David Ford at Schubas. Singer-songwriters may be a dime-a-dozen, but Ford's unique one-man-band show, looping all the pieces together live on stage, is truly something you need to see to believe. Add a fantastic voice and brutally honest lyrics, and you have a can't-miss show.

Friday, March 12^th – United Center – 7:30pm - $40 – $60

Headliner: Muse

Openers: Silversun Pickups

If you are in the market for something much, much bigger, head over to United Center for two stadium-ready bands – Muse and Silversun Pickups. We normally ignore the United Center shows here, but having witnessed first-hand the brilliance of both bands, we find this one a great exception.

Friday and Saturday, March 12^th and 13^th – The Vic – 8pm - $50, $100, $250

Headliner: Jeff Tweedy

The Wilco front man puts on these annual benefit shows once a year, so this is your limited opportunity to catch Jeff Tweedy in a solo setting. The price may be a little higher, but it is not like you are going to be catching Wilco in this intimate a venue anytime in the near future.

Friday, March 12^th – Beat Kitchen – 9pm - $12

Headliner: Pelican

Openers: Piebender, Follows

This would be an easier recommendation if it were not for all else going on this night. The good news is, you can probably catch the molten instrumental metal of Pelican after heading to Metro to see Mustard Plug.

Friday, March 12^th – Metro – 6:30pm - $19

Headliner: Aqua Bats

Openers: Mustard Plug, Plunket

If you are in the mood for some horn-happy ska, Mustard Plug might be just the ticket on Friday night. Go skanking!

Saturday, March 13^th – The Bottom Lounge – 7pm - $15

Headliner: Ted Leo And The Pharmacists

Openers: Title Tracks, The Chicago Stone Lightning Band

Ted Leo And The Pharmacists head to Chicago on the heels of releasing this week's The Brutalist Bricks. We recommend heading out and finding out and hearing their energetic balance of punk and pop live.

Saturday, March 13^th – The Aragon – 6pm - SOLD OUT

Headliner: Flogging Molly

Openers: Frank Turner And The Architects

This eclectic fusion of traditional Irish music and punk rock is playing at a venue as large as The Aragon for a reason. It's not quite St. Patrick's Day, but why not get the week off to a Guinness soaked start?