Winter preview 2011
It’s winter in Chicago, but so what? Music doesn’t own a condo in Florida, so expect plenty of worthwhile reasons to get out of the house or apartment in the first few months of 2011 to see a concert. Here’s a sampling of some of the more notable shows early in the new year (listed chronologically):
Weezer: Fans have been clamoring for Rivers Cuomo to revisit the sound and ultra-sincere intent of his band’s first two albums, so now he’s taking them literally. The first night of this mini-residency will be devoted to the band’s 1994 self-titled debut, the so-called “blue” album, and the second night to the massively influential 1996 album “Pinkerton,” 7:30 p.m. Jan 7-8 at the Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence, $45 (sold out); ticketmaster.com.
Wu Tang Clan: Between group and solo projects, this crew has left an indelible mark on hip-hop the last two decades. You likely won’t see a stronger collection of MC’s on stage ever, including GZA, Method Man, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at Congress Theatre, 2135 N. Milwaukee, $25; congressticketing.com.
Laurie Anderson: A brilliant musician, conceptualist and performance artist, Anderson will showcase her latest work, “Homeland,” a typically timely big-picture look at America and what obsesses it, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Harris Theatre, 205 E. Randolph, $35 to $80; harristheaterchicago.org.
Besnard Lakes: Last spring this Montreal outfit roared at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. In more intimate confines, the quartet’s epic mood-shifting music should raise the roof, 8 p.m. Jan. 13 at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Av, $15; lincolnhallchicago.com.
Jayhawks: With Mark Olson and Gary Louris teaming up again, the band revisits its two key ‘90s albums of Grade-A country-tinged Americana, “Hollywood Town Hall” on opening night, then “Tomorrow the Green Grass” at the second concert, 8 p.m. Jan. 27-28 at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield, $29; etix.com.
Decemberists: Colin Meloy’s band of orchestral-rock innovators will focus on songs from their forthcoming sixth studio release, “The King is Dead,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Riviera, 4746 N. Racine, $30; etix.com.
Robyn: After releasing a trilogy of “Body Talk” albums in 2010 that put a fresh spin on dance pop, the Swedish singer should be in a celebratory mood, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Riviera, $25; etix.com.
Smith Westerns: The North Side quartet celebrates the release of its second studio album, “Dye it Blonde,” brimming with cascading harmonies and dreamy hooks, 10 p.m. Feb. 26 at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, $12; ticketweb.com.
Lady Gaga: The Monster Ball continues to roll through North America like the stiletto-heeled juggernaut it is. Visually, Gaga delivers everything you could want from a concert that promises spectacle, 8 p.m. Feb. 28 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison, $49.50. $75, $125; ticketmaster.com.
Girl Talk: Greg Gillis spends weeks mashing tiny electronic samples of recorded history into new shapes, then unleashes their full body-quaking fervor in concert, 7 p.m. March 4-5 at the Congress Theatre, 2135 N. Milwaukee, $30; ticketweb.com.
greg@gregkot.com
Greg,
I'm sure you've seen this already, but anyway:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204204004576049972873921068.html?mod=djemTMB_h
Do you think the only solution is for the industry to collapse and start over?
Greg replies: It already is collapsing. The start-over won't come soon enough to save it.
Posted by: Adam | December 30, 2010 at 05:30 PM