Fall preview: Top concerts, from U2 to Riot Fest
It’s the time of year when the last few big outdoor shows hit town (U2 at Soldier Field),but for the most part the action will move indoors on a smaller and more intimate scale – and there’s nothing bad about that. Here are a few of the key fall concerts:
U2: The Irish quartet launches its North American tour with an in-the-round spectacle beneath a four-legged “War of the Worlds”-style contraption. Presumably there will be music, as well, in an attempt to revive sales of its latest album, “No Line on the Horizon,” Sept. 12-13 at Soldier Field, $252, $97, $57, $32; ticketmaster.com.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: The Boss swings back into town for the second time this year, but rather than focusing on his 2009 album “Working on a Dream” he’ll be performing his 1975 masterpiece, “Born to Run,” front to back, plus assorted songs from throughout his career, Sept. 20 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison, $98 and $65; ticketmaster.com.
Phoenix: The French quartet is one of the year’s big success stories. After three up-and-down albums, they knocked it out of the park with the anthemic electro-rock on “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix,” Sept. 23 at the Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence, $21; ticketmaster.com.
Allen Toussaint: The New Orleans master songwriter and producer is also a pretty darn good piano player, as evidenced by his latest CD of jazz standards, “The Bright Mississippi,” Sept. 26 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Av., $24-$28; 773-728-6000.
Riot Fest: The premier punk festival in the land? This five-night blow-out plugs dozens of bands into five clubs and theaters, including local pioneers (Naked Raygun,Screeching Weasel),underground icons (Butthole Surfers, Dead Milkmen), veteran rabblerousers from coast-to-coast (Boston’s Street Dogs to Sacramento’s 7 Seconds) and relative newcomers (Shot Baker, the Frankl Project), Oct. 7-11 at Congress Theatre, Metro, Subterranean, Beat Kitchen and Liars Club, various prices and multi-day packages available, details at riotfest.org; tickets at ticketweb.com.
Maxwell: The R&B sensuality flows from this gifted singer, back in fine form on “BLACKsummers’night” after nearly a decade-long hiatus, Oct. 8 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison, $20-$150; ticketmaster.com.
Califone: Singer-guitarist Tim Rutili is also an accomplished filmmaker, and he’ll roll out his feature-length debut, “All My Friends are Funeral Singers,” with his band playing the soundtrack live, Oct. 10-11 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Av., $20; mcachicago.org.
Wilco: It’s a long way from Lounge Ax --- the sextet steps up to the arena level in its hometown, Oct. 18-19 at the UIC Pavilion, 1150 W. Harrison, $39.50; ticketmaster.com.
Monsters of Folk: My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, and M. Ward join forces in something of an indie-rock super group, Oct. 30 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy, $51, $46, $36.00; ticketmaster.com.
The Jesus Lizard: The legendary noise-rock quartet caps off its comeback year with a couple of hometown shows. No guarantees they’ll continue after these concerts, so prepare accordingly, Nov. 27-28 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., $25; etix.com.
greg@gregkot.com