Dying To Go

shame

shame

shame

Sunday, January 25 • 8:00 PM

Shame's new album, Cutthroat, is a veritable showdown at the intersection of raw tension and liberating release, with the five-piece firing on all cylinders. Think of it as a joyride - a reckless, exhilarating spin down the backroads of punk and indie-rock, where every note is a rebel yell and every lyric is a spit in the face of complacency. With Grammy-winning producer John Congleton pulling no punches, shame's sonic evolution is souped-up, supercharged, and guaranteed to make your heart pound like a bass drum.

Ditch the ennui, because Cutthroat isn't about wallowing in self-pity - it's a riotous "fuck you" to the status quo. The record dissects the bleak reality of our current era with a biting humor and a merciless eye, painting a vivid portrait of conflict, corruption, and the primal hunger for something better. This is shame at their most unapologetic - with a fresh, confrontational sound that's as explosive as a live wire, and just as electrifying. And when that slams into their new electronic experimentation? It's the sonic equivalent of igniting a can of gasoline.

From the blistering title track to the final echoes of the closer, Cutthroat is a masterclass in indie fury and dancefloor hedonism. So strap in, because this joyride is about to go from 0 to 100 - and you won't want to miss a single, heart-stopping second.

Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport St
Chicago 60608

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Purelink / Pan-American

Purelink / Pan-American

Thursday, February 5 • 9:00 PM

Get ready to have your sonic senses reprogrammed by Purelink, the Midwestern sound-tinkerers who've made Brooklyn their latest analogue playground. The trio, consisting of Millia, kindtree, & Concave Reflection, are set to indoctrinate you with their heady blend of dub basslines, IDM swirls and trip-hop grooves, all served under the umbrella of their trademark experimental ambient stylings.

Having proven their mettle on the Lot Radio residency roster, Purelink has been making waves in North America's electronic music hotbed. Their recent 2023 album, "Signs", launched via the revered Peak Oil imprint, has been strafing run across the echelons of the music scene—racking up accolades from the likes of Pitchfork, Resident Advisor, and Crack Magazine, to name just a few.

Now, the anticipation is building towards their next full-length release, "Faith", due out on June 6th. The new project features vocal contributions from Loraine James and spoken word from Angelina Nonaj, bringing a fresh perspective to their signature sound.

Get yourself to the nearest dancefloor or risk missing the chance to witness the evolution of a future classic. With the number of gigs they've racked up alongside innovators like Huerco S, Tirzah, Loraine James, & DEBONAIR, their performances are a sonic kaleidoscope you just can't afford to miss.

Whether you're looking for an evening of introspective electronic journeying or the catharsis of a dancefloor moment, don't sleep on Purelink. This immersive, effervescent, and utterly epochal event promises to shake up your perception of what electronic music can be.

Empty Bottle
1035 N. Western Ave.
Chicago 60622

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Swimming Paul (18+ Event)

Swimming Paul (18+ Event)

Thursday, February 5 • 10:00 PM

Swimming Paul is set to take the stage, armed with their signature blend of dreamy shoegaze and jangly indie rock that's as refreshing as a dive in a chlorinated pool on the hottest day of summer. Following their breakout album "Cannonball Catastrophe," this show is destined to be a scene-defining moment—a chance to say you were there when Swimming Paul made waves. It's an 18+ event, so the vibe promises to be both inclusive and invigorating. If you've grown tired of the same old Spotify playlists, this is your chance to immerse yourself in something truly splashy.

Concord Music Hall
2047 N. Milwaukee
Chicago 60647

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Woof, What's Vital, Violet Waves, Zeno Camera

Woof, What's Vital, Violet Waves, Zeno Camera

Friday, February 6 • 8:30 PM

Prepare to have your indie cred tripled and your playlist revamped—Woof, What's Vital, Violet Waves, and Zeno Camera are amassing in a sonic collision that promises to be more seismic than when Sonic Youth discovered a new guitar tuning.

We're talking Woof, the lo-fi trailblazers, bringing their distinctive blend of dream pop and bedroom folk that feels like listening to a Smith's record in a rain-soaked attic. Then there's What's Vital, coming in hot with their anthemic post-punk ballads that can turn even the most mundane Monday into an age of rebellion.

And just when you think you've hit peak indie, Violet Waves cascades in with their synthpop symphonies that make you feel like you're living in a pastel-infused, VHS aesthetic. Closing the show, we've got Zeno Camera—part experimental noise band, part existential philosophy seminar, their set is set to be the kind of dizzying existential ride that leaves you questioning everything but their talent.

This isn't just a gig. It's the indie equivalent of Woodstock. And missing it? That's about as cool as not knowing who Pavement is.

Reggies Music Joint
2105 South State Street
Chicago 60616

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The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays Music of The Beatles + More for Kids

The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays Music of The Beatles + More for Kids

Sunday, February 8 • 11:30 AM

Grab your favorite ironic band tee and your kid cousin, because The Rock and Roll Playhouse is dropping the needle on an all-ages jam that's making the rounds from your mom's book club to the underground chatrooms of indie heads. This isn't your average "I'm just here for the juice boxes" kind of gig. No, this is a deep dive into the majesty of the rock canon, served up with a side of games, stories, and an invite for the ankle biters to rock out like they're headlining CBGB.

Can you imagine a mini mosh pit of toddlers bouncing to the Beatles? It's avant-garde. It's whimsical. It's the kind of subversive spectacle that makes you reconsider the boundaries of genre and generation. And, with a gentle nod to little eardrums, the volume's turned down, so no need to worry about your niece developing a taste for tinnitus.

As the kids thrash, you'll be consenting to your image being captured in all its glory - so style accordingly. Get there early to nab advanced tickets because, like a limited run of vinyls, these won't last. Oh, and remember to opt into The Rock and Roll Playhouse mailing list—it's the secret handshake to a whole new world of indie for the under 10s.

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Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport St
Chicago 60608

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MELT ICE - A Stand With Minnesota Benefit Show

MELT ICE - A Stand With Minnesota Benefit Show

Friday, February 20 • 7:00 PM

Just when you thought your winter blues couldn't chill any deeper, MELT ICE is here to thaw you out with their Stand With Minnesota Benefit Show at the inimitable Bottom Lounge. This isn't just any gig—it's a call to arms, a crusade against scalping that's hotter than a My Bloody Valentine guitar solo. As the band's ethereal tones and lyrical ice picks chip away at your frosty ennui, you'll find yourself awash in a sea of like-minded indie aficionados, all rocking to the same beat of subcultural fervor.

Beware of third-party tricksters selling bogus tickets online—Bottom Lounge won't vouch for those. But don't worry, you'll snag your authentic entry pass in good time for the event. If your e-ticket hasn't fluttered into your inbox by T-minus three days, holler at the Lounge and they'll get you sorted.

Prepare for a Minnesota winter's night that'll leave you more stirred than a pensive Sufjan Stevens track and more electrified than a synthpop shockwave. This is a night not to be missed, a beacon of cool in the dark depths of a mellowed-out mid-winter.

Bottom Lounge
1375 W. Lake St
Chicago 60607

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Ruby w/ Coach House, The Fighting Godot

Ruby w/ Coach House, The Fighting Godot

Friday, February 20 • 7:30 PM

Prepare to lose yourself in the magnetic swirl of Ruby’s sonic landscapes, a band whose blend of melancholic shoegaze and fiery post-rock has the power to transmute the mundanity of life into an ethereal dreamscape. With support from Coach House, the amorphous art-pop collective that’s been collecting buzz like lint in Brooklyn's underground scene, and The Fighting Godot, whose existential punk is as paradoxically enthralling as the absurdist play it cheekily nods to, this promise to be a night of revelatory indie revelations and blissful auditory immersion.

The names on the bill may be unassuming, but their artistry is anything but. Ruby's heartrending lyricism, Coach House's fusion of electronic and acoustic textures, and The Fighting Godot's confrontational yet cathartic energy come together for an evening that is sure to be etched into the annals of indie lore.

So, dust off your Doc Martens, don your most ironic graphic tee, and prepare for a night where the vibrations of the bass linger in your chest long after the last note has faded. This unmissable lineup is a siren call for the city's indie-obsessed, a promise whispered in the dark corners of the underground that nights of potent, unfiltered music are still alive and kicking. The only question left is, do you dare to dive in?

Cubby Bear
1059 West Addison
Chicago 60613

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goodkitty w/ Jawson Dell, damsel.

goodkitty w/ Jawson Dell, damsel.

Saturday, February 21 • 6:30 PM

Groove your way into the guts of the underground with goodkitty, the synth-purring dream pop outfit that's been making the scene swoon with their kitten-soft melodies and lion-hearted lyrics. Sharing the stage are the indefinable Jawson Dell, who’s been known to shapeshift between raw, gut-punching grunge and quietly haunting acoustic sets, and the inimitable damsel., whose lo-fi, angelic warbles could make even the most hardened hipster shed a melancholy tear. A night of such unique flavors promises a palette of sound that’ll leave the Williamsburg crowd yearning for more. Pull on your thrifted Levis, polish your Doc Martens, and surrender to this triumvirate of indie titans.

Cubby Bear
1059 West Addison
Chicago 60613

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ICE OUT - A Stand With Minnesota Benefit Show

ICE OUT - A Stand With Minnesota Benefit Show

Saturday, February 21 • 7:00 PM

ICE OUT is throwing down at Bottom Lounge, and it's going to be a thumping heart of subzero cool. This isn't just another gig—it's a stand with Minnesota Benefit show, a rallying cry for justice and a testament to the transformative power of music. For the savvy snobs out there worried about scalping, Bottom Lounge has you covered. Tickets are sent on delay to freeze out the fraudsters, ensuring you can scoop yours up in time for the show, sans stress. Just remember, if you haven't received your ticket three days prior, give 'em a shout. It's time to bundle up, step out, and let the icy beats of ICE OUT shatter your typical Tuesday night.

Bottom Lounge
1375 W. Lake St
Chicago 60607

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The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays Music of Talking Heads + More for Kids

The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays Music of Talking Heads + More for Kids

Sunday, February 22 • 11:30 AM

Prepare to wipe the dust off your old school Talking Heads vinyl and pull up your mismatched socks for the most rockin' family-friendly event of the season. The Rock and Roll Playhouse is set to bring the house down with their signature blend of interactive games, stories, and a good ol' rock-out session. This isn't just another humdrum kiddie concert— it's a full-fledged introduction to the rock and roll canon. With iconic Talking Heads tunes humming in the backdrop, it's precisely the kind of melodic education your kid (and let's be real, you too) never knew they craved. So, are we still in the basement, headbanging to shoegaze? Not today, folks. It's time to step into the sunlight, grab your mini-mes, and show them what real music feels like. After this show, your family jam sessions will never be the same. This one's way beyond 'cool'— it's seismic.

Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport St
Chicago 60608

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Bryce Vine - Let’s Do Something Stupid Tour

Bryce Vine - Let’s Do Something Stupid Tour

Thursday, February 26 • 7:00 PM

Bryce Vine, the sonic chameleon, is out to shake up 2025 with his “Let’s Do Something Stupid Tour”. He's locked in the Bottom Lounge, that cavernous cathedral of sound that's been a home to many an indie legend. Vine's music is a wild mix of hip-hop, pop, and indie sensibilities—with a dash of 90s nostalgia—that feels like a reckless dive into a pool filled with PBR and glow sticks.

This dude's been wandering the forests of Spotify, dropping acoustic breadcrumbs for the keen of ear. Now, he's ready to step into the limelight, microphone in hand, heart on sleeve. He's going to, in the immortal words of his song 'La La Land', "turn a DFA into a Dope Fiends Anthem".

As for tickets? Get them straight from the source. No scalping, no scamming, just straight-up music appreciation. Just remember, these tickets are so fresh, they need a little extra time to process. But, like any worthwhile chorus, they'll hit you right on time.

So, dust off that vintage flannel, dig out your Doc Martens, and get ready for a night of impulsive dancing, emotional sing-alongs, and perhaps a few questionable decisions. And remember, as Bryce Vine himself croons, "we're not in love, but I'll make love to you".

Let's do something stupid, shall we?

Bottom Lounge
1375 W. Lake St
Chicago 60607

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Say She She: Cut & Rewind Tour with Katzù Oso

Say She She: Cut & Rewind Tour with Katzù Oso

Thursday, February 26 • 8:00 PM

Ready to be part of a discodelic rebellion? Say She She is bringing their Cut & Rewind tour to town, with a VIP cocktail hour that's much more than your basic pre-show drink sesh. Get up close and personal with Nya, Sabrina, and Piya in an intimate Q&A, snap a few candid shots, and score an exclusive 15% merch discount - all before the first beat drops.

This isn't just a concert - it's a multi-sensory experience that'll leave you moving to the groove of their irresistible harmonies, all while feeling the subversive undercurrent of their punk-chic ethos. Their sound is a masterful blend of 70s and 80s nostalgia, spun with a dazzling twist of synth and soul that's been praised by The Guardian, the LA Times, and MOJO.

Cut & Rewind promises to be a shimmering, psychedelic journey, tailor-made for both the dancefloor and the revolution. With opening act Katzù Oso, expect a night of astral whistle tones, pulsing disco beats, and melodies that’ll seep into your dreams. Don't miss out – they’ve gone from basement sets to the Hollywood Bowl, and this is your chance to say you were there when.

Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport St
Chicago 60608

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I See Stars Spin The Wheel Tour

I See Stars Spin The Wheel Tour

Friday, February 27 • 7:00 PM

Bored of your Spotify Daily Mix already? Time to peel yourself off that thrifted armchair and tune into something a little more tangible, folks. Enter the I See Stars Spin The Wheel Tour - a cosmic ride through the heart of indie-electronica that’s set to make supernovas of your tired playlists.

Presale tickets drop with the precision of a drum-machine loop: Wednesday, Oct 8, 10 AM sharp. Bandsintown, Spotify, and the artists themselves are all getting in on the action, so you know it’s going to be an interstellar event. But don't get left floating in the ether - general on-sale kicks off at 10 AM on Friday, Oct 10th.

Prepare for a night of pulsating synths, galaxy-sized choruses, and the sort of starry-eyed camaraderie that can only be found within the hallowed halls of indie music. The I See Stars Spin The Wheel Tour – it’s the closest you'll get to experiencing the Big Bang live and in-person.

Bottom Lounge
1375 W. Lake St
Chicago 60607

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House of Burlesque

House of Burlesque

Friday, February 27 • 8:00 PM

Goodbye, your mundane existence! Get ready to drown in a sea of sequins and electric sound waves as House of Burlesque takes over the House of Blues this weekend. A hotbed of unadulterated, 21+ ecstasy, this is where the heart of Chicago's subculture throbs.

Expect a high-octane night of music and mirth that begins when doors crack open at 8 PM, with the real spectacle firing up at 9. This isn't your garden-variety standing room only affair. It's a sensorial buffet for those in the know - the ones who don't just listen to the music, but feel it pulsating through their veins.

Any questions? Save 'em for the uninitiated. All you need to know is this: the support acts are as fluid as the night itself, shifting and shapeshifting without notice. This is the underbelly of Chicago's music scene, raw and unfiltered, where the call of the wild is the night's only constant.

So, toss aside your vanilla plans and step into the intoxicating fray. The House of Burlesque is not just a gig, it's a glittering communion of cool.

Foundation Room at House of Blues Chicago
329 N Dearborn St
Chicago 60654

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Sploot EP Release! w/ A Mammoth Task, Luzma', and Dreadsmith

Sploot EP Release! w/ A Mammoth Task, Luzma', and Dreadsmith

Saturday, February 28 • 6:30 PM

Time to unplug from the aux cord of mundanity and plug into the electrifying sounds of the underground scene this weekend. Remember Sploot? That rising sardonic indie outfit who swept us off our feet with their infectious jangle-pop melodies and lyrics so painfully relatable, they make your broken heartstrings vibrate? They're finally dropping their highly anticipated EP and they’re making it a full-blown event!

Featuring cosmic rock crusaders A Mammoth Task, atmospheric dream weaver Luzma', and the hauntingly evocative Dreadsmith, the night promises a kaleidoscopic soundscape that will send you spiraling into the heady depths of auditory oblivion. Expect a sonic journey that trawls the melancholic depths of post-rock reverberations, surfs the effervescent waves of synthpop, and treads the menacing periphery of dark folk, all in the same night.

If you're thinking of missing this one, we suggest you think again. This isn't just about the music—it's about the unfamiliar faces in the crowd, the pulsating energy in the room, the charged conversations by the merch stand, and the shared ecstasy of hearing that one track you’ve been streaming ad nauseam come alive in front of you.

This is Sploot’s EP release. This is your call to the altars of indie. This is where the cool kids will be. Don’t just hear about it the next day. Be there.

Cubby Bear
1059 West Addison
Chicago 60613

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The Pancakes and Booze Art Show

The Pancakes and Booze Art Show

Saturday, February 28 • 8:00 PM

There's a deliciously intoxicating blend brewing on the horizon—The Pancakes and Booze Art Show. It’s a pancake-slinging, booze-swirling spectacle that serves up a hefty side of underground artistry. Ditch your same-old, same-old Saturday night routine and immerse yourself in this sonic syrup of indie rock and avant-garde aesthetics. We're talking about a scene that's more loaded than your favorite brunch spot's most Instagrammed dish. Lose yourself in layers of DIY aural magic, taste the edgy sweetness of craft cocktails, and feast your eyes on a cavalcade of burgeoning artists that make Warhol's Factory scene look like a high school art class. Leave your ennui at the door, because this is where you'll find the pulse of the indie undercurrent.

Reggie's Rock Club
2105 South State Street
Chicago 60616

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