shame
Sunday, January 25 • 8:00 PM
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
Purelink / Pan-American
Thursday, February 5 • 9:00 PM
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
Swimming Paul (18+ Event)
Thursday, February 5 • 10:00 PM
Concord Music Hall
2047 N. Milwaukee
Chicago 60647
Woof, What's Vital, Violet Waves, Zeno Camera
Friday, February 6 • 8:30 PM
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
The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays Music of The Beatles + More for Kids
Sunday, February 8 • 11:30 AM
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
MELT ICE - A Stand With Minnesota Benefit Show
Friday, February 20 • 7:00 PM
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
Ruby w/ Coach House, The Fighting Godot
Friday, February 20 • 7:30 PM
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
goodkitty w/ Jawson Dell, damsel.
Saturday, February 21 • 6:30 PM
Cubby Bear
1059 West Addison
Chicago 60613
ICE OUT - A Stand With Minnesota Benefit Show
Saturday, February 21 • 7:00 PM
Bottom Lounge
1375 W. Lake St
Chicago 60607
The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays Music of Talking Heads + More for Kids
Sunday, February 22 • 11:30 AM
Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport St
Chicago 60608
Bryce Vine - Let’s Do Something Stupid Tour
Thursday, February 26 • 7:00 PM
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
Say She She: Cut & Rewind Tour with Katzù Oso
Thursday, February 26 • 8:00 PM
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
I See Stars Spin The Wheel Tour
Friday, February 27 • 7:00 PM
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
House of Burlesque
Friday, February 27 • 8:00 PM
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
Sploot EP Release! w/ A Mammoth Task, Luzma', and Dreadsmith
Saturday, February 28 • 6:30 PM
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
The Pancakes and Booze Art Show
Saturday, February 28 • 8:00 PM
Reggie's Rock Club
2105 South State Street
Chicago 60616