Black Eyes with Edging and ira glass

Attention indie disciples: the avant-punk prophets Black Eyes are back, and they've got a fresh dose of sonic revolution for us. Following a 20-year hiatus, they've returned to the Dischord label with 'Hostile Design,' an album that sinks its teeth deeper into the dark dubscapes and raw punk that made us all fall in love with them in the first place.

This isn't just a reunion, it's a rebirth. Forget nostalgic throwbacks; Black Eyes are pushing forward, delivering six new tracks that delve into the political, sexual, and personal with an unflinching gaze. Their years apart have only intensified their unique sound, adding elements of drone rock, avant techno, ambient, and sonic collage. It's the unmistakable sound of Black Eyes, but richer, bolder, and more experimental.

And get this: they've curated Speaking In Tongues Festival—a four-night event echoing the community spirit of their eponymous zine and featuring a lineup plucked straight from the golden age of punk, including Pissed Jeans, Luke Stewart, and TALsounds. You'll also get to experience the band members' solo projects, Earthen Sea and Relaxer.

If you weren't around for their first go-round or you're just curious what the fuss is about, this is your chance. Get ready to plunge into the mosh pit of the new avant-garde.

Jumpstart your languishing heart rate with a night of unrelenting sonics as Fcukers and RIP Magic set the stage for an auditory odyssey. Fcukers, with their discordant melodies that tangle like the bedhead of a punk visionary, whale upon your eardrums. Expect a set as raw and real as a blood pact made in a graffiti-splattered alleyway.

Sharing the stage, RIP Magic will take you on an exploration of soundscapes, their synths cascading over you like a rogue wave in a neon ocean. Picture your favorite 80's synthpop tracks tossed into a blender with a handful of glow sticks and served in a chipped, thrifted mug.

This isn't just another gig—it's an antidote to apathy, a manifesto of the underground scene. Miss it at your own risk, because the word on the street is this is the gig that'll set the tone for the rest of your year, and it's only going downhill if you're not there.

Don't even think about smashing that snooze button, kids. This is not your average, overhyped show. Alt-rock veterans Cold and the dark dreamweavers of University Drive are about to shake the foundations of Bottom Lounge. The only presale that matters starts Wednesday, January 14th at 10:00 AM sharp—and believe us, you'll want to be there at the starting line.

The general onsale drops Friday, January 16th at 12:00 PM, so mark your calendars, set your alarms, and maybe even get a backup alarm. Just to be safe. But beware, the cutthroats of the scalping world are prowling, ready to inflate prices and break hearts. Bottom Lounge's got your back, though—any third-party shenanigans aren't on them. And yeah, your tickets might be fashionably late (the best things in life always are, right?), but they'll be in your hands before the first chord echoes through the venue.

Wait, what's that? You haven't got your tickets three days before the gig? Keep calm and drop Bottom Lounge a line. They’ve got you.

Cold. University Drive. Bottom Lounge. You know where you need to be.

Dust off those Doc Martens and tune into the zeitgeist, the underground is awakening with a gig that's destined to flip your indie radar on its head. Leading the charge, we've got FLOWERSATHERFEET, channeling My Bloody Valentine-esque distortion with a soupçon of Cocteau Twins' ethereal dream pop—think gossamer vocals draped over a bed of jagged guitars. But hold that PBR, it's not all about the shoegaze love-in.

In the eye of this sonic storm, we find FASHION COUNCIL. A synthpop quartet with a knack for crafting earworms so infectious, they should come with a health warning. Leaning into 80's Depeche Mode vibes with a dash of modern CHVRCHES flair, they're serving up neon-lit nostalgia with a side of the 21st-century cynicism.

And then there's the tantalizing 'TBA.' A mystery guest that's got the rumor mill in overdrive. Will it be that elusive Brooklyn post-punk outfit you've been dying to see live? Or perhaps that new noise-pop sensation causing a stir on Bandcamp? The anticipation is palpable.

Don't be that tragic soul left scrolling through blurry gig photos in your timeline. Snag a ticket, grab your thrift shop leather jacket, and prepare to dive into a night that promises to be an audiovisual feast. This is not just another night, it's a subculture summoning.

Get ready to dive into the sonic depths of the underground scene with Ragana, Eudaemon, and Genital Shame at Bottom Lounge. This isn't your everyday indie gig—it's a full-blown, anarchic spectacle of subversive sonics and transcendent tunage. You won’t find these tickets on any secondary sale or on that shady corner of Craiglist. Nope, Bottom Lounge is keeping it pure, so you'll need to get in line with the real fans. You might have to wait a hot minute for your tickets, but good things come to those who wait, right? Shake off the ennui, strap on your Doc Martens, and get ready to mosh to the beat of the underground. You'll regret missing the chance to say, "I was there when..."

Prepare yourself for an auditory escapade like no other as Jerm Theory, Viano and the Wave invade your mundane existence with their soul-stirring sonic ecosystem. Jerm Theory, the mysterious lo-fi wizard, will paint ethereal landscapes using nothing but dissonant melodies and hushed whispers. Then, brace yourself for the tsunami of Viano and the Wave, a collective that has skillfully fused synthpop and indie to create a sound that ricochets between the familiar and the fantastical.

This isn't just another gig. This is a rebellious rebuke to the complacency of the mainstream, a DIY tour de force that's as unpredictable as a thrift store vinyl bin. Expect hypnotic rhythms bathed in a glow of fuzzed-out guitars, punctuated by insistent synths that'll have you questioning your own reality.

Block your calendar. Secure your spot in the front row. This is the kind of musical alchemy that makes even the most jaded of hearts pulsate with renewed fervor.

Behold, the freshest blend of sonic soup steaming live from Sounds Of The Good Life. With their name acting as both manifesto and mission, SOTGL are notorious for taking the mundane and spinning it into audiophilic gold. Their gigs are a Petri dish of infectious energy, a sonic confluence where post-rock meets bedroom pop.

And if that's not enough to kick-start your heart, they'll be sharing the stage with VIRTUE, the genre-defying aural architects. Their sound is an MoMA-worthy mix of IDM, techno, and deconstructed club that's as unpredictable as it is exhilarating. Expect a set that pushes the boundaries of the known sound universe.

As if your night wasn't already brimming with potential, Toss! is joining the party. Their lo-fi aesthetics and indie-pop melodies will stir your nostalgia and warm your heart with their charm. These DIY darlings are an emotional kaleidoscope, crooning tales of heartbreak and hope through their fuzzy guitar tones and hushed vocals.

So if you're looking for a night of auditory exploration and culture-defining sounds, park your ennui at the door and grab a ticket. This is where the cool begins and ends.

Prepare to have your sonic sensibilities rewired by DEEPFAKE, the cryptic collective creating a quantum leap in the indie music scene. This 18+ event at Outset is a standing testament to the raw, unadulterated power of underground soundscapes. Bring your ID and your appetite for radical aural experiences—this is a no-reentry, all-in dive into the depths of experimental tuneage. Limiting it to a six-ticket per person cap, they're ensuring an intimate communion with their mind-warping melodies. It's general admission, but don't mistake that for a generic night out. This isn't just a gig, it's a subcultural baptism.

NY's Frog is back to flex their freak-folk muscles with a gig that promises to be a murky blend of lo-fi, existential blues, and off-kilter indie rock. Remember how their debut album was dubbed "the best American guitar record of the year"? If you’re still clinging onto that halcyon high, they're set to deliver another heady dose of irresistible riffs. The band's signature stoner hit "You Know I'm Down" will likely resonate through the rafters, with its effortless cool and languid rhythms. They went from swampy New Rochelle to the depths of the UK and back, their journey immortalized in the 2018 film "Kings of Blah". But don't let the title fool you - there's nothing blah about Frog. Rather, they're the kind of cult band that can distill a decade's worth of musical trends into a half-hour set. It's a ride not to be missed.

Dust off your thrift-store flannels for an evening of what’s both nostalgically familiar and infectiously fresh. Heavenly, the indie-pop darlings birthed from the post-punk womb of Talulah Gosh, are re-entering the scene with their signature melodic blend of punkish rhythm and girl-group harmonies. A staple of both the UK indie scene and the Riot Grrrl movement, this band took a heart-shattering hiatus after the loss of their drummer, Mathew Fletcher, in 1996. Now, they're back, shaking off their halos and making the kind of music that makes you weak in the knees and strong in the heart. With their discography re-released and a handful of sold-out shows already under their belts, Heavenly are not only reclaiming their space in the indie-pop universe, they're expanding it, drawing in a fresh generation of fans who've gone from flipping TikTok tracks to spinning Heavenly LPs. They're currently working on new material that promises to be the sonic equivalent of a secret handshake – something only the coolest kids know about. Miss out, and you're the only one not in on the joke.

Get your headphones ready and your Spotify playlists cleared—Powfu is bringing the ambient beats of your lo-fi dreams straight to the stage with "The Lofi Library Tour". Joining them is Jomie, the hidden gem that's been setting the underground scene ablaze with their hypnotic rhythms.

Don't just expect a show. This is an immersive experience that'll make your bedroom studio feel like a stadium. Imagine the blissful hum of downtempo beats designed to tune out the world, now amplified to a concert-sized scale. It's like crawling inside your favorite chillhop track, with Powfu as your guide.

And for the true audiophiles, there's the Powfu Meet & Greet Experience. Not only do you get to break the fourth wall and step into the beatmaker's realm, but you get a snapshot to prove you were there, a VIP laminate signed by Powfu himself, and first dibs on merch that'll make your friends wilt with envy.

Yeah, it's that kind of event.

Get ready to swap out your dreams of lo-fi echo chambers for an ecstatic experience of neon vivacity, as industry titan Steve Aoki takes the decks. Far from your local indie basement, Aoki’s headline set promises a galvanizing fusion of big-room bangers and electrifying visuals that makes avant garde synthpop look like child's play. So, peel off those flannel shackles and surrender to the rush of chart-topping EDM, because this night is set to be an unapologetic, bass-dropping, cake-throwing euphoria. Sure, it may not be the obscure underground set you're used to, but Aoki’s infectious energy and crowd-commanding charisma are genres of their own. You've had your head in the garage band clouds—this is your chance to dance on the EDM stratosphere.

Assemble, sonic connoisseurs! Fresh from the depths of the Windy City's underground, the Chicago Sound Collective is about to take over your frequencies with their riveting assemblage of sound artistry. Forget your preconceived notions about collective music – this isn't your garden variety orchestral ensemble. Blending gritty blues undertones with ethereal noise pop, and topping it off with a dash of avant-garde jazz, their unique soundscape is a testament to the city's eclectic musical heritage. Brace yourself for an auditory experience that's as layered as a deep-dish pizza, yet as razor-sharp as the Chicago skyline. If your eardrums are yearning for a fresh aural expedition, allow the Chicago Sound Collective to be your sonic sherpa.

Don your best flannel, dust off those Doc Martens, and break out your heart for Lewis Capaldi, the chart-topping troubadour destined to cure your quarantine blues. The Scottish serenader, lauded for his swoon-worthy ballads and Tom Waits-inspired growl, is stepping back into the spotlight with an exclusive live set you won’t want to miss. With his raw, gutsy lyrics, Capaldi’s show promises to be a cathartic journey that'll stick with you long after the music stops.

And don't stress about the pandemic party poopers—the venue's safety measures are tighter than an indie drummer's snare. Check back with the venue for real-time updates; they're as fluid as a Phoebe Bridgers' melody. So if you're craving some soul-searing melodies, Capaldi's your man, and this gig is your golden ticket back into the beating heart of live music.

NOT .

Get ready for a night of sonically charged euphoria with Naturosynth, the effortlessly cool lo-fi wizards who've been squatting the top of every underground playlist on Spotify. Their layered, synth-heavy sound is like a heady, hypnotic trip through the cosmos, delicately peppered with a raw, poetic lyricism that traces the outlines of the human condition.

They're joined by Secret Menu and Surf Cowboy, two breakout bands that are turning heads faster than a limited edition vinyl release. Secret Menu blends seamless harmonies with a dreamy shoegaze aesthetic, while Surf Cowboy reworks classic surf rock motifs with a modern, electronic twist.

Prepare for a night steeped in immersive soundscapes that will leave your eardrums craving for more. Find yourself lost in a haze of swirling synths, warped guitar riffs and pulsating beats. As one of the most highly anticipated line-ups this side of SXSW, it's the perfect cure for your boredom and an undisputed electrifying start to your week.

Get ready to bid adieu to your humdrum existence, because Afro-electronic futurists Ginja are touching down in Chicago. Curated by sonic architect Ethan Tomas, this is not just an auditory experience—it's an extension of the diaspora in the most electrifying way. Pulling from the pulsating roots of Africa and the neon veins of electronica, Ginja promises a night that'll make your heart palpitate to a rhythm you didn't know you had. If you've been craving something to jolt your indie senses awake, this is it. Don't miss the chance to be part of the crowd chanting "Ginja" as the sound waves ricochet off basement walls. Because, let's face it, nothing fuels your cool-kid cred like being part of a moment before it explodes into the mainstream.