Heavenly / Humdrum / Swansea Sound

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.

The inky shadows of the city hang heavy with the anticipation of Accessory's record release show, a night promising to blare bright with sonic invention, and the kind of intimate, crackling energy that makes you remember why you fell in love with the underground scene in the first place. The doors at the venue open up at 8PM, but time is a loose concept when you're immersed in the magnetic pull of their sound, an intoxicating blend of lo-fi lullabies and crystalline dream-pop.

Sharing the stage with Accessory, are Facing and Cancer House, who are each carving out their unique niches in the indie terrain. Facing's lyrical vulnerability, wrapped in warm, fuzzy guitar lines, is a melancholic love letter to late-night introspections. Meanwhile, Cancer House's anarchic energy and compelling punk ethos are a testament to the spirit of rebellion, the kind that makes you want to dance off your existential dread.

This isn't just another gig. It's a crash course on the bleeding edges of music, a journey into the heart of the indie zeitgeist. It's the kind of night where the echo of the last chord lingers long after the house lights come on. Show kicks off at 9PM. Be there, or be forever stuck in yesterday's playlists.

As the relentless, record-settin' cold of 2026 winds down, Salt Shed is defrosting the city's frozen bones with an Open House that's a veritable antidote to your seasonal affective disorder. This is not your grandma's garden party; it's a multi-sensory jamboree set to peel back layers of winter gloom and give you a dose of spring's renewal.

With a pulsing, electrifying heartbeat, Elston Electric will bring the warmth indoors, showcasing a retro-arcade experience that'll bring you back to the times when cheat codes ruled the world. For the cocktail connoisseurs, the Three Top Lounge will serve as your sanctuary, mixing up specialty quenchers and offering a rooftop perch overlooking a panorama of city lights and hopeful weather forecasts.

For the sartorially savvy, Umbrella Vintage and Fret 12 are your go-to boutiques, boasting racks of tastefully curated clothing and accessories that scream 'breakout of the winter cocoon'. While at RISE, discover a treasure trove of unique trinkets and home decor that'll add a dash of indie flair to your space.

And nothing screams 'spring has sprung' better than Arbor Day tie-ins. In collaboration with the Morton Arboretum, Salt Shed is all set to turn urbanites into tree-hugging heroes for the day, offering free trees to plant, while supplies last. Because nothing smells more of cool than lending a hand to Mother Nature.

Finish your day with frosty craft beers on the patio of the Goose Island Salt Shed Pub, a haven for the hop-obsessed and casual drinkers alike.

RSVP now or forever hold your FOMO. But remember, an RSVP's just a piece of paper – it ain't your golden ticket in. You've been warned.

Get ready to tap into the raw, cathartic energy that only a live show can summon. Headlining are the Arkells, known for their high-octane performances that transform even the most stoic hipsters into shameless movers and shakers. Opening act, Bino Bames, will be weaving his enigmatic blend of hip hop and indie soundscapes, probing the vast universes hidden within every beat. It's happening at the Bottom Lounge—a venerable institution that's seen the rise of countless indie darlings.

In an industry dominated by scalpers and fraudsters, the Lounge is taking a stand, ensuring your ticket is legit and your experience, untarnished. And don't sweat the slight delay in ticket delivery—it just means they're being extra careful to keep the scammers at bay.

Don't find yourself scrolling through the #Arkells and #BinoBames hashtags with a pang of regret. Get in on this sonic extravaganza and savor the sweet satisfaction of being there when it all goes down.

Ready to get your eardrums massaged by the sonic waves of the underground? The kind of aural satisfaction only a dual triumph of two indie darlings can deliver? That's right, trauma ray and Glixen are setting up shop at Bottom Lounge for a night that's as hard to pin down as it is to forget.

It's all going down presale style starting Tuesday, January 20th - an artful counter-move to those dreaded scalpers. And hey, if you're the kind of person who rolls out of bed before 10am, you might even score a ticket from the Riot Fest and Spotify presales.

As for the tickets, there's a delay - but who doesn't love a bit of suspense? Just make sure to get in touch if you're ticket-less with only three days to go.

So, clear your calendar and prep your fringe jacket, because this isn't just a gig—it’s a cosmic collision of cathartic shoegaze and synaptic synthpop. Let's face it, you weren't planning on doing anything else that night anyway, were you?

Attention, indie aficionados: Elmiene is embarking on their Sounds for Someone tour and they're bringing their formidable sonic forces to the House of Blues Chicago. Boasting a fiery amalgamation of jangly guitar riffs, pulsating rhythms, and infectious pop hooks, Elmiene has rapidly ascended the indie scene's ladder of cool, making them the band your friend's band wants to be.

Doors swing open at 7PM - just enough time to pick your spot and immerse yourself in the venue's rock 'n roll history before the onslaught of Elmiene's euphoria-inducing set at 8PM. Sorry seat-lovers, this gig is a standing-room-only affair. But let's be honest, when the rhythmic assault hits your eardrums, the last thing you'll want to do is sit. Potential for support act surprises? Count us in.

Upgrade your experience? With music this good, the only upgrade you'll need is a pair of dancing shoes and a pocket full of earplugs. Prepare to have FOMO if you miss this.

Get ready to ride the wave of raw emotion and unfiltered artistry. BRAD ARENA / SONIC MOTEL is not just a gig—it’s a sonic revolution. An unadulterated, audacious blend of the underground soundscape. Brad Arena's guttural howls perfectly coalesce with the ambient, droning synth of Sonic Motel, forming the kind of symbiotic sound that sends shivers down your spine. It’s like My Bloody Valentine and Kraftwerk had a brainchild, then cranked it up by a factor of 11. So grab that tattered denim jacket, the one with the obscure band pins, and prepare for a night of music that’ll seep into the marrow of your bones.

Get ready to immerse yourself in an enigma as Katt Williams: The Golden Age Tour takes the stage. This isn't just a performance, it's an ultrasonic journey, a brazen synthesis of humor and boundary-pushing artistry. Screw the mainstream, this is Katt Williams in raw, unfiltered glory, unapologetically off-kilter and teetering on the brink of audacious brilliance. Who ever said comedy and music can't intermingle clearly hasn't experienced this genre-bending spectacle. So trade in your run-of-the-mill Friday night for a trip down the rabbit hole of Katt Williams' chaotic genius. It’s time to set your FOMO at ease and tune into the unorthodox frequency of The Golden Age Tour.

There's a real sense of your grandma's garage-meets-Tropicalia brewing with THE MOSS, a four-piece sonic lovechild born on Hawaiian shores and hardened in the sun-baked Utah desert. Imagine Pinegrove and Cage the Elephant embarking on a surf trip, with surfboards traded in for Stratocasters and reverb-drenched Fender amps. Their 2019 debut, Bryology, was a no-budget, DIY masterstroke that gave us a glimpse of modern indie doused in '60s blues. It's the kinda album that makes you want to kick back on a longboard and ride the wave of joyous, introspective rock.

Fast forward to 2021, and their album Kentucky Derby stays true to the salt-crusted, sun-soaked sentiment while expanding their sonic palette—it's like stepping into a technicolor dream of their previous work. The tracks are sneakily arranged in pairs, offering an immersive, connected listening experience that's as innovative as it is nostalgic.

Live? They're an absolute riot. They've got a chemistry that's damn near infectious, making even the most hipster-bearded, PBR-swilling crowd lose their chill. THE MOSS serves up a raw, kinetic performance that's equal parts house party and open-air festival.

Don't sleep on this one, folks. THE MOSS is a breezy, boundary-blurring force of nature that'll get even the most jaded souls tapping their toes.

The Rock and Roll Playhouse is making waves in the kid music scene, and if you've got a tiny tot with a discerning ear, this is the gig you can't afford to miss. They're putting their own spin on music by cult-favorite Chappell Roan, and the result is a sonic blend that's more Brooklyn basement than playroom pandemonium.

This is not your average singalong—it's a full-blown concert experience, complete with movement, stories, and games that uncap your kid's creativity like a shaken-up soda. Think of it less as a kids' show, and more as a rite of passage—this could be your child's first taste of live music, their initial toe-dip into the thrilling pool of rock and roll.

The Playhouse crew are pros at keeping the volume at a decibel level that won't have your little one clutching their ears, but earmuffs are available if your kiddo prefers their tunes a bit more muffled.

Don't wait around—the advance tickets are cheaper, and you'll want your name on the mailing list for future shows. Trust us, once you've rocked out at the Playhouse, you'll be begging for an encore.