I admit it’s ridiculous to count Tomorrow Never Knows–a multi-show, five-day, six-venue event–as just one of the must-see shows this week because as I note in the fest preview below, there are several essential acts to catch this week. However, if you’re not in the festival spirit, this week is still pretty damn stacked. Along with TNK (Whitney and Torres are absolute musts), you should also check out Teen Cult, G-Eazy, Free Throw and Up Up Down Down Left Right A B Start.
Monday: Teen Cult at Empty Bottle.
Free Mondays at Empty Bottle is consistently one of my favorite things to do in the city. Seeing Teen Cult, an excellent local jangly art-rock trio, would be a good deal even if you had to pay.
AD174 Teen Cult 'Teen Cult' by Already Dead Tapes and Records
Wednesday-Sunday: Tomorrow Never Knows.
I’ve written pretty much all that I can about this festival, which is taking place from Wednesday to Sunday at multiple different venues throughout the city. Read my full preview here and be sure to check out Whitney (9 p.m. Wednesday at Schubas, $15) and Torres (9 p.m. Friday at Lincoln Hall, $15).
Friday: Free Throw at Subterranean.
While I haven’t thought too much about Nashville emo outfit Free Throw since it released 2014’s excellent “Those Days Are Gone,” after seeing this listing I’m instantly revisiting its cathartic pleasures and wondering why it’s been so long since last listen.
Those Days Are Gone by Free Throw
Saturday: G-Eazy, A$AP Ferg at Aragon Ballroom.
I have to be honest: I’m not a huge G-Eazy fan, but I know that this would be a fun show. Sometimes you have to be in a totally amped crowd and be a few minutes removed from screaming the words to A$AP Ferg’s “Shabba Ranks” in order to really understand an artist. Tickets are sold out.
Saturday: Up Up Down Down Left Right A B Start and Pet Symmetry at Beat Kitchen.
Up Up Down Down Left Right A B Start, a New Jersey band with the “Worst Band Name Ever” (its members’ words, not mine), is making a rare appearance at Beat Kitchen with local favorites Pet Symmetry. It’s going to be a blast, especially since UUDDLRABS (ugh, look at that gross acronym) hasn’t done much since 2007.
jterry@redeyechicago.com, @joshhterry
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