Another week, another opportunity to spend it at your favorite concert venue. Here’s a pretty stacked list of all the awesome acts playing the city, with a focus on local artists (sorry, but do you really need validation from me to go see Bruce Springsteen? Go see Bruce Springsteen.). Anyway, show up to one or seven of our show recommendations this week.
Tuesday, Aug. 23
Hockey Dad, Muuy Bien, Skip Church
The Empty Bottle
1035 N. Western Ave. 773-276-3600
I’ve been really enjoying the new album “Boronia” from hilariously named Australian duo Hockey Dad. It has a shimmering and summery guitar part that’s incredibly easy to sing along or jump around to. Sometimes you don’t need anything more than that.
Tickets: $10 at Ticketweb.com, 21+
Wednesday, Aug. 24
Jimmy Whispers, Twin Hits, Love Is Everything
East Room
2354 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-698-8774
Underground pop genius Jimmy Whispers is leaving Chicago for the sunny skies of Los Angeles, with plans to complete his forthcoming album and start a band. It’s a loss for the city, but he’ll be back often. There’s an opportunity to celebrate the “Summer In Pain” artist on Wednesday with a free show at East Room. His friends in Twin Hits (members of Twin Peaks and Today’s Hits) and Love Is Everything also play.
Tickets: Free, 21+
Clearance, Dozer, Deeper
The Hideout
1354 W. Wabansia Ave. 773-227-4433
It’s a record release show for Clearance, who are putting out a new seven-inch single “Are You Aware?” via Tall Pat Records on Wednesday. These local rockers have been putting on stellar shows around the city for a long time. To see them perform with rising Chicagoans Deeper will be pretty special.
Tickets: $8 at Ticketfly.com, 21+
Thursday, Aug. 25
Ryley Walker, Luggage, TALsounds
The Empty Bottle
1035 N. Western Ave. 773-276-3600
Local guitar hero Ryley Walker’s been off on an extensive European tour for the past several weeks, so Thursday night at the Bottle will be potentially the only time Chicagoans can sample this Rockford-born rocker’s new album, “Golden Sings That Have Been Sung.” The new full-length is a continuation of the gorgeously rendered path he set for himself on the folk-inspired “Primrose Green,” but here the arrangements are more muscular and rock-oriented. Highlights include “The Roundabout” and the stellar opener “The Halfwit In Me.”
Tickets: $10 at Ticketweb.com, 21+
Tortoise, Homme
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
201 E. Randolph St. 312-742-1168
Homme absolutely killed it at Pitchfork Music Festival, adding in Marrow drummer Matt Carroll and letting their guitar distortion run wild. It’s something the songwriting duo of Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham look to capitalize on once they hit their biggest stage yet in support of local legends Tortoise.
Tickets: Free
Friday, Aug. 26
Mike Golden, Kelechi, Ric Wilson
Double Door
1551 N. Damen Ave. 773-489-3160
I’ve already written a lot about why you should be going to Mike Golden’s album release show for “Just Be A Better Person.” After all, it was Monday’s RedEye print cover story. But nonetheless, check out this promising pop singer follow through on his best work to date with openers Ric Wilson, whose upcoming new EP is fantastic, and Atlanta rapper Kelechi.
Tickets: $12 at Etix.com
Saturday, Aug. 27
Vic Mensa
The Vic Theatre
3145 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-472-0449
It’s Vic at the Vic for what’ll be the 23-year-old local rapper’s first Chicago show since his jaw-dropping, politically salient set at Lollapalooza. He’s already brought so much promise and energy to his live show, so it’s no doubt this one will be a can’t-miss performance.
Tickets: $30 at Ticketfly.com
@joshhterry | jterry@redeyechicago.com
