Now Here This - Week of April 30, 2012

Another week, another set of fantastic concerts worth heading out to. Here is our weekly list of recommended shows to catch in, and around, the city. We promise never to waste your time, or our virtual ink, on shows we are not willing to plunk down our own hard-earned cash and time on ourselves. You can put all of these down as shows worth your time and money as well.

Monday, April 30

The Wombats @ Park West
$17.50 - 7pm

 

 

 

The Wombats' electro-laced sophomore album was one of 2011's best albums thanks to thumping synth-dipped gems like "Our Perfect Disease" and "Jump Into The Fog". Losing none of the sharp tongued writing that made their debut work, their shift to a more danceable side might have taken fans a little time to get used to, but last time the band was playing the tiny, but awesome, Subterranean and now they are at the expansive Park West. Amazing what a hit song and a little time for the album to sink in can do.

Tuesday, May 1

Great Lake Swimmers @ Lincoln Hall
$15 - 8pm
Opening: Cold Specks

 

 

 The stellar sound of Lincoln Hall makes it a perfect setting for the lush, string-infused folk cool of Canada's Great Lake Swimmers. Touring behind their gorgeous fifth studio-album, New Wild Everywhere released in early April, we cannot imagine Tony Decker's warm melodic vocals and the full-bodied arrangements not sounding fantastic.

Thursday, May 3

The Weeknd @ Lincoln Hall
SOLD OUT - 9pm

 

 

 

Canadian indie soul breakout, The Weeknd takes to the wonderful Lincoln Hall stage with a sold out crowd to play to. With three solid mixtapes released last year, it is easy to imagine that this might be the last time he is at a venue of this size. If you want to hear what all the fuss is about, we recommend you head to his site (http://the-weeknd.com/) where you can grab his mixtapes for the low, low price of FREE.

Friday, May 4

Emily Wells @ Schubas
$13 - 10pm
Opening: Portland Cello Project

 

 

 Texas-based multi-instrumentalist, Emily Wells lands in Chicago on the heels of releasing her first official album. The eclectic effort reminds us a bit of the manic genius of Tim Fite, balancing the experimental pop with dazzling moments of clarity.

Over The Rhine (Acoustic) @ Space
$25-$45 - 8pm

 

 

 

The first of two acoustic sets at Evanston's Space, Ohio folk stalwarts, Over The Rhine arrive back in town just over a year after their latest album, The Long Surrender. The sultry, smoky take on folk the pair deliver should make for a lovely laid back night of music.

Saturday, May 4

Over The Rhine (Acoustic) @ Space
$25-$45 - 8pm

 

 

 

Sunday, May 5

Suckers @ Empty Bottle
$12 - 10pm
Opening: Turn To Crime

 

 

 Pure indie pop bliss, Brooklyn's Suckers land at the smallish Empty Bottle. If there is any justice in the world, this will be a rare chance to see this talented trio at a venue this size. Fresh off the release of their excellent Candy Salad, their swirling, layered approach to pop should work fantastically in one of the city's best small-sized venues.

Looking ahead to next week
Friday - 5/11 Maps & Atlases @ Metro $16 9pm Opening: So Many Dynamos, Sister Crayon
Saturday - 5/12 - Grouplove @ Metro $16 8pm Opening: Reptar
Saturday - 5/12 - Dax Riggs @ Beat Kitchen 10pm
Saturday - 5/12 - The Right Now @ Lincoln Hall $10 Opening: Derobert & The Half Truths, DJRC