list.in.to.chicago this week: 05.25.2015

Yeah, I know. The thing is, I usually start the list every week. I just don't always finish it.

Pick of the week
Kinda liking Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds on Friday at the Riv, or maybe David Torn that same night at Constellation. I know lots of folks like Do Division Fest, which is both good (music) and bad (crowds).

list.in.to.COZ
After a few weeks off, it's a normal gig week, with Vaughan's on Tuesday and Diver at Fado on Saturday.

Recap
If it's any consolation, at least I've been seeing a bunch of shows since we last spoke. Faith No More exceeded my very high expectations, which is saying something. They played a lot of the songs I wanted to hear, with swagger and with a sense of humor. I wish I could see the one dude in the front that Mike Patton kept commenting on. Patton let it drop that they'd be back in September, so expect the band to be one of the headliners when the Riot Fest lineup gets released this week. The opening set from Le Butcherettes was as visceral and nearly unhinged as I've come to expect. Also high marks for Concord Music Hall on my first visit.

Then two weeks back it was Passion Pit, which was really, really good. I only know a handful of their songs, but the band kept my attention throughout. Probably the biggest show I've seen at Thalia Hall so far, and that's another venue that doesn't disappoint.

Finally, rolled off a flight from San Francisco and over to Rosemont last week for Judas Priest, who I never saw during their heyday. Rob Halford has definitely lost a step, but his voice, by and large, hasn't. Originally I had figured it for some sort of anniversary tour, but they've actually got a new record out. Opening act Saxon told the crowd they'll be back in September, too, so look for them in that Riot Fest announcement.

5.26   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
Early Cubs night game and nice weather, which might make for a good Open Jam crowd. Or not. It's really, really hard to predict.

Shelby Lynne (City Winery)
It almost seems too soon for country-folk artist Lynne to join the ranks of people playing "classic" albums in their entirety, but her debut did come out 15 years ago.

5.27   wednesday
Bully with Fake Limbs (Empty Bottle)
This billed as part of a series called "First Impressions" from WXRT and something called Billions. I tend to trust XRT on the new band front more than, say, Q101.

Cameron McGill with Tom Schraeder (The Hideout)
I've probably met him once, on account of three or four mutual friends, but the singer/songwriter doesn't quite make the "friends of Coz" category.

Shelby Lynne (City Winery)
See Tuesday's listing.

5.28   thursday
Fruition with Mad Bread, Kory Quinn (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Okay, I may have to ask Kory (or his dad) if he's figured out how to be in two places at once, because I could swear he's had some recent shows in the Pacific Northwest, too.

5.29   friday
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds (Riviera Theatre)
One of the best things about a new record and tour from the guitarist and primary songwriter from Oasis is that you get interviews, and you have ever read an interview with Noel Gallagher, you know what I'm talking about. This date doesn't necessarily rule out a return for Riot Fest, which was one of my hunches a few months ago, along with Swervedriver.

David Torn (Constellation)
I haven't seen the avant-garde guitarist since collaborations with the likes of Terry Bozzio and Bill Bruford many, many years ago. Always curious to see if players who pushed the envelope twenty years ago are still reinventing themselves, or if they've settled into the sound that set them apart when they first broke through.

Frank Catalano & Jimmy Chamberlin Band (Green Mill)
When I first saw this combination, I thought Chamberlin was holding back a bit, so I'm hoping that he's grown into the gig over time.

Vance Joy (Metro)   SOLD OUT!
Given how often I hear him on the radio, I would have thought Joy would be able to pull off at least the Riviera. That said, everything I've heard has mostly been acoustic guitar and maybe a kick drum, so it's possible he's not quite comfortable in a larger venue with that sparse of an arrangement.

Black Mountain with Young Widows, Crown Larks (Do Division Fest)
While we've had a smattering of street festivals already, the season kicks off in earnest this week with one of the better-programmed fests, mostly due to the Empty Bottle's involvement. Which is why most of the headliners play that venue this weekend as well.

Tobacco with Pastel Fractal (Empty Bottle)
Saturday's Do Division headliner, only indoors and with fewer dogs & strollers.

5.30   saturday
DIVER (Fado Irish Pub)   SEE COZ LIVE!
It's been three whole weeks since we've been upstairs at our regular River North haunt. In the #yearofdiver, that's an eternity. I think we will have special guest Mike G from the Ripleys on bass this time out.

Tobacco with Peanut Butter Wolf, Saba, Will Sessions, State Champion, Al Scorch (Do Division Fest)
These are only the bands that were listed in the Empty Bottle emails, so check the site for the festival to get the full slate.

Sebadoh with Stranger Cat (Schubas)
The longevity of this band is pretty impressive, as they've never really been a big venue act, and I don't think Lou Barlow has been breaking the bank since reuniting with Dinosaur Jr., either. Seems like one of those guys who will continue to play for the niche audience he's established until he's physically unable to.

Temples with Fever The Ghost (Subterranean)   SOLD OUT!
Another evening headlining set from a Do Division band. Saw them once, I think, and thought they could maybe tone down the reverb.

Average White Band (Promontory)
I will always have a soft spot for "Pick Up The Pieces." One of the best funk tunes of the 70s.

Weepies with Kristina Train (Park West)
The new record from the country-folk act includes a very nice cover of a Tom Petty song.

Lana Del Rey with Grimes (First Midwest Bank Ampitheatre)
Apparently the backlash wasn't enough to take her out. Everything I've heard/seen from Grimes tells me that Del Rey might struggle to outshine her opening act here.

Black Mountain with Verma, Chatham Rise (Empty Bottle)   SOLD OUT!
Friday's Do Division headliner, and the Reader capsule on this Vancouver band sounded intriguing.

Lake Street Dive with The Congress (Thalia Hall)   SOLD OUT!
A quick bit of research reveals that the reason this band sounds familiar to me is that they appeared on the Colbert Report once, and not because their name sounds like Lake Shore Drive.

Built To Spill with Wooden Indian Burial Ground, Clarke and the Himselfs (Metro)   SOLD OUT!
I see these guys as more of a cult power-pop band--they don't quite have the stature of a Big Star or Matthew Sweet in that universe, but are enough of a big deal to play to a full house.

Calexico (Lincoln Hall)   SOLD OUT
Still get these guys confused with Califone, but enough people don't make that mistake to fill Lincoln Hall, apparently.

Frank Catalano & Jimmy Chamberlin Band (Green Mill)
See Friday's listing.

5.31   sunday
Deicide with Entombed A.D., Hate Eternal, Black Crown Initiate, Lorna Shore, Svart Crown (Metro)
Some serious metal going down in Wrigleyville.

Lake Street Dive with River Whyless (Thalia Hall)   SOLD OUT!
See Saturday's listing.

Calexico (Lincoln Hall)
See Saturday's listing.