list.in.to.chicago this week: 06.08.2015

In which I try to figure out what the heck DRILL : CHICAGO is.

Pick of the week
At least four legends in one week, with Robert Plant (Wednesday at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion), Rush (Friday at United Center), Buddy Guy (Saturday at Blues Fest in Grant Park) and Ginger Baker (Sunday at Thalia Hall). Some might include Richard Thompson (Wednesday at the Vic) in that club as well.

list.in.to.COZ
Back to the grind with Vaughan's on Tuesday, and the duo version of Diver on Saturday at Fado.

Recap
No live music last week, but if you're looking for restaurants, the new Cherry Circle Room in the new hotel in the old Chicago Athletic Association building is pretty cool. Paul McGee made us drinks from a push-cart.

6.09   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
If you've read all the way through the list this week, you may be watching a Ginger Baker documentary tonight. But if you're not, you should come hear local musicians with special guest host Andrew Fraker.

Soundtrack Serenade (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
As part of their performance of This is Spinal Tap, I'm told that no less than 13 drummers will be featured on one song, only to meet their untimely demise.

My Morning Jacket with Hiss Golden Messenger (Chicago Theatre)
The Kentucky band has another solid record after a solid solo outing from lead singer Jim James, although "solid" in their case usually includes one or two slightly cringe-worthy tracks that get eclipsed by the good stuff.

Genevieve with Sleepy Kitty (Lincoln Hall)
It was only a matter of time before the Company of Thieves singer went solo.

6.10   wednesday
Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters with The Pixies (FirstMerit Bank Pavilion)
The weather forecast isn't ideal, but that does open up the possibility of the Led Zeppelin singer belting out "if it keeps on raining, the levee's gonna break" during a downpour. Which would be pretty awesome. Also curious to see if a new Kim Deal replacement fixes what ailed The Pixies at Riot Fest a few years back.

Hozier with Dawes (Pritzker Pavilion)
There's nothing objectively wrong with a firmly middle-of-the-road adult pop singer/songwriter. "Take Me To Church" is really catchy. Dawes brings a bit more energy to this outdoor party.

Richard Thompson Electric Trio with Robert Ellis (The Vic)
Coincidentally, I think the last time Thompson was here, he was actually playing on a bill with My Morning Jacket, who is also here this week. That was out at Toyota Park with Bob Dylan, and the Englishman's set was burning, not just because the sun was still out.

Maps & Atlases with Pattern Is Movement (Lincoln Hall)
This band intrigued me at first with its sorta math-rock weirdness, but then the music started to struggle to escape the hipster trappings of the band itself, and I started losing interest.

My Morning Jacket with Hiss Golden Messenger (Chicago Theatre)
See Tuesday's listing.

6.11   thursday
Wire and Ken Vandermark & Nate Wooley with Olivia Block, Ken Vandermark & Nate Wooley (The Hideout)
This is the first night of something called DRILL : CHICAGO, where the highly-regarded English post-punk band is playing three nights at three venues with a handful of hand-picked artists, with each night culminating in a performance of a Wire song or album with special guests. I think. For this one, openers Ken Vandermark and Nate Wooley join the band to perform “Map Ref. 41°N 93°W.”

My Morning Jacket with Hiss Golden Messenger (Chicago Theatre)
See Tuesday's listing.

6.12   friday
Rush (United Center)
The 40th anniversary tour for the Canadian prog legends (and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members) is rumored to be their last tour ever.

Mustard Plug with Voodoo Glow Skulls, Slow Children, Lippies (Double Door)
Ska bands have a longer life expectancy than I would have figured, although the opening acts might indicate another wave of bands in the genre.

Wire and St. Vincent with The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, White Lung, The Fly (Thalia Hall)
Night 2 of Wire's curated mini-festival includes the band performing the album after which the fest is named, along with St. Vincent.

6.13   saturday
DIVER (Fado Irish Pub)   SEE COZ LIVE!
For this week, I believe we're back to the Coz-and-Andrew quasi-acoustic duo.

Buddy Guy with Shemekia Copeland, Toronzo Cannon (Petrillo Music Shell)
Buddy Guy headlines the second night of the Chicago Blues Festival. If you've never seen the guitar legend play live, you're missing out.

Bronze Radio Return (Ribfest)
This is one of the headliners of day two of Ribfest up in North Center, and it's a band that Brian from Andrew Fraker & Sons recommended a while back.

Kofi Baker's Cream Experience (Wire, Berwyn)
I have to imagine that Ginger Baker's son is accompanying his father on tour, but maybe playing shows separately?

Super Happy Fun Club with Lifeline, Clockwork, Ship Captain Crew (Beat Kitchen)
I feel like I played shows with this band at some point in the past. Maybe even with URT?

Wire with Tim Hecker, Disappears, The Pinkflag Guitar Orchestra (Metro)
The final night of DRILL : CHICAGO features a full set from Wire, and then a ton of people joining them at the end for the song "Pink Flag."

Rebirth Brass Band with Super Doppler Wars (Martyrs')
New Orleans horns are always going to lift your spirits, aren't they?

6.14   sunday
Ginger Baker's Jazz Confusion (Thalia Hall)
If you haven't seen Beware Mr. Baker, the documentary about the Cream and Blind Faith drummer, go find it on Netflix right now. Then buy a ticket to see a performer who arguably has no right to still be going this strong.

The Orwells (Ribfest)
Elmhurst's favorite new punk band headlines the final night of Ribfest.