Monday. Sept. 23 Arctic Monkeys @ Riviera
The Brit-rock foursome is no longer simply worried about who looks good on the dance floor. With 2011’s “Suck It and See” and this year’s “AM,” the Arctic Monkeys have forged a moodier, more mature sound while maintaining their sultry, fun-loving roots. Chicago’s own kid-punks Twin Peaks, who recently performed at Riot Fest, will open.
Thursday, Sept. 26 Foxygen @ Lincoln Hall
The California duo blends classic psych rock with darling singer-songwriter elements – think Tame Impala meets Wilco packed into condensed bedroom pop. Foxygen’s early 2013 release “We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic” pushed them into indie fame and garnered much acclaim across the blogosphere.
Thursday, Sept. 26 The xx @ Aragon Ballroom
The British trio warranted critical acclaim for their 2009 self-titled album with their brand of moody and minimalistic synth pop. The xx have since gone on to release 2012’s “Coexist,” and beat maker Jamie xx has further explored his solo work as a producer. The elegant Aragon Ballroom provides a fitting backdrop for their sedative and “droney” work.
Saturday, Sept. 28 Wavves, King Tuff @ Park West
Nathan Williams seems to have matured quite a bit since the “Post Acid” days of Wavves’ 2010 release “King of the Beach.” The stoner surf rock outfit’s latest LP “Afraid of Heights” marks a slightly darker shift in William’s songwriting, without sacrificing their fun-loving roots. Wavves is accompanied by garage rocker King Tuff.
Saturday, Sept. 28 Pink Frost, Outer Minds @ Empty Bottle
The Chicago shoe-gazing alt-rockers Pink Frost recently gained attention from “Pitchfork” and “Spin” with their second fulllength “Sundowning,” which was released with the collaborative effort of local indie labels BLVD Records and Notes and Bolts. The group is supported by their psych pop Chicago peers Outer Minds.
Thursday, Oct. 10 Tame Impala @ Riviera
The Aussie rock outfit garnered indie fame after their 2010 release “Innerspeaker” wowed critics with its dreamy grooves which feel like an expansion of Woodstock-era psychedelia. Tame Impala has been touring extensively since releasing “Lonerism” last year, with their live shows featuring extensive jams on songs like “Elephant”.
Thursday, Oct. 17 Animal Collective, Dan Deacon @ Riviera
After Avey Tare’s ongoing health issues and a series of cancellations, the freak folk outfit finally returns to Chicago in support of their 2012 release “Centipede Hz.” Animal Collective’s performances are marked by their especially fuzzy and anticipatory transitions and, lately, intricate stage setups. They are supported by composer/ producer Dan Deacon.
Thursday, Oct. 31 FIDLAR, The Orwells @ Subterranean
If you have been following the Chicago music scene at all, odds are you have come across The Orwells at some point. The barely-legal punk rock outfit performed at Lollapalooza and received acclaim for their raw debut LP “Remember When.” Their hometown Halloween performance pairs them with lo-fi garage rock tour mates FIDLAR.
Friday, Nov. 8 – Sunday, Nov. 10 Pretty Lights @ Aragon Ballroom
Producer Derek Smith is not just some superficial bass-drop- EDM guy. Smith’s career began after initially performing with jam bands, apparent in his grooveheavy hip hop beats. He has since created his own record label, in which all music is released for free and relies upon donations. This year’s “A Color Map of the Sun” was produced by utilizing Smith’s own recorded samples pressed onto vinyl, and Smith will now be accompanied by a live band on tour.
Sunday, Nov. 10 Sleigh Bells @ Metro
The riotous noise-pop duo was recently named one of Rolling Stone’s best live acts of the year – and rightfully so. Sleigh Bells, whose third LP Bitter Rivals is due Oct. 8, sounds like a jacked up cheer squad crossed with punk, and vocalist Alexis Krauss holds nothing back.
