RECOMMENDED The beloved Wilco holds its “Winter Residency” at the Riviera Theatre this week, five shows in all during which the band promises to cover its entire catalogue, or at least attempt to. Last year, Jeff Tweedy and co. released “Sky Blue Sky,” a relatively straightforward so-so record that had its pretty moments—like the Tom Petty-esque single “What Light”—and its downer phases, like when the band ventures into boring, my-old-man-would-like-this rock. Not nearly as experimental as predecessor “A Ghost is Born” or as memorable and touching as “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” “Sky Blue Sky” was a surprise in how unsurprising it was—that said, the band’s skill to pull off even the generic is still impressive, and live, Wilco’s tough to beat. As the group explores its thirteen-year history, some forgotten gems should pop up—“The Lonely 1,” maybe?—as well as the now-instantly recognizable tracks from “Yankee.” All of these shows sold out quicker than she fell in love with the drummer, but you would have to be insane to have expected anything else. (Tom Lynch) Friday, February 15 at Riviera Theatre
Cooling It: A Preview of Colleen Green at Cole’s Bar When Green strums power chords or chiming notes on top of her backing track, you might think you’re at Ramones karaoke night and Madonna is taking her turn.
Brutal Finesse: A Preview of King Crimson at Ravinia There have been few new compositions from King Crimson these past two decades, but the live arrangements of songs from its catalog are often strikingly different than the recorded versions.
